1 Bryan McSweeney Dan McErlean Dan Reilly President Secretary Co-Ordinator (07) 3278 9682 (07) 3345 4404 (07) 3395 1813

Dan McErlean 12 Werona Street Sunnybank Qld 4109 Dear Old Boys Our next meeting will be held at ‘The Public Service Club’, Level 1 Function Room, 84 William Street (cnr Stephens Lane), Brisbane on Friday 25th July 2014 from 12 noon through until about 2.00 pm; but feel free to drop in anytime from 11.00 am on, as your commitments dictate and join Old Boy mates in convivial fellowship. If travelling by train to the Central Railway Station, there is a free City Loop bus from Stop 8 opposite Central Station in Ann Street which allows you to alight at Stop 103 in the Government Precinct, just outside ‘The Public Service Club’ at 84 William Street. The bus services on this route are every 10-15 minutes. Brisbane Sub-Branch President, Bryan McSweeney welcomed 24 Old Boys to our Brisbane luncheon on Friday 16th May 2014. John Byrnes (64/71) and Paul Murray (70/71), Bryan’s classmates in their 1971 Senior year, attended. The tentative dates booked for our further Brisbane meetings in 2014 are 19th September and 21st November. On Friday 20th June 2014, the Annual Toowoomba Brothers Old Boys’ luncheon was held at the North Toowoomba Lawn Bowls Club with our Special Guest Old Boy, Robin Murphy who commenced at the College in Grade 2 (1948) and matriculated in Senior in 1957. Rev Fr Kerry Costigan, Joe Jones and Keran Lunney. Robin’s Senior Classmates were present. Others in that class were John Searle (RIP), Keith Herb Dwyer, Alf Zeller, Ron Smith, John Trueman, Peter Cassidy, Glen Thompson, Brian Benson and Brian Fagan. The Sub Seniors in 1957 were Peter Kenny, Lance Wilson, Kev Walters (RIP) and John McClure. Dave Robson joined them for their 1958 Senior Year. Our thanks go to Bernie Murphy, Terry Murphy and Redmond Byrne for their organisation of another successful Old Boys’ luncheon at the ‘Headland Golf Club’, Buderim, on Friday 4th July 2014. A further luncheon is planned for early December, date to be advised. Special Thanks are extended to Harold Leis (1947/48) and Ron Jones (1958/64) who became Life Members of our Toowoomba Brothers Old Boys Association recently. Please remember in your prayers Life Members Dan Carroll and Dr Pat O’Dwyer, Sol Betros, Fred Bentley, Bernie O’Connor, Alan Grünke, Greg Huddy, Owen Hayes, Bill Condon (husband of Yvonne and brother of Pat and Denis), Mrs Maurice Drew, Teresa Joan ‘Joan’ Whewell (nee Thorn) wife of Cliff and Patricia Anne ‘Pat’ Gilbert (nee Hogan) wife of John, Margaret (Kenny) Gagen wife of John, sister of Peter Kenny and sister-in-law of Brothers Fergus, Brian and Peter Gagen – all Old Boys or Friends of the College. There are also a number unwell or recovering from surgery. Kevin and Tim Coonan, Justin Kingsford, Trevor Mull er, Kev Killoran, Tom Lincoln, Mrs Greg Dunne, Pat Seymour, John Keightley, Marie Keen and Annette Gilbert.

� July 2014 �

20th June 2014 – Annual June TBOBA Luncheon, Toowoomba (L-R) Former Classmates – Joe Jones, Neville Dredge,

Vince McDonald, Allan McCabe, Jack Parker, Vince Murphy, Fr Kerry Costigan, Keran Lunney and (sitting) Robin Murphy

20th June 2014 – Annual June TBOBA Luncheon, Toowoomba (L-R) Former Classmates – Vince McDonald, Kev McSweeney,

Denis Maguire, Vince Lester OAM, Peter Kenny, Barry Coonan and Bob Mackinlay)

Buderim TBOBA Luncheon 4/7/2014 (L-R) Redmond Byrne, Fr Tyrone Deere, John Noonan,

Tom Long, Grahame Dornbusch, Dan McErlean

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Present Apologies Bryan McSweeney (President) John Bagget John Byrnes Nev Card Nat Chandler Bernie Collins Noel Cronin John Drew Les Duncan Graham Ehler Terry Gesch Rolly Griffin

Bob Grundy Fred Lincoln Jim Long Paul Murray Paul McClue Dan McErlean Jack Parker Graham Swenson Kerry Taylor Trevor Taylor Glen Wiedman David Wilkinson

Fr Paul Chandler Laurie Atzeni (Hon) Frank Adamson Peter Betros Greg Butler John Coyer Jack Davis (Hon) Frank Deighton Allan Duncan Des Franklin Brian Gagen Barry Gordon John Hagan Merv Henson John Hutchinson Tom Hutchinson Merv Johnstone Barry Kuhnemann

Doug Lee Justin Lunney Dick Lynch A E (Mick) Moloney Trevor Muller Jim Mullins Pat Mullins Bernie Murphy Terry Murphy Rod McDonald Justin McErlean John Noonan Reg Oliver John O’Neill Keith Pickels Ron Smith Reg Taylor Kerry Zeller

Those in attendance at the Buderim Luncheon on 4/7/14 were:

Present Apologies

Fr Tyrone Deere Rod Anderson Redmond Byrne Graeme Dornbusch Bill Fechner Bob Grundy Leslie (Mrs Bill) Hile Tom Long Mick Moloney Pat Mullins Bernie Murphy Terry Murphy

Dan McErlean John Noonan Martin O’Sullivan Carmel Stokes Jim Stokes Adrienne Thompson Glen Thompson Anna Wilkinson David Wilkinson Dr Keith Wilkinson Bradley Wilson

Noel Adcock Reg Boland Bill Condon John Crotty Les Duncan Tim Fitzpatrack Denis Kearney Pat Long Brian Lynam John McElwaine Gerard McMahon Merv Paddison

Don Rolls Ron Roney Laurie Walsh Jim Wiedman Lance Wilson

‘Coming Events’

25/7/14 - 11.00am – 2.00pm

Brisbane TBOBA Sub Branch Meeting – 1st Floor, Function Room, ‘The Public Service Club’, 84 William Street (cnr Stephens Lane), Brisbane

3/9/14 – 6.00 pm

A 1958 Scholarship Class Reunion will be held at the Gladstone Hotel, Ruthven St, Toowoomba. Philip Long, Barry Lancaster, John Stephen and Colin Zeller would like to hear from all former classmates. Contact colinzeller@hotmail.com or mobile 0427 962 207

12/10/14 - 9.00am TBOBA Lawn Bowls Day at North Toowoomba Lawn Bowls Club for Kevin Lee Memorial Trophy. To nominate contact: Laurie Blacka (3861 0828), Terry Gesch (3359 9288) or Eric Howe (4632 2191).

T.B.O.B.A. (Brisbane Sub-Branch) Meeting – 16/5/14

Annual Membership Fee ($10.00) for Calendar Year 2014 is now due / or Life Memberships are available (Fee $100.00)

* * * Cheques as donations towards the Indoor Sports Complex should be made payable to

‘Br. Baptiste O’Sullivan Building Fund ’. They are fully Tax Deductible and will be receipted.

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• Rev Fr Kerry Costigan will celebrate the Golden Jubilee of his Priestly Ministry on Sunday October 26th, 2014, with Mass at 10am in the Oakey Cultural Centre followed by morning tea. After Mass the Regional Mayor will launch his small book ‘Make us Count’, cost $20, which is a brief story of some reminiscences of his life. At 12.30pm there will be lunch at the nearby RSL Club. Lunch with a complementary bottle of wine is $30 per person.

All Old Boys are welcome, especially the Scholarship Class of 1953, Junior Class of 1955 and Senior Class of 1957. For catering purposes it is necessary to make a booking at the RSL Club, PO Box 110, Oakey 4401, phone (07) 4691 1261, and pay in advance (attn Fr Costigan’s Jubilee Lunch). Father Kerry wants no presents please; but you may be moved to purchase his book. Fr Kerry served as a Chaplain with the Royal Australian Navy from 1977 to 1983 and in 1981 was Chaplain to the Fleet on HMAS Melbourne. He served at HMAS Cerberus, the Navy apprentice and training establishment and was heavily involved in youth work with young apprentices and was visiting Chaplain at the Richmond RAAF base until the arrival of an Air Force Chaplain. After his ordination Fr Costigan’s appointments were to the Warwick, Charleville, Quilpie and Chinchilla parishes and on his return from Naval Service his postings were as Parish Priest in Taroom (1984 – 1990), Killarney (1990 – 1995) and Oakey (1995 – 2006).

• Deacon Marty Larsen a (Year 12 – 1994)

College student was ordained to the Priesthood by Archbishop Mark Coleridge in the Cathedral of St Stephen Brisbane on Friday 27th June 2014. Fr Larsen has been appointed to serve in the Maroochydore Parish. His mother Enya, his triplet brother Simon and sisters Anna and Janina were able to be present at his ordination. Fr Marty’s other triplet brother, Andrew, was overseas.

• Word has reached us that one of our popular Life

Members, Brien Regis Dunne and his wife Patricia (Roney) recently moved from Emu Park to Newmarket to be closer to their immediate and extended family. Their 6 children all live in Brisbane, Brien has his sister, Sister Regis Mary here and Patricia has a sister Val (Mrs Jack McErlean) on the Gold Coast and her brothers, both Old Boys, Ron and Allan are living at Buddina and Rochedale respectively. Brien was a

student at St Mary’s College between 1942 and 1948 and Old Boys of that era will recall that his mother made the Debutantes cake for the Annual Brothers’ Old Boys’ Balls. On leaving the College Brien commenced work with the Qld Railway Department starting as a cleaner and then fireman on steam locomotives in Toowoomba, before moving on to the diesel era when transferred to Central Queensland in the early 1960s. Here he drove diesel locomotives hauling the coal trains on the ever expanding rail network from centres like Blackwater to the port of Gladstone. Initially the couple lived in Frenchville in Rockhampton before shifting to the coastal resort of Emu Park, half an hour away.

• Guest speaker at the Annual TBOBA luncheon

on 20/6/14 at the North Toowoomba Bowls Club, Robin Murphy , is the grandson of an Irish pioneer who settled in the Warwick region after coming over from Cork in Ireland. One of Robin’s uncles was the popular priest, Fr Garret Murphy , who in later years was Chaplain at St Vincent’s Hospital in Toowoomba.

Robin gave the gathering an interesting address on his ‘Life’ – how after his early education at Holy Angels he progressed to St Mary’s College in Grade 2 (1948), completing Senior 1957, and then supported by his widowed mother he graduated as a Civil Engineer taking up his first job in PNG successfully building a number of bridges. Since he has undertaken a number of prestigious projects including the Trawler Basin and Lock in Darwin, NT, submarine pipelines, numerous railway bridges in Queensland, tunnels and shafts and underground construction works and the East Cay Lighthouse. Robin is the Founding Director of Canstruct Pty Ltd, created in 1991, and with sons, Rory (Managing Director and CEO), Dan (General Manager - Canstruct), Adrian (General Manager – Force 10) and their core team ‘complete on the basis of meeting the need for the toughest engineering standards to withstand conditions experienced in cyclones, hurricanes and tornados’. Recently the company has provided and erected transportable steel accommodation

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structures on Christmas Island, Nauru and at OK Tedi in PNG and believe it has economical products suitable for diverse places with their point of difference, the Company’s ability in remote areas.

• Function Chairman Peter Kenny, welcomed Fathers E’Brien O’Dwyer, Pat Hall, Hal Ranger and Kerry Costigan, Principal Michael Newman, Joe Guerrini (TBOBA President), Marie Ahsee, Bill & Irene Blacka, Barry & Ros Coonan, Nev Dredge, Mick Fitzgerald, Kev Garrett, Eric & Violet Howe, Tom Hutchinson, Brian & Yvon Jones, Joe Jones, Bill & Pat Kamler, Frank Kenneally, Peter & Norma Kenny, Vince Lester OAM, Keran Lunney, Leo & Pat Lunney, Justin & Kay Lunney, Phyllis Lynch, Allan McCabe, Vince McDonald, Bill & Dan McErlean, Justin & Yvonne McErlean, Kevin McSweeney, Mick Moloney, Robin Murphy, Vince Murphy, Andy & Mary Lou O’Dwyer, Jack & Michael Parker, John F Pobar, Paul Reynolds, Bill Thygsen, Max Winter, Bob Mackinlay, John Wilson, Jim Madden, Denis & Lorraine Maguire.

• Life Member, Reg Murphy, a Clifton lamb

producer was under pressure to shout the post-sale cuppa after success at the May sheep sale in Warwick. The Darling Downs producer sold 47kg Dorset lambs for $130 at the State’s only weekly auction. The fourth generation sheepman described the prices as ‘very reasonable’. However, the high lamb prices for the Murphy family were complemented on their Ellangowan farm by a sound sorghum harvest and a strong gain market. Reg says ‘We have just finished harvesting and it wasn’t too bad a year. Our sorghum came off at 1.5 tonnes to the acre and in the best places two tonnes to the acre. That is not too bad when you consider prices have been between $315 and $305 a tonne.

Reg attended St Mary’s College in 1950 and 1951 and played Rugby League for Southern Suburbs in Toowoomba for 7 seasons (1952 - 1959) and then was Clifton player/coach for a further 3 years. He married Leona Fuller in 1960 and served as a Councillor on the Clifton Shire Council for 18 years before he was elected Mayor of the Shire for 3 years (1994 – 1996).

• Greetings are extended to Old Boys who celebrated their birthdays recently – Rev Brother Kevin Dwyer, John H Pobar, Ron Roney, Les Duncan, Doug Lee, John Saffrey, Laurie Walsh, Colin Huddy, Christopher, Michael, Bill and Justin McErlean, Terry and Bernie Murphy.

• Off on a Pacific cruise shortly are Bill and Pat

Kamler. The couple will celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary later in the year.

• Among the many supporters at the Confraternity

Shield Rugby League Carnival on the Gold Coast during the first week of July were Barry and Ros Coonan following their grandsons, Jason’s lads, in the St John’s Roma side. Another couple there was Noel and Carol (Mackinlay) Muller down from Darwin and following games with John Noonan. St Mary’s five-eight, Brayden Josephs, was selected Player of the Carnival.

• In 1941 fear of a Japanese invasion saw the

Freneau Park Convent open in Toowoomba. A junior college to Downlands staffed by Our Lady of the Sacred Heart sisters, it had been a boarding school for Primary pupils at Whinstanes, Brisbane, close to a petrol storage area and the Eagle Farm Airport, so it was considered unsafe at that time, hence the move. Initially a property was rented on the range; but in 1947 Freneau Park was established near the Clifford Park racecourse.

A Reunion to mark the 50th Anniversary of the closure of the College will be held over the weekend of August 30/31. The contact for this Reunion is Peter Richards (0411 155 569). It is planned for the same weekend as the annual Downlands College Reunion.

• Committeeman and College Sportsmaster, Paul

Canning and wife Janice, are enjoying a trip to Europe, England and Ireland. One of the highlights of the trip for the couple was attendance at the Wimbledon tennis tournament. Others overseas are Michael and Margo Quinlan and Jim and Noela Nolan.

• Adrienne & Glen Thompson recently travelled

from Hervey Bay to Warrnambool for a bi-annual reunion of the Port Moresby Aussie Rules club. 80 odd in attendance, most 70 or over. Then the couple enjoyed 2 weeks on Tasmania’s east coast and loved every minute of it. Glen had a new scuba diving experience at Bicheno. Swimming with the sea dragons in the kelp beds.

Reg Murphy from Clifton

(left)

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• Paul & Sandra Reynolds are going to Niigata, Japan, in September to play in the world Gateball Championships. There are 96 teams from 24 countries in the tournament. The couple went to Melbourne in November to qualify for an Australian team selection. Paul & Sandra play for the Tamborine team based on the Gold Coast.

Gateball is played on half size Croquet courts and is very fast. You have 10 seconds to have your shot, there are 5 players in each side and a game lasts for 30 minutes. The gates are wider than for Croquet and the balls are a little larger than a snooker ball.

Gregory John Huddy (29/6/45 – 8/5/14)

• Greg was born in

Nundah in June 1945, the youngest son of Victor and Gertrude (Healy) Huddy and brother of Judy, Kevin and Colin. Victor was a bank manager which meant the family moved as their father was transferred, so Greg’s education was at St Mary’s College, Toowoomba, Melbourne and at the Marist Brothers in Rosalie. On completing his education, Greg joined the Customs Department and served in Brisbane, Townsville and Darwin before he opened the Alice Springs Office in 1968 to process Americans working on the Pine Gap Space Base. It was here he met his future wife, Barbara, and they married on Anzac Day 1970. A move to Canberra followed and their first child Nikki was born; then it was Darwin where Peter and Susie were family additions, before another stint in Canberra and a posting to Townsville where Melissa was born. Finally all settled in Brisbane in 1986. During cyclone Tracey, the family huddled under the kitchen table, as the house disintegrated around them. Susie was only 5 days old and Greg had the presence of mind to ‘christen’ Susie with Gripe Water. In the morning, shell-shocked residents were asking when are ‘they coming to help?’ Greg quickly realised that there was no ‘they’. He made his way to the Customs House, put on a new uniform and started to make things happen. He arranged for his family to be on one of the first planes leaving Darwin, while Greg stayed on to help clean up the mess.

Living in the iconic Custom House in Townsville allowed Greg to be at his social best. There were many great parties in a house that could easily seat 100. Greg’s role as sub-collector to Customs and Naval Agent also meant that the couple were regular guests at diplomatic and official functions. When he retired from Customs in 1997 Greg was in his element as a Com-Car driver, driving Politicians and Judges around South East Queensland. Greg always had an interest in politics and was a member of the Brisbane Catholic Bushwalkers Club and School Parents and Citizen’s Associations. His friendships stood the test of time, as reflected by the numbers attending his funeral. In 1969 he was a member of the Alice Springs Rugby League grand final winning team, and backed horses who were at long odds. He loved bush poetry, Irish music and Slim Dusty and was very house proud, ensuring the paintwork was touched up for a birthday or social event – white inside and Huddy or Brunswick Green outside, while his rissoles were legendary for a good BBQ. Greg was always generous and supportive of his children and taught them to do most things, helped out with lunches, undertook the Little Athletics and Netball runs and delighted in doing simple grandfather chores. Ever the romantic, he would mow heart shapes in the lawn for Barbara, leave love notes in her lunch and buy Estee-Lauder for every Christmas and birthday. Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia affected Greg’s Health and through it all he remained positive, charming and a true gentleman keeping his sense of humour. A Requiem Mass offered by Fr Jerome O’Carm to Celebrate the Life of Greg Huddy was held at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Catholic Church, Coorparoo.

• Gaining a place in any team in the National

Rugby League Competition takes commitment and determination, so it is pleasing to have three (3) St Marys Old Boys’ representing Clubs in matches this year.

• Ben Lowe (Year 12 – 2002) has tough

competition to make the South Sydney ‘Rabbitohs’ forward pack particularly with the three (3) Burgess brothers in the (17) man squad; but he has managed a good share of game time again in 2014.

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• Ethan Lowe (Year 12 – 2008) has made the Cowboys side at (No 11) in 2014 after the completion of a few years apprenticeship in the Queensland Intrust Super Cup with the Northern Pride Rugby League side.

• Johnathan Thurston (Year 12 – 2000) and co-captain of the Cowboys continues to do his level best week in and week out and represented Queensland in his (30th) consecutive State of Origin Game on the 9 July 2014. His career tally in Origin is (174) points, eclipsing Mal Meninga as Queensland’s highest scorer for these Origin series.

• Congratulations to our Old Boy trainer Tony

Gollan (Year 12 – 1996) on his wedding early in May to Jane Ormsby. As well he has had a very successful year on the racing circuit being the Brisbane leading trainer at this stage of the Racing year. Two horses Temple of Boom (7 yrs) and his half brother Spirit of Boom (6 yrs) – the ‘Boom Brothers’, have contributed greatly to Tony’s training success winning about $1.7M and $2.4M, respectively, in prize money. Tony also recognises the contribution his father, Darryl, also a top trainer, has contributed assisting him. In recent weeks ‘Temple of Boom’ won the Group 2 Victory Stakes (26/04/14) and took out second place in both the Doomben Ten Thousand (24/05/14) and the Stradbroke H’Cup (07/06/14). ‘Spirit of Boom’ was placed 2nd in the Bundaberg Distilling Btc Cup (10/05/14), won the James Boag’s Doomben Ten Thousand (24/05/14) and was placed 4th in the Stradbroke H’Cup (07/06/14). As the racing career of these two horses ends, Tony has a number of promising others in his stable, like (3) year old colt – Heart of a Warrior.

‘College News’

• On Tuesday 6th May, St Mary’s College celebrated the foundation of the Christian Brothers by Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice, born in 1762. In 1802, he established his first school for the poor and underprivileged in a converted stable in New St, Waterford, Ireland. From there, Edmund Rice sold his thriving business and used this money to begin setting up other schools, educating teachers and founding the Christian Brothers who soon spread from Ireland, overseas to Australia. By 1875, 31 years after his death, St Joseph’s Gregory Tce, Brisbane, was established while St Mary’s College, Toowoomba, opened in October 1899. Celebrations on the 6th May began with an Edmund Rice College Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral at 9:15am.

• During that week Mr Rod Logan was formally recognised for his contribution to the College Community when the Sport Captains presented him with a framed photograph of the 1981 and 2013 First Basketball teams, the first and last Firsts Basketball teams Mr Logan coached at the College. Over the years the hours that he contributed in an honorary and voluntary capacity could consecutively add up to be more than a year of full time work.

• Year 11 students William O’Gradey and Zane Willshire played in the Queensland Schoolboys Rugby League Team which beat New South Wales in the curtain raiser to the State of Origin match at the Brisbane Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday 28 May. Congratulations, gentlemen!

• The new Food Technology Classroom at the College has commenced operation. The facility consists of a commercial grade kitchen with (13) work stations and a teaching classroom which can be converted into a retaurant or coffee shop precinct.

• The Archbishop Copas Public Speaking Competition takes place in July, in the second week of Term 3, during lunch times. The Purpose of the competition is to promote enjoyable public speaking at St Mary’s College and to celebrate the life of an influential and prominent College Old Boy.

‘Stop Press!

• Congratulations to Paul Canning who was

recently chosen as an outstanding teacher by the Diocese of Toowoomba in their 2014 Excellence in Teaching Awards.

Fr Jim Byrne and Dan McErlean outside St Eugene’s Cathedral in Londonderry, Northern Ireland during Dan’s 4 weeks in Ireland

Look forward to more details on Dan’s Irish trip at the meeting on

Friday 25 July 2014

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President’s Report Year 2013 continues - Further extracts following - Page 8 of May 2014 Newsletter

In 2013 the SMOBA continued to operate three separate business units, which contribute to the overall revenue generated by the Association. The three business units were: • Clive Berghofer Arena Business Unit (CBA-BU):

The business unit generated income from the operation of the CBA.

• Function Centre Business Unit (FC-BU). This business unit, ran functions from the TP O’Brien Function Centre. The TP O’Brien Function Centre was constructed by the SMOBA and handed over to the Diocese for College use with SMOBA being able to run functions to support the projects of the SMOBA.

• Association Business Unit (A-BU). This business unit runs other activities, which include a rental property, sponsorship arrangements and vending machines located at St Mary’s College.

Each Business Unit contributed to the overall operating result of the SMOBA for 2013. Surpluses from the operation of the Function Centre and Association Business Units are directly channelled into debt retirement. At present while the debt exists surpluses from the CBA-BU are also used to retire debt but will be redirected into the creation of a sinking fund for the CBA at the conclusion of 2015.

Historical Performance: 2005 – 2013 SMOBA has generated in the period 2005-2013, being the nine years of operating the CBA $2,827,000 in revenue from all three business units. During this period the SMBA has made loan payments of $1,126,500, with an interest component of $310,926 resulting in the current balance of the original loan as at 31 December being $194,426 from the original drawdown of $1,010,000 in January 2005. Across all business units approximately 40% of all revenue has been redirected to making the loan payments of the CBA. Although in recent years the Function Centre Business Unit has declined in the generation of revenue, in the period 2005 – 2013 it has contributed $677,305 in revenue to the SMOBA, which in turn at an average margin of 35% per function has resulted in debt reduction of $237,000. There has been a steady increase in the revenue generated by the CBA-BU with the revenue for 2013 matching the revenue for 2012. The current model of staffing the CBA is based on a combination of paid caretakers and volunteers depending on the events and availability of volunteers. It is only through the volunteering of CBA that the surplus

exists as it does. In the future the quantity of volunteering may reduce, which will result in a reduced surplus from the CBA. While the debt exists however, there will continue to be a need for volunteers to continue to operate the CBA whenever this is possible, as has been the case since the CBA has existed.

Usage of the Clive Berghofer Arena Toowoomba Basketball Assoc – 26%, St Mary’s College 26%, Hall Thorpe Vacation Care 34%, Old Boys’ Competition 8% and Other Users 5%. These details demonstrate the usage of CBA during 2013 showing that the CBA is used by a range of various users benefiting the community as well as the students of St Mary’s College. The SMOBA has developed a reputation within the community of honouring commitments when it comes to booking the CBA thus allowing various sporting organisations to undertake and plan their activities with confidence. It is at times a fine balancing trick to ensure all major users are able to undertake their activities, but through a process of effective communication this has been possible and the CBA is utilised by the entire community as intended as the premium indoor sporting venue in the region. The CBA has three major clients, which alternate their use of the CBA. Toowoomba Basketball Association continues to use the CBA as their prime venue for all competitions, using the facility during week nights and during school terms. The SMOBA and TBA continue to have a strong relationship that is mutually beneficial to both associations. Hall Thorpe Sports continue to utilise the CBA during the holiday periods for Vacation Care when there is no other primary user of the CBA. St Mary’s College is the third major user of the CBA with the ability to use the facility for educational activities during term time.

Ongoing Support It is important to acknowledge the very generous support provided to the SMOBA from 2005 by the St Mary’s College Parents and Friends Association which has granted to the SMOBA $20,000 per annum, totalling $180,000 since the commencement of the 2005. These grants have been extremely important to the operation of the SMOBA and are used to reduce the debt on the CBA. The task of the SMOBA would be much harder without this generous support. In addition it is also important to recognise and thank St Mary’s College which since 2009 has contributed $16,000 per annum, totalling $80,000 which has been used to offset the operational costs of maintaining the CBA. These costs unfortunately continue to spiral upwards with increases to utilities such as Council charges and electricity. The SMOBA also acknowledges and wishes to thank

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St Mary’s College for its support with various auxiliary services, with the main assistance in the weekly cleaning of the wooden floors during the school term.

Summary The SMOBA is proud of its achievements in the maintenance of the playing surface of the CBA and it is considered to be the best playing surface in the region for indoor sports. This reputation is achieved through the continued dedication of the College Maintenance Staff and the Committee who continue to maintain the playing surface to the highest level possible. I wish to thanks those Committee members who have undertaken this cleaning during the School Holidays and at other times of the year when the College Maintenance Staff are unable to undertake these weekly cleans. The SMOBA catered for 13 functions in 2013 and received many favourable comments from the participants with regards to the quality of meals and the service provided. It is important to acknowledge all those who have participated in the successful running of the Function Centre of the SMOBA but particularly the catering staff who have provided a great service to the patrons of the TP O’Brien Function Centre. During 2013 the SMOBA began a process to improve the profile of the Association which included a corporate identity project which resulted in signage external and internally within the CBA. The improved signage was undertaken to acknowledge the current work done by the SMOBA but was also aimed at recognising prior committees who have also made significant contributions to the students of St Mary’s College and the community. In conclusion, I wish to thank a number of people who continue to provide an invaluable and dedicated service to the SMOBA. • Paul Canning requires special thanks for the

numerous activities that he has and continues to undertake for the SMOBA, which include but are not limited to the continued operation of the vending machines, the very important and successful operation of the Futsal Competitions in first and fourth terms of each year, the management of the Bar at the Function Centre, venue controller for the CBA during the First Term Secondary School Basketball competition and his continued drive and commitment to be present and involved as the final loan repayment is made to Mr Berghofer during 2015;

• Peter Walters as Vice President for his continued financial advice and support in many different aspects to the operational and future planning of the SMOBA;

• Greg Manthey for his support also in many ways

including canteen and a range of various tasks that he has assisted with during his time on the Committee. Special thanks also goes to Greg Manthey for his work in coordinating with Paul Canning the renovations and repairs to the rental property in Hill Street so that the SMOBA is now able to rent this property again. Greg Manthey was also involved in the solving the recent storage problems and office renovations in the CBA;

• Jeremy Cotter for his support over many years

now. Jeremy has decided to not be part of the SMOBA for now as his work and study commitments are growing. I would like to thanks Jeremy Cotter on behalf of the entire SMOBA for his enthusiasm, commitment and encouragement during his association with the SMOBA and we hope that one day in the future he might be able to rejoin the SMOBA in some capacity;

• Matthew Booth for work during 2013 as

Secretary and his support in the production of the Financial Statements and his general support in a range of tasks whenever asked of him;

• Don Stephens for all his support during his time

on the committee in helping whenever asked. It is important as well to acknowledge and thank Mr Clive Berghofer who without his generous support in providing the original loan for the CBA, it would not be here and the students of St Mary’s College and the Community would not have the opportunity to play sport in such a facility. It is not possible to measure the amount of support he has provided in the flexibility and understanding he has provided with regards to the loan conditions which has been greatly appreciated by the committee. Finally and most importantly it is our families who require special thanks for their support and understanding which allows the SMOBA to continue in our endeavours with this project. The support of our families is also something that cannot be measured but has been an important element in the success of the SMOBA in the provision of these services to the students of St Mary’s College and the community. Joe Guerrini President St Mary’s Old Boys’ Association - 31/3/14