PAST TIMES
Amid the hectic onrush of modern times, when the world in many ways seems to have gone crazy- it is sometimes good to reflect on past times. So, this column looks back on distant times- “one day when we were young”. Firstly, some photos from a century ago at Assumption (circa 1924) (Photo of the leaders of the school)
Boarders waiting eagerly for mail from home, each Sunday evening in study the 300 boys wrote letters home. A far cry from today when contact is by phone or email. For many decades there were three school terms and boarders were only able to go home at term time.
The above pictures were reprinted in the annual of 1984 which was a good year in studies and sport. Bill Brownless starred in football and cricket for the First XVIII, he booted 155 goals and this led to Geelong picking him up. With the Cats he played 198 games and kicked over 400 goals. Like many college boys over the years who excelled in both sports Bill was a fine cricketer who hit over 700 runs in his final year.
Three local area men who looked after the 2nd XVIII and below in this era were Wally Arnott, Ned Pannuzzo and Mick Whitty. All three made wonderful contributions to the game at ACK and Wally Arnott coached the Reserves XVIII to the 1984 premiership. As First XVIII captain Chris Bourke wrote – “Arnott deserves praise and thanks for his fine work with young players”. Well known Kilmore resident of today Greg Stute won the Norm Nugent Trophy for the 2nd XVIII’s best player.
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A study of poetry was a valuable part of the English curricular for many years, and a fifth former contributed this verse –
When you ‘re criticising others,
And find faults here and there,
A flaw or two to speak of,
Or a weakness you can tear;
When you ‘re blaming someone’s meanness
Or accusing someone’s self,
It’s time that you went out to take
A walk around yourself.
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There are many human failures,
In the average of us all,
And many grave shortcomings
In the short ones and the tall;
But when we think of evils
Folks should loop upon themselves,
It’s time we all went out to take
A walk around ourselves.
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We need so often in this life,
This balancing of scales,
This seeing how much in us wins
And how much in us fails;
But before you judge another,
Just place him on the shelf,
The finest plan to follow is
To walk around oneself.
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STILL A STAR
Bridget Cassar (nee Jait) has recently been honoured as one of the all-time “greats” of Ovens and Murray League Netball. She starred for Assumption in the early years of this century and now a veteran continues to perform brilliantly as a player and coach.
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OH! TO BE IN ENGLAND
June and July are great times to be in England for sports fans, and many Aussies make the pilgrimage. Cricket tests at famous venues Lords and The Oval; Wimbledon, British Open golf, and Royal Ascot races are timeless highlights. In cricket England and New Zealand have just fought out a close series in front of packet crowds. For UK people sport is a reminder of the once grandeur of a nation now being literally destroyed by politicians and bureaucrats.
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THE ANDERSON CLAN
Assumption College owes a debt of gratitude to the remarkable Anderson Family. Eight of the family attended ACK in an unbroken line from 1934-74 and their dad Harry M Anderson paid for the pavilion that served the college’s football and cricket teams and supporters well for nearly five decades. A brief meeting with Cyril (ACK 1955-64) now a Kilmore resident and longtime member of Kilmore Golf Club received memories of great parents. Dad was the “boss” of Nightingale Hosiery in Coburg and president of Coburg Football Club. Mum was an adored lady who died far too early. People lined the street eight deep outside a packed church at her “farewell” service. In all, 25 of the clan have attended Assumption over the years until today.
