DIFFERENT TIMES
Although letters by post are becoming a fading memory, it is still great to receive and send them—more personal than emails in many ways. Some letters to come my way have been very moving—perhaps none more so than the following one which evoked nostalgic memories from long ago. It came from Kalamunda in Western Australia.
It was a beautiful letter from Vince Hughes who recalled his family’s time in Kilmore half a century ago.
At Assumption College, there were primary classes then and I vividly recall the
Hughes boys Charles, Vincent, and Peter.
I was a class teacher for each of the lads who will be remembered, I’m sure, by day students of the time—the likes of Tony Zoch, Gerald Harding, Phil Skehan, Bob Flannery, and the Clancy boys among quite a few.
As Vince wrote to me, times were pretty tough then for many, not least the Hughes family.
There was also a sister, who I think may still reside somewhere in this area.
The boys, who lived for a time some distance from school, walked through paddocks, often muddy, and had to climb over or through barbed-wire fences to get to school. Material possessions were in short supply.
The letter recalled that I gave Vince a coat—the winters then were very severe —and that, with the help of the Brothers, it was arranged for some beds for the family.
I can’t remember the dad so much, but I do recall the mum, a stoic person who was proud of the children.
Well, the years have rolled along. Peter, the youngest boy, died early on in a traffic accident.
Vince, the letter-writer, became a meteorologist in the weather bureau, and Charles has his own successful business in the Melbourne suburb of Springvale.
I was really happy to hear from Vince. The family members were truly battlers in an era far different from today’s affluent times.
More often than not, it is the people from the ‘poor side of the tracks’ who are the really genuine people.
I guess both parents have gone from this life, along with their youngest boy, Peter.
But, from Valhalla, they can be proud their kids beat the odds stacked against them.
LULWORTH LINE
The Weld family of Lulworth Castle Estate in Dorset (UK) have a quite long Assumption connection. About a dozen ACK graduates have enjoyed their gap year working for the family and were brilliantly treated by the very gracious lord and lady of Lulworth, Wilfred and Sally Weld.
The girls from Kilmore and area benefited greatly from the experience. One such was Tara Brida of Whittlesea, and she is happy a daughter Mikayla is currently loving her time at the famous location.
Pictured with her boyfriend, Mikayla enjoys the stunning Dorset countryside and the people. Recently she worked at the castle concert, one of many each year at the castle. Her mum, Tara, and aunts Danielle and Natalie loved their college days and have fond memories of their time at ACK. The girl’s parents Jozef and Margaret are really fine people, still residents at Tatra Park near Whittlesea.
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I met the Weld family nearly five decades ago through cricket. A young ACK player was playing for Hampshire in county cricket and on long service leave in the UK, I went to Southampton to see him play. The Welds were closely tied to the famous club, and I got to know them well. Over the years since, I have enjoyed their great hospitality on several visits to the UK.
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VARIA
It was really good to see Chris Fagan, oldest coach in the AFL, enjoy the glory of Brisbane Lion’s emphatic title win. A very decent and humble person, he well deserved to be on the winner’s podium.
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Well-known Kilmore resident Kate Archer can be described as a legend of the St Patricks church community. The historic 175-years-old citadel of worship has quite possibly never known a more devoted servant.
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It was a big weekend recently for former ACK student Liam Durkin, who celebrated his 30th birthday and 150th senior game for Moe football club. An all-round sportsman, Liam is also editor of a major Gippsland newspaper and a brilliant award-winning journalist. He is a passionate advocate for regional newspapers. His younger brother James is also a keen sportsman—footy and cricket, and is president and player of Thropdale Cricket Club.
It was nice to meet up last week with former college staffers, each of whom made a significant contribution to ACK local area residents. Neil and Tina Gage spent quite a few years at Assumption. Tina was a highly regarded nurse and Neil was a dormitory supervisor. Son Nathan starred in the First XVIII and is now a school principal. Daughter Alex suffered a tragic loss when her young son, a beautiful boy, died when a pupil at Pyalong Primary School.
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In next week’s Review, there will be a review of an outstanding book, just published by Broadford’s Owen Douglas, father of Richard who played 246 games for Adelaide Crows, after starring in the 1st XVIII and 1st XI at Assumption. Also, there will be a story of Wallan’s Chris Vecchi and family. I caught up with Chris at Bailey Fowlers 21st celebration a week ago. A fine lad from a great family, Bailey has spent two USA summers doing valuable work at Camp America.