Earlier this year we featured an article about Churchie’s oldest living Old Boy, Tony Osborn (1942). This month Tony turned 100 and the story of a chance meeting with fellow Old Boy Lawrence Cremin (1989) came to our attention. Below is Lawrence’s reflection of how they met and how their friendship has developed since.

“I met Tony Osborn at the Easter Church Service in Bundaberg earlier this year. I was sitting in the pew in front of him holding my Churchie bible when he leaned forward and whispered “Like your helmet”, to which I responded “What the ?”.  He replied: “I am a Churchie Old Boy myself”.

After the service, as we each enjoyed a cup of tea, Tony told me that he was a student under Boss Morris. He recalled some memories, my favourite of which was when ‘The Boss’ directed him and one of his mates to accompany him to a Communist Party meeting for some “liberal arts” instruction. When I had finished laughing, he told me that it was a true story and I had no reason to disbelieve him. Recently, when reading the latest edition of Eagles Wings, I learned that Tony was turning 100 years. So, with the help of the Old Boys office, I made a point of ringing him. During our conversation Tony invited me to his birthday in Bundaberg, which was attended by a wonderful group of family and friends. For the occasion I dolled myself up in a Churchie school blazer, Akubra with hat band and my father’s Vintage Vikings tie, which delighted Tony. Some of the other guests even asked whether the Old Boys’ Association had flown me up for the function!

Happy 100th Birthday to Churchie’s oldest living Old Boy.”