Sport Monday, 29 May 2023

Old Aquinians Rowers Long Table Lunch

In the lead up to this year’s Head of The River, over fifty old Aquinas rowers made their way to the River Centre for a long table lunch, where they reminisced on their past successes and celebrated the future endeavours of the Aquinas rowing program.

The event was a celebration of their shared history, the friendships that had been formed on the river, and the sport that had brought them all together. The special guest for the lunch was Max Cunningham, a former Aquinas rower and Olympian from the 1960 Games in Rome.

The long table lunch provided a great opportunity to reconnect with old teammates and, for some, to meet younger generations of alumni who share a common bond of rowing. The lunch festivities had the old rowers lined up at a beautiful long table in the River Centre's boat bays between the eights over-looking the Canning River.

There was also the chance to tour the new facilities, which had left the old rowers in awe. The facilities offer world-class equipment and space, providing the next generation of rowers with everything they need to take their talents to new heights.

During the lunch, old rowers presented the College with some memorabilia from their time rowing for the school. Tim Meagher kindly donated the rudder from the boat he coxed in 1957 and The Hesford Family found a truly unique piece of Aquinas Rowing history, a rowing club flag believed to be from the 1940s.

As the long table lunch came to an end, many participants shared their acknowledgments of how the day had rekindled their love for their sport and the beautiful facility that they were privileged to be in. Being able to come back and visit, they said, had made them all feel like they were back within the rowing community that they had left behind.

The long table lunch had been a great success, connecting old teammates, coaches, and supporters who all shared a passion for Aquinas Rowing. The facility at the Aquinas River Centre offers a bright future for the program, ensuring that future generations of rowers will have access to the same quality of equipment, support, and opportunities that the alumni before them had. With events like the long table lunch, the history of Aquinas rowing lives on in the present and offers a stunning future to the years ahead.

It is events like these that remind us of the importance of community, and the power of sport to bring people together. The long lunch for old rowers from Aquinas College was a testament to the enduring bonds that are formed through sport, and a celebration of the shared values that underpin the sport of rowing. With the success of this year’s event, a future long table lunch is planned for next season in the lead up to the 2024 Head of The River.

By Nick Collins
Director of Rowing

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Alumni Monday, 29 May 2023

2023 Beverley & Districts (Combined) PSA Ex-Scholars Association Dinner

The 87th Beverley Dinner was celebrated at the Beverley Golf Club after an absence of 3 years due to the pandemic. The Beverley Dinner is an opportunity for alumni of the seven PSA schools to come together to renew friendships forged through a shared experience of attending one of the schools.

The Beverley Dinner is a long-held tradition of PSA schools, which commenced as a networking event for rural alumni to engage and connect as a community.

On a rotational basis, each of the schools undertakes to assist the association with the organizing of the event and in 2023 Aquinas College undertook that role. Working closely with Brendan McLean (Class of '87) who was the designated President of the Association, Nichole Rowson from the Development Office managed to re-establish the event with over 60 guests attending. Aquinas was well represented including Robert Henderson attending his first Beverley dinner in his role as Principal of Aquinas College and alumni from the Class of 1979.

One of the significant highlights of the night was the address provided by Paul Duffield who spoke of his journey from Darken to the AFL and back to the farm. Paul was College Captain in 2002 and went on to play 171 games for the Fremantle Football Club. The guests had a wonderful opportunity to seek an insight into his journey and the level of interest generated was reflected in the number of questions from the floor covering not only football but the agricultural sector. He was a wonderful ambassador for the College and it was great to hear his story.

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Arts Wednesday, 27 Apr 2022

West Australian PULSE Exhibition

Congratulations to Matthew Cox and Nathan Mahney (Class of 2021) whose artworks are on display in The West Australian PULSE exhibition at the Art Gallery of WA (AGWA) until July.

Matthew and Nathan’s artworks are amongst 49 artworks by 2021 Year 12 graduates from 32 school across WA.

The artworks on display were chosen from over 300 entries, selected on merit, creativity and individuality. The artistic vision and talent on display is inspiring and provides an insight to the social concerns of our younger generation, a visit to the Art Gallery of WA for this exhibition is highly recommended.

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Aquinas College Foundation Thursday, 24 Feb 2022

End of an Era

Farewell to the Old Aquinians and Friends Reunion Tour Group

After 15 tours to iconic WA locations between 2006 and 2022 (missing 2020 only due to Covid), the end of the line has come for the Old Aquinians and Friends Reunion Tour Group. The original group of travellers was comprised of Aquinas graduates from the 1950’s, with ‘friends’ added along the way as numbers dwindled. Fast forward to 2022 and many of the original group have passed away or now find touring too difficult due to illness or incapacity.

As reported in the December 2021 issue of Fish Magazine, the 15th tour to Margaret River in November last year was the group’s swansong tour. Since their first tour to New Norcia and Wongan Hills in 2006 - the brainchild of Bill Boekeman (’54) - the group has covered key locations between Kalbarri in the north, Albany in the south and Kalgoorlie to the east, savouring the local attractions at every stop while raising more than $60,000 for Aquinas College Bursaries along the way.

Each tour was arranged and conducted with military precision, thanks mostly to the organisational efforts of Jack (’54) and Ronda Bana. Each year a tour booklet was produced, incorporating the full tour itinerary – dates and times - the names and contact details of all the tour participants, details of all previous tours, details of all previous Foundation contributions and Helpful hints for a happy trip.

Each tour included a special dinner with a live auction of various goods donated by members of the tour group, with the proceeds of the auction - and any leftover tour fees or donations - forming the basis of the annual contribution to the Foundation.

On Thursday 20 January 2022, the College and the Foundation welcomed more than 40 past members of the group for a final, annual Foundation thank you luncheon. The event afforded the group an opportunity to come together for a formal windup that included presentations to key tour group players, speeches and the handing over of their final Foundation cheque for $4,915.

On accepting the cheque - along with a special commemorative plaque - Principal David McFadden thanked the group for their tremendous contributions to Aquinas College Bursaries over many years, contributions that have directly supported the mission of the College to educate boys who would otherwise not be able to attend Aquinas.

Although there was a feeling of great sadness at the closing of an era, there was an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the fun and the camaraderie shared by all who took part in the tours over 15 years, as well as a great sense of pride in helping many young boys to receive an Aquinas education.

From the College, a big thank you to everyone involved. Your generosity has provided many bright and deserving boys with the opportunity to realise their dreams and change their lives for the better. We wish you all good health and look forward to other opportunities to welcome you back to the College.

Louise Symonds
Executive Officer | Aquinas College Foundation

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Alumni Wednesday, 06 Oct 2021

Old Boy Personal Pars

Is it your reunion year?

Complete the information below and we will share it with your year group around the time of the reunion to allow everyone to know what you've been up to.

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Alumni Wednesday, 15 Sept 2021

Home Grown: Old Boys Supporting Local Music

Inspired by his son, Old Boy Mick Caughey ('87) has decided to put together a music festival. Showcasing local West Australian talent (including some Old Boys represented), the festival is set to be a great night out for all.

For more information.

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Alumni Wednesday, 15 Sept 2021

Senior Old Boys Day 2021

Olympic Games veteran Tom Hoad entertained fellow Old Boys and their partners with Olympic stories at the annual Senior Old Boys Day at Aquinas College on August 25.

Tom (LC 1957), who was one of three Aquinians in the 1960 Rome team, represented Australia in water polo at every game up to 1988, either as a player – including a stint as captain - or coach.

He spoke with pride at the lunch in the Hughes Dining Room of how he watched fellow Aquinian Herb Elliott (LC 1955) win his famous 1500 metre gold medal in world record time in Rome. And guests were delighted that the college’s third representative at those games, oarsman Max Cunningham (LC 1954), also attended the lunch.

The Olympic theme was linked with the success of younger Old Boys, hockey co-captain Aran Zalewski (silver medal) and swimmer Zac Incerti (two swimming relay bronze medals) who performed at the recent Tokyo Gamers with distinction.

Other Senior Old Boys who spoke at the lunch of their time at the college and subsequent careers included Bill de Gruchy (LC 1947), Mike Erickson and Rob Kilderry (both LC 1958) and Chris Back (LC 1966).

The popular event included a welcoming complimentary coffee served from the college’s Holy Ground Coffee van, followed by a special assembly which showcased the impressive array of extra-curricular activities now being offered at the college. An excerpt from the recent Lion King production was a highlight.

Father Rodrigo da Costa Ponte celebrated Mass in the St Thomas Aquinas Chapel, delivering a brief but pertinent homily.

Special thanks for another most enjoyable Seniors Day must go to Nichole Rowson, the Events and Alumni Administrator, and Brother Max McAppion who helped organise the Mass before returning to classroom duties.

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Alumni Wednesday, 21 July 2021

The Sardine

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Alumni Thursday, 08 July 2021

Class of 1990 Reunion at the Cam

The original reunion date was postponed due to COVID in 2020. Rescheduled to Saturday the 15th May 2021, the 1990 group enjoyed a tour of the College, hosted by Mike Dempsey (Head of Middle School) and Nichole Rowson (Events Coordinator). After the walk down memory lane, the tour moved to the Camfield where they were met by some more of the contingent for a good old catch up - one that lasted into the late hours of the night.

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