A wonderful day was had at the College on Wednesday May 4 that combined the 1^st XI Soccer match between Parade and St Bedes, the Bedford Madden Shield 1^st XVIII Football match, an Old Paradians Veterans lunch and a reunion of the Parade Class of 1972.

Andy Kuppe (1983), College Principal, was able to welcome guests and speak of the perhaps unique contribution of Old Paradians who have participated in every conflict that Australia has been involved in. In World War 1, 193 Old Collegians are recorded as enlisted for service with 24 paying the ultimate sacrifice. In World War 2, 1067 Old boys enlisted of whom 34 did not return. In Vietnam 55 old boys went to war with one lost. Old boys have been found in Malaya, The Gulf, East Timor, Iraq, Solomon Islands, the Middle East, Bosnia and Afghanistan. Those in attendance respectfully remembered those who gave their lives.

The day took the form of a catered lunch combined with a keynote speaker, Lieutenant Colonel David Millie, MBE (Retired) who spoke of the leadership and life of famous Vietnam figure Ho Chi Minh. His address was an abbreviated form of an extensive research essay David has completed. Special guests 1970 Brownlow medalist, South Melbourne Football Club champion and state cricketer, recently inducted Old Paradians Association Hall of Fame recipient Peter Bedford and Essendon Football Club legend, recognised as one of the club’s greatest ever players in Simon Madden who were able to interview respective Coaches and Captains of both Football and Soccer teams. Coaches Rick Dyson from Parade, Simon Atkins from St Bernard’s, Soccer coach Jonathon Sant and Football Captains Angus Seivers, Joel Leslie, St Bernard’s Football Captain and Jay Ciarma Parade’s 1st XI Captain.

Vietnam veteran, Honorary Old Paradian and former long-time teacher at the College John Joss read the Ode of Remembrance and was presented with a small gift of thanks for his assistance in assembling the veterans on the day. Through John, we were able to welcome Ray Hattenfeld and his wife Jan to the College. Ray, also a veteran, happens to be the grandfather of Parade’s Football Co Captain Angus Seivers.

Guests included Executive Officer of the ACC Paddy McKenna, Principals at St Bernard’s College and St Bede's College Michael Davies and Deborah Frizza respectively, parents of Parade’s Football and Soccer Captains, Parade College leadership team members and student leaders from both Parade and St Bernard’s.

Guests were able to go onto the balconies of the Ambrose Treacy Pavilion and take in the Soccer and Football matches that were underway after lunch. Formalities were concluded with the presentation of the Bedford Madden Shield to the winning Captain and the ‘Phonse Kyne Most Courageous Parade 1^st XVIII Player’ trophy.

Happily, Parade was able to convincingly defeat St Bernard’s to get the Shield back after losing it in 2021 and Sam Valensisi was awarded the Phonse Kyne Trophy.

Parade’s 1^st XI secured a remarkable win. Trailing 7-4 with 10 minutes to play, they stormed home to win 8-7. Coach Johnno Sant really couldn’t quite believe that they won the game from where they come from. These sorts of results just do not happen!

Special thanks to Alumni Administrative Assistant Lexie Stewart for the tremendous effort in putting the day together and the College Development Team and Deb Singleton, Mario Camilleri and the boys on Buildings and Grounds, Anthony Glatzel for his assistance with photography, Joseph Maugeri for IT support and Robyn Musolino from Events for her work. A wonderful team effort.

We look forward to our next Veterans Lunch and Bedford Madden Shield day. Let’s hope our 1^st XVIII and 1st XI have continued success in the coming weeks in the ACC competitions.

John Nicholls
Executive Officer, OPA