THE JENNI’S KEEP GOING
THE name Jenni is very familiar to racing fans. It was Pride of Jenni that captured hearts with its spectacular success the past few years. The Herald Sun has just reported as follows:
Superstar Pride Of Jenni could be set for a Melbourne racing comeback as early as Saturday.
Champion trainer Ciaron Maher plans to nominate the comeback mare for the Group Two Peter Young Stakes (l800m) at Caulfield.
The three-time Group land All-Star Mile winner Pride Of Jenni was retired by owner Tony Ottobre after a bleed in the Champions Mile last year.
However, the seven-year-old thrived in the summer break, which prompted a return to Maher last month.
Pride Of Jenni bowled along in trademark style to win a 1000m jumpout at Cranbourne last week by five lengths.
But there is a stable of ‘Jenni’s’—all named in memory of Tony and wife Lynn’s beautiful daughter who lost her battle with cancer a decade ago.
A couple of weekends ago, Jenni the Fox spectacularly won a group two race at Caulfield. Tony and Lynn returned from a trip to Italy in time for the win. They had been on a sojourn to celebrate 45 years of happy married life. After spending time in Rome, they travelled south to a village in Sicily where they paused to pay homage at the grave of Tony’s grand father who fought in World War I.
Tony and Lynn are a remarkable couple. Their kindness and generosity has helped many deserving families over the years. They have changed lives with their quiet philanthropy.
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Tony Ottobre was a boarder at ACK in the mid-70s. He recalls the still Spartan times of strap and cane, cold showers, runs to Monument Hill, no air conditioning in classrooms or dormitories, and visits from family only once a month.
However, like many of his contemporises, Tony said: ‘It made me, taught me, resilience and instilled a desire to succeed in life.’ Tony recalls playing cricket for a time beyond college days and now and then a few drinks at the Royal Oak where Phillip and Carol McIntyre were in charge.
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Pride of Jenni came out of retirement and won brilliantly at Caulfield a week ago.
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VALE BROTHER ARTHUR
Brother Arthur Maybon spent 20 years at Assumption across two periods (1966–73) and (1989–2001). He was a teacher, dormitory supervisor, junior sports coach, and farm manager. He retired from duties in 2001, but returned for three years in 2009.
He was born in Leeton (NSW) in 1934. He had one sister, Carmel, a nun (dec), and a brother Darcy who travelled from Wagga for Arthur’s farewell at St Patrick’s in Kilmore. A large assemblage of Marists, friends, and former students were present for the service conducted by Father Michael Casey from Tarrawarra Monastery.
Whittlesea farmer Sean Skehan was present. He was a teaching colleague of Arthur’s at Marist Preston for a number of years. Assumption college senior students participated in the mass and formed a guard of honour at the end of service.
In all, Brother Arthur served in nine colleges in three states and Papua New Guinea. Keen on sport, he coached football and cricket and was a Collingwood fan.
Brother Arthur in his early Kilmore days.
The Review recently received the following tribute featuring notes on our regular columnist Ray Carroll, and two other Assumption Collegians. It reads as follows:
Three names from Assumption history should never be forgotten. Two were students; one a teacher and sports coach. They are Neale Daniher, Simon Costa, and Ray Carroll. The three have been good friends since schooldays, and have much in common. They loved Assumption and its people, its history, and values.
Each has been honoured by the Australian Government: Neale Daniher, Australian of the Year for his amazing efforts to raise many millions for MND, the affliction he battles so bravely. Simon Costa is a recipient of the Order of Australia for his years of making life better for the very poor in Africa. Mr Carroll received the OAM for services to education, youth, sport, and underprivileged children. He was also acknowledged by the Herald Sun’s legendary sportswriter as almost certainly the most successful dual coach (football and cricket, 47 premierships in his history).
The Main Oval Pavilion is named after Neale Daniher, the iconic oval is named the Carroll Oval.
