Nudgee College Old Boys' Association

by Tony Behm (1961-64) - President

To say that the first half of 2009 has been tumultuous would be an understatement. But fortunately for us, there is one constant in our lives that can provide us all with reassurance and that is that we belong to the Nudgee College Old Boys’ Association. In times of trouble, as we saw clearly with the Melbourne bushfires, the floods in North Queensland and the recent catastrophes in Samoa and Indonesia, Australians do rally to the cause extremely well and help others in hardship.

Amongst our association there are no doubt old boys’ doing it tough! Some are concealing their worries; others are working even harder to overcome obstacles in their lives. Each one of us can help those doing it tough – a simple phone call; catching up for a beer or even better, attending their Class Reunion or the Annual Dinner or the Memorial Mass.

But are we making the effort? That is my challenge to each and every old boy. Have you checked with a mate lately to see that he is doing ok? Is he struggling at work; has he lost his job and how is he being affected? Your simple action of making contact could be just the incentive that gets your mate back on the right track.

As the saying goes, “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” Now is the time, more than any other, to make sure the Nudgee College old boys’ chain is strong!

Our annual Class Reunions do provide an ideal opportunity for many old boys to renew friendships and make sure class mates are ok.

The 2009 reunions have all been strongly supported. The home games for rugby and football have also presented opportunities for old boys from any year level to re-connect. There is always a crowd on ‘Old Boys Hill’ at each of the games.

I believe a strong and vibrant Old Boys’ Association will guarantee that ‘Nudgee mateship’ remains strong into the future. I hope that all of the old will continue to extend the influence of the association whether it be from London to Longreach; Hong Kong to Hughenden or Paris to Port Moresby, as Nudgee old boys are scattered throughout the four corners of the world.

I would like to make particuliar mention of an old boy who I met for the first time in Townsville last weekend.

It was by chance that I found out he was an old boy through my usual opening line that I went to the best Rugby school in Australia – Nudgee College.
He replied so did I, but he went on to say that he probably holds the record of the shortest stay by a student at Nudgee. He was only there for 7 days.

I said to him no matter how short a time he spent at Nudgee he will always be a Nudgee old boy.

Gentlemen, that old boy was present at his first Annual Dinner and it was my great pleasure to welcome Peter D’arcy to our Annual Dinner.

Our association has always been there when ever we needed it, no matter how long or how short a time we spent at Nudgee. However the association continues to need the support of the old boys to continue that bond of mateship that is one of the proud traditions of this association.

Let’s keep in touch through our Reunions, our Annual Dinner and Memorial Mass not to mention the ‘Signum Fidei’ which is available to all old boys on the internet and is updated regularly.

Please enjoy being a Nudgee Old Boy and continue to care for and support all of Old Boys gather at the Irish Club for 2009 Annual Dinner the rest of our members.