In this edition:
Waverley College was the only school team represented at the SurfAid Cup at Bondi Beach on Friday 27 May.
A tag team style event, the College team of four surfers – Liam Flanagan, James Bodkin, Harvey Papastamos and Lewis Pepper – were joined by Australian pro surfer Dayyan Neve.
SurfAid is a non-profit humanitarian organisation whose aim is to to improve the health, wellbeing and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing. All the funds raised go toward building stronger communities in the Mentawai and Nias Islands off the coast of Sumatra and the islands of Sumba and Sumbawa in Eastern Indonesia.
SurfAid works with communities and local government to prevent mother and child suffering and death. The latest Indonesian statistics show that every 3 hours a mother dies in childbirth, while every hour 20 babies die. Half of these babies are less than one month old. In remote areas these figures are worse. SurfAid provides a mix of practical support, education and health promotion that aims to change poor health behaviours into positive behaviours.
Just prior to the competition the College was lucky to have Dr Dave Jenkins address the school assembly to talk about the work SurfAid does in Indonesia:
While the team didn’t win this year, the students are keen to have another go. Here’s what they had to say about the experience:
Donations to SurfAid are still being accepted via the Waverley College Team’s page at: https://give.everydayhero.com/au/waverley-college.
In 2015 two pieces of the Waverley College Art Collection were restored. Both are portraits of significant – if perhaps not so well known – figures in the history of the College, Fr Aloysius Fitzgerald OFM and General John A Chapman. Investigating the provenance of each image has revealed a number of connections and relationships, which have enriched the story of the College and its people.
Fr Aloysius Fitzgerald was a Franciscan priest in charge of the Waverley parish in 1902. As Provincial of the Order, he was responsible for inviting the Christian Brothers to Waverley to teach at the schools throughout the Parish, which at that time included not only St Charles’ on Carrington Rd, but extended as far as St Francis’ in Paddington and St Joseph’s at Edgecliff. Himself a former student of the Christian Brothers in Ireland, Fr Fitzgerald was well aware of the value of having a Christian Brothers’ presence in Waverley. He was instrumental in the purchase of Airmount, the building in which Waverley College was started in 1903. Fr Fitzgerald came to Sydney in 1886 as part of the second group of Franciscans to arrive from Ireland. Known as an exceptionally gifted man, he was remembered as a brilliant public speaker, a linguist, a writer of stories and books, and for his talent for friendships, which included Cardinal Moran and a number of up-and-coming artists. Fitzgerald returned to Ireland in 1905, but came back to Sydney once again in 1920 to serve within Waverley parish. He was welcomed ‘home’ at a reception at Waverley College on 5 February that year, at which all of the students, as well as many Old Boys, celebrated his return.
In responding, Fr Fitzgerald expressed the happiness it gave him to see so many boys present. He looked back with pleasure to the small beginning he had made over 17 years ago in purchasing the little plot of land and the place then called ‘Airmount’.
In responding, Fr Fitzgerald expressed the happiness it gave him to see so many boys present. He looked back with pleasure to the small beginning he had made over 17 years ago in purchasing the little plot of land and the place then called ‘Airmount’.
Waverley College students at the reception for Fr Fitzgerald, 5 February 1920.
Our portrait of Fr Aloysius Fitzgerald OFM was painted by Edward M Smith. Artist and teacher, Smith was one of several visiting specialists employed by the College to augment the subjects on offer for the students. Edward Smith was also a close friend of Fr Fitzgerald, who sat for him as the subject of one of Smith’s works; the resulting portrait was later gifted to the College in 1915. In the late 1930s, Smith became the art critic for the Daily Telegraph in addition to his teaching role at East Sydney Technical College. He also conducted private lessons. In this later capacity he taught Justin O’Brien, who had been a student at Waverley College in the 1920s-1930s, where it is likely the two first met. O’Brien went on to have a significant career, winning the inaugural Blake Prize for Religious Art in 1951, and receiving commissions from all over the world. He lived for many years in Rome. O’Brien’s career spanned five decades, with his work held in private collections and Australian and international galleries. He was well known for the religious imagery in his work, which many attribute to the influences he first studied under Edward Smith.
Edward M Smith, Artist and Teacher, 1919
The second piece of art restored is a hand-coloured photographic portrait of Brigadier-General John Austin Chapman, after whom the College’s highest Cadet Award is named. John and his brother James both attended Waverley College between 1909 and 1913, when they left to pursue military careers through the Royal Military College, Duntroon. Both men served in both World Wars, and were both decorated with military and civilian honours. In 1942, the year after the Waverley College Cadet Corps was re-established after its demise in the late 1920s, the then Major-General John Chapman visited the school, in particular to lend support to the cadets. The first Passing Out Parade was held in 1942, a ceremony that ended with the first presentation of the Chapman award. The Annual of that year makes the following note:
Perhaps the event of deepest personal interest for the corps was the visit of the school’s most distinguished soldier, Major-General J A Chapman. In a simple but imposing ceremony he took the salute and then addressed us briefly and inspiringly on the significance of our work. The year’s activities were fittingly brought to a conclusion by the ‘Passing Out Parade’ held for the first time this year. … The function was also a pleasant social one, the parents and friends being invited and entertained by the cadets to afternoon tea in the College dining room. During the ceremony the ‘General Chapman’ trophies, silver mounted and inscribed canes, were presented to the three Cadet Lieutenants, to mark the rank to which they had risen and as a tribute for their enthusiasm and effective leadership for the year.
Left: John A Chapman c.1919. He was at that time a Major. Right: The restored photograph.
Chapman’s post-war career included postings to Washington as head of the Australian Military Mission, a term with a United Nations Commission of Inquiry, and finally the position of Quartermaster General, based in Melbourne. He was appointed to the Legion of Merit (USA) in 1949 and awarded a CBE in 1952. John Chapman died in 1963, and was buried with full military honours in Northern Suburbs Cemetery.
In a final Waverley twist, another Old Boy has contributed to the restoration of the portraits. The board surrounding Chapman’s portrait held details of his military career and honours. Severely degraded over time, a new surround was created as part of the restoration process. Col Blake (Class of 1962 and former OBU President) applied his calligraphy skills to the new board – and updated the information at the same time. Both portraits now have pride of place on Level 4.
“I would challenge you here today to look at the place that Jesus gave to his Mother — your school patron — Mary — and to the other women who are written up in the Gospels and see that a fundamental teaching of Jesus is respect, in every sense, for women.”
Thank you for the invitation to speak today and for the good wishes around my fifty years as a Christian Brother.
When I joined the Brothers at the age of 28 it was just to see if this is what God wanted me to do with my life—work for the education of young people, especially the marginalised. Well, one way or another, it seems that is what God wanted—I am still here!
My fifteen years at Waverley College were very happy ones and I have many memories and friends from that time. Hence it is good to see the ongoing very significant building developments that are nearing completion. Mr Paxton gave me a personal tour of the new areas earlier today.
Since I left Waverley it has become part of Edmund Rice Education Australia. I had a look through your recently published Strategic Plan and was impressed with the extent to which it links with and develops the Edmund Rice Touchstones of –
Students marched with Touchstone banners at the May Procession.
A ‘May Procession’ in honour of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, may seem to some to be hard to understand in this day and age.
In spite of some rigidities and misplaced practices, which have grown up over the years, Christianity has always been strong on affirming the need to honour and respect women—guided by the very significant place that Jesus obviously gave to his mother—Mary.
Over history, and in all cultures, there has been a strand of an attitude by many men that disrespected and even abused women. It is clear that our society even now is not free of this.
Whatever mistakes the hierarchy might have made, and does continue to make, about the place of women in the official church, Christianity has always been clear and strong about respect for women.
Jesus’ own words on several occasions make this clear, but if you look at the interaction of Jesus with women in the Gospels this becomes crystal clear. A memorable example is Mary Magdalene. Some might remember the famous rock musical—Jesus Christ Superstar—which was in fact all about Jesus’ relationships with women.
Mary, his mother, and the patron of Waverley College is at the centre of this teaching and practice of Jesus.
This teaching of Jesus was about how we must respect and treat women as equals in every way.
Even though there are still many forms of inequality for women, there are good signs of a greater understanding and practice of this teaching. There are still differentials in pay, in career opportunities, and many other areas that need redressing.
It is important to understand that this has a Gospel basis and is not just a cultural thing.
Given this, there is one aspect of this that I would like to challenge the men of Waverley about.
This is the matter of domestic violence.
Objectively it is hard to imagine anything more awful and wrong than a man abusing, hurting or bashing his wife, girlfriend, sister or partner. It carries all of the stigma of cowardice, bullying and egoism.
I would challenge you here today to look at the place that Jesus gave to his Mother — your school patron — Mary — and to the other women who are written up in the Gospels and see that a fundamental teaching of Jesus is respect, in every sense, for women. You have to challenge yourselves to remove any latent feelings that society may have given you that somehow men have rights over women.
You have to call out such violence and abuse.
It is not just that we should avoid such actions: You will probably rightly say, “I would never do that,” however it is more than that.
We all have an obligation to ensure that provisions for women in danger are sufficient—that there is adequate Government funding for women’s refuges, for support services and counselling.
This will require that you take some political action about this when the need is there and you have the opportunity.
It should be a mark of Waverley men, given the long tradition of respecting Mary, that they see this without any qualifications.
You are challenged to be really strong men — caring for, protecting, loving, advancing the women who will come into your life.
The College motto — Virtus Sola Nobilitat — Virtue Alone Ennobles —challenges you to do this.
Work against this scourge of domestic violence and, better still, show that you do understand the basic Christian belief that God loves EVERYONE equally — in this discussion, women — but genuinely everyone of every race and creed.
Br Wallace and Head of College, Ray Paxton during the 2016 May Procession.
This is the College’s third tour to Timor-Leste, following successful journeys in 2014 and 2015.
Students participating in the immersion spend time interacting with the young people of Railaco Kraic in the Ermera District. Students develop connections, build friendships, participate in community projects and learn about subsistence economies. An important aim of the tour is also to support development and education for the people of Timor-Leste.
The immersion offers opportunities to observe and support the work of the Christian Brothers as well as visit government and non-government organisations working in Timor-Leste. Students also develop an understanding of our neighbouring country’s recent past through visits to places of historical significance.
To read more about earlier immersions as well as geopolitical and historical insights about the country click on the link below, which takes you to a special page on ‘Haiku’ the College’s Learning Management System. While the tour is away, you’ll also be able to read a daily blog on their experiences.
Timor-Leste Immersion Haiku Page
In addition to building strong connections in Timor-Leste, the trip is a wonderful learning experience, which stays with the boys for years to come.
These are some of the students’ observations from 2015:
‘We saw the difficulty of life for many in Dili … interacting with the children, we developed a new understanding of the hardships they faced, all the while showing a smiling face to the tourists.’ – Max Shanahan and Jake Jansen
‘We ventured to Samalete 3 and were greeted by singing students of the primary school. After our questionable performance of Waltzing Matilda, we gifted the deputy principal a scrapbook created by our Junior School students that showcased life at Waverley College. We then visited classrooms ranging from Pre-school to Year 6, trying to converse with the kids with a mixture of Tetun and English.’ – Jack Ryan and Matt Dunne
‘After our hard work [painting a school] we enjoyed a small afternoon tea with the teachers including local Timorese coffee, dried banana, donuts and a local delicacy of grey colour and potato like texture that we are still debating on what it is. Upon looking at our hard work we have high hopes that everything we painted will keep its good looks just like the classroom that was painted by the previous immersion group and be presentable to the President of East Timor, who is expected to visit the area and school next week.’ – Luke Ryan and Jonathan Howells
‘The markets were definitely a symbol of East meets West with some stalls selling local tobacco and nuts while others were selling mobile phones and speakers…many boys were considering permanently residing in Timor-Leste on account of donuts only costing 5 cents each.’ – Luke Ryan and Jonathan Howells
‘We met a man called Manuel, who worked at the museum. After striking up a conversation about Australia, he told us of his experience of the 1991 Santa Cruz Massacre, where at the age of 15 he was shot twice in the leg and back and his close friend died. He showed us photos of himself lying on the ground shot, while explaining why he protested for freedom, and how he is proud of the museum where he now works.’ – Jack Ryan and Matt Dunne
‘We freshened up, putting on our Timor Immersion shirts and went to the Australian Embassy to talk to the Vice Ambassador Angela Robinson and Aid Coordinator Megan. Mrs Robinson talked about Australia’s involvement in Timor, including diplomatic aid to the Timorese Government, development in agriculture and tourism, and sports diplomacy.’ – Jack Ryan and Matt Dunne
‘We found ourselves back in Sydney in no time at all. An adventure of immersion, discovery, and triumph of the human spirit had come to an end.’ – Joe Nardo and John Soden
On Sunday 1 May 2016 the College celebrated its 106th Annual May Procession, a devotional act in Honour of Our Lady. This is also our College Feast Day, celebrating the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice and the legacy of our Old Boys. Special guest speaker was Br Bob Wallace cfc AM, former Head of College (1992 – 2003).
We would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation who are the traditional Custodians of the land on which Waverley College is located. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We are committed to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual connections to the land, waters, seas and sky and their rich contribution to society.
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