SIX OF THE BEST
MARIST Brothers who over the years had taught at Assumption were to be honoured at Marcellin College with a mass and jubilee celebration. A large assemblage will pay tribute to the following for their outstanding and devoted service to the Marists during many decades of classroom teaching and sports coaching.
The inspirational “six” were:
Br Jordan Redden (80 years)
Br Doug Walsh (70 years)
Br Greg McCrystal (70 years)
Br Bernard Riley (60 years)
Br Brian Kinsella (50 years)
Br Mark O’Connor (50 years)
Thus, a combined total of nearly 400 years of dedicated service that influenced for good countless thousands of young lives. There are many former Assumption students still in this region who would recall the six servants of God.
VARIA
Jamie Smith, England’s new wicket keeper batsman, in his early twenties is already being hailed as a superstar after just a handful of tests. His brilliant century (184) against India at Birmingham recently was the third fastest hundred in test history. The fasted is still the 102 by Gilbert Jessop against Australia in the classic test at The Oval in London in 1902. Jessop, was one of the greatest outright hitters of all time.
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Kilmore Football Club’s women’s team has certainly made its mark with its strong performances this season in the NFNL. The players will be striving to cap off their campaign with premiership success.
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GOOD MAN AND TRUE
Brian Forrest came to Assumption in the early fifties from western Victoria. He grew up in Penshurst, (John Kelly Country) before moving with his family to Mortlake.
Most boys from that region who went away to a Catholic boarding school were sent to St Pat’s Ballarat Marist Brothers Mt Gambier. But the principal of ACK in 1950-53 was the much-loved Brother Kenneth who was a friend of Brian’s parents.
So, Brian was packed off to Kilmore, where he excelled in the classroom and, in 1955, was captain of both First XVIII and XI. He was highly-talented in both sports and I recall him playing with my teenage Mortlake club when he came home on holidays.
Brian studied Law at Melbourne Uni and carved out a successful career. He has been highly-regarded for his work in this field and in recent years has been prominent in adjudicating in high-profile cases in the Victorian Racing Industry.
His parents were very well-respected, as was the whole family. A younger brother John, sadly deceased, also attended Assumption, and I remember him well as a fine lad. A sister Mary also progresses well in life. For a time, she studied in the UK with much success. One of Brian’s daughters Caroline was a pretty handy cricketer.
Brian is a Geelong fan and follows the Cats with enthusiasm. Among his wide circle of friends are l950s Cats premiership players and also Geelong player Fred Le Deux. Fred captained Assumption College Kilmore in 1952 and is grandfather of Cat’s key forward Tom Hawkins. Kilmore’s Bryan I Harding coached Brian in Old Collegians’ team in the VAFA.
Brian Forrest and his wife Denise are great people, generous and caring and have influenced many lives. I have been very grateful over the years for Brian’s advice and friendships.
Brian told me recently that he and his footy and cricket mates at Assumption greatly benefited from lessons learned on the playing fields.
