Page 48 - The Gonzaga Record 1986
P. 48
Gonzaga College
Past Pupils Union
The re-established Gonzaga Union has continued to make good progress.
The first President of the Union was Jerry Liston. He was followed by
Tony Spollen and the current President is Dermot McCarron. Each of
these people has been well supported by a strong committee, and the cur-
rent committee has representatives from the earliest years of the College
right down to those who left in 1985.
The committee have decided that for the moment they will arrange one
major function each year, together with various sporting events, an
annual debate, assistance with career guidance and some minor social
functions.
Just prior to the re-establishment of the union we had the very memor-
able 'anniversary dinner' in the College. This convinced people like Tony
Spollen, Dermot McCarron, Cyril Forbes, David Alexander, Jerry Liston
and Peter Mathews that now was the time to re-establish the union. The
second dinner which was again held in Gonzaga, though smaller in scale
then the first was a great success.
The on-going sporting events and debating and career guidance were
welcomed by the school and the community. By the time Jerry Liston
completed his term of office much had been put in place and the Union
had been established on a firm footing.
Tony Spollen took over as President in June 1984 and in the following
twelve months structures were established:
- a constitution was prepared, and
- sub-committees were set up.
During the year to June 1985, eight 'main committee' meetings were
held and many sub-committee meetings. The average attendance at the
main committee meetings was nine. The committee decided to have as its
major function a piano recital by John O'Conor which was held in the
College. The purpose of the function was to launch a 'Benevolent Fund'
which would in time assist past or present pupils or their families in times
of hardship. The recital was a tremendous success and was attended by
a near capacity audience. The Union is very grateful to Rosemary
O'Brien, Anne Hill, Rosin Grimley and Gina Spollen, Brother Barry and
many others who did so much work to ensure the success of the evening.
As with so much in the development of this Union, Fr Noel Barber
once again was a major inspiration behind this function - he it was who
suggested the piano recital, contacted John O'Conor on behalf of the
Union and assisted all through the planning phase.
46
Past Pupils Union
The re-established Gonzaga Union has continued to make good progress.
The first President of the Union was Jerry Liston. He was followed by
Tony Spollen and the current President is Dermot McCarron. Each of
these people has been well supported by a strong committee, and the cur-
rent committee has representatives from the earliest years of the College
right down to those who left in 1985.
The committee have decided that for the moment they will arrange one
major function each year, together with various sporting events, an
annual debate, assistance with career guidance and some minor social
functions.
Just prior to the re-establishment of the union we had the very memor-
able 'anniversary dinner' in the College. This convinced people like Tony
Spollen, Dermot McCarron, Cyril Forbes, David Alexander, Jerry Liston
and Peter Mathews that now was the time to re-establish the union. The
second dinner which was again held in Gonzaga, though smaller in scale
then the first was a great success.
The on-going sporting events and debating and career guidance were
welcomed by the school and the community. By the time Jerry Liston
completed his term of office much had been put in place and the Union
had been established on a firm footing.
Tony Spollen took over as President in June 1984 and in the following
twelve months structures were established:
- a constitution was prepared, and
- sub-committees were set up.
During the year to June 1985, eight 'main committee' meetings were
held and many sub-committee meetings. The average attendance at the
main committee meetings was nine. The committee decided to have as its
major function a piano recital by John O'Conor which was held in the
College. The purpose of the function was to launch a 'Benevolent Fund'
which would in time assist past or present pupils or their families in times
of hardship. The recital was a tremendous success and was attended by
a near capacity audience. The Union is very grateful to Rosemary
O'Brien, Anne Hill, Rosin Grimley and Gina Spollen, Brother Barry and
many others who did so much work to ensure the success of the evening.
As with so much in the development of this Union, Fr Noel Barber
once again was a major inspiration behind this function - he it was who
suggested the piano recital, contacted John O'Conor on behalf of the
Union and assisted all through the planning phase.
46
