La Salle Lithgow:  70 years strong

As La Salle Academy celebrates its humble beginnings  in 1953, the prominent college in the city continues to forge on with plenty of curricular & co-curricular activities for its students- Jeans for Genes Day, Year 12 trial HSC exams, the Dance Team at eisteddfods, and a Father’s Day celebration.

The Background /De La Salle Brothers

The small settlement, established after the crossing of the Blue Mountains in 1815, developed a pastoral industry, and with the coming of the railway westwards, a coal mining enterprise, which developed into smelting of iron, steel  and copper. During World War 1 there was a booming small arms industry. In the 1920’s, the Bathurst diocese, reputed to have fine schools, was looking for new school administrations.

With the seemingly unjust expulsion of the Patrician Brothers, Br. Patrick Cawley Visitor responded to requests with alacrity, as opportunities for Lasallian expansion were limited. St John’s Dubbo (1927), De La Salle Orange (1928) and St. Patrick’s Bathurst (1929) emerged as Brothers’ schools.

The ”Academy,” named after a 19th century Presbyterian boarding school on the site, opened with 95 students in Grades 4,5 and 6, with three Brother-teachers. An early Principal, Br Matthew Kennedy took in hand  the building of a science room, a hall, and a metalwork room.  The Principal showed his sporting prowess winning  the town ‘Sportsman of the Week.’ Br. Joachim Hope produced many musical productions with the girls and the boys- “Joseph,” “Oliver,” “Annie Get Your Gun” amid others.

By the mid 1960’s, with the demands of a wider curriculum of the Wyndham Scheme (NSW,) and small numbers of country students, co-education came to La Salle, together with Inverell, Dubbo, and Cootamundra Lasallian secondary schools. At Lithgow, it came in 1968 with major new extensions; the secondary girls and the Josephite Sisters on staff in the town-school, transferred to La Salle, with Br. Hugh Corcoran in charge (1966-71), and a Sister as Deputy.   The Catholic Building Committee was very successful in raising funds from the community for the new buildings.  In 1970, there were nine teachers, 5 of whom were lay,  and 210 students.

Changes in Catholic Education

From the early 1970’s, with systemic control of Catholic schools, the diminishing number of Brothers, their ageing profile, the growth of state high schools in the rural cities, and the diversity of new Brother apostolates,  retrenchments were necessitated in the Lasallian mission. This accelerated in the 1980’s. La Salle Academy had a reprieve from the withdrawal of Brothers in 1974, when the Bishop preferred Brothers to withdraw from the bigger St. John’s Dubbo instead. After sixteen years of service, Brother Hubert was transferred and given a fitting farewell named in the local press as “a true personality and citizen of Lithgow in his own right.” He had been known as ‘Mayor of South Littleton’ for some time.

Although a small secondary college, the Academy thrived, with several faithful Lasallians taking on leadership/deputy roles, e.g., Mr. John Stitt and Mrs Vanessa Glendinning. Br. Maurice Salmon was Principal in the 1980’s, when Brothers Vin O’Neill, Paul Pearce and Gabriel O’Shea were on staff for many years. Debating, speech festivals, sports, and musicals all added to the life of the well-knit Lithgow community. The Josephite Sisters left the school in 1981. 

Br Gabriel remembers that La Salle received extensive town coverage in the local newspaper. The weekly school news bulletin - the  “Delagram” - was always published under the heading of -“What’s happening in our local schools.” The Principal used to get a great laugh when increases in the price of food items at the La Salle canteen made the news. Br Gabriel recalls enjoyable years when his teaching was extended to coaching champion cricket teams. 

When the news was released that the Brothers needed to withdraw in 1994, an era  of 42 years ended. Thirty-two Brothers had served the Lithgow Catholic community.

The inimitable John Doyle, of “Roy and H.G.” is a proud old boy. As the Brothers left, he said:

“Was there a more astute coach in the art of sweeping back line play than Br Hugh? Would Denis O’Brien have played for the State Catholic side without him? Would Lyndon Lawless have fallen in love for the first time with Loretta Blair without Br Joachim’s determination to produce HMS Pinafore? Would I have had the opportunity to tread the boards for the first time without that production? ..(When I say to others I was educated here)… I am automatically reminded of the small group of giant men, who, dressed in stark black sat in the first pew on the right hand side of St Pats Church, who made us all stand to answer a question,.. and who did their level best to shape us into something of some substance, and I think I can speak for all of us here who wouldn’t have it any other way”.

The Mayor stated – more formally-

Whilst the contribution of the DLS Brothers to the education of our youth is incalculable, their impact on the wider city has been considerable. The Brothers have always taken an active interest and participation in the social, sporting and cultural activities of the city.

(The later 30 years under lay administration is deserving of a later article, when information is available)

Resources

• Peter McIntosh, FSC,      “The De La Salle Brothers in the Bathurst Diocese”. n.d.

• Peter Donovan,               “For youth and the Poor: The De La Salle Brothers in ANZPNG 1906-2000” (2001)

Source: Br Gary Wilson