Touchstone - Vol 13 2025

Family Ties

Acknowledgement of Country

CBC Fremantle would like to respectfully acknowledge the past, present, emerging and ongoing Traditional Custodians of the land that is home to our CBC community, the Wadjuk people of the Nyoongar nation.

PHOTO THIS PAGE:

Adam Cicanese (2012) artwork.

Story page 48.

COVER PHOTO:

Five Generations of the Brown Family.

Story page 28.

James holding photo of Ronald (1945)

Jonathan holding photo of Thomas (1921) Christopher (1995), Kenneth (1969)

Touchstone is a magazine for the CBC Fremantle community.

Editor Cathy Broad

Photography Hiva Shafiee, Jenna Palladino

and the CBC community

Design Hiva Shafiee

Proofreading Michelle Ainsworth

To contact Touchstone, please email touchstone@cbcfremantle.wa.edu.au.

From the Principal

MR DOMENIC BURGIO PRINCIPAL

Although there has been a school on the current CBC Fremantle site since 1882, our College’s history has not, in my humble opinion, been linear or consistent. CBC Fremantle has produced some outstanding graduates throughout its time as a school. It has been a humble school, but with great ambition for its students.

Early in its history, the ‘High School’ was established as a non-denominational school preparing boys for the University of Adelaide entrance exam. The interwar period saw many awards bestowed on CBC students for a raft of academic achievements. Things slowed down a bit after WWII, but even in these years, some students achieved brilliant academic results. The late part of the 20th century saw some troubled times for the College. Not all boys who attended here had a positive experience, and

I am deeply saddened by that fact. Many CBC Old Boys of that era purposely chose, and have chosen, different schools for their sons based on their experience. Facilities deteriorated drastically and enrolments slumped. Despite the best of intentions, it’s hard to spend money on improvements when you can’t get sufficient numbers through the door.

As Principal, my policy ambition has been to build on the great legacy of my predecessor by making Rites of Passage a point of difference for our school and importantly, rejuvenating the physical amenity and with a priority of reconnecting the College with its history.

In this edition of Touchstone, you will see the first baby steps. Honour Boards and historic photos once again adorn the walls of the old Brothers’ House, which now serves as our Administration

building. The Brothers’ Chapel has been restored to its original condition and takes pride of place as our Boardroom. The Brothers’ House has waited its turn and watched all the love being showered on the White, Centenary and Marshall Buildings, and in October it will undergo a refurbishment. However, there is still much to do.

Plans are afoot to create a Sporting Hall of Fame, with categories. When I think that few, if any current boys, would know that Bernie Naylor (1940), John ‘JJ’ Miller (1950), Con Regan (1951), John Gerovich (1955), John Baguley (1958), and too many Neeshams to name a few, shared this place as their school, it needs addressing. We will also be acknowledging several of our Alumni Award winners by creating an Honour Corridor on the top floor of the new Marshall Wing. Prominent Old Boys including John Hughes (1952), Professor Frank Mastaglia AM (1957), John Fiocco (1966), Daniel Fatovich (1976), John Nolan (1976), Nick Jenkins (1991), and Peter Della Bona (1994), will have their portraits featured on the walls. A series of QR Codes will guide current and new students on an orientation history walk when they join us. We have had at least a couple of worldclass recognised artists graduate in the past decade and similarly, they need to be featured prominently as a part of the school’s history. The College will seek wide input from its Old Boys and Alumni about who should be added to the list of former students whose life beyond these walls should be celebrated, and hopefully our current school will reflect its entire history in its physical presentation, rather than a focus on its most recent iteration.

The role of Old Boys and Alumni is a much-debated topic in many schools. In some schools, the Alumni see it as their role to ensure the school remains as it was 30 years ago. Sometimes their financial support and contribution gives them that hand. CBC Old

Boys and Alumni have never behaved in that way. It is a highlight of my work-life to meet such fine men who loved their time here, celebrate the College’s evolution and development. A wise man once told me that tradition was never passed on to the next generation to remain the same. The essence is passed on and shaped to accommodate the present, and I stress the present should not be fads and trends. A CBC Gentleman will always be challenged that above all other success, being a good person is the pre-eminent goal of a graduate of this College.

One of the problems I wish I did have is what to do with all the donations that many other private schools receive from their alumni.

John Hughes (1952), and his cousin Bill Hughes (1944) have been, with a few exceptions, our only major benefactors in my experience. John has been especially generous, and naming a building in his honour was well-deserved and received. It is time however, that the College swallow its pride and ask the question of all its former students. Alumni President Carmelo Zagami (1987) has talked about it in his article, and this, and future Touchstones will provide Old Boys and Alumni an opportunity to make a donation, big or small, to fund future work of the Old Boys. Bursaries, adjacent property acquisitions, a water polo pool, and a legacy building are just a few of the possibilities, and although they sound expensive, it’s amazing how much money can be raised when a few thousand potential donors give a little bit each.

In conclusion, thank you for being a part of this wonderful community. I look forward to meeting many of you at our upcoming events such as the over 60s Morning Tea, All Ages Reunion and various other events. I hope you enjoy this edition of Touchstone, which due to my holiday is later than usual. God Bless you all!

Support and Assistance

CBC’s stainless-steel water feature is etched with the Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) apology, which was issued in 2017 to the survivors and victims of sexual abuse by members of the religious community and lay staff.

The formal apology was produced in consultation with survivors of abuse and seeks to provide opportunities for open and honest conversations about a shameful and destructive reality in the history of Christian Brothers’ schools and help to re-establish trust.

CBC Principal, Mr Domenic Burgio, said the artwork is a message of hope for past, present and future students.

“We don’t shy away from the past. We cannot change what happened – but we can make sure it never happens again, Mr Burgio said.

In a bid to ensure the College community is aware of the deeply sad history of institutionalised abuse and in order to do everything possible to ensure it is never repeated, the College also runs child safety programs for students.

“As always, the safety and wellbeing of our students is our absolute priority and we continue to deliver the high standard of care and education we provide each day at CBC Fremantle.

“We believe that knowledge is power, and we seek to provide our students with the tools to be able to stand up for anything that they believe is wrong. With our parents’ support, we make sure our boys learn from the past in order to build a better world for the future,” Mr Burgio said.

The Alumni Committee understands that not every student’s experience at CBC was a positive one, and we are here to support and welcome past pupils at any time.

Our community wellbeing is always our highest priority, and if any media reports have prompted concerns in relation to abuse at any institution, we urge you, or people you know, to contact The West Australian Professional Standards Office or our College directly.

The West Australian Professional Standards Office (WAPSO) can provide assistance and support to anyone with allegations of abuse wishing to come forward. Telephone: (08) 9221 7762.

Transforming CBC A Vision for Modern Learning

Over the last three years, CBC Fremantle has embarked on a transformative journey to enhance its learning environments, digital innovation, and campus facilities. These improvements are part of a broader commitment to providing current and future students with a dynamic, futurefocused education while fostering a strong sense of community and tradition. From upgraded classrooms and creative spaces to cutting-edge technology and restored heritage buildings, the College continues to evolve as a place where young men can thrive academically, socially, and personally.

Modernising Learning Spaces

The College has continued its refurbishment of classrooms and learning areas to ensure students have access to contemporary, high-quality facilities. This includes the installation of new audio-visual equipment and modern furniture, and the creation of smaller breakout areas to support personalised, one-on-one learning.

Of particular importance on a compact site is connectivity and pedestrian flow through the College. Works on walkways, opening spaces, covered areas, and a lift, have improved accessibility for individuals with injuries and mobility challenges and allowed staff and students greater and faster access to their learning areas.

To assist with the future developments, CBC has established a tax-deductible Building Fund which will be used to enable CBC to remain relevant and competitive in generations to come. The College invites all Old Boys and Alumni of the College to make a tax-deductible gift of any size to assist us in building the future of the College.

Every learning area has seen significant investment and upgrade; some highlights include:

• The restoration of the Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel, an initiative that the CBC Alumni also contributed to.

• Five new Science laboratories

• New staff offices and classrooms

• The Gymnasium and Fitness Centre offer space for boys to train, exercise, and gather as a community. The installation of new AV equipment at the end of 2023 has further enhanced the space for both physical activity and school events.

• The stunning Dalkeith House, adjacent to the College, now houses the Music Department and Uniform Shop

• Upgraded fire safety facilities

• A new commercial kitchen in the canteen and café area

• A new Laptop Centre

• Renovated Library and HASS areas

• Ongoing restoration of our heritage buildings

• Two new buses to support a growing sporting program

• New lockers

• Coffee van (Eddy’s Eats) located in the Cloisters

Marshall Wing

More recent upgrades have included renovations to the Marshall Wing, creating a vibrant, welcoming environment for students and staff alike. Highlights include:

• Bright, natural light from new skylights and improved lighting

• Enclosed, carpeted walkways and breakout spaces with views over Fremantle Park

• Modernised classrooms with new desks, chairs, and AV equipment

• A new Religious Education Office

• A new roof and upgraded stairwells

Waterford Theatre

During 2025, the College also completed renovations on the Waterford Theatre (formerly the Arts Learning Area), which is now a dynamic space for performance and learning. With 164 retractable seats (total capacity 220), the theatre now features:

• An impressive 6m x 3m screen

• New acoustic panelling

• Fresh carpeting and paintwork

• A state-of-the-art sound mixer

• Vibrant LED lighting

• And coming soon, an all-new editing suite

This revitalised space will serve not only the Arts Department but also other learning areas for presentations, talks, and special events.

In addition to the facilities that can be seen daily, CBC Fremantle has also made a significant investment in digital infrastructure. A new school management system has replaced the previous unsupported platform, offering a more seamless experience for parents and staff. The College has also strengthened its cybersecurity systems and risk management systems, including aspects of AI, as cutting-edge technologies assist us in delivering the best service possible to our community.

Of course, all these enhancements to ensure that CBC remains a place of excellence and innovation come at a huge cost. These improvements, while they may seem significant, were needed to bring CBC on par with other excellent schools in the metropolitan area. Now that we have ‘caught up’, we need to continue to maintain and improve facilities as pedagogy and trends in the education space shift. The focus of the next Capital Development Plan is to build on the two lots purchased by the College at 162

and 164 High Street. Potential developments could include an indoor swimming pool with additional classrooms located on the upper level or a primary school.

To assist with the future developments, CBC has established a tax-deductible Building Fund which will be used to enable CBC to remain relevant and competitive in generations to come. The College invites all Old Boys and Alumni of the College to make a tax-deductible gift of any size to assist us in building the future of the College, details are as follows:

Christian Brothers College - Building Fund

BSB: 086-006 Account: 472243668

Another option for Old Boys and Alumni to consider is including the Building Fund in their estate planning. Alumni President, Carmelo Zagami (1987) and I would be pleased to discuss this opportunity with any interested members.

Mark Bianchini (Class of 1992) Director of Finance and Operations

Restoring the Brothers’ ChapeI Honouring our History

CBC Fremantle’s restoration of the Brothers’ Chapel celebrates the College’s rich heritage and commitment to preserving its spiritual and historical legacy.

The walls of our Admin Building, located on Ellen Street, which until the late 1990s served as the Brothers’ House, have truly come alive, with photographs that showcase the College’s history. Upstairs and along the stairwell College photos from 1947 – 1970 are featured in large framed collages. The frames once hung in the old school hall (now the Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel).

Each photo is a window into the past, bringing to life the vibrant stories and memories of years gone by.

Also upstairs, the Brothers’ Chapel has been beautifully renovated and now serves as the College Boardroom. A large, framed photo of the original chapel graces the room, reminding us of its historical significance.

The Boardroom walls are adorned with nostalgic photos of buildings and students from the school’s earliest days, creating a space where history and the present meet. The room also features a copy of the original deed signed in

1900 by Bishop Gibney of Perth to Br Tracey, enabling the Christian Brothers “to take over the present boys’ school and .... have the right to open a private school on their own grounds”.

Alumnus John Hughes (1952) recently visited with his wife, Margarita, and daughter, Joanna Millard, to see the building on the western side of the Cloisters named in his honour. Walking through the upstairs corridor of the Admin Building, Joanna had the unique opportunity to see photos of her father as a teenager for the first time!

A heartfelt thank you to CBC Alumnus Peter Collins (1982) from Framesport, our dedicated Record Keeper Michelle Ainsworth, and Property Services Team Member Roman Gabriel (pictured far left) for their incredible work in restoring and presenting these treasured photos.

We warmly invite CBC Alumni to come and experience this journey through time. To arrange a visit, please call us at 9336 2700.

Brothers in Arms Marco and Jensen’s Shared Journey

At CBC Fremantle, our students have the opportunity to travel to Italy on the Arts and Language Tour, as they did in 2024, and they can also participate in exchange programs with students living in Italy. Another opportunity for our CBC Community is to host an Italian Language Assistant.

The benefits of hosting an Italian Language Assistant go far beyond food and language. It’s a wonderful chance to share cultures, embrace new traditions, and learn from one another.

Marco Lauriola stayed with Year 8 student Jenson Belbin and his family earlier this year. Marco is a university student from Brescia Catholic University and came to Australia as a Language Assistant for Term 1 with a program between Catholic University and WAATI (Western Australian Association of Teachers of Italian).

For Marco, the experience was not only about sharing his Italian culture but also about learning from the host family. He enjoyed teaching

Jenson and his family new Italian words, such as “buonanotte,” “salute,” and “grazie,” and took pleasure in the bond they formed. He also expressed how special it is to be seen as a ‘big brother’ by Jenson, further deepening their connection.

For the host family, the benefits of hosting extend beyond the language and cultural exchange. Having Marco in the house introduced a delightful blend of Italian language and culture into everyday life. Simple interactions, like overhearing Italian words at the dinner table or the family trying gelato more frequently than before, have added a touch of Italian flair to their daily routine.

CBC is always looking for families from the community who may be interested in hosting an Italian university student so other students can benefit like Marco did. Please contact the Head of Italian, Ms Silvia Romagnoli, by email at sromagnoli@cbcfremantle.wa.edu.au to find out more.

Bridging Cultures The Italian Exchange Experience

During the 2024-25 summer holidays, three students from CBC participated in an Italian exchange program. With cultural, climatic, and daily differences all to adjust to, the students had an experience of a lifetime.

Sam Alford, Bodhi Macintyre, and I had the incredible opportunity to take part in the monthlong CBC exchange to Italy, an experience we will never forget. One of my highlights was a weekend trip to St Moritz, where I was able to ski in the breathtaking Swiss Alps - something completely different from life in Fremantle!

I also gained insight into the Italian education system, which is much more theoretical and exam-focused than what we are used to. Aside from school, I discovered that Italian culture revolves heavily around time with family and friends. In Milan, I was surprised to see that teenagers go out almost every night. Luckily for us, this made it super easy to make friends with

What stood out the most was how immediately welcome my host family made me feel. Their dynamic was so similar to my own family, which I hadn’t expected. It truly felt like staying in my own home!

This exchange was an eye-opening experience that broadened my perspective on education, culture, and everyday life in another country. I would recommend it to any CBC boy in a heartbeat!

Mackenzie Fleming (Year 12)

Teaching in the Kimberley A Reflection by Chris Sellings

A teacher at CBC Fremantle since 2019, Chris Sellings has taught in curriculum areas including Practical Engineering and Design, Materials Design and Technology: Woodwork and Metalwork; as well as being a Rite Journey Mentor for boys in Year 9. In 2023 and 2024, Chris relocated to the other end of the state to teach in a remote community, before returning at the start of this year. He shares his story below.

One weekend midway through the school year at CBC, I snuck off to a workshop run by Catholic Education WA to learn more about the opportunities to teach in remote parts of WA. Coming home, I told my wife where I’d been and said I thought we needed to go. Her response, “Well, I dragged you from the UK to Australia, so I guess that’s fair”. We had previously talked about working and living in a place where we could learn about Aboriginal culture, so after some research I gingerly approached CBC Principal Domenic Burgio, who of course said it would be great for my teaching and handed me a two-year secondment with the proviso that, “you can’t come back sooner”.

So, we packed up our house and headed off just in time for the Fitzroy River Bridge to get washed away! Then we packed again - the car would have to go the long way round via the Northern Territory. Travelling a little lighter, we headed to Broome for a three-day induction. We had a crash course in living and driving in the Kimberley and differentiating learning for students who speak four to five languages and have a range of learning difficulties and disabilities, not least of which are the effects of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and traumainformed practice. Warmun is on Gija country and Gija is the language of that country. Most people in community speak Creole and Gija, some also speak Jaru (Halls Creek country), Aboriginal English, and Standard Australian English (only at school).

Wind forward a year, and while you never really get the hang of things, there’s a sense that you’re more respected for staying longer than the average blow-in. We had spent a year in 40-degree heat trying to get the community garden back into a usable state, and there were signs that kids were less afraid of vegetables!

The wood workshop was now not full of old washing machines, bain maries, 20+ bikes, table tennis tables, and a hospital bed. Instead, the space could be used to teach woodwork for Years 1-9. The Years 1 and 2 class loved it! With a new year came new responsibilities - I was now coordinating religion in the school and organising Mass in two-way, doing retreats for staff and students, which put me in a position to connect and learn from more cultural leaders across the Kimberley. Two-way refers to the way students do things in ‘school way’ and ‘home way’, or Standard Australian English and Creole. It is something we actively did to help students understand concepts, and community members understand the words and stories.

Highlights that followed were working with one of the founding St Josephite Sisters who had been in Warmun since 1979, when they first taught under a tree. Sister T showed me that Liturgies were more meaningful when you rewrote the Gospel and readings in the local language, when kids did their own prayer and elders blessed the water in a Coolamon before the children blessed the congregation, and where Gija songs were sung and everyone joined in with clapping sticks that they had

made and hand-painted. The combined Eucharist and Confirmation retreat began in a circle by cooking damper on a fire, sharing stories, and breaking bread together. It evolved into students and their families painting their country with their interpretation of the Holy Spirit to guide them.

Of course, there were drives into the bush to find waterfalls and hope that you didn’t take a wrong turn in the creek and drop off the edge (6 cars had already sunk that season). We fished for barramundi on the banks of the Keep River while salties watched, saw a bull shark leap out of the water, and someone’s uncle cast a net for live mullet.

It is a hard place to leave, but a harder place to live in. There is a deep sense of belonging and of family. Nobody owns anything because everything is shared. Which means when a child is in need, they are always given a home, some food and a welcome, no matter how many extra people are at the table.

A Year 12 student at CBC recently said to his friends, “Imagine what it would be like to buy anything you wanted.” I replied, “And then one day you will realise that true happiness comes from giving to the people around you.”

Sport at CBC Pride, Passion and Participation

Sport continues to be a vibrant and unifying part of life at CBC Fremantle, offering students the chance to learn new skills, grow as athletes, and represent their College with pride. Whether on the field, in the pool, or across the courts, CBC students consistently demonstrate commitment, sportsmanship and a strong sense of community.

The College’s intra-school carnivals in Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics remain highlights of the school calendar. These events are not only well-attended but also showcase the enthusiasm and talent of students across all year levels. At the interschool level, CBC continues to punch above its weight, competing with distinction against much larger schools.

Each year, CBC participates in over 55 competitions and one-day carnivals across 19 different sports. This broad offering reflects the College’s commitment to inclusivity and excellence in sport.

The high level of engagement across all sports is a testament to the dedication of both students and staff. From representative teams to lunchtime competitions and club involvement, CBC boys show up with energy and pride. Staff members go above and beyond to coach, mentor and support students, helping them grow not only as athletes but as young men of character.

Sport at CBC is evolving to place greater emphasis on participation, enjoyment, and long-term engagement over short-term results. Our greatest achievements are now measured by the consistently high number of students attending initiatives like our bi-weekly Run Club and the unprecedented growth in senior football, with the College fielding three senior teams for the first time in its history. These milestones reflect a cultural shift - where success is defined by the number of boys getting involved, staying active, and developing a lasting connection to sport and physical wellbeing and this is done without compromising the elite athletes who still shine.

While winning is never the sole focus, the College celebrates the outstanding achievements of its students. In recent years, CBC has brought home trophies in AFL, soccer, swimming, cross country, basketball, cricket, tennis, rugby, and water polo. In several of these sports, multiple titles have been secured, reflecting the depth of talent and teamwork within the College.

Some of the 2024 and 2025 standout achievements include:

Swimming - ACC A Division Upper Boys Shield,

Lower Boys Shield and Overall Boys Shield2024 and 2025

Cross Country - SSWA All Schools Overall

Boys Shield and ACC Interschool Overall Boys

Shield - 2024 and 2025

AFL - Year 8/9 WAALITJ (Premier) Division

Winners - 2024

Soccer - Champion Schools Intermediate Boys

Shield - 2024

Tennis - Mursell Shield (Boys) - 2024

Volleyball - Middle School Zone Champions –2024 and 2025

These results are a reflection of the hard work, determination and passion that CBC students bring to their sport. On many occasions, CBC has been the only school to field multiple teams in a single competition, a clear sign of the pride students take in wearing their school colours. The strength of the College’s sporting culture also allows for additional opportunities, such as friendly matches with other schools including Christ Church Grammar School, Hale School, and Scotch, Trinity and Aquinas Colleges, further enriching the student experience.

At CBC Fremantle, sport is more than just competition. It is about building resilience, forming friendships, and fostering a lifelong love of physical activity. With the continued support of dedicated staff and the enthusiasm of its students, the future of sport at CBC remains bright.

Peter Sturrock Class of 2025

A member of the Class of 2025, Peter Sturrock recently travelled to Houston with a team of Curtin University-mentored high school robotics students. Peter was an integral member of the CBC Robotics Club in previous years, guiding junior students through design, construction, and operation processes.

The prestigious FIRST Championships, which celebrates STEM and attracts teams from around the world, saw Peter’s Team 4788 Can’t Control make a remarkable impression. The team, composed of 14 students and four mentors, was selected as a reserve member for one of the final eight alliances - a significant achievement among over 600 teams from 16 countries, including seven from Australia.

Peter played a key role in designing and building the robot’s climber mechanism, which helped lift the 45kg robot onto a swinging cage at the end of each match, securing crucial points for their alliance. While their team was ultimately eliminated before the final match, their performance in reaching the top eight was a milestone for the Curtin team and their best ever place on the international stage.

Peter reflected on his experience, saying, “My favourite part of the competition was the rewarding experience of interacting with the other teams. Everyone we met was so awesome and inspiring. We were also super lucky to see the Team 118 Robonauts’ workshop in action.”

In addition to their competition success, Team 4788 was also named a finalist for the “Impact Award”, which recognises teams making

significant contributions to spreading STEM in their communities. The team runs Lego robotics competitions and the West Australian Robotics Playoffs (WARP), held annually in Perth. Although the award went to a deserving Australian east coast team, the nomination was a great honour and highlighted the team’s dedication to fostering STEM engagement.

The trip to Houston also included a tour of local robotics facilities and a visit to NASA’s Johnson Space Centre, offering the team valuable insights and inspiration. With WARP still to come, the 2025 season has been one of Team 4788’s most successful yet. The team is also actively recruiting new members aged 14-18 and will hold a robotics masterclass in October.

From the President Palma

Carmelo Zagami (Class of 1987) President of CBC Fremantle Alumni

As President of the CBC Fremantle Alumni, it is my distinct pleasure to reach out to you, our cherished past students, and share an update on the vibrant spirit that continues to thrive within our Alumni community.

It’s truly inspiring to reflect on the collective journey we’ve all shared, from walking the halls of CBC Fremantle to embarking on our individual paths. Each of us carries a piece of CBC Fremantle within us, a testament to the formative years spent learning, growing, and forging lifelong friendships. It has been enlightening to hear your stories and witness the impact that our shared experiences have had on our journeys.

Our Alumni play a crucial role in keeping these connections alive and ensuring that the legacy of CBC Fremantle continues to flourish. We strive to foster a strong network among our graduates, celebrate our shared history and, most importantly, provide meaningful support to both current students and the ongoing development of our beloved alma mater.

Over the past year, we’ve been proud to have hosted several successful networking events, and to have contributed to a bursary, and to mentorship programs for our graduating class.

Our current alumni funding is generated from the once only lifetime membership fee paid by incoming new students. To continue with our programs, to honour the legacy of our members, and to expand, we also need support from the collective strength of our whole alumni. The challenges facing educational institutions today are ever-present, and the resources available to our school will benefit from your help.

Here’s how you can make a tangible difference:

Support Our Initiatives

Your financial and personal contributions, no matter the size, are invaluable. Contributions support such programs as our Jim McGowan Bursary; contribute to the upgrading of school facilities such as the Chapel Restoration Project; support occasional extracurricular activities; and contribute to our alumni events and communications. Every donation helps us create a more enriching experience for students and strengthens the ties within our alumni network. You can make a donation by visiting the CBC Fremantle website or by contacting CBC Fremantle direct.

Become an Active Member

Reconnect with your classmates, participate in our events, and share your expertise. Your time and personal engagement are just as valuable as financial contributions. Follow us on Facebook or visit the CBC Fremantle website to stay updated on upcoming events and opportunities.

Consider a Bequest in Your Estate Planning

Looking further ahead, I invite you to consider a profound way to leave a lasting legacy for future generations of CBC Fremantle students. By including the CBC Fremantle Alumni in your estate planning, you can ensure that your commitment to our alma mater extends beyond your lifetime. A bequest, whether a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or a residual gift, can provide crucial longterm funding that will empower the Alumni to continue its vital work for decades to come. We encourage you to speak with your legal or financial advisor about the various options for making a planned gift and how it can align with your philanthropic goals. In my professional context as a legal practitioner, I am happy to

provide more information confidentially if you are considering this meaningful option. Please contact me on 0419 912 899.

The future of CBC Fremantle and its vibrant Alumni community rests on our collective commitment. Together, we can ensure that the traditions of excellence, camaraderie, and support continue for generations to come.

Thank you for your time, your continued connection to CBC Fremantle, and your consideration of how you can contribute to our shared future. We look forward to strengthening our bonds and achieving great things together.

Alan Wedd Class of 1966

Building Connections in the Heart of Fremantle

Alan Wedd (1966) reflects on a lifetime of connection to CBC Fremantle - as student, Brother, teacher, and Principal with the spirited House Cup now named in his honour - and the enduring culture of community that defines the College.

My first memory of CBC is that of a sevenyear-old walking across the lawn in front of the classroom block facing Ellen Street, having come for my ‘entrance test’ into Grade 4 at CBC.

Why CBC Fremantle? I really can’t remember. Others in my class were going to CBC Terrace in Perth (now Trinity College) or to Aquinas College, across the river. But I do remember my mother showing me two brochures, asking me which I would prefer to attend. And for some reason, I chose Fremantle, a connection I’ve kept ever since, including becoming a Fremantle Docker’s member from their beginnings. (We live in hope!)

My first day at CBC in 1958 was daunting. There were no tours or induction days then. I wandered in feeling unsure of where to go until an older boy kindly guided me to the old school hall,

now the College Chapel, where our classroom was. That building, designed by an Irish political prisoner and built from stone quarried on-site, was the first school structure on the grounds. Its shamrock-shaped windows still stand as a quiet act of Irish pride and defiance.

The school was small then, with around 500 boys packed into a compact space. We had about 65 students in our class, even up to what is now called Year 10. We came from diverse backgrounds, an experience of multiculturality before this word was known, sons of fishermen, market gardeners, wharfside workers, office workers, and public servants. Despite our differences, we mixed easily and formed strong bonds of friendship that have lasted over the decades. That sense of community and shared purpose has always been a defining feature of CBC’s culture.

CBC was deeply embedded in the Fremantle community. We could see prison guards patrolling the walls of Fremantle Gaol on our way home from school, hear sirens during escapes, and even witness one prisoner dashing across the school grounds.

Across the road in Fremantle Park, the circus came to town each year. We would walk among the elephants and ponies, as well as the cages of lions and monkeys, during lunch break, with the circus hands keeping a close eye on us.

We learnt that CY O’Connor’s cottage was just across the park, where the soccer pitch now lies. Fremantle Park and the limestone ridge behind it was the depot for the camel trains and the Afghan cameleers, who would camp there while waiting for their next load of cargo to be transported from the port to the Goldfields before the era of rail.

As there was no school library until the early 1970s, we would be walked downtown to the Evan Davies Civic Library, situated in what became Fremantle’s ‘cappuccino strip’, to change our books each fortnight before walking back to school, taking a shortcut through the Howard Porter Panel Beaters’ workshop, which was filled with the fumes of solvents and sprays.

As a past student of CBC and Mayor of Fremantle, Sir Frederick Samson (1909) was our guest of honour for Speech Nights, telling the same stories each year about life at CBC to the parents gathered in the old school hall.

The Samsons were respected members of Fremantle’s Jewish community. Up until the late 1940s, CBC was the only boys’ school in Fremantle that provided the full range of secondary education to gain access to university, and so its students included boys of all denominations as well as those from the Jewish community who valued the sound education it provided. From its earliest days, CBC was ‘a school for all’.

The Brothers were an integral part of our lives at CBC. They taught us all day, supervised our breaks, took us for sport, and cleaned our classrooms after school finished, their commitment extending well beyond their teaching responsibilities.

Some pursued further education, attending either university after teaching all day or night school at Fremantle Tech to better prepare themselves for the classes they were being asked to teach, while others, like Brother Nick Bilich (’47), converted classrooms on the ground floor to science labs after hours in the mid-1960s. Br Bilich later became one of the pioneer staff for Nulungu College in Broome, established as a secondary school and hostel for Aboriginal boys.

Occasionally, some Brothers would play tennis on the court behind their residence or kick a footy around Fremantle Park. The Brothers’ commitment to education and their handson approach have left a lasting impact on generations of students. In simple terms, the Brothers who taught us at CBC showed us by their lived example what it meant to be ‘men for others.’

The school’s ethos was shaped by its modest means. The Brothers organised everything. During the Depression years of the 1930s, they shared what little they had with students in need, often leaving food on their plates after breakfast for boys they knew had had none. Even up to the 1960s, families unable to pay fees would drop off crates of vegetables or crayfish as payment in kind.

CBC’s influence has extended far beyond academics. It has nurtured a culture of service, resilience, and connection. The school choir, the YCS group, and the CBC Junior Football Club were all initiatives that enriched student life. The school’s sporting legacy is remarkable, with alumni excelling in over 20 sports, such as the WAFL and AFL, water polo, hockey, and athletics, including at Olympic level.

By comparison with its brother schools of Aquinas and Trinity Colleges, CBC has always been the ‘poor cousin’ in terms of its physical facilities and financial resources. But it has something far more valuable: a culture rooted in relationships, and CBC does this exceptionally well.

Marist Brother Marcellin Flynn, described as ‘the premier researcher on Catholic schools in Australia’, established through thirty years of longitudinal studies that it is not the buildings, grounds, or physical plant that make some Catholic schools more effective than others. It is their culture.

For these schools, their culture is built on the relationships that they nurture. It is evident in their capacity to inspire students to achieve at levels beyond what may otherwise have been expected of them, built on their sense of acceptance, belonging, and pride in being part of their school community.

These relationships, these connections, that highly effective schools are able to develop are nurtured by a connection with God, a connection with others, a connection with – or ‘faith in’ – themselves, and a connection with their own sense of place in the universe and the world around them.

CBC has shaped generations of ‘men for others’, such as Gerard Neesham (1971), who established the Clontarf Foundation to provide teenage Aboriginal boys across Australia with a future and a purpose.

A moment I remember from my time as Principal at CBC in the 1990s was meeting Peter Casserly (1915), then the oldest living past student, who attended an ANZAC Day assembly in his 100s to address the students and share his experience of being on the Western Front in WW1. His story of living as a boy in a tent camp for the unemployed in North Fremantle, walking to and from CBC each day, and doing his homework by kerosene lamp embodied the grit and determination that CBC has always inspired.

In the mid-1990s, a decade in which CBC was facing serious questions over its viability and future, the College Board commissioned research to determine whether there was still a need for single-sex boys’ education in a changing era in Fremantle.

When this research had been finalised, the consultant who carried out this study met with me to say: “In all the places I have worked, and with all the different schools I have seen (and my own children attended another Catholic school in the western suburbs), nothing matches the

depth of passion and strength of commitment that I have heard from so many people as they have spoken about what CBC means to them. Any other school would give anything to have what CBC has.”

That passion and commitment from the CBC community has helped the school to not only survive but to thrive since then.

In the words of our Board Chair in that decade of the 1990s, while also deputy vice-chancellor of ECU, Professor Brian Lawrence, his time as a student at CBC brought back “good memories of a wonderful College.”

And in the words of Matthew Pavlich, Fremantle Dockers’ great leader through a difficult era: “Failure cannot withstand persistence.”

That spirit defines CBC Fremantle, a school built on connection, resilience, and determined achievement. Palma virtuti - ‘Goodness is its own reward’. And the mark of a man.

Continuing the Legacy Five Generations of CBC Gentlemen

When Jonathan Brown (now Year 11) stepped through the gates of CBC Fremantle, he wasn’t just beginning his own high school journey - he was continuing a proud family tradition spanning five generations.

Jonathan’s great-great-grandfather Thomas Brown (Class of 1921) first attended CBC Fremantle, laying the foundation for a legacy that has grown through the decades. His great-grandfather Ronald Brown (Class of 1945) followed in his footsteps, then his grandfather, Kenneth Brown (Class of 1969), proudly wore the CBC uniform in the 1960s. Jonathan’s father, Christopher Brown, graduated in 1995. Now,

Jonathan is forging his own path within the CBC community - one grounded in history, values, and a deep sense of belonging.

Year 11, Jonathan is one of CBC’s Developing Leaders. He’s making the most of every opportunity - whether it’s through academic excellence, gifted and talented programs, House events, or social justice initiatives, he’s growing into a young man of character. Jonathan sees engineering in his future, just like the generations before him.

The Brown family’s journey with CBC is far from over. Jonathan’s younger brother, James, is set to start Year 7 next year, continuing the family legacy and adding a new chapter to their story.

Are You a CBC Alumni? Let’s Continue the Tradition.

Stories like Jonathon’s highlight the rich heritage and enduring values that make CBC Fremantle a special place for generations of families. If you’re an Old Boy considering CBC for your son, grandson, nephew or family friend, we’d love to hear from you.

Applications for Year 7, 2029 are now open. Interviews take place in Year 4. If your son is currently in Year 3 or 4, please complete an Expression of Interest form, or contact our Enrolments Team at enrol@cbcfremantle.wa.edu.au to learn more.

Justin Majeks Class of 2002

After graduating from CBC in 2002, Justin pursued his passion for sports, carving out a career that has seen him work in professional and community-driven spaces. He completed a double degree at the University of Notre Dame graduating with Bachelor degrees in Sport and Recreation Management and Biomedical Science.

Since 2007 Justin has been deeply involved in surfing, coaching, and sports administration, helping to develop events and programs that bring people together through physical activity and shared goals. His journey highlights the importance of networking, collaboration, and lifelong learning.

One of the key themes of Justin’s career has been his dedication to mentoring young athletes and fostering community engagement. He believes that strong connections with mentors and peers can be game-changing, providing guidance and inspiration for the next generation. By working with grassroots programs and professional sporting organisations, Justin has played a crucial role in creating opportunities for young talent to thrive.

Looking back, Justin recognises how his high school values - teamwork, perseverance, and leadership - continue to influence his approach to both work and life. He has carried these principles into every aspect of his career, demonstrating that the lessons learned in school go far beyond academics, “I made lifelong friends at CBC and was so lucky to meet likeminded individuals who continue to inspire me today”, he said.

Justin encourages current students to embrace every opportunity to build connections, whether through sports, clubs, or professional networks.

“The relationships you form now could shape your future in ways you can’t yet imagine,” he says. “Stay open, stay engaged, and always support those around you.”

Justin worked for Surfing Western Australia as their events and marketing manager for close to two decades, which saw him plan and execute 30+ events throughout Western Australia per year, from grass roots to international events such as the Margaret River Pro.

Today, Justin is employed by Red Bull as their WA Field Marketing Manager, bringing energy and engagement to global and national events, while creating unique local moments that deliver memorable experiences.

With a career that bridges professional sports, community service, and mentorship, Justin Majeks is a shining example of how meaningful connections can pave the way for both personal and professional fulfillment.

Ben Caputi Class of 2001

Ben Caputi (2001) is a familiar face on the CBC campus. Having commenced as a Year 5 student in 1994, Ben has returned to the College as a relief teacher for almost 10 years. He leads a busy and rewarding life with ‘the best of both worlds’, combining his love of family with teaching, firefighting, and coaching football.

I started at CBC Fremantle in Year 5 at Tuckfield Street. In 1997, I was part of the first Year 8 cohort who moved to the Ellen Street campus. I had a thoroughly enjoyable school journey through to graduating in Year 12 in 2001. We were fortunate to enjoy the gymnasium as a new addition to the College in that year and couldn’t believe how lucky we were. On a more sombre note, I vividly remember sitting in a math class on September 11 that year learning of the horrific events unfolding in the United States. Being 17

years old, we were all a little anxious wondering what our immediate future might hold and if some kind of war was imminent. While we were clearly in no grave danger, it made me appreciate the safeness of the CBC family and comforting connection to not only our special environment but, more broadly, the country in which we lived.

Post Year 12, I attended the University of Notre Dame in Fremantle, completing studies in health and exercise science. Unfortunately, that same year, I lost my mother, so studies were a real challenge, but something I look back on as one of my greatest achievements. Post completion, I enjoyed a reasonably successful semi-professional football career, mainly in Queensland’s state league, but towards the end of 2010, I conceded that Fremantle was home and moved back.

“Today in my 20th year at the College as a student, now teacher, I feel in a reasonably educated position to form an opinion on the College as a whole ... There is a genuine care and love for every student who attends the College, and every staff member should be commended for upholding this simple but special value.”

In 2011, I was incredibly humbled to gain a position in the WA Fire Brigade which was a lifelong dream. I now work with an amazing bunch of men and women at the Fremantle Fire Station which is extremely rewarding. As a shift worker, I am fortunate to be able to fulfil two vocations. I completed a graduate diploma in secondary education and have been teaching at CBC since 2014 in a casual role. Football still has a space in my life, and I am an assistant coach at Christ Church Grammar School in their 1st XVIII program which is also very rewarding.

Today in my 20th year at the College as a student, now teacher, I feel in a reasonably educated position to form an opinion on the College as a whole. Physically, the College is basically brand new, with even more additions to come. The facilities are very different from those that we enjoyed all of those years ago. The College grounds are beautiful and immaculately kept. Moving around the College on a day-today basis, there is a real buzz and a great lively feel about the place. There are special people in the right positions who have great vision and follow through with their vision. There is a genuine care and love for every student who attends the College, and every staff member should be commended for upholding this simple but special value.

I am fortunate to have spoken on several occasions to the incumbent Year 12s and students in younger years going for leadership positions about my life experiences. These are opportunities that I don’t take lightly, as they present a chance for me to have a small part

in these important years in a young man’s development. For any old boys reading this, I urge you to take a moment if in the area and have a look at what is unfolding. I think you may feel a sense of great pride.

My lovely wife and I have been blessed with a gorgeous daughter (5) and cheeky son (3) and the morals and values I learned at CBC are now the ones I find myself trying to instil in my own children.

The day I received the invitation to write this article, I was doing relief teaching at the College, and I was involved in the annual cross country carnival. Every student is required to participate in the 3.3 km run, and I remember driving home that afternoon with a deep sense of pride and connection. There were some incredible results and times, but equally impressive were the ‘non-runners’ who were simply asked to have a go and give it their best effort. In the past, this request would sometimes be ignored, but there was a definite shift in attitude on this particular day.

I can’t help but feel the continued efforts from the College leadership team is filtering down through the teaching staff and, most importantly, to the boys at CBC Fremantle, who will very soon be the newest members of the greater community. In the current climate where times may be tough for some, it was heartwarming to see that we are in good hands, and the future is bright!

Ben Anandappa Class

of 2013

Ben graduated from CBC in 2013 with a passion for learning and an open mind about where life might lead. That journey took him to the United States, to study Computer Science at Harvard University. While pursuing his degree, Ben discovered an unexpected interest in social psychology - particularly in how people form and maintain romantic relationships and friendships - an interest that would later shape the course of his career.

After graduating, Ben moved to Chicago to work as a software engineer in the finance sector. He fell in love with the city and, seven years later, still calls it home. However, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a period of deep personal

reflection. As lockdowns set in and daily routines slowed, Ben began to question whether finance was truly where he wanted to make his longterm impact.

Revisiting his earlier fascination with psychology, he leaned on a personal framework he calls “regret minimisation” - a guiding principle that pushed him to take chances he might otherwise avoid. Choosing not to ignore his curiosity, Ben took a leap of faith to leave his job and volunteer in a psychology lab, exploring the possibility of pursuing a PhD.

His timing turned out to be serendipitous. He reached out to Dr Eli Finkel, a leading psychologist at Northwestern University whose work focuses on the psychology of relationships. Ben soon found himself collaborating on research in attachment theory and selfexpansion. At the same time, he secured a position at the University of Chicago’s Center for HIV Elimination, where he contributed to research on how social networks influence the spread and prevention of HIV.

After 18 months immersed in academic research, Ben once again asked himself a now-familiar question: What am I doing with my life? Though he was proud of the meaningful work, he missed the creative and technical challenges of engineering. He also became increasingly aware that while academic research is vital, it often takes years to reach the people who could benefit most from it.

Rather than viewing his path as detoured, Ben embraced it as a necessary evolution. “It’s never a waste,” he says. “Trying something and realising it’s not for you still brings clarity. It’s how you grow.”

This clarity led him to entrepreneurship. By chance, Ben reconnected with a college friend through LinkedIn, and the two co-founded Inner Peak - a mental wellness startup focused on helping high school students build emotional resilience, develop healthy coping strategies, and thrive both academically and personally.

At Inner Peak, Ben combines his background in technology and psychology to create a platform that makes mental wellness support more accessible, personalised, and affordable. The company leverages the power of AI to

enhance support, while never losing sight of the human connection that underpins all lasting growth - anchoring its approach in empathy, mentorship, and research-based practices.

For Ben, it feels like a full-circle momentleaving CBC 12 years ago, only to return, in a sense, to the high school space with a mission to support the next generation. Inner Peak aims to be the mentor figure every student deserves, echoing the spirit of guidance and support Ben felt during his own time at CBC.

The platform offers on-demand help with stress and anxiety, encourages goal setting and provides students with tools to improve their sleep, confidence, and emotional wellbeing. Through it all, Ben remains committed to creating something that truly makes a difference - inspired, in part, by where it all began.

Brett Salt Class of 1992

Whenever there was a free moment at school, chances were I’d be on the basketball courts - shooting hoops or locked in a 3-on-3 with my mates. I loved the rhythm of the game, the strategy, the competition - but more than that, I loved being part of a team that showed up for each other. At CBC, I was proud to play senior basketball, run in the senior athletics team, captain the cross-country team, vice-captain my faction, and serve as Deputy Head Boy. Receiving the Caltex All-Rounder Award in my final year was a testament to the College’s commitment to developing well-rounded people. It recognised not just performance, but effort, teamwork, and consistency - traits that have stayed with me ever since.

I graduated from university with a degree in economics and commercial law. From there to a career in global mining and resources, initially with the Rio Tinto graduate program, then for over 20 years working across strategy, joint ventures, M&A, and global sales, living and working in places I couldn’t have imagined as a teenager - Paraburdoo, Dampier, Melbourne, Singapore, Shanghai, Tokyo, London, Dubai, Hong Kong, Ulaanbaatar and Baar (Switzerland).

Eventually, I moved from Rio Tinto to the London-listed Ukrainian iron ore producer Ferrexpo PLC as Chief Marketing Officer, leading the company’s global sales, logistics and corporate strategy. It was a complex and rewarding role during a time when markets were shifting and global dynamics were in flux.

This was particularly so with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But after years abroad, I felt the pull to return home.

Back in Perth, I joined Fremantle Ports as Chief Commercial Officer - close to where I first learned how international trade worked by watching the ships come in. From there, I became CEO of Redivium, steering the company through a strategic pivot into battery recycling and circular economy technologies across Europe. And now, I serve as Chief Growth and Commercial Officer at IGO, working within Australia’s critical minerals industry and helping to power the clean energy transition by delivering commodities essential to the global shift to renewables.

Coming back to Perth wasn’t just about work - it was a return to old traditions and familiar faces.

I’ve loved reconnecting with old CBC mates, often over a beer at the Norfolk in Fremantle, where stories from schooldays still get a good laugh. Life has been full, with my wife, Galina, whom I met in London, sons, Ethan (9) and Aden (5), and Winston, our Australian bulldog.

Throughout it all, I’ve carried CBC Fremantle with me - its values, its expectations, and the strong bonds formed in my years at the school. If you work hard, show up for your teammates, and take every opportunity to grow, you will be surprised how far you can go.

Cian Davis

Class of 1999

I graduated from CBC Fremantle in 1999, a year in which those who were there may remember the endless playground arguments on whether ‘99 was the last year of the 20th century or the second last. The answer may still enrage.

For those of us born in the early 1980s, the idea of becoming an adult at the turn of the 21st century was filled with the expectation of great technological advancement and massive change. The reality of Fremantle in the late 1990s was a little more low-fi: e.g. basic Pentium 386s in the computing lab (which I never attended).

My memory of CBC is that despite modest resources, the school placed a great emphasis on creativity and the arts, not always through the formal curriculum, but often through supporting our own initiative, whether that be in theatre, music, or the visual arts. In hindsight, the opportunity for freedom of thought was a greater lesson than many long-forgotten classes.

A defining moment in the development of my career and interest in the creative arts was the great support given by CBC to a small number of us who wanted to study fine arts for the (then) TEE. Faced with only three students, well short

of the state-mandated minimum class size, the school and our wonderful teachers managed to get the class registered, providing the foundation of art and history setting me on the path to university and the study of architecture.

I started at UWA and discovered a great love of the practice of architecture and its ability as a discipline to synthesise a great many interests, from technology to philosophy and sociology to ecology. It is many things - art, commerce, and science, to name a few - but at its heart it is a humanistic process that places the human experience at its core.

I had many great opportunities for travel and discovery, studying in Barcelona, a city saturated with design and an understanding of the social impact of building. I had the opportunity to work on mad projects in Jordan and Dubai once I had graduated, and then I found myself in Sydney in 2008, having had great experiences and worked on many interesting projects, but also burnt out from working from high school through university and in a demanding job.

My now wife, Bianca, whom I had met in Sydney in 2005, was much more inclined to shake off stagnation and challenge the security of work and habit. We sold all our possessions and took off for London just in time for the GFC to hit, wiping out the construction industry while Bianca’s industry, journalism, was tearing itself apart with the advent of online media. Facing a

grim winter working in pubs, we decided to blow our savings on a hire car in Spain and drive until we ran out of money before returning to Sydney and an Australia blissfully ignorant of how tough the rest of the world was doing.

We started again, and what looked (and felt) like failure opened both career opportunity and personal growth. I joined the Bates Smart Sydney office in 2010, leading large commercial and residential projects, before we decided to leave Sydney once again in 2012, this time for Melbourne and the opportunity for greater leadership. In 2018 I was asked to become partner in the firm, which I view as a privilege and responsibility, given the practice has been successfully working since 1856, starting with the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne

In my time at Bates Smart, I have had the privilege to work on some exceptional projects; from the new Australian Embassy in Washington to a 50-storey carbon-neutral office tower powered by one of the largest vertical solar facades in the world. Each project is like a new life, an opportunity for new discovery and knowledge that is endlessly stimulating and filled with challenges. I have also been fortunate to have worked under great mentors whose ability to balance the demands of leadership of a business with decency, humanity, and integrity I aspire to in my own life.

Joel Turco

Class of 2005

Joel reflects on the deep sense of community he found at CBC Fremantle - a foundation that has shaped his personal and professional life ever since. From College Captain and Dux to Chief Development Officer at a billion-dollar investment firm, Joel’s story is one of lifelong friendships, global career pivots, and a return to grassroots community through coaching and family.

As he celebrates his 20-year reunion, Joel shares how the values instilled at CBC continue to guide him today.

Joel joined CBC Fremantle as a Year 8 student in 2001, with his older brother Daniel in Year 12 to show him the ropes.

“I remember catching the bus to school with my brother and his mates. Looking back, there was a real bond among them. In between all the banter and jokes, I immediately felt like I was a part of a community,” he said.

Joel relished his next five years at the College, leaning into the many academic, sporting, and musical opportunities available. Joel represented the College in tennis, football, and various musical ensembles, including the Jazz Orchestra, making lifelong friends along the way.

A College Captain and Dux of the College, Joel studied Engineering and Commerce at the University of Western Australia before embarking on a career as a subsea engineer. He then

returned to the university in his mid-20s to study a Master of Business Administration before pivoting into a career in investment banking at Macquarie Capital.

“During my time at Macquarie, I came across a handful of other CBC old boys. Once again, there was an instant connection and familiarity with one another. I’m incredibly proud to be a CBC old boy and often joke that there must be something in the water at Ellen Street because we were over-represented at Macquarie.”

Joel is currently the Chief Development Officer at Wyloo, a private mining and investment company. He leads a team that is responsible for investments, mergers, and acquisitions, with a particular focus on critical minerals and battery metals. The company currently manages over a billion dollars of investment.

When he was in Year 10, Joel travelled to Italy on a cultural tour organised by CBC Fremantle and Prendiville Catholic College. On that tour he met his future wife, Jen. Some of their earliest photos together are from the College Ball. Joel and Jen married in 2012 and have two children, Emily and Harvey.

“If I have taken one thing away from my time at CBC Fremantle, it’s the importance of community. My children have recently started playing team sports, which was a big part of my experience at CBC Fremantle. It’s been a very positive experience for them as they learn what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves.”

“It’s been good for me as well. I started coaching my son’s Auskick team this year and may be enjoying it even more than he is! After many years of laser focus on my career and family, it feels good to build new connections in the local community.”

“I still speak to some of my old classmates daily. We share so much history, and they are my closest friends – the sort of friends my kids call ‘Uncle’. We’ve watched one another grow up, get married, have children, and now our children play together. It’s really special.”

Joshua Louthean Class of 2022

From CBC to Community Leader

Joshua Louthean (2022) has embraced life beyond CBC Fremantle with purpose and passion - balancing university, football, and a growing role as a cultural leader in education.

Since graduating, Joshua Louthean has carved a path defined by resilience, growth, and community impact.

In 2023, he completed the Tertiary Pathway Program at the University of Notre Dame, a bridging course that laid the foundation for his academic journey. Alongside his studies, he used his Certificate IV in Education Support – Special Needs to work as an Education Assistant across several local primary schools, including Samson, Caralee Community, and North Fremantle.

That same year, Joshua also made his debut in WAFL football, playing for South Fremantle’s Colts team. His dedication on the field earned him the Encouragement Award, setting the tone for a promising sporting future.

In 2024, Joshua began his Bachelor of Health and Physical Education (Secondary) at Notre Dame - a significant step up from his General Pathway in high school. He successfully completed his first year while continuing to work part-time in education.

Recognising his heritage as a proud Noongar man, Joshua transitioned into a new role as

an Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer (AIEO). In this position, he supported Indigenous students and promoted cultural awareness at Caralee Community School and CBC Fremantle. His efforts included organising meaningful activities, such as a friendly football match against Clontarf College, fostering connection and pride among students.

On the field, Joshua captained South Fremantle’s Colts team in 2024. Despite an early injury setback, he led with strength and compassion through a difficult season marked by the tragic loss of teammate Nick Campo. His leadership helped to unite the team during a time of grief, forging a deep bond among players.

In 2025, Joshua continues to work at CBC, using his experience to help guide this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations. He is also building bridges between CBC and Caralee Community School to foster shared cultural experiences.

Balancing his second year of university studies, a five-week teaching practicum, and senior football commitments with South Fremantle, Joshua remains focused and driven.

Joshua’s journey is a testament to the values instilled at CBC Fremantle - resilience, leadership, and a deep sense of community. His story continues to inspire both current students and the broader school community.

Peter Collins Class of 1982

Peter Collins’ CBC Fremantle adventure started as a Year 4 student in 1974. He graduated in 1982 and commenced an apprenticeship as a Dental Technician, followed by a varied career that still has connections to CBC to this very day. Only six people were selected to join the state preapprenticeship program in 1983. Ironically, that year, another CBC boy, Paul Ryan (1984), was also selected.

In 1989, Peter was lured by the corporate world and started a sales role with Cadbury. A total contrast to making teeth! Once again, the CBC connection was ironically strong. Unbeknownst to Peter, CBC graduates, Rod Cronan (1971) and Bernard Ryan (1989) were in the management team.

Fast forward 20 years in the confectionery industry, which included various senior management roles in both Western Australia and Victoria, Peter decided to return home from Melbourne with his young family for a sea change.

Inspired by sporting and business connections in Melbourne, Peter saw an opportunity to create a business in Perth dedicated to custom sports framing and charity event management.

In July 2009, Peter purchased a factory in Bibra Lake, and Framesport, the business, was created.

Peter used his business and networking skills to build a business from scratch in a fairly tough economic market into one of WA’s largest framing and memorabilia businesses.

Framesport sponsors many sporting clubs in WA. The first sponsorship contract was drawn up in 2009 with yet another CBC Fremantle graduate and Fremantle sporting identity, Brian Ciccotosto (1965) at South Fremantle Football Club.

Framesport has been the official framing partner of the Fremantle Dockers for almost 10 years.

They also work with the West Coast Eagles and most of the WAFL clubs, plus many amateur sporting clubs in WA. Their custom framing focus is also strong with local photographers, artists, and corporate groups. Peter plays an active role in the community, supporting and sponsoring many sporting and charity groups in Perth.

“I have three beautiful adult kids, one living in Canberra, one living in Paris, and one recently returned from London after 12 years to start her family. She has two beautiful children,” he said.

Peter values his time at CBC Fremantle and the friendships that were formed over 50 years ago. He believes the connections and CBC loyalty is something quite unique and can never be taken for granted.

CBC was delighted to engage the services of Framesport to showcase the many photographs of years gone by in the Brothers’ Chapel, which has been beautifully renovated and now serves as the College Boardroom, as well as in the corridor of the upstairs Administration Building.

It was midway through his graduating year in 2003 when Tim Kennelly received a life-changing offer: a professional baseball contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. While many might have jumped at the chance immediately, Tim chose to finish his TEE (now ATAR), demonstrating the same discipline and commitment that would later define his career.

In 2004, with graduation behind him, Tim set off to the United States to pursue his dream of playing professional baseball.

What followed was an extraordinary nine-year journey through the ranks of Major League Baseball, with stints in both the Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers organisations. Despite the demands of a professional career overseas, Tim remained deeply connected to home. Each off-season, he returned to Perth, suiting up for his local clubs - the Melville Braves and the Perth Heat, where he reconnected with lifelong teammates and friends.

Tim’s baseball career extended far beyond club competition. Since 2009, he has proudly represented Australia on the international stage, and in 2018, he was appointed captain of the Australian National Team. His leadership has seen him compete in four World Baseball Classics, two Premier 12 tournaments, and two World Cups, cementing his place as one of the nation’s most respected players.

When his professional career in the US came to a close, Tim seamlessly transitioned into another role of service - joining the Department of Fire & Emergency Services as a full-time firefighter. Remarkably, he continues to balance this demanding career with his ongoing contributions to baseball at the highest level in Australia.

A true stalwart of the Australian Baseball League, Tim’s accolades include six Claxton Shield championships with the Perth Heat, two League MVP awards, and numerous all-time records. Among them, the most career hits and home runs in league history.

Yet for all his achievements, Tim’s roots remain firmly planted at CBC Fremantle. He fondly recalls catching the bus down Marmion Street each morning, the excitement of playing multiple sports, and the unforgettable year CBC entered a baseball team, coached by then-catering teacher Frank Williams, and went through undefeated to win the tournament.

Growing up as one of five brothers, Tim credits his competitive upbringing for fuelling his passion for sport. Backyard matches became battlegrounds that shaped his relentless drive and resilience, traits that carried him through the highest levels of international competition.

Now a proud father, Tim looks forward to the next generation of the Kennelly family joining the CBC community, with his son currently in Year 3 and eager to continue the legacy.

Salvatore (Terry) Iannello OAM

Class of 1959

Terry Iannello, immediate past president of the Alumni Committee (2017-2024), shares some fond memories of his early years, of special times, and of proud and treasured moments with CBC Fremantle.

I was born in August 1941 at home, at 12 Arundel Street, Fremantle. I’ll always remember the street - it was so typical of the early pioneers who helped shape Fremantle into the city it is today. Well-known families from that era were where multiculturalism was born: Raffa, Mirragliotta, Santich, Merendino, Cicerello, Shelton, Kavanagh, Mulcahy, Merlino, Sgro, and Raffaele. These names left a lasting impression on me as a young boy. I’m sure their manners, values, community spirit, and work ethic were passed down through generations.

My first primary school was Christ the King, run by the Sisters of St Joseph in Fremantle. The church on Lefroy Street in Beaconsfield is still there, though the school is long gone. The nuns were excellent teachers, most of them Irish. I remember two, Sister Oliviera and Sister Alby. They were firm but fair and encouraged freedom of expression. I genuinely wanted to be at school each day. We were taught the basics of spelling, writing, arithmetic and, of course, our Catholic faith.

After those idyllic early years, I moved on to Christian Brothers College Fremantle in Grade 3. It was a big shock! Suddenly we had to wear uniforms, and the Brothers enforced discipline with the infamous leather strap for what I thought were minor infractions: forgotten homework, unpolished shoes, socks not pulled up, or a crooked cap. By Grade 4, I began to

understand and adapt to the system of education that reflected the times. CBC had excellent Brothers who taught us, including Brothers Cleaver, Moore, Harrison, Smith, Denton, Marshall, and Principals Brothers Collopy and ‘Jac’ Kelly.

We received a solid education, and sport was a big part of school life. Football, cricket, and tennis were the main sports, with athletics and swimming also encouraged. I was proud to be part of the First XVIII football team at CBC Fremantle, competing successfully against CBC Terrace (now Trinity College), Highgate, Leederville, and occasionally Aquinas.

The education I received opened doors for me later in life.

With a name like Salvatore Iannello, my Italian heritage made me stand out. My classmates were Ray, John, Matt, Pat, Richard, Doug, and Peter. My name was soon shortened to “Turi,” and eventually to “Terry.”

A close bond formed with my classmates, and more than 60 years later, we still catch up regularly for coffee.

I left CBC in Year 10, choosing not to continue to Year 12 or pursue university. I wanted to become a tradesman; someone who could make and fix things. In hindsight, it gave me a career path grounded in the discipline and satisfaction that only a trade can offer.

I began my boilermaker apprenticeship with Tubular Steel Structures in O’Connor. It was a five-year apprenticeship that required maths, geometry, and english - everything I’d learned at CBC. That foundation helped me become a qualified tradesman, and later, a workshop foreman, then manager of a subsidiary company, and eventually into estimating, quoting, and project management.

When the North-West Shelf began to develop, I co-founded an industrial services company to support the oil and gas industry. We introduced standards that were previously unheard of in WA, becoming leaders in scaffolding, protective coatings, insulation, and rubber linings.

Our qualifications and trade backgrounds enabled us to educate, train, and certify young people through nationally recognised training programs.

I was honoured to receive the Order of Australia Medal for service to industry, training, and Indigenous training programs in 2005. I couldn’t have achieved this without the support of my staff, managers, and mentors.

About ten years ago, I was approached by George Ayres, then President of the “CBC Old Boys.” George had kept the association going for many years with the help of a loyal committee and CBC staff. I joined the committee and was amazed by their work - providing student bursaries, organising the 100-year reunion, annual class reunions, and recognising past students.

With George’s encouragement, I became President of the CBC Alumni (formerly Old Boys) in 2017. During my time as President, I was always supported by my committee, CBC Principals, and staff.

One of our proudest achievements was helping to restore the heritage building that once housed the Grade 4 classroom - now the magnificent Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel.

Attending College assemblies, graduation days, award nights, Year 13 breakfasts, and ANZAC and Remembrance Day ceremonies are memories I’ll always treasure.

None of this would have been possible without my family - specially my beloved late wife, Gloria, and our four sons: Warren, Mark, Darren, and Brad.

Adam Cicanese

Class of 2012

Going to CBC has been a big part of my identity, and I still appreciate today the fundamentals it taught me around being a good man. It was being around my mates at CBC that gave me the confidence to be who I am and to pursue a life of creativity and purpose.

I’m an artist, and that has taken me a long time to achieve. It’s something that I’m always asked about, but as a teenager, it wasn’t in the forefront of my parents’ or teachers’ minds when encouraging me to select a vocation.

For my parents, it was trying to convince me that tattooing or being a full-time graffiti ‘artist’ wasn’t going to pay my bills. It was a tough pill to swallow, particularly for a teenager like me, who had an unwavering confidence in his own choices, instilled perhaps from the positive men and women around him.

Education-wise, Years 11 and 12, for me, were tough. I could only seem to achieve low grades despite after-school tutoring, and it was my teachers and parents who worked hard to see me through and helped me to believe in what I do now, but I think deep down, I knew that one day, eventually, I would succeed.

Becoming a teacher wasn’t part of my overall plan. In 2018, my quick decision to clutch to a life raft and complete the last Diploma of Education Secondary before the course changed was exactly what I needed. I found out that I really loved teaching, and it showed me quite quickly that there was an opportunity to also teach what I loved.

Fast forward five years, and I found myself retiring from a career in teaching, juggling a passion as a Year 11 and 12 Coordinator, and painting murals for a range of clients every weekend. This five-year period changed everything - teaching my first Year 7 class in 2019, becoming their year coordinator in Year 9, and finishing as their year coordinator as they moved into Year 12.

I could now appreciate what I once took for granted. I was able to see the work my parents had put in to help me achieve, and I wanted to try and provide the same opportunity for other young teenagers who didn’t have the same support network as I had.

Once having thought graffiti was the coolest thing and something that I heavily identified with, it was now different, as I had a group of teenagers influenced by my way of thinking. I became attached to the relationships I’d fostered with my students. I really wanted to see them achieve.

But then I was faced with a conundrum –a different level of opportunity arose. I had to choose between that opportunity and the

comfort of a permanent role that paid my mortgage. I knew that I had to double down if I were to become a professional artist.

At 25, I had promised myself I would be an artist before 30. I’ve been an artist now for two years, and I turn 30 this year. I have a partner, a pooch, and a little man on the way.

I’m fortunate that I’ve grown up in a time where social media finds artists work. I just have to be myself. Through my actions, hopefully I will inspire some of those students I once taught to do the same.

I’m so proud to be an artist. I see how hard the people around me work, particularly my father, and I know if I want to maintain my role as both an artist and an educator, I need to do the same. I want my son to be able to look back one day and also understand why I didn’t want him to do graffiti, why I enrolled him in CBC, and why I told him to listen to those around him. I want him to believe in himself, to learn, to experience, and to make the right choices to achieve his dream, just like I did.

Alumni Out and About

Class of 2024 students – Micah Renton, Kalen Pintaudi, and William Maddeford having received 99+ in their ATAR at Catholic Education WA Awards, pictured with Principal Domenic Burgio.

Class of 2024 return for Year 13 Breakfast.

Class of 1973 at their regular gathering at the Swan Yacht Club.

Oliver Garvey, Finlay Brophy and Rylan Paatsch (Class of 2024) whose film ‘Lost and Found’ was shown at the Media Perspectives General Event at the Windsor Theatre.

Young Alumni return to the College for the Year 12 Retreat, offering insight into career paths and ‘life after CBC’.

Class of 1959 gathered in December 2024 for their 65-year reunion.

All Ages Reunion and Awards

The All Ages Reunion held in November 2024, incorporated the Alumni Recognition Awards, recognising the actions and achievements of CBC graduates.

The Brother Patrick Kelly Award recognises an alumnus who is making a significant contribution as a leader within their profession, and the community, and is an inspiration to the next generation of graduates.

Peter Della Bona (Class of 1994) is a director at family-owned WA Limestone, where he has played a key role in growing the business for the past 30 years, helping the company to become one of the largest suppliers of road construction materials in Western Australia.

Peter is the President of the Sand Producers Association, a non-profit governing body representing the majority of companies involved

in sand production in Western Australia and dedicated to promoting safe, sustainable, and accountable sand production practices.

Peter has also been instrumental in the community being involved with the Melville Rams Football Club for over 30 years. His commitment to the club is outstanding, having been a player, coach, committee member, President, Treasurer and is now the Patron and a double Life Member.

The Community Award acknowledges alumni who have demonstrated commitment to service in the community and made a significant positive impact through humanitarian and charitable endeavours.

Dr Peter Williamson (Class of 1966) has given decades of service into the research of plant pathology and its practice dedicated to promoting worldwide plant health and food security.

With degrees in Education, Arts, Science, and a PhD, his UWA thesis research led to the discovery of the cause of lupinosis, a form of liver disease in grazing animals. The fungus had confused plant pathologists for over a hundred years, and Peter’s extensive study helped lupinosis to be considered ‘no longer a disease of importance’, allowing lupins, the largest pulse crop grown in Australia, to become part of the human diet.

In 1994, he was appointed Senior Pathologist at the Department of Industry (DPI), Wheat Research Institute, Toowoomba, where his research included diseases in wheat, developing new disease-resistant varieties, unravelling the complexities of black point in cereal grains, and developing the first rapid breeding technique for wheat.

For more than 27 years, Peter was one of the drivers in establishing the society professionally. He brought vital technical know-how, contributing much that was over and above the call of duty. An APPS award has been named after Peter in recognition of his dedication.

The Rising Star Award recognises graduates up to 30 years of age whose early accomplishments have made an exceptional impact in their field of endeavour.

Jacob Chance (Class of 2012) Since completing his degree in physiotherapy at the University of Notre Dame in 2015, Jacob has impressed in the NBL in different coaching capacities with the Perth Wildcats, Tasmania Jack Jumpers, Melbourne United, and recently, as Head of Video and Analytics for the Boomers.

The game has taken Jacob all over Australia and to some amazing places, including the World Cup in 2023 and the Olympics in France in 2024. While coaching and working in the highperformance space is his day-to-day job, Jacob has also been fortunate to be involved with

multiple community initiatives working to inspire and lead the next generation of young athletes.

In true Rising Star fashion, Jacob has earned the opportunity to lead the Australian Boomers at the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifying Tournament in Thailand in preparation for the 2025 tournament in Saudi Arabia.

Jacob has recently accepted the role as head coach of the Austin Spurs in the NBA G League, located in North America. The G League serves as the development league of the National Basketball Association.

The Rising Star Award recognises graduates up to 30 years of age whose early accomplishments have made an exceptional impact in their field of endeavour.

Michael Schepis (Class of 2016) Michael’s journey is a testament to the school’s ability to produce not only educated minds but also individuals who contribute to the community. In 2016, Michael embarked on an entirely different path for that time - an electrical apprenticeship.

While many of his peers were treading conventional routes, preparing for university and other careers, Michael saw an opportunity to apply his skills and knowledge in a practical, hands-on manner.

Michael became a master of his trade, completing his apprenticeship with dedication and hard work. In the process, he became a major influence in the employment landscape at CBC Fremantle.

Recognising the value of work experience, Michael extended a hand to CBC Fremantle students, opening doors to those eager to gain insight into a practical trade. Over the past few years, Michael’s mentorship and guidance has inspired others to consider pursuing trades as a viable and fulfilling career path, and he began employing CBC Fremantle apprentices.

2025 Reunions

The Over 60s Morning Tea (for graduates turning 60 years young this year and older) will be held on Thursday 18 September, at 10.30am at the College.

To register, please contact events@cbcfremantle.wa.edu.au or call 9336 2700.

The All Ages Reunion with a focus on the Classes of 2015, 2005, 1995, 1985, 1975 and 1965 will be held on Friday 21 November at 6.00pm – 8.00pm at the College.

To register please use the QR code, or go to: https://events.humanitix.com/cbc-fremantlealumni-all-ages-reunion-2025

Reunions need the work of many to gather Alumni and help spread the word. If you are keen to assist our Community Engagement Coordinator, Michelle Ainsworth, please contact her via email: mainsworth@cbcfremantle.wa.edu.au

Condolences

The Alumni Committee would like to honour and respect those past pupils who have passed into the next life in future editions of Touchstone.

Please contact community@cbcfremantle.wa.edu.au should you wish to share details for publication.

Staff and Supporters

Peter Forlin, Deputy Principal Senior School CBC Fremantle 1985-1990

Verna Buck, supporter of CBC Fremantle

Condolences are extended to the families of the following CBC Alumni whose deaths are known to the Committee:

Vale

Frank Baguley, Class of 1951

Peter Bosci, Class of 1953

Daniel Brown, Class of 1959

Brian Cant, Class of 1954

Ronald Chilcott, Class of 1952

Larry Foley, Class of 1946

Filippo (Phil) Giaquinta, Class of 1946

Francesco (Frank) Giaquinta, Class of 1952

Rev Fr Brian Gore, Class of 1961

Daryl Gore, Class of 1959

Roberto Lo Presti, Class of 2006

Stephen Lowry, Class of 1973

Douglas McKirdy, Class of 1959 Deputy Principal, Tuckfield Street 1981-1985

Leslie Mortimer, Class of 1948

Peter O’Brien, Class of 1960

Patrick Pickersgill, Class of 1952

Aldrin Thomas, Class of 2015

William (Max) Thompson, Class of 1959

The CBC Fremantle community mourns the passing of Fr Brian Gore, a distinguished alumnus and tireless advocate for social justice, who died peacefully on Easter Sunday, 20 April 2025, in Negros, Philippines.

Fr Brian graduated from CBC Fremantle in 1961 and entered the Missionary Society of Saint Columban shortly after. Ordained in 1968, he dedicated his life to serving the poor and marginalised, particularly in the Philippines, where he became internationally known as one of the “Negros Nine”—a group of priests and lay workers imprisoned under false charges during the Marcos regime for their work defending the rights of sugar cane workers.

His courage and commitment to justice were deeply rooted in the values he embraced during his time at CBC. In a 2019 reflection, Fr Brian credited the Brothers and teachers at CBC Fremantle for instilling in him a strong sense of compassion and service, which guided his missionary work and advocacy throughout his life.

Fr Brian’s legacy is one of fearless compassion, unwavering faith, and a profound belief in the dignity of every human being. His life continues to inspire generations of CBC students to be men for others.