2019 Alumni news

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ALUMNI NEWS – AUGUST 2019


STUDENTS IN THE NEWS

GREAT FOOD FOR THOUGHT
At the recent AHA Hospitality & Tourism Awards, “1882 Bar & Grill” won the “Best Pub Eatery” gong. Owned by the wife of ex-Dara boy Anthony Goodwin (1988) Cindy-Lee, and her sister Nikki, their team have crafted a fantastic eating and drinking oasis in rural Hall.

Speaking after the event, Anthony said although he had his “fingers in many pies”, this win was a real standout. (Having dined at “1882” recently, I want to assure our Alumni there are no pies on the menu. Now, the Beef Ragu, well that’s another story!). Congratulations to everyone involved.


DARA SPORTS STARS ARE SHINING
The annual ACT Government “CBR Sport Awards” was recently announced with three ex-Dara students nominated this year. Hurdler Lauren Wells (2006) along with 2009 students Hannah Dunn (AFL) and   Kyle Perkins (Baseball) are all in the running for the 2019 ACT People’s Champion, which is decided by popular vote.

The Awards will be held in November at the National Arboretum so if you’d like to support your favourite classmates, vote here: https://outincanberra.com.au/cbrsportsawards/vote-now.php A big congratulations to all our talented sports people.


MODEL STORY #1: A STRONG BODY OF WORK FOR OUR JEN
After a career move in 2015, ex-Dara girl Jennifer Atilemile  (2009) is now an international model with a strong focus on body and racial diversity. Her modelling career began while she was studying at Monash University where she completed a Masters Degrees in Journalism and International Relations. She now has a number of prominent advertising campaigns behind her, including Myer, The Iconic, Peter Alexander, Berlei, ASOS, H&M and Next.

Currently based in London, Jenn is likely to move to New York this year and had this to say about current image perceptions as they relate to body size and racial diversity in advertising; “Each of these jobs I tick off is a win for the increase in racial and body diversity in advertising. One thing that brings me joy on the job is that I know out there there’s a little girl seeing another woman that looks like her and feeling represented – and that’s a win for me.” We totally agree Jen!
If you’d like to know more, you can follow her at Jennatilemile.com or Instagram www.instagram.com/jennatilemile/


MODEL STORY #2: KASSIDY YOUNG
Kassidy Young  from 2015, who is a model working out of Sydney, has been chosen to model for Errick Kim and other designers as part of the 2019 New York Fashion Week this September. Great news and congrats Kassidy.


LORINA STARS AT HELPMANN AWARDS
Lorina Gore (1995) was nominated as “Best Female Performer in an Opera” at the recent Helpmann Awards in Melbourne for her role in Opera Australia’s “Wozzeck”. She won the 2018 Award for “Best Female Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera”, so great to see her up on that stage again. Very proud of your achievements Lorina.


SOLE MUSIC IN QUEANBEYAN
The latest stage production of “Kinky Boots” has just finished playing at the Q in Queanbeyan and running the bells and whistles side of things was ex-Dara boy Nick Griffin (2010) as Musical Director. Also, the band featured another Dara lad  Charlie Kurthi (2015) on drums.


GRANDPARENTS’ DAY WAS A REAL LAFFAN MATTER THIS YEAR
It was Grandparents’ Day at the College in late May where we welcomed over 200 Year 7 student’s grandparents including Liam Hunter’s. Liam is the third generation of the Laffan family and his grandparents, Paul and Anne are the parents of five Dara alumni.

Michael Laffan (1987) is now a professor at Princeton University; Shawn (1989) is a professor at UNSW; Julian (1991) is Deputy Principal at St Bede’s Braidwood; Damien (1994) a public servant and Rebecca (1996) is a teacher at Radford College. (See any pattern forming there?)

Congratulations to Paul and Anne and a big welcome to 13-year-old Liam, our next generation.
Finally, and just to add another layer to these achievements, Julian has an exhibition at Beaver Galleries. Info here: https://the-riotact.com/julian-laffan-the-braidwood-…/305496


SPEAKING OF FAMILIES, HERE IS OUR OWN WOOD-FIRED CLASSIC
The Facebook “Canberra” page recently uploaded a “classic” TV commercial from the 80s featuring Jacko’s Dial a Pizza. Owned and operated by Jack McGrath (1971), tomatoes and mozzarella must run in his veins because son Trevor (1993) is now pumping out some of this town’s finest pizzas at Trev’s in Dickson.

Jack is still delivering the best hot and tasty’s with his mobile wood-fired pizza van and is available for – obscure 80s music alert – weddings, parties, anything. If you want to relive the memories of Jacko’s commercial, click here: https://www.facebook.com/thecanberrapage/videos/398152590822625/


FLORIDA, HERE I COME
Nathan Kennedy (2016) has been chosen for the U/23 Australian Rowing Team at the World Rowing Championships in Florida later this year. A big congrats Nathan!


ABBEY’S TEA-RRIFIC CUPS
April saw Allhomes publish a great two-page piece on ceramic artist and ex-Dara girl Abbey Jamieson (2012). Abbey recently graduated from the ANU with Honours in Ceramics and her latest collection is called” Interconnect” which, as she describes it, “…is designed to focus on moments of both solitary contemplation and calm relationship in the tea ceremony”.
She added, “It’s taking the simplest of life’s pleasures and attaching a greater meaning to it”. (So, no more Bushells in the white plastic disposables for me then).
Very clever and innovative ceramic work from a very talented young lady so I would suggest acquiring a piece now before Abbey’s cups runneth over and they become collectors’ items. (Story here: https://preview.tinyurl.com/y33p4pba


A TENNIS-FREE NICK TALE
It’s funny what gets traction in the media universe. While not bashing a ball around a tennis court, Nick Kyrgios (2012) was back in Canberra and featured in the news for helping push a woman’s broken car home. Apparently, her original “helpers” had just come from a session at the Old Canberra Inn, so they may have been a bit “underpowered”. Up steps Nick to help, who was just driving by, because, as he said, “it just seemed like the right thing to do”. Nice one Nick!


HERE’S THE PRINCIPAL REASONS THAT MADE THE CLASS OF ’82 DIFFERENT…
Tim Cleary (1982) has seen a lot in his 30-odd years of teaching. As Principal at St Augustine’s College in Sydney he grew the school from 440 to 1350 students, he left to become the (short-lived) chief executive of the Manly Sea Eagles.

He is now back as Principal at the Hunter Valley’s All Saints College and back in April was announced as President of the Australian Schools Rugby Union.

There must have been something in the water at Dara in 1982 as Tim’s classmate Matt Hutchison is the now the current Principal at Marist College in Canberra. Great work from both ex-Dara boys.


BIG YEAR (SO FAR) FOR PIP
Ex-Dara boy Pippin Carroll (2016) has really found his acting niche this year, starting with his March appearance as “Lumiere” in Canberra Philharmonic’s classic production of “Beauty and the Beast”, and in April he starred in his most dramatic role yet with “Queers”.

Set in a “real” English pub at the Canberra Playhouse’s Courtyard Studio, “Queers” was a series of eight monologues revealing how being gay over the last century has changed depending on the era. Written by Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, Dr Who), the Courtyard Studio was turned into an actual pub where patrons ate and drink with the performers seated amongst them. An excellent production.


OUR VANESSA – THE NERVE CENTRE OF SYDNEY’S NORTH SHORE
To recognise the 2019 International Women’s Day, Vanessa Sammons (1994) was a presenter at the “Celebrating Women in Brain Cancer Research” event.

Dr Vanessa is a Neurosurgeon at North Shore Private Hospital and specialises in treating all neurosurgical conditions with a particular interest in Peripheral Nerve Surgery. (Google it, I had to).

This function was part of a “call-to-action for driving gender balance across the world” and when interviewed after her presentation, she was asked what her first job was. She replied, “umpiring netball while at Daramalan”. There’s a tip for all our current students; if you aspire to be a doctor, join a Dara netball team. Congratulations Vanessa, great achievement.


WHILE WE ARE ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY…
Also as part of this year’s International Women’s Day, our own Queenie van de Zandt was chosen as one of the 10 top women of 2019. Huge congrats from all of us!
http://www.theatrepeople.com.au/top-ten-women-2019/  (Scroll down…)


A DIFFERENT VANESSA IS HAVING A WHALE OF A TIME
Even if it does involve collecting snot. (Well there goes my lunch).

Let me explain; 2006 student Vanessa Pirotta– actually Dr Vanessa Pirotta – is now a marine biologist who spends a large amount of time researching custom-built drones that collect whale snot from large whales as an assessment of their health. This “boogie fever” has taken her around the world including Tonga, Antarctica and most recently Madagascar.

She is also the National and International award winner of the prestigious science communication competition FameLab, where she represented Australia on the international stage talking about her whale snot. Actually, she tells me “snot” is that visible plume of spray they blow out. Not so yukky any more is it. Dr Vanessa Pirottais her Facebook page.


HOW’S YOUR GOLF GAME?
Well, if it’s a bit dodgy and you’d like a hand, then ex-Dara boy Charles Kares (1997) is your man. Charles is currently the Teaching Professional at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney but previously he was at Royal Canberra where he won the 2013 NSW/ACT PGA Teaching Professional of The Year.

Charles turned Pro in 2004 after completing the PGA Traineeship Program and this is another testament to dedication and commitment, both of which I’m sure started at Dara. Congratulations Charles! And I managed this story without one golf pun – above par for me! (Oops.)


OUR BROOKE STARRED IN BRUMBIES WOMEN’S TEAM
Earlier this year GIO stadium in Canberra saw a Daramalan girl run out as part of the 2019 Brumbies Women’s Rugby Team. Current Year 12 student Brooke Gilroy played in the five games of this innovative new series. Let’s hope it continues. Great work Brooke.
http://rugby.com.au/news/2019/02/20/superw-brumbies-gilroy


WE SADLY SAID FAREWELL TO…

MYRON HAWRYLCZUK (1971)
Sadly, we mourn the passing of ex-student Ron Haw from 1971. Ron, known as Myron Hawrylczuk when he was at Dara, passed away on 23 July 2019. Ron had been battling cancer for some time now and passed away peacefully at Yass District Hospital. He was 66. He is survived by his partner Margarete and his son Tyson. He also had a brother at Daramalan called Roman.
The funeral will be held at the Norwood Park Crematorium, Sandford Street Mitchell on Wednesday 31 July at 12 noon.
Gone too soon. Our prayers are with his family.


JACQUI CLOUT (1986)
It is with great sadness that another of our Dara family passed away last month. Jacqui Clout (1986) died suddenly from a brain aneurism on 6 June in the loving arms of her husband. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.


EMMA CONANT (1993)
Emma Conant from the Class of 1993 passed away unexpectedly earlier this year. RIP Emma.


LORNA GARRATT
Sadly, Lorna Garratt, the wife of Daramalan ex-Principal David Garratt passed away in late May. She had been ill for some months with Pulmonary Fibrosis and in mid-May she was admitted to Clare Holland House. (And as is often the case in Canberra, ex-Dara students were involved, with ambulance care undertaken by ex-student Duane Toohey from 1986, and was nursed at Clare Holland by another student, Anna Searles from ’97.)
David and Lorna had both been an integral part of the College for the last 40 years with Lorna especially taking an active role in many school activities, including the annual Leadership Camps at Rosedale.
Lorna’s funeral was held at St Brigid’s Church in Dickson and was attended by many ex-students and teachers with the Daramalan Choir singing in support of the service. RIP Lorna.


UPCOMING EVENTS

The Daramalan Scholarship Fund is pleased to present the 2019 Beer, Cider and Trivia Fundraising Night. At the night you will get to sample four of the finest Capital Brewing beers and ales, along with four stunning 3 Sons ciders, as well as showing us your skills with our first-ever electronic multiple-choice trivia questions. Beer and cider will be supplied so sorry, no BYO. (Wine is okay as is your choice of food for the evening and naturally this is an over 18 event.)
Get your mates together and book your place now. Tables of 8 and tickets are just $50 a head which includes all beer and cider samples. Additional drinks can be purchased on the night if you wish.
All monies raised go to the Daramalan Scholarship Fund which provides an opportunity for students whose family’s financial circumstances would otherwise prevent the student from attending the College. Doors open at 6.30pm and the night finishes at 10.00pm. More information and bookings are here: https://www.trybooking.com/526260&fbclid=IwAR2uF-UZJb8FtL7bTDVmD473H-WjInedHFqhwzY7grmfq65kKB1xq1Sf5gA


2019 REUNIONS

There will be Reunions for the Classes of 1969, 1979 on Saturday 2 November; 2009 will be on Saturday 9 November and 1989 and 1999 will be on Saturday 16 November. If you are from any of these years save the date now and I will send out more details including venues over the next four weeks.


ALL THE DARAMALAN YEARBOOKS ARE NOW ON-LINE

We have now finished digitising all the Daramalan Yearbooks going back to 1962. The books are accessible to everyone via the National Library’s “Trove” website. The link is http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-773155481
They will be uploaded to the Alumni website later in August but, in the meantime, enjoy the Trove offerings.


ALUMNI NEWS – JANUARY 2019

Well, the new school year started two weeks ago with over 1400 students enrolled across all six years.

The school has completed the building program that has been going in one form or another since 2002 with the completion of the Fulton Administration Wing finishing with the Dempsey Science Wing last year. Even all the landscaping is just about over.

One final project is a new fence which is nearing completion. (Fence photo coming…). We’ve had the  same fence since the 70’s, which was both no deterrent to students hopping over it to cross the drain as a short cut to Dickson, nor to keep out the dogs and aspiring golfers practicing their pitching. Hence a new fence.


MSC AT DARAMALAN

AS mentioned in the last Newsletter, Br Barry Smith MSC finished up at Dara last July and is now at Douglas Park in the Southern Highlands running the MSC facilities up. That only leaves just three MSC in the Residence from a peak of around 35 in the late 60s.

They comprise Fr Harold Baker MSC, who is now in his mid 90s and Fr Jim Littleton MSC  turning 89 this month. Both are in reasonable health and let’s hope it stays that way. Br John Walker MSC makes up the third member of the Community.  However Kippax is a MSC Parish and we are lucky to have Fr Kimi from the Parish visit the College for a day every week to reinforce the MSC ethos.


MRS JEAN REID VISIT

There have been so many ex-Daramalan students over the years that have been touched in some way by Mrs Jean Reid who taught here from 1962 until the early 80s. She is still alive and kicking at a very sprightly 103-years-old and on Chevalier Day last year, she returned to the school for a visit, along with Mrs Mary Barton (nee Donnelly) pictured right with Jean, seated, and Principal Rita Daniels and Fr Jim Littleton MSC.

Both Jean and Mary commenced work in February 1962 as the only two female teachers at Daramalan which was, at the time, an all-boys school. Both went on to initiate and develop what is now the Inclusive Education Team and countless students have these two wonderful ladies to thank for, in part, who they have become today.


DEPARTURES IN 2018.

We all remember Mick Flynn (Class of 1975) don’t we? A teaching stalwart of the College since the early 80s, Mick is most closely associated with his long and dedicated involvement in Daramalan Basketball.

Mick is currently on Long Service leave and will be finishing up in June. If you’d like to say “goodbye” to him, email me at bernard.kane@daramalan.act.edu.au and I’ll compile your responses and send them on to him. He will also be at the Class Reunions later this year. More Reunion details later on this page.


While we are on sport, Mike Brady (right) finished at the College last December. He had been here for 24 years and was most well-known for his passion and time spent with the rowing program. He will be missed.


Mrs Jan Dudley from the Information Centre also retired in 2018. She had led the Library since the 80s and many students will best remember her for the creative and engaging activities during Book Week.


Mr Ian Garrity (Class of 1990) has resigned from Dara to take up the position as Deputy Principal at St Eddies. Ian has spent most of his life at Dara both as a student and teacher.


2018 REUNIONS

There were five Reunions held last year namely the Classes of 1968, ’78, ’88, ’98 and 2008. It was great to see so many people come along and share the memories. We only had about a dozen from 1968 (pictured above) but it was all about the quality not quantity from 50 years ago.

Both Captains from 2008 made the trip to Canberra. Tyler Goodall, who is currently studying to be a surgeon in Melbourne came up and Jen Rowe, now a teacher herself, came down from Brisbane.


 2019 REUNIONS.

So that leads me onto Reunions for 2019. We will again have Events for all our “…9” years namely 1969, ’79, ’89, 99 and 2009. They will be held over weekends from late October to early November. When I have firm details I will post the information on this web site as well as full details on the Alumni Facebook page.

Which is a nice segue to a plug for this ubiquitous social media site. We currently have around 3000 followers on Facebook and that is where I post ex-student doings on a weekly basis. So, if you are a child of the permanently-connected generation then you’ll most like already be on Facebook, but if not then it’s well worth checking it out. The address is https://www.facebook.com/daramalanalumni/


 DARAMALAN YEARBOOKS

We are currently storing many duplicate copies of Daramalan Yearbooks from 1962 onwards. Some years we have heaps, others…well, not so many. So, if you would like a copy of a particular year to complete your collection, or whatever, let me know and you are free to come and pick it up. I can’t post them unfortunately but you are welcome to pick it up from Reception at the College. Contact is bernard.kane@daramalan.act.edu.au

While we are on Yearbooks, I am currently in the process of scanning every book to create digital and searchable files you can all access. Like the National Library’s Trove. When this is finished you will be able to log on and search for a name, date or event from the last 57 years. I will post up the address when this project is completed.


TEACHER MEL CLARKE

Many of our recent netball-playing students will remember teacher Mel Clarke pictured second from left, who is still heavily involved in the sport here at the College. It is a great feather in her cap as she has been appointed as the 2019 coach of the Canberra Giants in the Australian Netball League. Incidentally, Mel is the daughter of ex-student Leo Clarke (1974).


EX-TEACHER PAULA ROBINSON

Most students from 2009 onwards will remember teacher Paula Robinson. Paula worked at Daramalan as a teacher from 2009 until the end of 2017.  During this time, she taught Hospitality and Food Technology and was also the Careers Advisor for a large part of this time.  At the beginning of 2018, Paula, and her family, moved up north to the Sunshine Coast for a lifestyle change.

Unfortunately, at the end of last year, Paula was diagnosed with malignant breast cancer (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma).  She has commenced intensive chemotherapy which will be followed by radiotherapy therapy, and depending on how things go, quite likely a mastectomy.  Adding to this particularly difficult time is the reality that Paula is now unable to work while she deals with the chemo treatment.

Some of Paula’s friends who still work at Daramalan are organising a Trivia Night to raise funds for Paula to assist in easing the financial pressure faced during this difficult time.

If you would like to support Paula, how about coming along to the Night. We have tables of 8 and it is being held here at the school Friday 22 March. So not only are you helping a very worthy cause, and having a great time while doing it, but you’ll also get to have a quick look around your old haunts and drool over all the new things that weren’t here when you were here! J

Bookings are here https://www.trybooking.com/473993 and cost just $30. This includes wood-fired pizza dinner from Jacko’s Pizza, himself an ex-student. Get your table together now!

But if you can’t make it on the night ,maybe consider the donation of a raffle prize?  If you are able to help in this area, please contact Jane Waddleton at jane.waddleton@daramalan.act.edu.au

If you have any queries about the event, please contact Carlie Dwyer carlie.dwyer@daramalan.act.edu.au


 VALE DARAMALAN ALUMNI

Phil Burns (1991) passed suddenly away on the 18th of January here in Canberra. The funeral was at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Amaroo. RIP Phil.


Emma Thorpe (née Widdicombe) 2001, passed away in August last year after a long brave battle with cystic fibrosis. She was married to another Daramalan ex-student Brendan Thorpe (1996). Our thoughts and prayers go out to Brendan and all Emma’s family. If you’d like to help in the fight against this insidious disease you can donate here: https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.au/donate


Last November former Canberra Magistrate and Coroner Shane Madden died of a heart attack. He was just 73. Shane was the father of David (1993), Peter (1994) and Phillip (1997). David was school Captain in 1993.

An immensely respected man, Andrew Leigh MP delivered this tribute in the House of Representatives immediately after Shane’s funeral.

“Shane Madden was one of Canberra’s finest lawyers. He was part of the senior leadership team when the ACT Department of Public Prosecutions was formed under Ken Crispin in 1991.

He served as a magistrate from 1996 until 2009. He was the coroner who conducted the 118-day inquest into the tragic death of schoolgirl Katie Bender, who was killed in 1997 by the implosion of the Royal Canberra Hospital. It has been commented that his conduct throughout the trial demonstrated his humanity and decency. He was the ACT’s first Children’s Court Magistrate, serving from 1999 with compassion and care.

I came to know Shane Madden through my friend David Madden, his son. Shane always struck me as gentle and generous, and never shy about coming forward with his views about politics in Canberra as a long-time resident of the north side. In giving the eulogy for his father at the Sacred Heart parish in Moruya on Saturday, David spoke about Shane’s commitment to service, saying, ‘Service was at the heart of Dad’s life.’

Shane Madden was a life member of the ACT Brumbies. He was an ACT rugby referee in more than 300 games.

David said: ‘I can remember as a child wandering into the kitchen late on Sunday nights before Dad had a trial and seeing him once again poring over evidence, double-and triple-checking his notes, making sure he did the best job he possibly could. Dad brought that commitment to everything he did, whether it was hearing a big case; giving a speech at the Rotary Club of Moruya; or caring for his sister, who struggled with mental illness her whole life. Dad did things properly.’

Those in Canberra were lucky to have benefited from Shane’s service. My heart goes out to his widow, Katie, his wife of 47 years; to his children, David, Peter and Philip; to his children-in-law, Andrea, Nicole and Amy; and to his grandchildren, Kahlea, Isabelle, Jacinta, Raphael, Jessica, Elianna, Stephanie, Alexander, William and Georgina.”

Our sympathies go out to all the Madden family. We have lost a great man.


WHO’S BEEN DOING WHAT – EX-STUDENTS

Josip Simunic (2011) last month was offered a contract of employment with Google in the States. A great testament for Canberra and Daramalan talent.


Stuart O’Rourke (1993) is a Director/Producer and Writer working on a variety of projects since leaving Daramalan. He started his career in London in 2000 working as a Production Assistant on the drama series POIROT then back to Oz with Crackerjack Productions as a TV editor, including 3 seasons of the sketch comedy series Comedy Inc for Channel 9.

His most recent projects have been with SBS, Discovery Channel and “Aussie Lobster Men” currently showing on Channel 7.


While we are on media personalities Peter Kirk (1986) is a multi-award-winning producer of content, as well as a screen writer and film and commercial director. He has worked with globally recognized brands such as Lynx, Google and Greenpeace in countries including Thailand, Philippines, Brazil, USA, London and Japan. He is the recipient of 3 Webby awards as well as countless AIMA and W3 awards.
His company Pluto Media, a content platform that operates in Sydney, Auckland and Los Angeles, recently teamed up with The Communications Council to create the AWARD School Indigenous Scholarship Program which offers six scholarships to the AWARD School for Indigenous students to encourage more Indigenous people into the advertising and media industry.
A hugely worthwhile commitment and we wish Peter all the best with both this passion as well his flourishing film career.
Peter is featured on Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Kirk_(director)


When Australian soccer player Hakeem al-Araibi was arrested last November in Bangkok on suspicion of vandalising a police station, and consequently fighting deportation to Bahrain, who was the first person he asked for? An ex-Daramalan student of course. Australia’s ambassador in Thailand is Allan McKinnon (1976) who was appointed to the role late last year. Luckily Hakeem had the best man on his side and Hakeem was released and came back to Australia two weeks ago. Thanks Al.


The “Canberra Times” featured a really nice story on Laurie Fisher (1976) who has been the Brumbies coach on and off for nearly 20 years and in 2019 he’s back with the Brumbies as Assistant Coach. Their first exhibition match was at Goulburn on the 7thof Feb, which also featured ex-Dara boy Tom Ross’s (2016) first outing with the Brumbies this season. Tom went on to score a well-deserved try.


On the subject of sport earlier this year saw the first Test Match played at Manuka Oval (which we won incidentally if you don’t follow cricket). However the highlight of this major event was the National Anthem performance by our own Bronwyn Mulcahy (1989).
Since leaving Daramalan Bronwyn has gone on to feature in a broad range of creative arenas including in the German production of “Cats” as well a myriad of Australian productions.
She performed alongside Elaine Page in “The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber” and toured Australia with Anthony Warlow, INXS, Kate Ceberano and David Essex.
She has also written songs for the Australian Olympic committee and most recently recorded two pieces for the feature film “Surviving Georgia”.
However, all that surely pales in comparison to kicking off an Aus v Sri Lanka Test Match at Manuka. Life doesn’t get much better for a Dara girl!


Lauren Boden – now Wells, (2006), looks like being back in the running for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Early February she competed in the Canberra Track Classic and ran the 400m Hurdles in a world championship qualifying time of 55.72 which sets her up for her third Olympic Games. Lauren, who is now a teacher, thought her international career might be over but she may have changed her mind. Let’s hope so.


Late last year, ex-student David Ault (1972) was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Consequently, in early 2018, he had “radical robotic prostate surgery” which sounds scary but apparently it worked. So, to help raise awareness of this “bloke’s cancer” he has been out there running. (Just like Forrest Gump – but without the beard). Since his operation, David has completed six half marathons, two 30km trails and one full marathon, the earliest of which was just two months after he went under the knife.
Starting on 13 January, David is now running around Australia as part of the “Around Australia Marathons 2019” a very worthy cause to raise cancer awareness. If you’d like to support David his FB page is here:
https://www.facebook.com/Around-Australia-Marathons-2019-David-Ault-260958127923039/
As Forrest would say,” That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run.” Good luck David!


If you want to know what’s happening in the entertainment world, the current #1 authority in Australia is ex-Dara student Jonathon Moran (1995) from the “Daily Telegraph” and “Sunday Telegraph”.
So rather than me give you all the goss’, I’ll let Jonathon’s publicity machine – or J.Mo as he is affectionately known – take over: “J.Mo is Australia’s authority on all things entertainment – from music to film, tv, celebrities in general and everything in between. J.Mo breaks celebrity stories daily and has interviewed the world’s biggest stars, from Coldplay to One Direction, Pink, Beyonce, Madonna, Lady GaGa and Katy Perry. J.Mo is co-host of the top rating national radio show, “Confidential” on Nova. He is also a weekly regular on Channel Ten’s Studio 10 and has appeared on shows including Seven’s “The Morning Show” and “The Daily Edition”, “The Bachelorette”, “A Current Affair”, “Sunrise” and “Today”.
So there you go – didn’t know that did you?


Ex-student Brenda Croft (1981) finished 2018 in a very bad way. Firstly, her storage unit in Belconnen was broken into with her losing many irreplaceable items, including some of her own award-winning artworks. And then, to make matters worse, on her way home after discovering the break-in, she fell and broke her hip resulting in her hospitalisation for two weeks. Let’s hope 2019 is kinder to her.


As part of the College’s on-going commitment of engaging with ex-students, Sarah Larkin (2016 School Captain) returned to Daramalan last  December to talk to the Year 9 classes.
Sarah is currently studying Nursing and Paramedicine at ACU and part of her involvement with the Uni is working as a Youth Minister for the Archdiocese. In this capacity she travels around Australian and International schools running Retreats for both students and teachers alike. She has just returned from Darwin and is hoping for her next gig to be somewhere in Africa.
Graduating in 2020 she is hoping to work as an ambulance paramedic in the ACT. Let’s hope we never need to meet her in a professional capacity but great to have her back.


The September edition of the Qantas inflight magazine featured Craig Dalzell (1984). Craig is now the Chief Executive Officer for Allianze Worldwide partners (Google it) and was interviewed for the magazine about being a “high flyer”. (Good one Qantas!)
Anyway, Craig talks about his Daramalan school life especially about not being the “best student” while he was here, then having a child at 20 and now 34 years and six kids later, heading up a major world-wide corporation. There’s hope for all of us yet.


Nathan Kennedy (2016) is now considered one of Australia’s top U/21 rowers with his men’s quadruple scull team representing Australia at the 2018 AUS v NZ v CAN Rowing Tri-Series on Lake Karapiro, Cambridge, New Zealand. Needless to say, we won! Congratulations Nathan!


Queenie van de Zandt (1988) brought the role of the evil “Killer Queen” alive in the smash hit musical “We Will Rock You”, which played at the AIS Arena late last year. With music by “Queen”, our Queenie played a key role in the international spectacle. Great work Queenie!


Marco Caputo (1989)  is back “home” as the Gungahlin Eagles First-Grade Head Coach for this year’s rugby season.
Marco’s career in rugby as a player and coach is highlighted by his Wallabies debut in 1996 against Wales in Brisbane as a Hooker, and subsequent four matches in the famous gold jersey playing for Australia.
As a coach, Marco has experienced all levels of rugby in every corner of the globe. He is the assistant coach of the Canberra Vikings, and has already had a great influence on Eagles star players and ex-Dara boys Tom Ross and Mack Hansen (both 2016).
Marco was the Eagles head coach in 2009 and 2010, and has since been involved with the ACT Brumbies, Hashimoto Mitsubishi in Japan, Leinster Rugby in Dublin, the Tonga Rugby International World Cup team and the Kobelco Steelers in Japan.
Eagles Club President Eoghan O’Byrne, himself a father of three rugby boys at Daramalan, is seen here congratulating Marco on his appointment.


Eliza McAlister (2013) and daughter of Dara teacher Fran McAlister, has just completed her fashion internship working with Tim Chappel. Tim, who won an Academy Award for his costumes in “The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert”, worked with Eliza preparing the costumes for the recent stage production of “The Boy from Oz” at the Arts Centre Melbourne.


Marty Mickelson (1977) was recently appointed as Queensland Police’s Acting Assistant Commissioner. Well done Marty.


AFL/DARA CONNECTIONS. You no doubt know that Collingwood’s coach Nathan Buckley (1989) is ex-Dara, as is Shaun Smith (1986) who played over 100 games for North Melbourne and then Melbourne, and now his son Joel is following in his footsteps at Melbourne FC this year.
Ivan Soldo (2013) plays for Richmond and Hannah Dunn (2009) is with the GWS Women’s League.

David Joyce (1993) is the Head of Athletic Performance at the Giants.
At a local level, Cameron Bernasconi (2010) works as the Talent and Coaching Program Manager and Amy Dwyer (2017) pictured below, is the Development Coordinator for AFL Canberra. Amy also won the 2018 Essendon Women’s Network Emerging Leader Award in Melbourne.