Trip Down Memory Lane For High Achieving School Principal

Kangaroos internationals Martin Bella, Wendell Sailor, Brett Dallas, Shannon Hegarty, Daly Cherry-Evans and former Dally M Player of the Year Ben Barba share one thing in common.

All are products of Queensland’s famous rugby league nursery at St Patrick’s College Mackay and were ‘discovered’ by talent scouts while competing in the schoolboy ranks.

On the eve of the 2023 Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Rugby League Confraternity Carnival – the premier rugby league competition for Catholic and independent secondary schools in the State – former St Patrick’s player David Paul reflected on his winning era at the College.

Paul, now the foundation principal at St Brendan’s Catholic Primary School at Rural View, is one of a select band of former St Patrick’s students to figure in four successive Confraternity Shield-winning teams from 1988 to 1991.

Having won an impressive eight titles since the competition’s inception in 1980, St Patrick’s can boast a proud history in the five-day tournament.

The Class of 2023 – under the expert coaching of former Italy World Cup rugby league international Ian Schifilitti – are one of the strong contenders for this year’s championship to be hosted in Brisbane by St Laurence’s College from June 25 to June 30.

Principal Paul took a trip down memory lane when he recalled St Patrick’s memorable Shield triumphs over St Brendan’s Yeppoon in 1988 and 1990; St Mary’s Toowoomba (1989) and St Augustine’s Cairns (1991).

“Our coach was Mackay Brothers legend Mick Wombat Aprile and we fielded some strong sides during that era,” reflected Paul, a power running second rower or prop in his heyday.

“Chris Sammut was our captain in 1988 - a clever half back with organisational skills who steered us around the park,” said David.

“We beat a St Brendan’s side that featured a young Julian O’Neill in the final.”

The following year St Patrick’s were led by second rower Chris O’Brien and edged out St Mary’s Toowoomba 10-8 in the final – courtesy of a late try by centre Paul Agnew.

Under the inspirational leadership of back rower Peter Phillips and attacking class of Brett Dallas, the St Patrick’s colts lifted the 1990 trophy after a 26-0 triumph over St Brendan’s in the final at Yeppoon.

Phillips, who passed away recently, was later named Player of the Carnival.

The hard-working Paul was one of eight St Patrick’s youngsters selected in the 1990 Confraternity Development Team that travelled to play tour matches against the Gold Coast and Tweeds Heads Seagulls.

Other St Patrick’s players honoured were fullback Michael Ellemor, wingers Brett Dallas and Bernard Bond, centre Paul Agnew, lock Anthony Bella, second rower Peter Phillips and prop Michael Harris with Paul appointed tour captain.

The team was coached by former Australian Test winger Lionel Williamson and managed by Melbourne Storm official Paul Bunn.

“Our fullback Butch Fatnowna took out the Player of the Carnival award in 1991 after we defeated St Augustine’s 21-8 in the final at Charters Towers to make it four trophies in a row,” recollected Paul, who played Junior League with Brothers and Souths before coaching his primary school rugby league teams at St Brendan’s.

“Butch went on to play for the Brisbane and London Broncos during his professional career and could have been anything” he added.

By Chris Karas

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David Paul