We were thrilled to welcome back Michael Dinley (SPC 1950-57) and his family to the College during Term 3. It was a particularly emotional visit and brought much happiness and excitement to Michael as he relived some special memories with his family.
Michael was a boarder from Preston, in Melbourne and excelled during his time at SPC, experiencing what he described as “a great feeling of mateship, I believe, by the traditions, by the spirit, the energy, the goodness and values within St Pat’s College”.
Michael was a College Prefect and member of the Sodality of Our Lady, Holy Name Society Executive and Literary Society.
He was also the ruck of the 1957 First XVIII Football team, which won the Public Schools football championship for its 51st straight year; winner of the John James Cup in 1957 and also broke John James’ Open Weight (Shot) Put record by one foot and three-quarter inches with a massive throw of 44 feet and 11.5 inches, a record which still stands today.
Michael was also a member of the First XI Cricket BPS co-premiership team and captain of the McCarthy House athletic team.
Michael had previously recounted that the real Unsung Heroes to him were “the Christian Brothers who cared for me, taught me, encouraged, directed, disciplined and developed me”.
“From day one in January 1950 as a 10-year-old starting at St Roch’s Junior lockers with Brother “Mouse” Molony, my sixth grade teacher Tom Halliburton – both terrific teachers, good men and then the roll call of super sensitive, caring, experienced, hard-working, patient and tough-minded men”.
“St Pat’s principal, Br J.D. Healy “Old Jack”, Br W.T. O’Malley “Old Bill” (my teacher in Inter A). What a beautiful man. He was the trump card in the Brothers’ team – a very humble man, but what spirit – revered by all the boys he taught and coached in his long and successful leadership of the St Pat’s footbal team.
“Br Tom Mullens, bursar, general Mr Fixit at St Pat’s and my teacher in Form 1.
“And all the other staff (team) members memorable to me and instrumental in my development –
“The Three Amigos – Br Williams (chesty) – my Sub-Inter teacher; Br Coyne (Saturday night flicks) – the show must go on; and Br Kelty – what a man to become Head of the Christian Bros worldwide. coach of the St Pat’s First XVIII in 1955 due to Br Bill’s health problems along with so much more respect, also taught me French (Alliance Francais Premier prize).
“The Brothers – Ulma, Sub-Inter teacher; E.G. Smith (Ernie) – Leaving and Matric, maths, physics and chemistry; Fogarty – Mr Music Man; Archer – our introduction to dance and the ladies at Mary’s Mount and Sacred Heart; O’Kane (Coke) – backup ‘super’ numeracy; Killian – cricket tragic and coach.
“And Br Lynch, principal in my final years in 1955-57 – a tough, “take no prisoners’ leader who taught me Latin in matric.
“All good, interesting, multi-talented teachers. The Brothers provided the continuity, the driving force, spirit and traditions of St Pat’s. They are good and great men and I remember them with much respect and affection.”
