We remember
14/12/2021Vale
We remember and acknowledge members of our community who have passed away. Catherine McAuley College would like to pay tribute to members of our community who have recently died and extend our condolences to their family and friends.
To add remembrances or notify us of the passing of a member of the CMC community, please contact the Alumni Office.
Passed in 2022:
- Judith Ann Bateman – SMC Class of 1961
- Mary Joan Cooney Harrison – SMC Class of 1954
- Alan Gerard McGrath – SVC Class of 1969
- Richard McCurry – SVC 1959
- Barry D’Orsa – SVC Class of 1964
Lawrence Xavier O’Toole
SVC – Class of 1967
Publisher, photographer, author and hot rodding enthusiast, Larry O’Toole was farewelled with a final cruise through town after his death in September 2022.
Larry grew up on a farm at Ultima and spent most of his adult life in Castlemaine, playing a significant role in the local community and building up the region to be the Hot Rod Centre of Australia.
Michael Francis Coates (Mick)
1952- 2022
Loved brother of Peter, Tim, Julie, Paula and families. Beloved son of Frank and Peg.
Originally from Balranald, Mick attended St Vincent’s College from 1964 until 1967.
Marjorie McIntosh Bosscher
Marj was born on 26 November 1946 and started at St Mary’s College in 1951 as a Prep. She remained until the end of Intermediate and completed Leaving and Matric at St Mary’s Mount Ballarat.
Marj was married to Mike and they had two sons. Throughout her life, she was a successful businesswoman and an amateur artist. She died on 15 August 2022 in Brookefield, Queensland.
Mary O’Brien Gastin
Mary Gastin boarded at St Mary’s College from Tennyson in 1933. Later, she and her husband were publicans at the Manchester Arms Hotel. Mary had fond memories of her time at St Mary’s and attended the last Boarders Reunion in 2019. Mary’s children and grandchildren also attended the College. She passed away on 10 December 2021 aged 103.
William Bandy
Bill Bandy was a valued member of the St Vincent’s College Past Students Association, having attended the College between 1956 and 1959. In 1959 he was captain of the first Under 17 St Vincent’s football team to win the premiership in the Golden City Football League. Bill passed away in Geelong on 17 October 2021. Omnio in Christo.
Patricia Mary Kelly McConnachie
Pat McConnachie attended St Mary’s College in 1945 and was a much-loved member of the Proficiency Class of 1945. She was an inspirational working mother who was dedicated to her large close-knit family and a loyal friend to her former classmates. Pat died on 2 September 2021.
E
ileen Sapikas
Eileen Sapikas attended St Mary’s College in 1958 and 1959. She died peacefully at Freemasons Aged Care, Kangaroo Flat on 16 June 2021.
Andrew Johnston
Andrew Johnston attended Marist Brothers College from 1976 to 1981. Andrew was a respected part of the Bendigo real estate industry. He passed away at Murray Downs on 20 March 2021.
Valerie Brehaut Weaver
Valerie Brehaut Weaver boarded at St Mary’s College from Moulamein NSW between 1960 and 1965. She died on 30 January 2021.
Joanne Le Sueur
Joanne Le Sueur boarded at St Mary’s College from Cohuna between 1960 and approximately 1964. She died on 31 December 2020.
Vivienne Rankins McMillan
Vivienne Rankins McMillan attended St Mary’s College from 1974 to 1977. She was a member of the HSC Class of 1977. After graduating, she undertook a Bachelor of Science Education at Melbourne University. Vivienne taught at many schools throughout Victoria before returning to Bendigo to teach at Girton Grammar, where she worked for 20 years. Vivienne died on 13 December 2020.
Ethel Evaline Pritchard Hendy
Ethel Evaline Pritchard Hendy passed away in Nerang, Queensland on 5 December 2020. She attended St Mary’s College from 1948 to 1958.
Fr John O’Keefe CM
Former teacher and St Vincent’s College school President Fr John O’Keefe died in Sydney on 19 June 2020, aged 88 and in his 63rd year of Priesthood as a member of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian Fathers and Brothers). He was farewelled at St Anthony’s Church, Marsfield NSW.
Sr Clare Conway rsm
Sister Clare (Sr Felicitas) died on Tuesday 18 June 2019 in the 70th year of her religious profession. Sr Clare remained immersed in the life of her community and her large extended family to her final days and she was fortunate to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee in January 2019. Many of her former students formed a guard of honour at her funeral.
