St Leo's College Box Hill

I've received a lovely email from Graham Tippett who was in the first stream of pupils back in 1957. It reads:

.... Gaz you said you looked with awe at those hat-wearing lads at the back of the quadrangle. that would make you about 10 years younger than us.

A good many of those SLOBS would have passed away by now and guys like John, Paul and I could be the last of the Mohicans of the original SLOBS.

Gaz your pictures of the old chapel which was quite new in its day brought back many memories. Especially those pictures of the old quadrangle, stairwell and pictures from the balcony outside the old Form 6 rooms.

Thanks for that. However Davis Barclay is still around, I remember him as one of the original prefects and a formidable football player.

Best wishes to respective families
Cheers Graham and Jenny

.......

Perhaps this rarely seen document of the first attendees in 1957 will encourage those on the list to reply here, for Graham's interest.

Cheers,

Gary Pope

The amazing (late) Br. Tom Millington - sportsmaster during 1960's early 1970's. Premiership Football Team of 1970.

Permit me to share some kind words from a few of the lads that started at the very beginning of St Leo's back in 1957.......

The old SLC page seems to be very devoid of comments
these days. Does this mean we old SLOBS are falling off the perch
too quickly or they just don't care? According to my family trends I
would say that I have only a few good years ahead of me but I have no regrets. We are all getting old gentlemen and I wonder in ten years who will give a stuff about the traditions and memories we had back in the early 60s?

Gaz, Paul and John I valued my days at the old ALMA MATER and
thank the good brothers for what they taught us. I would not have
the drive to study externally if not for the training they gave us. There were a few times where I had to stand up as a union rep and "go to bat" for a member. This was when he/she was being bullied into resigning or demotion. Believe me it is lonely when you do that, but you cannot let a member down. The good brothers taught us how to be cool under fire, not to panic, listen to the arguments and deliver a comment on the situation. You don't make friends like that but you do gain respect.

I realise that we are all pushing the big 80 and that time takes its toll. All the SLOBS of our era could be anywhere and arranging any sort of gathering would be out of the question due to (a) time constraints, (b)possible infirmity (c) a "care factor" etc (d) privacy concern (e) if they are still alive.

Well I hope the announced interest rate rises don't affect you people and that you are all content in your retirement.

Cheers for now Graham (Year of 1957 to 1964)

Time for another set of fine recollections from 1957 class.... Graham Tippett 1957 - 1965)

we ought to tell Gaz about the time a
certain student was struck across the face by a certain brother and
his glasses were sent flying across the classroom? That behaviour
would not be tolerated in any school now!!

What about the time we went to La Verna .Retreat House in Kew and
were told never to come back. SLC established tradition in that episode.
Poor old Br Doolan was mortified. I wonder if any of the chaps out there
and still alive remember those events. We were 16 to 17 year old hooligans.

Gaz I know that the chaps of that era did not experience the abuse that
later chaps had. We were lucky and I feel we had good experiences then..
My sympathies to those whose time at the old alma mater was bad. John,
Paull and I experienced talented and inspirational teachers who only wanted
the best for us all.

I would be interested to hear later students of their experiences at school dances and retreat houses - did they maintain the experiences?

For those who knew or were taught by Late Br. Peter Negus, here is his obituary. He was at St. Leo's 1957 - 1966 before moving to Perth.

bkreligion.wkfl.asn.au

This is PART 1 - St Leo's OLD DAYS from students of 1957-65 years.
Please note, that the chaps are referring to the fine founding headmaster, Charles Kostka Best (passed in 1966)

Just a little extra snippet, not on the video:.....
Paul there are lots of other reminices like the preparations for the school dances. My sister's school St Thomas at Blackburn was not invited. but by the sacred powers of p**s they were coming.

The result was more young women than guys.

Paradise!!. However the following Monday certain guys including me were spoken to very sternly by Br Doolan, but we did not care as the night was most memorable.

Sports carnivals were a pain in the neck as I was not good at sprinting, After the events I was listed in were done I just slipped down to the edge of the creek and did a broad jump over it and walked home rather than pick-up the rubbish left behind. I was no stranger to jumping the creek as these were my stamping-grounds, I lived very close by.

However I learnt to like distance running as it is very meditative. Later in life when I was employed for over thirty years with the Dept of Human Services, then called the Dept of Social Security it proved invaluable. I tried to get my staff into it but many found their "coping mechanism" in booze or Va**um. That was due to
the nature of the work. However, promotion was quick if you could hack the pace.

I would like to say a heartfelt thankyou to all the brothers that taught us, as they equipped me with the ability to study by distance
education. Working at Social Security management wanted us to do the Bachelor of Social Science {Social Welfare} course through Charles Sturt University.

It taught me how our client base ticked. Fees were reimbursed if you passed or failed. All the reference material was available online. There was no excuse not to have a go. It took me five years to finish and I found the course most pertinent to the
job. I went up to Charle Sturt for graduation.

Br Brandon said "always have a go!" I had a go!

.... Graham Tippett (57-65)

drive.google.com

Drone movie of St Leo's about 2020.

St Leos Box Hill

Wembley Hill is the new name for the housing development at Hay St.

Wondering if any former St Leos chaps have a photo of the Honour Board that lists all the Dux of the year like this list. Please add a photo as a reply to this post. Thankyou.

Luke Etheredge is chasing up class photos and yearbooks from 1984 to 1989.
Any help is much appreciated. Leave a message here to let us know if you have shuch year photos to help him. (Gary Pope)

Well Monday 20th July 2022 will mark the start of the end, with the former St Leo's buildings being demolished all week. True, for some, it may be the end they wanted to see, given that some, over the years, fell victims or their siblings fell victim to what has become more open and aware news these days of the paedafile actions by a minority. That needs to be stated, understood, and shared, even after all the years.

But then there are some who had a great experience at the school, and were taught by brilliant teachers. Many, as seen in school annuals over the years reached great highlights in their lives in sporting circles, business or personal achievements.

The school is many things to many people for sure, and no comments in this FB group are adjusted in any way, permitting all to tell their story.

But, alerted by a fellow student that demoition was underway, this FB page shares current final pictures of the school, as the present owners prepare it for a huge development down Hay St. The property has changed hands a few times since 1994 St Leo's closure. It is another chapter in the history that needs to be told. A long history starting 1957.