As one who was not raised in a family environment, I have found that relationships have formed an integral part of my life.
My first notable relationship was whilst at boarding school in Ballarat, in the school grade of sub-intermediate. Ron O’Connor and I shared a desk and we became inseparable. We were generally known as “Oke” and “Os”, (O’Connor and O’Shannessy). We had much in common and were ‘best mates’. After only one year ‘Oke’ left St Pat’s and our friendship terminated. He did, however, visit me in St Arnaud some ten or so years later. It was a great re-union, I was delighted to see him again.
My working life commenced in Benalla in 1950 and at my boarding house I met another boarder, Bill Keenan. He became my second “best mate”. Bill married Margaret Hernan and so was responsible for my lifelong association with the Hernan family and my closeness to Kevin Hernan. Sadly, Bill was killed in a car accident in July 1970, leaving Marg with five young children. Kevin died of a heart complaint in 1979, also leaving a young family.
In chronological sequence my other two important relationships came next – 1) my marriage to Bernadette – I will refer to that at the closure of this summation; 2) my business partnership with Jim Smith – I have covered this in my other writings.
Now, my acquaintance and relationship with Rolfe Mann. Rolfe and I worked next door to each other. He was the manager of the State Electricity Commission office. Through our mutual interest in community service, Rolfe was the chairman of the 1969 Rose Festival Committee while I was his treasurer. We worked well together and formed a close bond. In that year I became a father for the first time, Rolfe, a father for the fourth time. My son was born hale and hearty – Rolfe’s daughter was born, disabled.
Ballandella (Benalla and District Mentally Retarded People’s Welfare Association) was in the process of formation and Rolfe became Treasurer of the steering committee, then followed on in the Committee of Management. He approached me to take on the Secretaryship. This was the beginning of a 13 year “togetherness”.
Public Appeals for funds were conducted; the Ballandella Centre was constructed; a residence for the disabled was erected; both were staffed; 30 students and several residents were accommodated; a Ballandella Auxiliary was formed and carried out catering assignments and opened the Op-shop to provide financial backing; the Ballandella Bonanza was a great fund-raiser; the Tony Raffety marathon was conducted; Ballandella became the ‘flavour of the month’ for many. The Premier, Sir Rupert Hamer, officially opened the Centre.
Ballandella is still operating today in cohorts with Yooralla.
Rolfe stood for council on several occasions and was Mayor of Benalla for three terms. I was his ‘scrutineer’ on each election. Sadly, he developed cancer and died at the young age of 55 years. What a loss for Benalla.
I have been a long-time member of the Benalla Bowls Club and had a long relationship with Norm Matthews, in both the game of bowls, and in administration. We were both Directors and Committee members. We played together in Pennant Bowls and in Country Week Competitions, with some success.
We shared some years on Cooinda committees. A special building is attached to Cooinda as the ‘Norm Matthews’ Wing’.
We joined together in the formation of the River Gums Estate syndicate which developed and sold 150 home building blocks in Benalla.
Regrettably Norm died of a heart complaint in 2004.
A memorable relationship.
The most important and loving relationship, of course, has been with Bernadette, my wife of 57 years. Together we built our home in Clarke Street in the year in which we were married, raised our four children, and still live. Bernadette has terminated her 51 years of service to the Benalla Meals and Wheels Organisation and her many years of acting as a counsellor for the St. Vincent de Paul Society. We now live in a relaxed ‘retirement’.
Ray O’Shannessy
2 September 2024
My first notable relationship was whilst at boarding school in Ballarat, in the school grade of sub-intermediate. Ron O’Connor and I shared a desk and we became inseparable. We were generally known as “Oke” and “Os”, (O’Connor and O’Shannessy). We had much in common and were ‘best mates’. After only one year ‘Oke’ left St Pat’s and our friendship terminated. He did, however, visit me in St Arnaud some ten or so years later. It was a great re-union, I was delighted to see him again.
My working life commenced in Benalla in 1950 and at my boarding house I met another boarder, Bill Keenan. He became my second “best mate”. Bill married Margaret Hernan and so was responsible for my lifelong association with the Hernan family and my closeness to Kevin Hernan. Sadly, Bill was killed in a car accident in July 1970, leaving Marg with five young children. Kevin died of a heart complaint in 1979, also leaving a young family.
In chronological sequence my other two important relationships came next – 1) my marriage to Bernadette – I will refer to that at the closure of this summation; 2) my business partnership with Jim Smith – I have covered this in my other writings.
Now, my acquaintance and relationship with Rolfe Mann. Rolfe and I worked next door to each other. He was the manager of the State Electricity Commission office. Through our mutual interest in community service, Rolfe was the chairman of the 1969 Rose Festival Committee while I was his treasurer. We worked well together and formed a close bond. In that year I became a father for the first time, Rolfe, a father for the fourth time. My son was born hale and hearty – Rolfe’s daughter was born, disabled.
Ballandella (Benalla and District Mentally Retarded People’s Welfare Association) was in the process of formation and Rolfe became Treasurer of the steering committee, then followed on in the Committee of Management. He approached me to take on the Secretaryship. This was the beginning of a 13 year “togetherness”.
Public Appeals for funds were conducted; the Ballandella Centre was constructed; a residence for the disabled was erected; both were staffed; 30 students and several residents were accommodated; a Ballandella Auxiliary was formed and carried out catering assignments and opened the Op-shop to provide financial backing; the Ballandella Bonanza was a great fund-raiser; the Tony Raffety marathon was conducted; Ballandella became the ‘flavour of the month’ for many. The Premier, Sir Rupert Hamer, officially opened the Centre.
Ballandella is still operating today in cohorts with Yooralla.
Rolfe stood for council on several occasions and was Mayor of Benalla for three terms. I was his ‘scrutineer’ on each election. Sadly, he developed cancer and died at the young age of 55 years. What a loss for Benalla.
I have been a long-time member of the Benalla Bowls Club and had a long relationship with Norm Matthews, in both the game of bowls, and in administration. We were both Directors and Committee members. We played together in Pennant Bowls and in Country Week Competitions, with some success.
We shared some years on Cooinda committees. A special building is attached to Cooinda as the ‘Norm Matthews’ Wing’.
We joined together in the formation of the River Gums Estate syndicate which developed and sold 150 home building blocks in Benalla.
Regrettably Norm died of a heart complaint in 2004.
A memorable relationship.
The most important and loving relationship, of course, has been with Bernadette, my wife of 57 years. Together we built our home in Clarke Street in the year in which we were married, raised our four children, and still live. Bernadette has terminated her 51 years of service to the Benalla Meals and Wheels Organisation and her many years of acting as a counsellor for the St. Vincent de Paul Society. We now live in a relaxed ‘retirement’.
Ray O’Shannessy
2 September 2024
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