CONTENTS

Part one: the story of a parish:

Table of contents p1.
Acknowledgement (ii).
Prayer of the community of Our Lady Help of Christians (English and Italian) (iii).
The Wurundjeri people / Norma Martin (iii).
Newspaper reports of the first Church-School in 1911 and the laying of the foundation stone of the Church in 1916 (iv).
Foreword / Fr John McCarthy p1.
A short introduction to the history of the parish / Norma Martin p3.
The first 50 years / Br Peter Walsh p5.
A. Parish building and establishment: Fr Joseph King, 1911-1935 p5.
B. Consolidation and repayment of debt: Fr John Francis Toomey, 1935-1949 p7.
C. 18 years of parish life, consolidation of Sodalities and liturgical life: Fr John Henry Cleary, 1949-1967 p8.
A much-loved young man: James Patrick Ryan, first Parish Secretary / Maureen O’Brien p10.
From quarry hole to work of art / Janet Tonkin (The architecture; The statue; The painting of Our Lady Help of Christians) p12.
Through the eyes of our stained-glass windows / Peter Parussolo p15. The Church Hall; Australian stamps p19. A short history of Zettlers (F.X. Zettler Studio, Munich), the makers of most of our stained-glass windows p20.
Hardships faced by early parishioners / Dina Fadi and Trish Quinn p22.
Interview with Bishop Arthur Fox / Maureen O’Brien p24.
The Sisters of Mercy in East Brunswick / Sr Mary Dennett p26.
The Children of Mary / Norma Martin p29.
St Vincent de Paul Society / Brian Dethridge p31.
Merrilands Tennis Club / Norma Martin p32.
A history of our school / Philip Cachia p34.
An address given at the closure of Holy Family Church-School in 1985 / Br Bill Dillon p38.
Sumner homestead purchased by the parish / Dina Fadi p44.
St Joseph’s College, East Brunswick / Br Peter Walsh p45.
My memories of the NCGM (National Catholic Girls’ Movement) / Margaret Walsh (nee Quix) p48.
Young Christian Workers / Michael McCarthy (YWC 1958-61) p49.
Lyrical liturgies with musical notes / Janet Tonkin p51.
Non so perche ma mi trovo sempre qui / Rosie Cricenti (nee Filardo) 54.
I’m not sure why but I always seem to be drawn to this place / Rosie Cricenti (nee Filardo) p58.
Devoted to church and his fellow man: Fr Vincenzo D’Amico / Marcello D’Amico (Obituaries Herald Sun, 29 July 2002) p62.
‘The Golden Lady’ and ‘From a Quarry’ (2 poems) p64.
Catechists’ contributions / Janet Tonkin p65.
Before and After School Programs / Janet Tonkin p68.
The 6.30 pm Charismatic Mass: remembering the early 1990s at Our Lady’s / Paul Duffy p69.
Christmas lunches: the early years / Maureen O’Brien p70.
Oasis Melbourne Mission Annual Christmas Luncheon / Lorella Di Paola p72.
Heart to Hearts Soup Kitchen / Helen Warren p74.
The Cluny Sisters at East Brunswick (Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny) / Sr Bernadette Gauthier p75.
Who can say no to this woman? (Sr Barbara Burke) / Rosie Cricenti p77.
Children’s liturgy at Our Lady Help of Christians / Annette Tepper p78.
Parishioners at the canonisation of Mary MacKillop / Annette Tepper p80.
Bishop Joe Grech (1948-2010) / Susanne Tepe p81.
Why does a parish matter? A reflection by Maureen O’Brien p82.
Into the future / Fr Michael Casey p99.

Part Two: Memories and recollections:

Survey extracts: compiled by Dina Fadi with an introduction by Norma Martin: Fionna Andreou; Pat Barber (nee McCormack); Peter and Joan Blizzard (nee Smith); Les Butler; James Michael Byrne; Agnese Calabrese; Margaret Cameron; John M. Cleary; Carmela Cortese; George Patrick Daly; Elaine Davies (nee Slocombe); Elby Denlay (nee Coghlan); Pat Dennett; Vittoria Di Dio; Rosemary Dobson (nee Moore); Joan Duffy; Patricia Egan; Dina Fadi; Julia Ford (nee Kost); Sr Madeleine (Margaret Fox); Myra Holman (nee Gannaway); Annette Hourigan (nee Martin); Monie Hussey (nee Briggs); Lynette Anne Nolan; Margaret Bernice Richards; Eugenie Rinaldi; Br Gerry Rush; Agnes Rita Sullivan; Dorothea Tallon; Janet Tonkin; Maria Tucci; Peter and Carmela Vella; Anthony Vendramini; Dorothy May Warby; Angelo Zanon; Rosalina Zorzo p100.
Interview with Mrs Maureen Moxon (nee Pearce) / Norma Martin assisted by Dina Fadi p110.
Nourell’s story (Nourell Davies): as told to Maureen O’Brien p112.
My memories of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish / Norma Martin p115.
My recollections of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish: as pupil and parishioner (1950-1963), Principal of St Joseph’s and Redden (2001-2008), Marist Brother and parishioner (2009-) / Peter A. Walsh p119.
Unusual spinning wheel prizes and other snippets of history / Bill Barry p122.
Memories of a family in Our Lady’s Parish / Margaret Michels p123.
An interview with Gabrielle Sharkie (nee Dunell) who attended Our Lady’s School in the 1940s / Janet Tonkin p125.
Memories of a former Principal at Our Lady’s School / Sr Margaret O’Loughlin p128.
Memories of Our Lady’s School / Teresa Mercuri p130.
Vincenza Vadala’s story / as told to Norma Martin p131.
La storia di Agnese e Francesco / interview with Agnese Calabrese by Rosie Cricenti p132 (Italian) p133 (English).
Sr Alice Zanon, MSC / Dina Fadi p133.
Conversation with Giulia Mazzetti / Norma Martin p134.
My days at Our Lady’s / Margaret Walsh (nee Quix) p136.
Memories of school days: Holy Family School in Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, East Brunswick / Rita Martin p137.
Service to the community: preparing the Church; Italian Maintenance Committee; Preparing the liturgy p140.
Priests: memories from current and former parishioners / collected by Janet Tonkin p143.
On being a curate at Our Lady Help of Christians / Fr Joe Giacobbe p145.
My memories of the Parish / Dina Fadi p146.
My history in the Parish / Peter Parussolo p147.
Matt Walsh recollects: from 1940 onwards / Janet Tonkin p149.
Maurie Rolfs: parishioner from 1950s to 1990s / Janet Tonkin p150.
Janet Tonkin’s story: a typical parishioner with a young family in the 70s and 80s / Janet Tonkin p153.
Recollections of East Brunswick / John Braniff p155.
Interview with Susanne Tepe with preamble / Janet Tonkin (Susan Tepe’s times 1986-1993) p156.
The crumbling façade and the start of church renovations / Maureen O’Brien p158.
‘The gift’: my Italian neighbours / Janet Tonkin in conversation with Nunzia Impellizzeri p159.
Quaint pieces / collected by Trish and Ellen Quinn: Church Chronicle, May 1917: Cheap Christianity; Church Chronicle, October 1925: The Church slacker p161.
Parish Gazette, June 1939: A good list: The ten greatest women p162.
Parish Gazette, February 1941: Before marriage: Some helpful hints; Parish Gazette, September 1949: That family rosary p163.
Parish priests, curates, residents, deacons and pastoral associates 1911-2010 / compiled by Janet Tonkin p165.
Our Lady Help of Christians Parish time line 1911-2010 / compiled by Maureen O’Brien p166.
A lifetime in the Parish: Flora Jones (nee Eveleigh) p170.

ILLUSTRATIONS

Front cover: The landmark golden statue of Our Lady on top of the tower of Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 49 Nicholson Street, East Brunswick / photo by Maureen O’Brien.
Inside front cover: Detail of Pentecost Window / photo by U.D. Perera.
Back cover: Detail of painting of Our Lady Help of Christians / photo by U.D. Perera.
Back cover – inside: Poster for the centenary / Libby O’Brien.
OLHC Centenary Committee members, February 2011: Front: Fr Michael Casey (Parish Priest), Kath Richter, Maureen O’Brien (Coordinator), Norma Martin. Back: Philip Cachia (Principal OLHC School), Rosie Cricenti, Br Gerry Rush, Janet Tonkin, Josie Di Dio (ii).
Our Lady Help of Christians Church-School in Barkly Street, North Fitzroy in 1911 p2a.
Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Nicholson Street, East Brunswick in 2011 p2b.
Parishioners in 1930 greet newly consecrated Bishop O’Collins and Archbishop Mannix p4a.
Mr W. Lennox and Mr ‘Tas’ Stebbings installing Our Lady’s Statue on the tower 1918 p4b.
Fr Joseph King, Parish Priest, 1911-1935 p4c.
Fr Joseph King, Army Chaplain, 1915 p5.
James Patrick Ryan, 1919 (The Advocate) p10.
Painting of Our Lady Help of Christians by John Hennessy p12a.
Our Lady’s Church, 2011 p12b.
Stone Quarry, looking from Nicholson Street towards Yeo House, the Mayor’s residence. Present site: Our Lady Help of Christians Church, about 1860 p13.
St Joseph window p15.
Leadlight windows p16a. The Annunciation p16b. The Visitation p16c. Our Lady of Lourdes p16d. The Sacred Heart p16e. Ecce Homo p16f. Mother of Sorrows p16g. St Pius V p16h.
The Resurrection p17a. The Ascension p17b. The Assumption p17c. Pentecost p17d. The Presentation in the Temple p17e. Finding in the Temple p17f.
The Nativity p18a. The Coronation of Our Lady p18b. St Pius X p18c. St John Vianney p18d. Baptism of the Lord p18e.
The Holy Spirit p19a. Details of the Nativity and Coronation of Our Lady stained-glass windows / taken by Pat Scanlon, were used by Australia Post for Christmas stamps in 1995 p19b.
Crucifixion window originally in O’Neill College, restored by Peter Parussolo p20a. New Hall window with Our Lady’s Lily made by Denise and Peter Parussolo p20b.
Signature of F.X. Zetter on our stained-glass windows p21.
A parish family whose child contracted polio in 1938 p22.
Bishop Arthur Fox visit to OLHC 1957, holding crosier presented by parishioners p24.
OLHC Sister of Mercy with pupil Joe Polidoro p27.
Mercy nun Sr Frances with Mrs Therese Durbridge, 1974 p28a.
OLHC class photo, grade 1, 1944 (included future Mercy Sister Mary Dennett): Back row: Pat Walker, Pam Naughton, Beverley Goodwin, Maureen Clarke, Anne Collins. Middle row: June Walsh, Margery Bennett, Elaine Keogh, Maureen Shortis, Bernadette Benson, Lorraine Aulsebrook, Liliana Spagnolo, Maureen Nette. Front row: Anne Colli, Gabrielle Dunell, Marie White, Maree Clancy, Lois Young, Lorraine Murphy, Mary Dennett p28b.
Children of Mary, Fatima Statue visit to OLHC, about 1952 p30.
Poor man’s mass, 1974: Fr Laurie Pearson, Ted Dalton and Nourell Davies and parishioners p31.
Ex-Merrilands tennis court, subsequently ‘The Pit’, OLHC School play area p32.
YCW / CYMS Tennis Team 1946/47 p34.
Break-up Day, OLHC first school, 1911 p36a.
Our Lady’s Basketball Team, 1945 p36b.
OLHC teachers, 1974: Mrs J. Garrad, Miss T. Burchett, Miss L. Marchese, Mrs V. Crameri, Sr M. Patrick. Front row: Miss M. Corrigan, Miss J. Reed, Mrs W. Clemens p37a. Our Lady’s School, 2010 p37b. Our Lady’s children 2010 p37c. OLHC ‘new’ school, 1939 (plaque erected to the memory of Fr Joseph King) p37d.
Holy Family Church-School, 1977 p38.
Holy Family School first communion with Fr Toomey and Fr Murray, 1940s, in front of original altar p39.
Holy Family School Ball, late 1940s (children group photo) p41.
Mrs Dillon cutting the cake after the final Mass at the Holy Family (on the far-right Br Briglia) p42.
St Joseph’s Marist Brothers’ Monastery and Boys’ School, ‘Stony Park’, East Brunswick: Sumner mansion, home of St Joseph’s School, 1930s p44.
St Joseph’s in St Patrick’s Day Procession, 1960s p45.
St Joseph’s swimming team, 1989: Third row: D. Tonkin, D. Napolitano, A. Del Moro, F. Leduc, L. Bianco, M. Wong. Second row: M. Laidler, K. Ting, R. Capetola, B. Dix, R. Ganino, M. Taylor, H. Phung, K. Villanti. Front row: R. Groves, B. Lehmann, J. Mastorakis, D. Tonon, S. Gordon, J. Armstron (Armstrong?), D. Ellul, P. Vella. Principal: Br John Furlong p46.
St Joseph’s School class photo, year 8, 1992 p47.
NCGM basketball team with Fr Des Jenkins, 1950s p48a. NCGM girls, 1940s p48b.
NCGM group, Shoreham camp, 1950s p49.
OLHC YCW footballers, 1950s/60s p50.
Original pipe organ OLHC with organist Mr D’Vries and St Joseph’s Choir, visit of Fatima Statue about 1952 p51.
Music group at Mass 2011, with Kevin Scully p52a. Our Lady’s singers at Mass together with Tom Mason p52b.
Marist Br Michael Herry, talented musician and composer, 2011 p53.
Italian parishioners’ prayer group and Fr Victor Farrugia p55.
Prayer group (back row Fr Justin Woodford) p56.
Calabrian folk dancing at OLHC p57a. Italian prayer group celebrating anniversary with cake p57b.
Group of Italian parishioners p58.
Fr Victor Farrugia and Fr Vince D’Amico p61.
Fr Vince D’Amico, age 13, in seminary, Italy p62.
Fr D’Amico, chaplain for Italian returned servicemen and women, at Our Lady Help of Christians p63.
OLHC Statue p64.
Catechists: Janice O’Rourke and Joy Layne at OLHC p65.
Catechists first communion group with Fr Kevin Kinna and teachers Janice O’Rourke and Rita Martin p66a.
Catechists class with Fr Browne, Fr Kinna and teachers Janice O’Rourke and Rita Martin p66b.
Gail Crosby, After School Program Centre p68.
Enjoying Christmas lunch at OHLC 1990 p70a. Frank O’Brien serving the Christmas lunch in 1990 with Br Des Hornsby in the background p70b.
Deacon Jim Clarke at Christmas lunch, 1990s p71a. Christmas luncheon preparation 2000s p71b.
Happy crowd at the OLHC Christmas luncheon 2000s p73a. Lorella entertaining people at Christmas luncheon 2000s p73b. ‘Angel’ Barbara Kirsch and Fr Vic Farrugia p73c.
Heart to Hearts soup kitchen with Helen Warren OLHC p74a. Soup kitchen group p74b.
Sr Barbara with OLHC children, 2011 p76.
Who can say no to this woman? (Sr Barbara Burke) p77.
Members of the children’s liturgy, Lily and Grace, present gift to Sr Barbara at her diamond jubilee Mass 2010 p78.
Christmas family Mass at Our Lady’s 1990 p79a. Christmas pageant HFS 1979 p79b.
Annette, Parlane and Lily (Tepper) at the canonisation of St Mary of the Cross p80a. David, Lily and Parlane in St Peter’s Square p80b.
Bishop Joe Grech p81.
Fr Grech and Fr D’Amico celebrating wedding of Marisa and Renato p82.
Carmelina Vadala, first communion at Our Lady’s p83.
Helen and Paddy Daly present Joseph for his baptism at OLHC p84.
Deborah and Robert at their wedding with Fr Jim Briglia p85.
Parishioners’ picnic p86a. OLHC bush walkers p86b. OLHC Debutante Ball, Brunswick Town Hall 1947 p86c. Frank and Maureen O’Brien, OLHC picnic 1992 p86d. Maureen O’Brien and Lina Caputo at Mount Macedon, 1992 p86e.
Former pupils of Our Lady’s School with confirmation sponsor John Durbridge p87a. Ted Dalton and Leo Martin at Leo and Jessie’s 50th wedding anniversary, OLHC p87b. OLHC parishioners visit Genazzano, about 1980s pp87c.
Sally and Dennis O’Reilly with Ilish p88a. Confirmation of Annalisa with Sponsor Assunta p88b. Camp at Heathcote, Kath with passenger p88c. Dinner dance preparations p88d. Our music man Kevin Scully 2011 p88e. Josie Di Dio preparing of OLHC dinner dance p88f. OLHC parishioners Antionetta and Maria, visit Mary McKillop Centre, Fitzroy, 1996 p88g.
Debutante Ball 1954, chaperone Mrs Lil Moloney p89a. OLHC class photo, grades 3 and 4, 1940s p89b.
Francesca Mercuri farewells Sr Barbara p90a. Fr Vince D’Amico celebrating Mass with Italian ex-servicemen p90b. HFS new extensions: helpers including Mrs Dillon, 1974 p90c. Fr Laurie Pearson trying to repair the old presbytery, 1974 p90d. Ellen Quinn admiring the Centenary Garden at Sr Barbara’s farewell party p90e.
Parish picnic group p91a. Rita and Vince Alviano 2011 (centenary dinner and Christmas lunch volunteers) p91b. Francesca and Tom with Grace, Louis, Marco and Dominic p91c. Laurie Davies cooking barbecue at OLHC, 1981 p91d.
Parishioners at the beatification of Mary McKillop p92a. Giuliana Alviano p92b. Flora and John Jones p92c. OLHC original presbytery, 1924 p92d. HFS sports day 1978 p92e.
OLHC class photo, grade 5 pink, 1989 p93a. First communion family group with Fr Jim Briglia p93b. Fr John McCarthy with OLHC parishioners p93c. OLHC hiking group, Heathcote p93d.
Altar boys, 1950 p94a. OLHC sports captains, 1984, with Carmel Gangi p94b. Fr Michael speaking with Camilla p94c. Bush walkers at Queenscliff p94d.
Easter hat parade, HSF, 1979 p95a. Rita Sullivan’s 80th birthday p95b.
OLHC school students 2010, mathematicians p96a. OLHC school student 2010, scientist p96b. OLHC school student 2010, musician p96c. OLHC school student 2010, journalist p96d. Dina Fadi and Trish Quinn, researchers for OLHC centenary 2011 p96e.
Lina Calabria and Gino Mercio, offertory procession p97a. Jim Clarke ordination as deacon, with sponsors Mr Clarke in background p97b. Fr Michael with Nourell Davies and her daughter Laurelle p97c. Rainah working at the presbytery, OLHC 2011 p97d.
Fr Michael Casey and parishioners 2010 p98.
‘Queen’ Margaret Moloney at parish fund raising Queen Carnival p104.
First communion, about 1940s p105a. Holy Family School about 1940 with Fr Toomey p105b. NCGM Camp, Shoreham, 1950s p105c.
YWC basketball team celebrating win, 1950s p106a. Holy Family School Ball, 1940s p106b.
First communion with Fr Toomey p107a. Holy Family School marching team winners, 1940s p107b.
Holy Family School Ball, 1940s p108a. Holy Family School Ball, about 1945 p108b.
Marie Dillon, Queen of the North, 1954 p109a. Holy Family School, class photo, grade 1, 1971 p109b.
Our Lady’s School, 1930/31, Barkly Street, North Fitzroy, with Maureen Pearce (Moxon), 2nd row, 4th girl from left p110.
Maureen Pearce marriage to William Moxon, OLHC, 1944 p111.
Laurie and Nourell Davies p112.
Jessie and Leo Martin, 1931, OLHC pioneers, wedding photo p115.
Concert party: Dick Daly, Leo Martin, 1920s p116.
Queen Vera, her sister Rita Martin and Jessie Key (Martin), 1920s p118.
Bishop O’Collins visits old friends at OLHC, about 1980s p119a. Br Peter Walsh, 2011 p119b.
Peter Walsh in grade 2, Our Lady’s School, 1955 p120a. Peter, ready for the concert p120b.
Marist Brother Peter Walsh, 1967 p121.
East Brunswick Queen Carnival 1953: Rear: ‘Queen’ Carmel Wright with Princesses. Front: Kerry Hempenstall, Shane Ryan, Margaret Cleary, Janice Downe p124a. East Brunswick football team, YCW premiers 1959 with coach Jack Cleary p124b. 2009, fifty-year reunion of 1959 premiership team and CYMS members: Rear: Ray Bowman, Billy Curtis, Brian Esposito, John Rangan, Phill Cleary, Terry Sullivan, Mick Dunning, Laurie Quinn, Laurie Leydon. Front: Brian Goldsmith, Mick McCarthy, Benny McDonald, Pat Rogan, Peter Harris, Keven and John Dillon, John Cleary p124c.
Gabrielle’s mother, Annie Mash, as Queen of the West in a Queen Carnival in the 1930s p125.
Sr Margaret O’Loughlin, final Mercy nun principal of OLHC School p128.
Sr Margaret O’Loughlin, principal, and Lexia Marchesse, deputy, Our Lady’s multicultural festival p129a. After Mass at OLHC p129b.
Vincenza Vadala and Norma Martin at Our Lady’s, 2011 p131.
Agnese and Francesco Calabrese’s golden wedding at Our Lady’s p132.
Sister Alice Zanon, past parishioner, OLHC p133.
Giuseppe ‘Beppe’ and Giulia Mazzetti, 1950s p134.
Giulia and Beppe with Assunta and Mauro, 1960s p136a. Our Lady’s champion sports team, 1947 p136b.
Holy Family School, class photo, grades 6, 7 and 8, 1940s p139a. Holy Family School with Fr Toomey, 1940s p139b.
Italian men’s working group with Alf Visentin operating machine p141.
Ines, Antonietta and Ines, who minister holy communion to the sick p142a. Nedda, Gwen and Rosalina, always willing participants p142b. Mrs Kath Ditchburn and her son John p142c. Vera and Frank Gargaro and Leo Martin, counters at work, 1980s p142d. Our Lady’s volunteer cleaning staff, 2011: Agnese, Maria, Giustina, Josie, Carmella, Antonietta p142e.
Fr Victor Farrugia and Fr Vince D’Amico, about 1994 p143.
Newly ordained, Fr Aurelio Fragapane p144.
Dina Fadi and Trish Quinn researching information for Our Lady’s centenary 2011 p147a. Peter and Denise Parussolo p147b.
Maurie Rolfs, pillar of the church p151a. Holy Family School, class photo, 1975 p151b.
Holy Family School, grade 5 and 6, 1960 p152a. Pastoral Council executive, 1974: Mario Michieli, Maurie Rolfs, Tom Mason p152b.
Holy Family School children, 1960 p153a. Baptism of Nick Tonkin by Fr John McCarthy, with Fr Gordon Gebbie and parents p153b.
Nick Tonkin presenting the reading p154a. Children praying in front of Our Lady’s Statue when it was taken down from the tower for renovation p154b.
Our Lady’s Church façade, 2011 p158.
Detail from painting of Our Lady Help of Christians by Australian artist John Hennessy p160.