General News

There has still been only a small response to our previous letter. If you are in touch with any school friends please tell them to contact us.

Also now is the time to forward your $40 to Paul Blair for the reunion luncheon on Saturday 13 March 2010. Remember its at a new venue the Bowlers' Club 95 York St Sydney

Congratulations to Fairfield Patrician Brothers doing well in the HSC results with 5 boys in the distinguished achievers list.

Look out for Paul Blair's reminder letter in the New Year

Wishing you all a happy and holy Christmas

Getting together



On Tuesday 24 November a group from Forest Lodge of the 1950's had a luncheon at Manly; yum cha in fact.

Tom Booler and Jan, Alan Ruff and Lyn, Paul Blair and Barbara and Raymond McCluskie and Ann were "Seven miles from Sydney and a thousand miles from care". Thanks to Tom we found a restaurant that would serve us good food and wine. After our meal we adjourned to the pub next door.

I really don't know what we discussed but it took us from noon to 5:00 pm to discover that it was time to go home.

It seems as though we have all retired but some would question that. We are all involved in something that makes it difficult to find the time to meet. But we did and it was fun.

Because we didn't get around to any reunion details (other than what we have already organised) we will have to meet again. What we did find out was that few of the alumni have contacted us. If you are reading this and haven't made contact please do so as soon as it is convenient. Actually contact us quickly.

The photo you see was taken by Barbara Blair. Competition "who's who?"

Brothers Basil and Gerard

Both Brothers Basil Downey and Gerard Histon are looked after by Our Lady of Consolation Aged Care Services at Rooty Hill. Alan Ruff, Paul Blair and Raymond McCluskie all went on a visit last Thursday 19 November 2009.

Brother Gerard is 90 years old and as a result of amputations is confined to bed. He was pleased to see us all and we engaged in pleasant conversation and recalled some of the events when he taught us at Forest Lodge. I wasn't aware that Bother Gerard was the founding Principal of Patrician Brothers College Blacktown. Brother Gerard is proud to have this achievement.

Brother Basil at 83 is still a whirlwind. When we went to his room he was out, off to the computer room to check his email. We eventually caught up with Brother Basil and as usual there was a broad smile on his face. Basil still has some physical affect of his stroke; he doesn't have the use his left hand. "Have you ever tried to pull on a sock with one hand" grins Brother Basil. We recounted passed times. Brother Basil still recalls how he was the only Brother at Forest Lodge who was a qualified Rugby League referee.

We all had a great time

Sad News

One of our Alumni has passed away. Bill Wenham died peacefully last Wednesday 11 November 2009, he was 87. Bill's Funeral will be held on Tuesday November 17, 2009 commencing 10.30 a.m. at St. Brigid's Church, Marrickville Road, Marrickville. Rest in peace Bill.

Waterloo Parish Celebrations

On Sunday 8 November 2009 Paul Blair and his wife, Barbara, represented the Inner City Alumni at the 150 Years celebration of the Waterloo Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Paul writes:

"Sunday, the 8th of November was a special day to the many people gathered at Mount Carmel; it was a day of memories, for so many of the parish past and present. What a wonderful atmosphere it was and credit must go to all those hard working people in the parish, led for ten years by the energetic parish priest Fr John Knight. Fr Knight has now moved on to another parish, so he came back to lead the mass assisted by 4 other priests.

The Church was not only looking beautiful, it was buzzing with happy people from all walks of life. Of course, we had our pollies (Christina Kenneally, Tanya Plebisiek) local govt bodies, ex students, nuns, and of course a great representation of the Patrician Brothers many of the old faces we know so well, they looked resplendent in their white summer cassocks and the famous green ash around the middle.

What struck me yesterday, was the sheer joy on peoples faces, and that wonderful sense of community and tribalism, also the kids were so happy to be part of this wonderful day.

Father Knight, through his tireless energy, deserves so much credit for turning the whole parish around, and at the same time working as a team with the parish council. Credit was passed out in a such a way, that everyone was acknowledged in their own way, of course the brothers who put so much of themselves into being part of the parish all those years ago, are even today sentimental favourites, I am not surprised; look at St James Forest Lodge, the memories still live on.

After the Mass, and farewell to Fr Knight who now is at St Pats Sutherland, we all then went to the school hall to partake in lunch. Once again after being at so many Patrician functions over the years, I still feel very privileged to be an Ex Student of the Patrician Brothers. "

Annual Luncheon

The annual luncheon is on Saturday 13 March at the Bowlers' Club, 95 York St Street Sydney. Our regular venue, the Catholic Club is unavailable.
Even at this stage just a response to indicate that you are likely to attend for lunch would be good. So if you could email innercityalumni@gmail.com with a positive or negative response to give us an indication of numbers and then you need only pay by 31 January 2010

St James Rugby League Photographs 1910-1930

John McCabe is helping research of material for a book that is being written by a friend of his on “Rugby League in Catholic Sydney Schools 1910-1930”. He has concentrated on the Patrician Brothers schools in the early days and has discovered that there is very little photographic evidence for the Forest Lodge school rugby league teams.

If you can help John please email him johnlmccabe5@bigpond.com

Update on mailout

I wonder if anyone is actually reading this blog because nobody has signed up yet. For those who might pop in for a look you will be pleased to know that Paul Blair has received several donations to 'defray costs'. Isn't that wonderful.
We now have about 150 names on the database. At this stage we have 19 contacts with email addresses and the snail mail service (to Paul Blair) is less than 50% of the electronic messages.
If you are sending a cheque or money order can you make it payable to Inner City Alumni?

Alumni Mailout

On Monday 12 October 2009 an invitation was sent to all Alumni on our database. Also included with the invitation was a letter seeking to update our information. Some information about you will need correcting, other information will be new. Please email the details innercityalumni@gmail.com

At our last reunion over 100 attended. Anyone that you know who was missing and who you think should attend our next reunion please email their details to us innercityalumni@gmail.com . Also here are links to downloadable copies of both the letter (click) and invitation (click). You can make a printed copy or pass this information on electronically.

Sesquicentenary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish

There is a special event for your diary; the sesquicentenary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish at Waterloo on Sunday November 8th at 10 o’clock with refreshments afterwards in the parish hall. Come and join outgoing Parish Priest Father Knight (He is moving to St Patricks parish at Sutherland) and the new Parish Priest Monsignor Greg Flynn and CELEBRATE the 150 YEARS ANNIVERSARY

Reunion 2010

Arrangements have been made for the next reunion to be held on Saturday 13 March at the Bowlers' Club, 95 York St Street Sydney. Our regular venue, the Catholic Club is unavailable. Its going to cost an extra $10. So put that date in your diary and start saving up your $40