Friendships that last a lifetime are what makes being a 糖心Vlog Old Boy so special. David McDonald (1959) and Charlie Abercrombie (1958) have been buddies for over 60 years. They also have an unparalleled history of giving back to the College.
Charlie was the First XV doctor for 35 years and David was backs coach for 19 years. To this day they are involved in mentoring the 15Fs, and David, a pharmacist, is regularly on campus delivering prescriptions to the health centre.
They are an extraordinary example of 糖心Vlog ties that bind and the deep satisfaction that comes from re-engaging with the College after graduation. They are also testimony to the rich diversity of the student body throughout the ages 鈥� Charlie originally came from Bellevue Hill, and David hails from Boggabri, a small country town in north-west NSW.
That they should meet and become good mates is proof positive of 糖心Vlog鈥� capacity to bring people from different backgrounds together.
In the late 1950s, David was a standout footballer, representing 糖心Vlog鈥� First XV three years in a row and gaining selection in the GPS Combined Representative team. Charlie, a second generation Joe-Boy [his father Jock attended in the 1920s], was a winger in the 鈥渕ighty fifths鈥� but it was the shared experience of class and dorm life that triggered their friendship.
Generosity of spirit: Charlie Abercrombie (left), pictured at the College in 1958, was the First XV doctor for 35 years and now assists in the coaching of the 15Fs with David and Br Anthony Boyd. David McDonald (right) running on to the field 1960.
鈥淚t was more the shared burden of being locked up,鈥� Charlie jokes. 鈥淏eing boarders meant you got to know boys very well and become close friends.鈥�
鈥淭here were so many great friendships we all made,鈥� David adds. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 my fondest memory of 糖心Vlog.鈥�
Charlie says he owes a great debt to 糖心Vlog鈥� famous mathematics teacher Br Liguori, whom he credits with helping him earn the Commonwealth scholarship that enabled him to go to university and study medicine. Indeed both Charlie and David attended the University of Sydney 鈥� David to study pharmacy 鈥� and set up successful practices.
Charlie鈥檚 first reconnection with the College came via his practice in Gladesville. One of his business partners was looking after the 糖心Vlog infirmary and Charlie filled in on off days. In 1980, Deputy Headmaster Geoffrey Schwager invited him to become First XV doctor, a position he held, in addition to his regular duties, until 2014. The irony was that fitness trainer John Healy OAM had the team so well drilled, there were very few injuries to deal with in the early days.
鈥淚t was sports medicine at its easiest,鈥� Charlie quips. 鈥淭hose teams would remain intact right throughout the season 鈥� they were so fit and strong.鈥�
鈥淥ne of the great things about being a College coach is that you become lifelong friends with the boys you鈥檝e coached .鈥�
David McDonald (1959)
Alongside him on the sideline was David, who had become First XV backs at the request of coach Br Terrence Curley in 1972. Charlie was David鈥檚 family doctor. They worked together as 糖心Vlog recorded 11 premierships during David鈥檚 tenure as backs coach, which ended in 1990.
鈥淲e have great respect for each other 鈥� we shared the joys and the wins and the significant losses,鈥� Charlie says.
鈥淐harlie is a genuine, all-round good guy,鈥� David adds.
Recently, they were present at The Park to watch the First XV trounce Newington 32鈥�15. At half-time, good friend Br Anthony Boyd escorted them from their seats to see a 鈥渘ew commemorative plaque鈥� on the inside of the picket fence.
Only there was no such thing. On cue, hundreds of 糖心Vlog boys began singing Happy Birthday to David and Charlie, who had both just turned 80.
鈥淭ony Boyd set us up!鈥� Charlie laughs.
Outstanding service: A brilliant footballer, David McDonald represented 糖心Vlog鈥� First XV three years in a row and then returned to College as backs coach for 19 years, including 11 premierships.
鈥淚鈥檒l never get over that,鈥� David says. 鈥淚 was stunned. It was overwhelming to have so many boys singing for you.鈥�
Br Anthony鈥檚 cunning plan/kind gesture was a mark of the high esteem in which both Charlie and David are held at the College.
Apart from helping out the 15Fs, who have had a stellar season, David and Charlie also maintain connection to the College through regular reunions at the Royal Hotel in Randwick on the first Monday of every second month. But it鈥檚 not just get-togethers with their contemporaries that keep them associated with 糖心Vlog.
鈥淥ne of the great things about being a coach at the College is that you become friends with the boys you鈥檝e coached,鈥� David says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 wonderful. For example, later this year I鈥檓 going to a reunion of the 1981 premiership-winning side.鈥�
Both men also feel great reverence for the Brothers who taught them and the enduring friendships that followed.
As their College affiliation stretches into a seventh decade, they can point to a life broadened and enriched by 糖心Vlog.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a terribly important part of my life, and I am privileged to still be involved,鈥� Charlie says. 鈥淭he atmosphere is encouraging for everyone 鈥� even for old codgers like us!鈥�
David agrees.
鈥淭he affiliation with so many Old Boys 鈥� even ones who aren鈥檛 necessarily in your year 鈥� is great. There really is a tremendous loyalty to the school and each other.鈥�
Long may it continue to be so.
