At a recent Headmaster’s Assembly at St Joseph’s College, former teacher and Old Boy Mr John Reading (1972) imparted words of wisdom and pride to the students, as he presented the esteemed triple bar jerseys to the First XV rugby and triple bar racing singlets to the senior cross country teams, reminding those in the audience of the traditions and exemplary character that define Joeys.
Mr Reading’s connection to Joeys stretches back to his own student days starting in 1967. As he shared personal anecdotes that highlighted the nurturing environment of Joeys, he recounted a pivotal moment when he first met Brother Henry in Year 7. A revered Marist educator, Brother Henry’s humble and caring nature left a lasting impact on both Mr Reading and St Joseph’s.
Despite Brother Henry’s remarkable coaching achievements – with 20 First XV titles, 21 Second XV titles and 12 ex-students selected as Wallabies – on that day he chose to focus on the personal wellbeing of a young Mr Reading, illustrating the profound mentorship that Joeys champions. As Mr Reading was suffering from an ear infection, he was sitting on the seats on the front lawn while his classmates enjoyed a swim. “I was a bit down and homesick … As I sat there an elderly Marist Brother sat beside me. As I had two older brothers at Joeys, I realised this man was the legendary Brother Henry and we talked for about an hour … as the decades rolled on, I realised how fortunate I was to have had this special conversation with [him],” recalled Mr Reading.
In speaking of his admiration for Brother Henry, he noted, “The press at the time referred to Brother Henry as a ‘tactical genius’.” In later years, during his tenure on staff, Mr Reading recalled the 1994 rugby Premiership victory as vividly capturing the spirit of gratitude and tradition at Joeys. “We were celebrating 100 years of Joeys’ rugby. Brother Charles was the First XV coach in those days and just before we walked up into the dressing sheds, he looked up to the sky and said ‘thank you Brother Henry’.”
The legacy of Brother Henry was a central theme of Mr Reading’s speech. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Brother Henry Pavilion, which was named in his honour in 1954, his last year of coaching at Joeys. Mr Reading acknowledged the extraordinary contributions of Brother Henry, not only in sports but in the lives of countless students.
His legacy is carried on by today’s dedicated coaches who embody his spirit, ensuring that Joeys sports programs are about more than just competition; they are about building character and community. This includes “rugby coaches such as Brother Anthony Boyd, with 11 First XV titles and two Second XV titles … In more recent years, Mr Tim Andersen, Mr Greg Thompson and Mr Robert Hahn have given enormous care in preparing our boys for the season … each and every one of our coaches have carried on the amazing legacy of Brother Henry, who passed away on Christmas Day in 1970”, at 93 years old, when Mr Reading was in Year 10.
Emphasising the importance of sports in shaping character, Mr Reading remarked on the commitment and resilience of all athletes at Joeys, from the First XV to the youngest members of the sports teams. “I know Brother Henry would be so proud, as we all gather on Saturdays for the First XV game; as the team runs out on the field knowing it is a celebration of a whole day of sport at Joeys, with 40 rugby teams, 12 football teams and our senior cross country team.”
“I know Brother Henry would be most impressed and proud of our unostentatious behaviour, on our modesty in victory, on our rugged determination, on our resilience and our strong sense of team. And our passion and love for the Cerise and Blue. Brother Henry would be delighted to witness our shared effort … When our teams are cheered and supported around all the grounds and sidelines and he would love to see the whole school singing loudly and passionately together to support our senior teams.”
The collective effort and discipline shown by these teams exemplify the values instilled in them not just by their coaches but by the entire Joeys community. As the Assembly concluded, Mr Reading noted that it was more than just a ceremonial handover of jerseys, it was a reminder of the values that define St Joseph’s College – tradition, mentorship and character. It was a call to all students to uphold these values, ensuring that the legacy of figures like Brother Henry continues to inspire us all.
