Rupertswood 1970-72

My first visit and experience at Rupertswood was in 1969 when I was sent there to fill in for the injured Bro. Christie.

Teaching rounds were good fun, not only as a chance to escape from the grind of Lysterfield life, but as a chance to actually learn how to teach. Early in our training we went on a teaching round simply to observe, no teaching. I was sent to St Thomas More in Belgrave, near Mater Christie. Within minutes of arriving, the Head Nun, who taught Grade 6, asked me to take her class because she was wanted on the phone. She quickly introduced me to her class and left. She said that they usually began the day with a prayer and then talked about whose Feast day it was.

The only thing I remembered from Peter Swain’s Method class at this point was that you should not repeat the students’ answers when you asked the class a question. The first question I was ever asked in a classroom was ‘Whose Feast day is it today?” One bright spark girl shot up her hand and replied “St. Andrew, Brother.” My reply was predictably “Yes, St. Andrew!” – Failed my first lesson!

Apart from the completely crazy, parish priest, Fr. Kenneally, it was an exhilarating experience and convinced me that I had found my life-long vocation.

I did a teaching round at Rupertswood and taught Mick Christie’s full load because he was in hospital with a broken arm or leg. His load included Leaving Asian History, of which I knew nothing. That is when I learnt to bu****it and actually convinced the kids I knew what I was talking about!

I loved the boarding school environment and enjoyed all the extra curricula activities. However, I was stunned after one after-school House football match to witness Terry Cooper and a Year 12 student slugging it out on the side of the oval. I must have got a good report because I was given the poisoned chalice of ‘Rupertswood’ when I got my first teaching position!

A few of us were sent to Engadine for a teaching round. I think we travelled by train and were met by Kevin O’Mara. It could have been Kevin Bloody Wilson as he met us with the greeting “Get in the fu***ng car, you bastards!”

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-01/father-chris-riley-dies-catholic-priest/105601088?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web

Catholic priest Father Chris Riley dies aged 70 Founder of Youth Off The Streets, Father Chris Riley AM, dies aged 70 following a long period of ill health.

https://www.facebook.com/746654482/posts/10163030131394483/?app=fbl

Chris Riley was one of my students. A fairly intense and interesting character whose work years later with the disadvantaged around Kings Cross was acknowledged with an OAM award. Someone told me I had influenced Chris to join the Salesians, a suggestion I categorially deny. It was not my habit to recruit but If the rumour was true I would be honored to think I had played some part, albeit quite minor, in his brilliant vocation. RIP to an outstanding Rupertswood Old College. 😥

Received this sad email from Michael Derrick

Hi to the Rupertswood Old Boys of 1970-75,

I am sad to say that I am the bearer of tragic news. Your fellow student and friend, Steve Quinn, died last Monday 14th July, after falling from a ladder at his holiday house at San Remo, Victoria.

Steve was trimming some trees at height and overbalanced, landing badly and sustained a broken neck. The coroner believes that he died instantly and did not suffer.

Steve’s leaves behind his loving life partner, Mary and three children, Vaughan, Phoebe, Darcy, and their partners as well as his large family including his mother, brothers and sisters and their families.

Some of you may know that Steve and his friends maintained close friendships beyond Sunbury and met on a semi-regular basis. We called ourselves the “Sunbury Senate”. Senators would meet at a pub somewhere in Melbourne where we shared a meal and a few beers whilst hypothesising on how to address the world’s problems as well as celebrating its many joys. Our future gatherings will miss one its sharpest and best loved minds.

For anyone wishing to attend Steve’s farewell, I have included the basic details here (below) and the fuller description in a poorly copied PDF doc as well as the web link. Steve Quinn's Last Hurrah

Due to the large gathering expected, we ask that you RSVP as early as possible. Tickets for Steve Quinn's Last Hurrah

Please join us to reflect on and celebrate the life of Steve Quinn on Monday 28th July at Brunswick Ballroom, at 11am

Michael Derrick
0447 774 018

Visited Melbourne recently which included a trip to Rupertswood. The changes to the campus from 1974 have been amazing. There are over 2000 students now and much of the 1974 campus has been either demolished or radically renovated.

I was disappointed to discover the Mansion's chapel (previously the ballroom) had been carved up for offices and a mini chapel. Instead a new project to build a state of the art chapel has been planned in the vicinity of the old trampoline pits .

I found it difficult to identify with the new face of Salesian College, Sunbury (no longer 'Rupertswood'). However such realization has not dimmed the overall distant but positive memories of those wondrous days of yore.

A recent post from Salesian College, Sunbury! How things have changed! No longer 'Rupertswood' anymore and the presence of female members of the opposite s*x! I also did not recognize the uniforms, not only because the kids are scruffy but also because they now can wear shorts, unthinkable in 1970! Whilst I fully endorse co-ed and shorts, I find it slightly ridiculous wearing a blazer with shorts. What was wrong with the old blazer? Why do only the traditional grammar schools cherish tradition in their schools?