Centuries Ago
Wars are integral to the human story. Power crazed leaders have ensured conflicts are virtually always occurring. The hundred year war with England and France, the fore actually lasted from 1337 to 1453. Apparently three million people lost their lives.
France won the long battle and by 1453 had driven the English from all French territory bar the Port of Calaio.
A teenage French peasant girl who died in 1431 aged only nineteen was a pivotal figure in the war and remains an inspirational figure in history. In the time of war, hunger, famine and fear this young girl changed the fate of her nation.
Joan of Arc was born in the tiny village of Domremy in NE France. From age 13 she had incredible visions of heaven and listened to voices of the saints. She joined the French army in her mid teens and was embraced by her superiors. At 17 the king commanded her to lead the French army. Joan was incredibly successful and in 1429 lead her troops to its famous victory in the Battle of Orleans although the conflict dragged on and on, this victory was the most decisive of all.
Captured by the English she was burned at the stake when only 19, but her deeds changed the course of western history and centuries later she is the Patron Saint of France and to this day Joan remains an inspirational figure.
Vale Graham Meier
Lifetime Kilmore resident Graham Meier was farewelled last week from St Patrick’s Church with a Requiem Mass splendidly celebrated by Father Andrew Choi.
Born in 1939, Graham as a kind and gentle man, one of the best. A builder and carpenter by trade he was highly regarded for his work. His work for many years, mostly voluntary, was greatly appreciated by the Marist Brothers. An ACK student himself in the early fifties he and his wife Patricia ensured son Matthew and daughters Veronica and Jacinta attended Assumption where each was a fine student.
Pat herself made a notable contribution to the college in supervising the canteen and the cricket and football afternoon teas for over 20 years.
The mass involved all the family. Jacinta delivered a moving eulogy. Covering the life and times of a much loved husband, father and grandfather to Jacinta’s two young children, India and Emerson. Pat, Matthew and Veronica had key roles.
Prayers of the faithful were read by Catherine and Eric and included a heartfelt tribute to all the staff at Caledonia Nursing home in Kilmore.
A person of strong faith. Graham was a sincere person who shared genuine kindness to many across the years. A sportsman in his youth, his hobbies were his family, his work and his garden.
VARIA
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Pictured are Brian Carroll and Gerry Hanson who met while on a European holiday recently, Gerry, a member of the renowned Hanson cricketing family who dominated for Kilmore in the 80s, had played against Brian who was a premiership player for Broadford CC while Bank Manager there for a few years.
Not related but I got to know Brian as a young man who worked with my sister in a bank in Mortlake. A good sportsman himself, Brian’s wife Mary (dec) was something of a legend in VFA- VFL circles. Their two sons were fine players in the VFL.
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Former student Ashley Haynes and his wife are pictured with the pacer they very kindly named in my honour. The Haynes name is well known in the Riverina for it’s generational butcher business.
Ashley and good mates Jamie Stevenson and Darren Kane are combined in a syndicate.
All these are good guys who have done well in life beyond college days. The trio were rewarded in sport at ACK and Jamie Stevenson lead the 1983 First XVIII and later played for North Melbourne.
