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Flight Lieutenant Virgil Paul Brennan

Attended Nudgee in 1930

During the first half of 1942 a number of RAAF pilots took part in an air battle for Malta that was unmatched in its ferocity and longevity by anything experienced, either before or after, by Australian fighter pilots. VP (Paul) Brennan or 'Brennan of Malta as he became known, was the most famous Nudgee Old Boy to serve in the air force. In forty-seven flights over Malta, resulting in twenty-two aerial combats, he shot down ten enemy aircraft, won the Distinguished Flying Cross and Distinguished Flying Medal and subsequently wrote a best selling book about his experiences.
Brennan attended Nudgee in 1930, having come from Warwick on the Darling Down. After completing his schooling at Downlands, which opened in 1931, he worked as an articled clerk in his parent's legal office. He was regarded as a friendly, likeable boy who was nicknamed 'Digger' because of his love of adventure. He joined the air force in 1940, trained in Canada and was sent to the UK in August of 1941. In October he was posted to 64 Squadron RAF but was sent to Malta in early 1942.
Malta measures only twenty-seven kilometres by fourteen kilometres, but its position in the centre of the Mediterranean has historically been of immense strategic importance. Prior to withstanding thousands of air raids by the German Luftwaffe and the Italian Regia Aeronautica, it had twice before endured sieges: in the sixteenth century it may well have saved Western Europe for Christendom, while the other forced the surrender of the French garrison and thus severed Napoleon's lifeline to Egypt and the East. During the Second World War the whole Mediterranean could be dominated by warships and submarines from its harbours, and by aircraft from its three airfields. It thus became the scene of intense and prolonged dogfights that were more taxing on the outnumbered aircrew than even the Battle of Britain. The fortitude of the civilians was recognized by the awarding of the George Cross to the embattled island.
In order to reinforce the beleaguered Hurricanes defending the island, the decision was made to augment the defences with Spitfires. A group of pilots, Brennan included travelled with their crated Spitfires to Gibraltar where they were assembled and loaded on the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle. On 7th March 1942 they were subsequently flown off her deck while still a thousand kilometers from Malta.
On 17th May, ten days later he chalked up his first kill in the air battles over the island. When he quickly recorded five confirmed victories, he was now termed an 'ace'. In May he shot down a further four enemy aircraft, and won the DFM. On the 7thof July he scored his tenth.
He then returned to Australia via the U.K and was posted to 79 Squadron. On the way to New Guinea, Brennan was involved in an accident while landing in Townsville when the aircraft behind him did not see his Spitfire in front and overran it, cutting it to pieces half way down the runway. Having survived almost four months of intense combat, Brennan of Malta died of his injuries on the way to hospital.

Written and researched by Martin Kerby for:-Kerby, MC With Their Faces to the Foe:A History of Nudgee College Old Boys at War

A Tribute to the Delahunty Dynasty

Jas Delahunty

Once upon a time many years ago, James Delahunty's father, Jas J Delahunty, decided to follow a pharmacy career. To be precise it was in the depression era, 1932 to be exact when prescriptions were delivered personally and on foot. Jas J,as he was known to all who frequented his establishment, averaged 40 to 50 prescriptions a day which prompted a lot of walking.

His founding premises were on the corner of Wharf and Queen Street. The building was shared with a barber shop and racquet stringer. Many older Old Boys may remember the location.  

By the age of 14, James Jnr or ‘Della’ was certain he was destined to join the family firm but he knew he would have to earn his spurs starting at the bottom and working his way up. The bottom for even a keen youth was delivering medicines and washing bottles as Jas J believed that earning entry into the firm and the profession was best achieved by learning through doing. (Those were the days when medicines were mixed at the pharmacy and decanted into bottles. A ‘dumb waiter’ pulley system lowered them from the upstairs dispensary to the ground I floor).  It was an early testing period, but the young James loved it.

He completed his Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Queensland in 1966, and at the age of 21 took the Pharmaceutical Oath. Then followed a traineeships at the Mater Public Hospital Pharmacy and Henry Evans Chemist in Roma St and then a
three-month contract as a locum in New Guinea after which his father Jas, employed him as a pharmacist.

By this time Jas had become a partner in the T&G Day & Night Pharmacy and it was while working there that James Jnr met his future wife, pharmacist Carmel.

Carmel, James and Bridget right

They met at a staff Christmas party where, the story goes, amongst other things, he impressed her with his dancing skills.

Married in 1978 James and Carmel have four children, Daniel, Brendan, Bridget and Seamus. All are university educated and have entered the business worlds of commerce, real estate, and pharmacy. Bridget, the pharmacist, gives the family three generations in this career.

James and Carmel have achieved high qualifications in their field. Both are Members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and the Pharmacy Guild.  Both are Fellows of the Australian College of Pharmacy Practice and Management. Carmel is presently on the Advisory Board of Pharmacy at QUT and a Member of the Australian College of Natural Medicine Council and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Good service no doubt makes a business, but also contributing to the success is James's own glowing reputation. He is well-known as a professional businessman and community-minded resident and has friends from many walks of life.

A short conversation with James Delahunty about his family's 75 year history will make it obvious that his story is more about where they are going rather than where they have been. He says, “History is interesting but the future I is much more exciting”.

The very reason they have survived, the good times, the bad times and all the in-between times is the "have a go" mentality that this larger than life character embodies. Well done, James and the Delahunty clan.

Edward Wallace Deely.

Born:   08.03.1905.
Died:   16.08.2007

Wallace was born in Bundaberg, the son of Irish migrant James and Catherine Jane Deely.  His father, on his arrival in Australia opened the North Isas Provisional School – near Childers in 1887 .Not surprisingly Wallace received a very comprehensive education within his own family circle. He won a state scholarship from the Gin Gin State School for his secondary education in 1919. These scholarships were, in those days awarded to gifted students to permit them to gain a Secondary Education. They were for two years and six months and could be taken at various schools both as day students or boarders. He took his scholarship out as a boarder at Nudgee College from 1919-21.

After leaving Nudgee and working at various jobs in his home area he decided to take up cane farming. He had developed into a quiet athletic young man, fond of playing sport, particularly tennis and cricket. At this time he enrolled and successfully completed a course in accountancy.

Though he claimed to have no desire to enter local politics circumstance caused him to stand for election to Gin Gin Cooperative Sugar Mill Directorate. He was successful and after three years he became Chairman of Directors, a position he occupied for eighteen years.

During his term of office as Chairman, the Mill became a viable unit in the industry, more than doubling its capacity. Every year it paid growers the Central Sugar Cane Prices Board’s award price for their cane, a feat not achieved by all mills at that time. As a result of his management the Gin Gin Cooperative Sugar Mill became the envy of many other small mills in the state.

In 1945, the Directorate insisted, that he accepts nomination for a vacancy on the Kolan Shire Council. He was elected on the casting vote ofthe Council Chairman. He retained this position until he left the district 28 years later. For in excess of fifty years Wallace was a Justice of the Peace, a position from which he retired only in 1999. Advancing year's caused him to sell his farm at Wallaville.

In 1896 Wallace’s father James, became the first secretary of the Gin Gin Cooperative Sugar Mill at Wallaville. The Deely family had been connected with the Gin Gin Mill for over 60 years as secretary, cooperative members and directors. After selling his farm he moved to Brisbane where he lived for 17 years. Having always had an interest in politics he spent a number of years in the National Party Office in Brisbane. In early 2007,  the National Party presented Wallace with a certificate for 50 years of continuous membership of that Party.

He then finally retired and turned to his love of Lawn Bowls, playing first with the New Farm Club and then moving on to Chermside with that club. In 1988 Wallace returned to Bundaberg to live and play Bowls. He received an Honorary Life Membership from the Bundaberg “Across the Waves Bowling Club”.

At the age of 95 Wallace entered Kepnock Grove Aged Care Centre in July 2000 where he lived for 7.years. Here he celebrated his 100th birthday on 08.03.2005

Wallace passed away peacefully on Thursday 16th August aged 102 and 5 months.
He was the last member of his family and on his passing the family name ceased to continue. He was predeceased by his two sisters one of whom married and was the mother of the author of this story. Both Wallace and his other sister Mildred never married.

Catholics recognised in the Australia Day Honours.

Christian Brother Barry James Buckley of Queensland has been recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his contribution and leadership in Catholic schools.

Director of Nudgee International College since 1995, the College provides English language training for international students and has been responsible for the education of some 12,000 students from overseas.

Nudgee old boy, Professor Frank Monsour AM RFD, Director Maxilofacial Unit, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital was also recognized in this year’s Australia Day Honours List for his contribution to the health and welfare of all Australians resulting from his research.

Our secretary Lawrie Cusack contacted both recipients of these awards, offering our association’s congratulations. Below are the responses received from each of these men.

A True Story

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog..  He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.
 
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

'I want to repay you,' said the nobleman. 'You saved my son's life.'
 'No, I can't accept payment for what I did,' the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel.
'Is that your son?' the nobleman asked.
 'Yes,' the farmer replied proudly.
 'I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of.' And that he did.

Farmer Fleming's  son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary's  Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout  the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.
Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia. What saved his life this time? Penicillin. The name of the nobleman was Lord Randolf Churchill. His son’s name – Sir Winston Churchill.