Remembering Snowy

In 1933, as 13 year old, Snowy left the family home to become a Christian Brother – a journey that was to end some seventy years later, Brother Snowy arrived at St Virgil’s College in 1979 after having served his congregation in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. Along the way, he gained a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Melbourne University. The most notable among appointments, prior to his Hobart period, was as leader of the Accountancy Night School at CBC North Melbourne from 1953 until its closure in 1969 – many of Melbourne’s business community were the beneficiaries his outstanding work there. 

Four years at St Bernard’s College Essendon, and another year at North Melbourne, preceded his move to St Virgil's College.

From a piece written by Len Colquhoun in 1975 St Virgil’s College Yearbook:

“Although that Snowy mop might give an octogenarian appearance, his vigorous teaching style, enthusiastic involvement in College activities, youthful attack on the rigours of bushwalking, and the spirited defence of the ‘alleged’ academic merits of Accounting, all belie that venerable impression. In his own words, he is interested in seeing as much of the natural beauty of the Tasmanian countryside as possible, on foot or otherwise. He may reckon 1976 as the commencement of the count-down to his retirement, but one can guess that it will be a very active one.”

HABIT OF 53 YEARS

With a thatch of white hair and a voice that could shatter steel, Brother Bill O’Donnell is one of a dying breed.

They called his classroom at St Virgils the ‘igloo’, and to thousands of students he is known simply as ‘Snowy”.

For 53 years, he taught and above all, loved the 5000 students who have attended his classes.

He devoted his life to building a tradition which is now under threat.            

With fewer and fewer young men taking on vocations, the 200 year old tradition of the Christian Brothers is in transition.

Despite his many years of teaching, Br O’Donnell saw only about 20 of his students join religious orders, a situation he believes is due to the materialism of society.

“Kids have so many good things these days, it makes it harder to give it up” he said. “To be a good Christian in the world of today is much harder than it was 30 years ago.”

Even if vocations are not forthcoming, Br O’Donnell still has considerable faith in the tradition he has helped to support.

“I will never regret my decision to become a Christian brother” he said.   “If I had my time over again, I would do exactly the same.”

“Even if the brothers fade from the scene, they will have fulfilled a need for over 300 years”.

At the age of 13, he left his family home in Melbourne and decided on the religious life and entered Strathfield College in Sydney.

“When I look back it was crazy to make the decision at 13, but I just went along with it", he said. “Although I did not get to enjoy my teenage years, it is hard to miss something that you have never experienced.”

Br O’Donnell began teaching in Tamworth in 1937.  “I was only 17” he said, “I had done a year’s teaching training and then I was thrown to the lions.”

For the past 15 years, Br O’Donnell has taught accounting and economics to higher school certificate students from St Virgil's and St Mary's.

Br O’Donnell believes the relationship teachers build up with students is unique, and one of his greatest pleasures is the number of former students who continue to visit him throughout their lives.

“You really don’t get to know a student unless you teach them” he said. “Every child you teach is significant. If I have any regrets it is that I haven’t always recognised the significance of each individual.”

Br O’Donnell has made a couple of attempts to retire, but believes this will really be his final year. There are several reasons why he has stayed for a final year, part of which he admits is pride.

“I wanted to stay in school until I was 70” he said. There was also a promise that he made to the late Archbishop of Hobart, Sir Guilford Young. “This year is for Guilford” he said.

Post-St Virgil's

He lived mostly at Parkville, first in the big white building, then from 1997, he lived in Mt Sion, the Aged Care Supportive Living Facility. He died in the Caritas Christi Hospice section of St Vincent’s Hospital in Fitzroy.

However, in the time between his retirement and his passing, Snowy was far from idle.

Much of 1990 was spent overseas on a tertianship – a final period of formation. Also in 1990, he started playing lawn bowls with the Princes Park Bowling Club, just up from Carlton Football Ground. By 1993, Bill was Club Champion, Club Treasurer and Chairman of Selectors!

For many years he was a volunteer at Melbourne Private Hospital in Parkville. It started with Snowy giving Communion to Catholics. Then it became full chaplaincy. After his death, nurses and staff arranged for a particular waiting room at the hospital be renamed in honour of Brother O’Donnell.

A story:

One nurse asked a patient, “Would you like a visit from Brother Bill?”

“No I’m not a Catholic.” 

“It doesn’t matter- he’s a brother to all!”

In 2004, Rene Sluyters - the then St Virgil’s College Development Officer and OVA Secretary received the following; 

A particular highlight of his ‘retirement’ years occurred in 2000.  Bill applied to be a volunteer to help with the Sydney Olympic Games. Despite being over the age limit, he was accepted and had a wonderful few weeks helping with crowds coming out of the Olympic Train station. Another volunteer asked “What do I do?” Bill told him, “Just smile and point the way?” He later wrote, that’s what being a Brother is about.

During his time at St Virgil’s, Snowy was asked by his students to be the keynote speaker at their graduation function. Part of what he said was .......

If I meet up with you in ten years time, and you tell me you have made a success of your chosen profession and the future looks rosy, I’ll congratulate you and shake your hand. If I meet up with you in ten years time, and you tell me you have met the love of your life, have married , have some beautiful healthy children, and are very happy.  I shall applaud your good fortune and shake your hand. If I meet up with you in ten years time, and you tell me you have been honest with your God, I’ll shake your hand and take you into the nearest pub and buy you a beer.

In 2000 Snowy shared with me the following poem he had written. (Ed.)

SERENITY  ACHIEVED

Young bud;

symbol of new life

new beginnings

hope.

Yellow flowers in full bloom:

born of God’s creative genius

nurtured by nature and man

to reach its full maturity and beauty

symbol of a life fully alive

but one day doomed to die.

Green fern:

surmounting my two flowers

perfectly structured

with graceful stems, fully symmetrical

evergreen

symbol of God’s supreme loveliness

and protecting presence.

And so now my life

in my now old age

‘still full of sap, still green’

must be the reflection of the beauty

of the fern, the flower, the bud.

A life in full bloom

rich with the blessings

of my long story

but open to new life 

each day.

So I praise and thank my God

for all the good things of the past

and the wonderful people who shared my life;

I will be open to the graces

of the present moment;

and put my trust in the infinite love of God

for all that will be 

in the future.

                        Br Ed ‘Snowy’ O’Donnell (2000)