Class of 1958
Past Emmanuel College Board of Management Member
1942 - 28.6.2017
If a life can be measured by one’s connection to the local community, then Jim Dwyer had an extraordinary impact during his many years living in Warrnambool.
Jim was considered a true gentleman, who was generous, curious and outward looking, with a deep commitment to his family, his profession as a lawyer and to the many local projects to which he devoted his time and attention.
After completing his articles, Jim began his legal career in 1965 at his father’s firm, Desmond, Dunne, Harty & Dwyer, and soon acquired a share in the practice.
Jim remained a partner of Dwyer Robinson Lawyers for more than 45 years until his retirement and was considered a leading figure in the Western District legal profession.
Jim met Ellen, his wife of 50 years, at her debutante ball and they were married at Newman College Chapel in 1966. Together they raised seven children, Tasamin, Georgiana, James, Marcus, Alexandra, Claudia and Tristan, who remember him for his sound advice, his kindness, and his love of a good conversation, earning him the affectionate family nickname of Mr Haveachat.
“Dad was unselfish with his time, wise with his choices, and generous with his knowledge,” Marcus said.
During his lifetime, Jim was actively involved in the Apex Club, Rotary, the Liberal Party, St John of God Hospital, the Warrnambool Wine and Food Society, Capitol Cinema and the Warrnambool Racing Club.
Perhaps a lesser-known aspect of Jim’s life was his love of cinema and classical music. His fondest childhood memories included trips to the Warrnambool Cinema and Drive-In, which nurtured a lifelong love of film – all genres.
Jim’s connection to Emmanuel College remained strong throughout his life. He was a past member of the Emmanuel College Board of Management (Jan 2010 to March 2016, serving three full terms), where he played an important role on the Finance Committee, contributing towards major projects such as the Goold campus and Emmanuel Centre. Jim’s knowledge and guidance was invaluable and appreciated.
Jim died suddenly at Barwon Health, Geelong on 28th June 2017 and is survived by his wife Ellen, children Tasamin, Georgiana, James, Marcus, Alexandra, Claudia and Tristan and their families.
6.10.1941 - 23.8.2017
As a young man Ian Slockwitch was a very gifted sportsperson and his football skills came under the notice of talent scouts from the Richmond Football Club, with whom he played three seasons after he left school, including several games with the seniors. This started his lifelong support for his beloved Tigers.
Through an association with the Richmond Football Club Ian gained a cadetship with BP and through their support graduated with a Commerce degree at the University of Melbourne, which included Psychology.
After attaining his degree, Ian discovered that he didn’t really enjoy corporate life, so decided to embark upon a teaching career. He gained a Trained Secondary Teachers Certificate and later on, completed a Post Graduate Diploma of Social Studies and a Master of Education.
After teaching secondary students at the RAAF School of Education in Penang, Ian returned to Australia and realised the personal and family problems of many students and the need for professional counselling services within our education system. Over a number of years in various roles with the Education Department of Victoria he not only pioneered new approaches to personal family and educational counselling but also gained qualifications that enabled him to practice as a Counselling Psychologist.
All of this led him to bring his extensive training and experience to Warrnambool in 1980 when he was appointed Head of a Counselling Guidance and Clinical Services Centre for the Western Region of Victoria within the Education Department. Within a couple of years he was head hunted by the Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education (now the campus of Deakin University) and was progressively promoted to become Director of Student Services for Deakin University across their Warrnambool, Burwood and Geelong campuses.
Ian joined the team at Emmanuel College from 1999-2003. During this time he worked as a student counsellor and established what is now the College’s Wellbeing service.
Ian had a unique capability to see the funny side of life and his propensity for storytelling and jokes. He had an engaging personality that would keep his audience enthralled. Beloved husband of Rosemary. Loving father of Tony, Marie-Claire (dec.) and Nicole. Much loved father-in-law of Mayumi and Vincent. Fun loving Pop of Mick, Ines, Ray and Mina.
We are saddened to report the sudden passing of past teacher and colleague, Mrs Pat Horkings. in May 2017. The Emmanuel College community will always treasure the exuberant and fun-loving nature of Pat, whose dedication as a teacher saw many students excel far above their expectations in the areas of Home Economics, Textiles and SOSE. While Pat is also noted as a very organised teacher who kept the cooking rooms in meticulous order, many will remember her as the generous co-worker who would share bounties of muffins, soups, slices and other treats to get the team through the task at hand.
Pat joined St Ann’s College in mid-1984 and held a number of positions of responsibility throughout this time – most notably were the years she spent as Year 7 Coordinator from 1991-1997. Pat retired from Emmanuel College in June 1999 after 15 years of service.
Pat is survived by: her husband Ken, children Anthony, Jeffrey and Dianne, and grandchildren Amy, James, Jacob and Thomas.
24.12.1930 - 3.4.2017
Br Kevin Tuck was a highly respected member of the Christian Brothers, teaching and leading at many prominent Christian Brothers Colleges largely across Western Victoria. The eldest of 6 children, Br Kevin at the age of 13 entered the life of the Christian Brothers in 1944 at Strathfield in NSW. Kevin received the Habit in 1947 and made his first profession in 1948.
After various teaching appointments in Melbourne, Br Kevin joined the St. Patrick’s College (Ballarat) community, where he earned a great reputation as the coach of the football and rowing teams, and was also rumoured to be a master of the handball court. In 1966, he became the foundation Principal for Trinity College in Colac, where he was also treasured for his involvement in the community.
In 1983, CBC in Warrnambool was pleased to have Br Kevin join the staff as a Year 10 Maths, Geography and Religious Education teacher; the coordinator of trades and work experience; and supervisor of the Brother’s community. Br Kevin’s vigorous enthusiasm and wise council greatly blessed the College and he is remembered for bringing to the Year 10 students the full force of the ‘majesty of mathematics’.
(Aged 78) – 27/8/2017
Mrs Liesel Gunn will be remembered by the Emmanuel College community as a creative, dedicated and generous educator. Liesel enriched the curriculum for art and craft with her professional approach and vivid imagination when she joined St Ann’s College in 1980, and her commitment never waivered throughout her time, until her retirement in 1994.
Leisel was known for going to great lengths to assist students in the production of a wide variety of creative projects, being proud of their achievements, and for her dedication to personally collecting the colourful fabrics, threads and other resources needed for these projects to be completed to a high standard at a reduced cost.
Liesel is survived by her daughter Karoline and her grandchildren Nellie and Klara.
28.12.1927 - 4.10.2017
Miss Giddens discovered her love of teaching during her time as a Sister of the Good Samaritans. Originally from Preston in Melbourne, Beryl made her home here in Warrnambool. Beryl enjoyed the company and ideas of young people, while teaching at St Ann’s College, from 1978 to 1983, and at St Patrick’s Primary School in Port Fairy.
With a particular love of language and in teaching English, Beryl found her niche in teaching and supporting students from migrant families. She extended her work with migrants and refugees by joining a local social justice group supporting migrants in South West Victoria during the early 2000s.
A gentle, quiet personality, Beryl attracted a very diverse group of friends. She will be remembered for her caring and loving nature, and the compassion she always showed others.
At the time of printing we learned of the passing of Sr Sheila Gleeson RSM (also known as Sr. Mary Bertrand). Sr Sheila was a past student of St. Ann's College, Founding Principal of OLHC and long-time friend of the Emmanuel College community. We offer our prayerful support to the Gleeson family and the Sisters of Mercy in Warrnambool.
