Our Old Boys

THIS PAGE IS DEDICATED TO THE OLD BOYS OF MBP/PMH WHO ARE OR HAVE BEEN HIGH ACHIEVERS IN THEIR CHOSEN FIELD

RPA SURGEON, CHRIS O’BRIEN, A PROUD OLD BOY OF ‘MBP’!

In 2009, Parramatta Marist lost one of its most illustrious old boys, Professor Chris O’Brien. A man who dedicated his life serving the needs of others. before his death he visited Parramatta Marist and spoke to the current student body. See PDF below from the Parramatta Advertiser for the story:

Prof. O’Brien Visit

If you wish to make a donation to the Chris O’Brien Cancer Centre please click on this link: Lifehouse at RPA

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RUGBY UNION: A PIONEERING WALLABY

Stanley (Stan) Montgomery Wickham  (1876-1960) was a country boy, born near Orange, who attended Parramatta Marist during his high school years. He was selected at age 19 to play for the Waratahs. He was appointed captain of the first Australian team to play NZ in 1903 and became the first ‘touring’ captain in 1905 when he led the team on its inaugural overseas tour- a seven-match tour of NZ. He later helped to manage the first Wallabies tour of Britain and North America in 1907/8.

RUGBY LEAGUE

In the photo below you can find the former coach of the Parramatta Eels (and St. Helen’s) and a current teacher at PMH.

Recognise this Parramatta and Souths Rugby League Player?

What about this fella? Class of 95!

Or his brother?

or the latest NSW State of Origin Captain?

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A TENNIS CHAMPION, WIMBLEDON RUNNER-UP AND DAVIS CUP PLAYER!

Geoff Brown, who attended the school in the late 1930′s (before serving in the RAAF in WWII), was a runner up in the 1946 Wimbledon Final singles, doubles and mixed-doubles. He was defeated by Yvon Petra of France in 5 sets. The following year he was defeated in the quarterfinals of the singles tournament by the eventual winner, Jack Kramer, of the United States. He also made it to the doubles semi-final that year. In 1950, Brown was again runner-up in the doubles and mixed-doubles at Wimbledon. He won numerous tennis tournaments throughout his career and represented Australia in the Davis Cup. His career coincided with Australia’s golden age of tennis. If you wish to see some footage of Geoff in action with other Australian Davis cup hopefuls please click here or if you wish to see him in action at Wimbledon click here!

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OUR OLD BOYS IN HOLLYWOOD!

You may recognise the young man standing at the far right of this photograph. Here he is playing football for MBP in 1949. Long before he became a rigger, comedian and actor. Check out his career at the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

You may not be aware that another young and upcoming actor, Luke Ford, is also an old boy of PMH. Here is a picture of him below:

He has starred in Kokoda, Black Balloon and in one of “The Mummy” movies. May be soon we’ll have our own oscar winner!

Check out his career at the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

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FORMER AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE COMMISSIONER

Some of old boys have risen to prominence in law enforcement- a case in point is Mr. Mick Keelty. Mr. Keelty served as the AFP Commissioner between 2001-2009. Possibly the busiest time for an AFP commissioner since the force’s inception in 1979!

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AN OLYMPIAN!

Gold Medal winning Olympic swimmer, John Devitt (pictured right), was one of our finest Athletes. He swam at both the Melbourne (1956) and Rome (1960) Olympics and his personal medal tally is as follows:

Olympic Medals
Gold		2
Silver		1
Bronze		1

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A FOOTBALLER

Robert Younis is an old boy of PMH and is currently playing for Adelaide United in the A-League.

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VALE GEORGE KHATTAR

Last week, PMH was saddened by the news that another of our old boys (class of 1983) and patron of the school, Mr. George Khattar, had passed away aged 44 from a heart attack. George, through his family owned business, DYLDAM, had contributed much to our school and the wider community. He will be sorely missed.

George was also a good friend and sponsor of Ray Hadley’s 2GB radio program. Listen to Ray Hadley’s farewell to George.

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A BRIGADIER!

Thanks to Lieutenant Colonel Michael Abrahams (class of ’77) for the nomination of his fellow classmate Brigadier Nick Bartels AM, former Commander of 16th Aviation Brigade. Brigadier Bartel’s Order of Australia citation (Military Division) is below. Michael has also sent in a photo of his last day in 1977. Thanks Michael.

MEMBER (AM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Australian Army
Brigadier Nicholas Stephen BARTELS, Qld For exceptional service to Australian Army Aviation, particularly as Commandant of the Army Aviation Training Centre and Commander 16th Aviation Brigade.
Brigadier Bartels has made a significant and enduring contribution to the development and professionalism of Australian Army Aviation during a period of dynamic capability expansion and unprecedented operational focus. His demonstrated exceptional commitment to duty and clear strategic vision and guidance to the Brigade and training system delivered world class combat forces and equipment for the Australian Army. Brigadier Bartels’ performance has been in keeping with the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.

Photo (L to R): Mark Thompson, Michael Abrahams, Glenn McDonald, Nick Bartels        (Photo: Courtesy of Michael Abrahams)

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A JOURNALIST, AUTHOR AND HUMANITARIAN

Dr. Jeff McMullen AM is a well known journalist, author and humanitarian who has been honoured by various institutions not just for his journalistic endeavours but for his wide-ranging humanitarian work, in particular, for his work with the indigenous people of Australia and of other countries.