By Michael Quigley. Edited by Jamie O’Brien
More than 90 people came together in February this year to celebrate the 70th anniversary celebrations of the former St Joseph’s Marist College Subiaco at the St Joseph’s Catholic Church Subiaco.
The anniversary, on 7 February, also marked the 70th anniversary of the blessing and dedication of the college’s foundation stone by then Bunbury Bishop Launcelot Goody.
This date also signalled the commencement of an extended and unbroken period of the Marist education experience for countless students, their children, and grandchildren.
Since 1954, whilst there have been transitional and location changes to St Joseph’s, Subiaco, the “joeys” connection as one of the most important antecedent college remains.
Celebration planning
The design of the 70th Anniversary celebration deliberately focussed on embracing the history of St Joseph’s and publicly recognising the contributions made by all parents, Marist clergy, lay teachers and students from the initial1954 intake to latter day pupils all of whom were invited to join an expanded co-educational campus at Churchlands.
The attending Congregation
The congregation that assembled at the Church on Wednesday 7 February 2024 reflected inclusiveness with a broad mix of “54 Originals”, St Aloysius convent, Brigidine Schools students, ex Marist/Newman college lay teachers, current Churchland primary pupils, and grandparents.
Alumni from the Marist colleges of New Norcia, Northam, St Francis Xavier – Bunbury, CBC Terrace/Trinity, Leederville and Aquinas also attended.
The Celebrants
The Mass was celebrated by former alumni Fr Geoff Aldous and concelebrated by fellow former alumni, Vicar General Emeritus, Fr Peter Whitely and Ballajura Parish Priest Fr John Jegorow, assisted by alumni Marist brother Paul Murphy.
During his homily for the Mass, Fr Geoff Aldous referenced the sacrifices many parents made in the college’s early years. He commented that their efforts were to be admired when considered in the context of the time when they were made. A time when the country was restructuring and coping with the debilitating effects of post war economic restrictions as well as the travails of reassimilating returned service personnel into the normality of civilian life.
Prayers and Tributes to deceased Alumni
The prayers for and reading of the names of deceased SJC alumni were recited by three ’54 Original seniors, including John (Jack) McKernan, John Barlow and Bill James. Several of the widows, children and grandchildren of the deceased were in attendance.
Blessing of Commemorative Plaque
A special 70th Anniversary plaque was commissioned to commemorate the milestone.
Blessed during the Mass by Fr John Jegorow, the St Joseph’s Church has given permission for it to be affixed to the outside west wall of the church directly opposite the location of the SJC buildings.
Notable Attendees
Notable among the lay teacher attendees was Jemima Horrocks, the first female teacher of SJC Year Four in 1960. Her brothers Max, Darrel and Riley were students at the college.
Pre-Planning
The planning of the occasion commenced in 2022 when a small group of Joeys constructed a prospectus aimed at raising funds to finance the celebration. The basic proposal centred on the sourcing and production of a limited special edition wine. This required the expertise of SJC alumnus John Hanley who has been one of Australia’s leading wine judges and experts for more than 30 years.
The creation of a unique label, bottle type, marketing strategy, transport and purchase delivery requirements were all accomplished by a small alumni team, John Hanley, Michael Hoyne, Bill Mackey, Dale Neill, Allen Tenger, designers Stefan Quigley & Brendan Franklin, project team manager, Michael Quigley.
The initial wine offering was a superb Margaret River (WA) Merlot –the much loved “Marist Merlot- 2021” – sourced by John Hanley from the Thompson Estate.
This was followed in 2023 with a beautiful Semillon – Sauvignon Blanc – the now sought-after – “LUCIAN” SSB from Pierro’s winery in Margaret River owned and operated by Michael Peterkin. Yet another inspired John Hanley selection.
Photographer Naureen Taylor was engaged to record the celebrations. Those wishing to view her pictorial capture of the day and/or purchase copies can do so by visiting www.reunionphotos.net