VALE DONALD D. CARR1926 – <strong><strong>20</strong>09</strong>.Bro Don was a quiet and retiring man who left instructionsthat he did not want a Eulogy at his requiem mass, howeverhis son Louis disobeyed this instruction and gave a sincere andheartrending valedictory. I am also going to do the same. Donwas born in Perth and attended Christian Bros’ High School,Highgate. I can well remember him and can recall that he wasa fine looking young man with a lot <strong>of</strong> friends and did wellscholastically. He joined the famous Aherns Men’s wear businessin 1941; his first pay was the equivalent <strong>of</strong> $1 and remarked,when asked by the Paymaster, that he did not think he wouldspend it on a Pacific cruise!! He later moved into the Insurancefield and excelled in it.He married Margaret Hegney, a member <strong>of</strong> a well known Perthlegal family and devoted his life to her and his 6 children. Hisson said “Outside <strong>of</strong> God, his relationship with Margaret wasthe single most significant and positive influence on his life”They were married for 56 years. Their Catholic Faith was a mostimportant part <strong>of</strong> their lives together. He ensured his children hada very best <strong>of</strong> education and made sacrifices in that regard. Hewas an avid sports fan and attended many football games, cricketmatches, tennis games, swimming carnivals and debating events,mainly related to his boys. Don served in the RAAF towards theend <strong>of</strong> W.W.2.He was a passionate follower <strong>of</strong> the W. C. Eagles and theEast Perth F’ball Club. He was a very proud man when his sonMark ran onto the field in East Perth colours. Like many <strong>of</strong> us,he could always see what the umpires missed and let them knowaccordingly. He loved to attend the games <strong>of</strong> his teams and wentfrom Dr. Jekyl to Mr Hyde on most Saturdays. His normallyquite manner was discarded for a loud and raucous manner <strong>of</strong>barracking and advising the players. He was an active Catenianand a Past President <strong>of</strong> Como circle. He was highly regardedamongst his peers.He was a ‘one liner joke maker’ and could always get a laugh,despite the fact that he told the same story numerous times…itwas the way he told them that won praise. Monsignor Keating,a close friend and councilor celebrated his Requiem, which waswell attended by many <strong>Catenians</strong> and friends <strong>of</strong> the family. Hewill be greatly missed by Como Brothers and our sympathy issincerely extended to Margaret and her family. May he Rest inPeace.BRENDAN MCGURK (with thanks to Moira Stokes, HarryGrove and the Carr family)GETTING TO KNOW YOUDeacon Bro Frank NiemanC <strong>of</strong> Mandurah BrotherBro Frank was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands in 1927 andwas one <strong>of</strong> 9 children, 5 boys and 4 Girls. World War 2 brokeout when he was 13 years <strong>of</strong> age and he and his family hadan extremely difficult time, <strong>of</strong>ten hungry and in fear <strong>of</strong> theoccupiers. Later he was inducted into the Dutch Army andserved in Indonesia till he was <strong>20</strong>. He spent many years inIndonesia. he returned home and in 1950 he migrated toNew Zealand. He was unable to bring his aged parents outto N.Z. so he migrated to Australia in 1954 because theGovernment accepted his parents. He also brought alongother family members at this time.By now he was a fully qualified butcher having followed thefamily tradition handed down from his grand parents.He set up business in Collie after he married and had 2children…sadly he lost his son at age 15 and soon afterhis wife died at aged 49 years…this was a very sad timefor Frank. He moved to Bunbury and became a businessmanager in that town. It was about this time that he metand married his Scottish lass. Jean, who is a very popularmember <strong>of</strong> the C <strong>of</strong> Mandurah circle family.Fr. Leon Russell currently P.P <strong>of</strong> Dawesville Parish,approached Frank to take up study for the diaconate…Frank was honoured and commenced study in 1980. Hewas ordained in 1984 by the late Bishop Quinn. He hasbeen a Deacon for 25 years and was recently awardeda special Apostolic Blessing from Pope Benedict XV1,presented by Bishop Gerard Houlahan, Bishop <strong>of</strong> theBunbury diocese. Bro Frank worked in and around Bunburycarrying out his priestly duties until he retired and moved toSingleton, Mandurah. He has not had much chance to enjoyhis retirement as he is in great demand in the Mandurahparish…he hasn’t yet learned to say NO.He and Deacon Paul Gee were the first 2 Deacons ordainedin the Bunbury Diocese.He is very highly held in the C <strong>of</strong> Mandurah circle and alongwith Jean, is in regular attendance at meetings and socialfunctions..We are blessed with his membership and are grateful thatwe can call him BROTHER.BRENDAN MCGURK.DEACON FRANK AND MARY NIEMANWITH THE PAPAL BLESSINGIn the background is the Icon <strong>of</strong> Blessed Damian <strong>of</strong> Molokai(soon to be raised to sainthood) Patron <strong>of</strong> the Dawesville Parish.16 <strong>October</strong> <strong><strong>20</strong>09</strong> <strong>Western</strong> <strong>Link</strong>
DIANELLA CIRCLE DALLYINGSDianella Circle evening with the‘Catholic Guy’Dianella Brothers at their February meeting had theprivilege <strong>of</strong> a special guest speaker Bruce Downes..(Pictured) from the “Catholic Guy” who gave avery informative presentation on the objectives andachievements <strong>of</strong> this impact catholic ministry andthe future programs his team at the ‘Catholic Guy’have in place. Bruce has made a life commitmentto this ministry and the impact it is having not onlyin Australia but in other countries around the worldthrough television programs that are predominatelyrecorded in Perth. A great night was experienced by allDianella Brothers and visitors.<strong>No</strong>rm ThompsonDIANELLA BROTHERS WELCOME BACKMURRAY BOSWOODOur Dianella brother Murray who suffersfrom MS has been house bound overrecent months due to the non availability<strong>of</strong> a specialist vehicle that could safelytransport a wheelchair. Dianella brothersare now happy to report that Murray hasrecently taken delivery <strong>of</strong> a brand newspecially equipped vehicle a VW Caddy,and is now back on the road again andable to attend Circle meetings and the oddday out at the races which is one <strong>of</strong> hisfavourite social outings.Brian is also a PastProvincial PresidentINAUGURAL DIANELLAPRESIDENT BACK IN THE CHAIRDianella brother Brian Preston who was the inauguralCircle President back in 1984 is back as President for the<strong><strong>20</strong>09</strong>/10 year. Dianella brothers are delighted to have Brianback in the chair as he has many years <strong>of</strong> experience bothwithin the Circle and <strong>Province</strong> <strong>20</strong> and able to provide muchinput and direction to the Circle. Brian has developed a greatteam under him with an excellent choice in Vern Scanlan ashis Vice President Well done Brian.<strong>No</strong>rm ThompsonA SPECIAL HONOURFOR A SPECIALCATENIANCity <strong>of</strong> Perth circle Council and Brothershave struck a special circle medal as agesture <strong>of</strong> gratitude for the many yearsBro Phil Zeid has put into the position <strong>of</strong>Welfare Officer. He is without doubt thedoyen <strong>of</strong> all Welfare Officers..WE SALUTE YOU BRO. PHIL AND OFFEROUR SINCERE CONGRATULATIONSMEMBERSHIPWhat are YOU doing to further theProv. President’s Membership Drive?….there must be somebody in yourcontact group or Parish who would liketo join our Association.GO ON GIVE IT A GO.!!ESCAPE ROUTECONDOR FURNITURE26 Victoria Street, MidlandFor anything in the home, contact Rocco andintroduce yourself as a CatenianTel: 9274 3133Member Swan ValleyDESIGN & CONSTRUCTIONINNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR– Process Plants – Material Handling Systems– Bulk Storage Facilities – Infrastructure DevelopmentKERMAN CONTRACTING LIMITEDTel 9364 8466www.kerman.com.au<strong>October</strong> <strong><strong>20</strong>09</strong> <strong>Western</strong> <strong>Link</strong> 17