Daramalan College alumni stories

A LITTLE TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

Daramalan weddings are fairly common these days so not usually newsworthy, but in this instance, I’m making an exception. This weekend (Nov 12) sees ex-student John Lane (1992) marry Canberra lawyer Clare Carnell. And why am I telling you this? Because John is the son of former Canberra Liberals leader Bill Stefaniak and Clare is the daughter of…yep, you guessed it, Kate Carnell, the ACT’s Chief Minister from 1995 to 2000. Looks like a match made in political heaven especially considering John excelled at Debating in school, as well as being a very handy Rugby player. (Especially that game-saving tackle during the Dara Rugby Tour of Fiji).

RUGBY BOYS YEN FOR JAPAN

In another testament to the success of the Daramalan Rugby program, two recent ex-students are making their mark on the international stage.

Tom Haddad (2018) has just signed with top Japanese Rugby outfit, Toyota Shokki after an exemplary season playing 1st grade for Gungahlin Eagles, as well as a successful pre-season run with the Brumbies.

And ex-Brumbie Mack Hansen (2016), now playing for Irish team Connacht in the European league, is really proving his worth including a match-sealing try against Ulster in his last game and has just been chosen to train with the Irish national team who will play against Japan this Saturday. Dara v Dara!

A WINNING COMBINATION

With the passing of Australian entertainment legend Bert Newton, it’s timely to acknowledge the association Bert had with ex-Daramalan student Peter Wynne, class of 1969. (And if you are at an age where your initial reaction is 'Bert who?' it's probably safe to keep scrolling). 

Peter started work with CTC Channel 7 Canberra in 1970, later moving to Channel Nine in Melbourne where he has stayed for over 40 years acting as Producer and Executive Producer on such shows as ‘The Don Lane Show’ and a decade of producing 'The Logies' hosted by Bert. (As well as 'The Block', 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire', 'The Daryl Somers Show', 'Carols by Candlelight' and many more).

Peter’s latest production was a wonderful 90-minute tribute to Newton, broadcast on Channel 9 which bumped '60 Minutes' off the schedules, a rare feat in itself

WHAT AN ICE JOB!

Growing up through Canberra winters must surely be the perfect training ground for a job in a cold climate. So if you are friends with Dani Yannopoulos (1991), best to say ‘good-bye’ now as next Wednesday she is off to Antarctica for 12 months to take up her new position as Station Leader of Davis Research Station.

She will share a small village of shipping containers with around 40 scientists, tradies and technicians with winter temperatures plummeting to -40 degrees.

Dani, who spent the last 20 years working with Australian Customs and Border Force, headed overseas after leaving Dara for life experiences and now she will be reaching an area of the globe that only a handful of people have ever seen.

She said she’ll miss her (warm) Kingston apartment and the shops, but HAS packed her hair dye, ‘as I refuse to go grey graciously, and while I have really short hair, I may grow it’.

RUNNING OUT OF NETFLIX CHOICES?

Maybe try closer to home. Daniel Widdowson (1998) has just released his latest production, a 90-minute psychological thriller on YouTube that explores mental health, trauma, and forgiveness. (Just like queuing at the Daramalan canteen really! ). Daniel's story revolves around four strangers who find themselves isolated on a seemingly innocent retreat, where their pasts and coinciding relationships are revealed. I won’t spoil the end – you’ll need to watch here. https://www.youtube.com/playlist...

For something a little more mainstream, our Queenie Van de Zandt (1988) has a small role in the ABC’s new Sunday night drama “The Newsreader” also on iView.

Mark Hanns MSC, Blackburn. A Personal Confession

It is not everyone who makes a personal and public confession, especially praising alien football codes to Victorians. This is his introduction from the parish of St Thomas Bulletin. (Interesting for confreres as well.)

G’day folks. Mark Hanns is my name. I’ve already had the good fortune to meet many of you, but these encounters were greatly limited by covid lockdowns. However, I have not yet given a description of myself or my background… Till now.

I was born in Kogarah Hospital in the St George area of Sydney, which is where the great St George Rugby League team calls home, though I suspect that may not hold a great deal of importance to many Melburnians. Anyway, my allegiance switched in 1968 when the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Rugby league team was established, because that’s where my home was.

(From a while ago)

I was born into a family of seven. I have four sisters. And no, I wasn’t spoilt might buy my older sisters. I’m still waiting for the money they promised me are doing their share of the washing up. My primary school was Our Lady of Fatima, Caringbah, and high school was the De La Salle, Caringbah. Among my classmates were Michael Lee, John Della Bosca and Steve Hutchins, all prominent ALP men.

After school, I did an electrical trade with the Otis Elevator Company on the high-rise buildings in the Sydney CBD. I also chased a few of the waves up and down the coast of New South Wales and Queensland in my youth, in panel vans with mates, before venturing further afield and exploring South Africa for a year, then backpacking through Africa, Israel, Europe and Britain in the early 80s.

I enjoy all water sports, both liquid and frozen. I love the great outdoors and have done lots of camping over the years. Yet, if I go camping now, I prefer to camp in a six-man tent just for me, with a stretcher, foam rubber mattress, fitted sheets, doona and pillow. I proved my ability to rough it back in the day. Done that! More comforts now, thanks.

I joined the MSC in 1986 and was ordained a deacon in 1995 in our MSC parish at St John the Apostle in Canberra, and ordained a priest in St Christopher’s Cathedral, Canberra. In my studies I majored in Spirituality. I love exploring the human condition and human formation. I trained in Emotional Release Counselling and Spiritual Direction. I served in our parishes in Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart. My first appointment was as chaplain to Monivae college in Hamilton, Victoria. Now my responsibility is as Director of Post-Novitiate Formation.

I’m glad to be here in Blackburn and a member of this wonderful parish of St Thomas. And I look forward to meeting more of you over the months and years to come..,

Reflecting on Anzac Day memorials in 2022

With the reality of war in Ukraine daily before our eyes we shall remember with compassion people who died and whose lives were maimed by war with sorrow, and think of war with horror, not excitement. Each day in the media we have seen the destruction in Ukraine of cities, of centuries-old centres of civilization. We see the young soldiers on both sides brought into the conflict and sent back in body bags. We see the columns of refugees leaving Ukraine and read of those forced to stay in cities that are bombed around the clock, where the dead lie frozen in the ice with the living.

As we think back to Gallipoli and the battles in Europe we rightly honour the suffering and the courage of the Australian soldiers who fought there. But we think equally of the grief that spread from the battlefield to the Australian families and rural settlements who lost sons, brothers, fathers and the hopes of growing communities. We think, too, of the families to which soldiers returned, changed for the worse by their experience and sucking joy out of their homes.

Ukranian poppy fields

Anzac Day also invites us to reflect on the ways in which it subsequently shaped Australian life. It has often been described in grandiloquent terms as the birth of Australia, as the forming of Australian identity and as the expression of such distinctively Australian virtues as mateship, informality and endurance. Such claims recognise the enormous effects that unprecedented travel, the death and injury of so many young Australians, and the self-conscious desire of many Australians to prove their credentials to the rest of the British Empire had on society.  The high claims for Anzac Day also reflect the religious imagery in which such a momentous loss of life was described. Australia’s birth was through blood sacrificed on the altar of arms. The events of Gallipoli and the trenches in Europe therefore had a sacred value.

From Andrew Hamilton’s reflections in Eureka Street

Papua New Guinea, MSC Australia 2022. Who? Where?

We have only five Australian MSC in PNG – and they have been there many decades, most of their priestly life and ministry – some over 50 years.

Eastern Papua

Russel Andersen

Tony Young

Joe Ensing, Relligious Superior

Papua, with Bishop Rochus of Bereina but now Archbishop of Rabaul

Paul Guy,  Bereina (at left)

Brian Cahill, Tarpini

RIP. John Phelan who spent many years sharing MSC life and ministry

John Phelan was professed in 1951, ordained 1957. He shared life with us for twenty years or more. John was bursar for the opening of the Canberra monastery and completed his BA at ANU.  He then taught at Monivae and was Rector of St John’s Darwin. 

John would come in his later years from his home at Jamberoo to MSC funerals at St Mary’s Towers.

From the Sydney Morning Herald: PHELAN John Patrick 14/09/1932 - 11/04/2022

Died peacefully at St Catherine’s Aged care residence, Bathurst.

Dearly loved husband of Maggie. Brother of Mary Roebuck and Margaret Bradshaw (both dec) and Uncle of 11 loved nieces and nephews.

Finally, this active brain is at rest.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Requiem Mass for the life of John to be held at St Joseph’s Chapel, Perthville on Thursday 21st April 2022, commencing at 2.00pm.

Following the Mass, the cortege will process to the Maranatha lawn cemetery for interment.

The Risen Lord, Lord of the Dance, MSC Easter Vietnam

The Chevalier family in Vietnam gathered to celebrate Easter!

- MSCs

- The Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

- Missionary sisters of the Sacred Heart

• MSC associates

A Common Spirit and a Shared Vision

The three congregations and the laity share a common spirit:

A deep concern for all of humanity;

A belief in the love of God revealed in Jesus, as an answer to people’s deep needs;

A mission to give witness of this love to all people, through the practice of kindness and compassion.

Thanks to the MSC Vocations Australia Facebook page.

RIP, Michael ToBung MSC, A pioneer PNG story

Archdiocese of Rabaul  ·

Fr. Michael ToBung MSC died at 8.15pm on Sunday 17th April 2022 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Vunapope.

Fr. ToBung comes from Tamanairik Village, Toma area, ENBP. Fr. ToBung’s passing is a loss to the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) PNG Province.

Fr. Michael was born on 23rd September 1940 in Tamanairik Village. He entered Sacred Heart Novitiate, Vunapau in 1965. He made his first vows on the 1st of May, 1966. Fr. Michael was accepted for perpetual profession, making his final commitment on the 30th of April 1972. Fr. Michael remained an MSC brother for quite a while before discerning God’s invitation to the priesthood. He later went to De Boismenu College (DBC), MSC Seminary outside Port Moresby to do philosophy and theological studies. He was ordained a priest on 20th February- 1981.

Fr. Michael ToBung held various important ministerial and pastoral responsibilities during his priestly and religious life. In the Archdiocese of Rabaul, he became the coordinator for Blessed Peter ToRot Catechetical Training Centre, Kininigunan, was parish priest of Tapo and Volavolo parishes and became spiritual director for Legio Maria. He retired to MSC Centre, Vunapope about 12 years ago, yet remained chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital.

Fr. Michael also served as parish priest in West Taraka, Lae Diocese. During the Bougainville Crisis, he worked on Nissan Island for a year. Fr. Michael held other responsibilities for the MSC PNG Province. He was a member of the formation staff of De Boismenu College in the 1970s prior to his own seminary studies. He was appointed Postulant Director to Sacred Heart Novitiate, Vunapau, a tenure he held from 1990 to 1995.

Until his passing, Fr. Michael ToBung was one of the senior and founding members of MSC PNG Province. He is a very committed religious priest, who prayerfully cherishes his personal relationship with God and encourages everyone to do the same. His life testifies to it, his punctuality to prayer, attendance to daily Mass, and celebration of the sacraments. He leaves behind a legacy for us to emulate and a shoe quite big for our generation to step into. May his exemplary life challenge many of us strive to search for the truth and love of God in the Sacred Heart of Jesus!

We will greatly miss you. May you peacefully rest in God’s abiding presence!

MSC Constitutions n 32.  We are marked by a sense of humour.

‘… Formed by kindness and understanding…. And a sense of humour.

Which means that after Lent,

we might enjoy these cartoons –

and the dogs.

and

Easter Sunday combined with Michael’s birthday for Easter blessings.

 Acknowledging Michael Fallon MSC, 85

Michael made his vows on February 26th 1955, and was ordained on June 29th 1961.

He taught at Daramalan and Chevalier, was chaplain at the University of New South Wales, lectured at St Paul’s National Seminary, served in parishes as Kippax and Henley Beach. In recent years he has worked at Douglas Park, more recently at Kensington Monastery.

But, we acknowledge Michael’s Scriptural ministry, so many books of commentary, reflections, lectures and audio-visual communications.  To appreciate his extensive work, go to the website heading, Publications and Media and you will find the lead to his website.

The Joy of Easter – and the MSC Mission Office

We share the Easter poster from the Office

We reflect

Entering into the fulness of Easter.

We can reflect on the love of God, who does not ask why but instead forgives, heals, invites, and loves.

And then we can practice forgiveness, faith, and selfless love in our actions and pass those on. We can give ourselves time to see God in the Resurrection and give ourselves the same gifts of patience and simplicity that Jesus offers his friends.

In this way, we live our way into Easter joy.  (Marina Berzins McCoy)

And  possibilities for enabling that joy for others.