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Ray Carroll’s ‘From the Boundary’: August 20, 2024

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Ray Carroll
Ray Carroll
Ray Carroll is the author of the Review's longest running segment, 'From the Boundary'. A retired coach from Assumption College Kilmore, Ray writes passionately about social affairs within the community, giving the much-loved editorial space over to much-loved current and ex-locals.

EVERGREEN MEMORIES

Recently, I met up with a highly regarded former Assumption College Kilmore (ACK) deputy Peter Jongebloed, and some students from a generation ago. Many aspects of life and times as Assumption were discussed.

Each former collegian was grateful for the manner in which school days had shaped their lives. Michael Barlow, Martin Cossettine, Simon Costa, Shane Crawford, and Hayley Moran each enjoyed great years at ACK, recalling the brothers, teachers, and classmates with genuine affection. All had highlights including athletics and swimming carnival days, packed Friday afternoon crowds at the main oval for 1st XVIII football, the bonds forged with school pals that survived the passing years, along with countless treasured moments.

Each of the ex-students mentioned the word spirit; that intangible passed down the generations across well over a hundred years of ACK history: for all who are able to tap into this spirit gain something precious for life.

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SPIRIT

The coach regarded as the greatest of all time – Vince Lombardi – believed any person could scale the heights if they properly tapped into their inner spirit. The American football legend died of cancer at age 57 in 1970. He achieved immortality as the mentor of the Green Bay Packers.

Lombardi implored young people especially to strive for the mountain peaks and not be content to stay in the valleys.

Many students of ACK have done wonderful things along life’s pathways. Former ACK boys and girls are found across Australia and beyond in areas of medicine, law, commerce, agriculture, the arts, music, drama, and of course, sport.

Some of this nation’s finest surgeons, legal minds, captains of industry, leaders in agriculture, and the arts, along with the cavalcade of sports stars, have attended the Kilmore institution, and all have been endowed with intangible spirit.

BRIEF PEN PICTURES

Michael Barlow was a champion footballer and cricketer here. He graduated in 2005 and has forged a notable career with Fremantle Dockers – one of their best and most consistent players over recent years. He prepared for life after footy, having achieved a degree in accounting.

Michael has also been a mentor and close friend of Brownlow winner Nat Fyfe, who made the best Brownlow Medal speech I’ve ever heard. Michael Barlow was a third-generation boarder at ACK. His grandfather suffered crippling injuries in World War II – he was one of the many ACK boys who lost their lives or were maimed in the Great Wars – making huge sacrifices so that we can live in freedom.

Martin Cossettini came here in the 1980s from a village near Thredbo in the Alps.

His dad, Joe, a migrant from Italy, worked on the vast Snowy River Electricity Scheme – the last nation building program undertaken by the Australian Government.

Martin was a tough, knock-about guy who made the most of his time here, and went on to be successful in the finance sector in London. In 2007, at the Cricket World Cup in West Indies, he fell in love with a native girl. The couple have two beautiful children.

Hayley Morgan was a day student from Kinglake West. She was in Shane Crawford’s years and had a crush on the latter Hawk legend.

Hayley suffered dreadfully with chronic asthma, and several times had to be airlifted to the Royal Melbourne for life saving treatment. She was dealt quite a few tough cards over the years but came through smiling. Now married with four fine kids, she works as a flight attendant with Qantas.

Then there are the well documented stories of Neale Daniher, Simon Costa, and Shane Crawford – each of whom continue to contribute massively to humanity.

Neale, who led the First XI and First XVIII to premierships in 1978, and then went on to be a Bombers star, is battling Motor Neurone Disease. The grim outlook for Neale inspired him, and with the help of his close-knit family and many friends, has raised more than two million dollars to further aid research into the dreadful affliction.

Shane Crawford’s efforts to raise millions for breast cancer has been well documented, while Simon Costa’s past years of voluntary work for the United Nations in Africa has seen him achieve remarkable things.

Simon also cycled across the French Alps and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, thus raising funds via sponsorship to build a school in West Africa.

AGSV FOOTBALL

Yarra Valley broke a 65-year drought to win the 2024 title defeating P.E.G.S by 52 points in front of a big crowd at Ringwood. Assumption just missed the finals on percentage. It was the first time in history ACK had not made the top four, since 1959 the dark and light blues have won 39 AGSV titles.

Sadly, the August 25 exchange between Assumption and S.H.C Adelaide has had to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. This is a shame as it’s been an historic and valued event since 1957. Pictured is a scene when the two colleges met on the occasion of my farewell game.

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