Anthony Aulsebrook, a final year student of Parade in 1966 and one of that select band of Old Paradians to return to the College in a teaching capacity, died on February 7 after a long illness. He was 71.

Recently pictured here with his grandson Cohen, Anthony’s connection with the College can be sourced way back to the mid-1950s. in the 1957 edition of The Paradian, he features amongst fellow Grade 4 class leaders – the same year he emerged Dux of the class.

Fast forward to the 1966 edition and he is photographed rubbing shoulders with fellow Parade prefects Michael McInerney and the captain of that year Terry Moran.

In a section headlined PREFECTS, 1966, the following is reported;

Anthony Aulsebrook: Tony, a Paradian for twelve years and now a second year Matriculation student hoping to study medicine at Melbourne University, is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Aulsebrook, Heidelberg. Vice-Captain of Treacy, and Secretary of Our Lady’s Sodality, he is also a committee member of the Chess Club. Tony’s varied interests include golf, table-tennis, basketball, dancing, billiards and sound recording.

Anthony later returned to Parade in a teaching capacity, mentoring Form 3 students and later committing his energies as coach of the Under 14s a school football team, together with the under 14s, 15s and 16s basketball teams, amongst the first of Parade’s round ball players.

Anthony’s teaching career took him beyond Parade’s gates (he's also pictured with his son Tim at Kip McGrath Education Centre in 1991) - and as his lifelong friend and fellow former Parade teacher Michael Kennedy reveals in the following tribute – presented him with a myriad of opportunities through a life well-lived.

When asked to comment on Anthony Aulsebrook my first thought was where do I start. So I’ve gone back to 1969 when I first met him as a young teacher from Yarraville. In 1970 he came to teach at Parade, the same school as myself. Thus began a lifetime of friendship. Anthony combined a love of teaching and the involvement of extra curriculum activities such as the Army Cadet Corps, School Camps, School interstate excursions, coaching of sports, in Anthony's case mainly basketball.

Anthony kept adding to his tertiary qualifications including a BA and a BEd, along with a MACE membership. So after moving from Parade he ventured to Marcellin in Bulleen. His next move was to Ballarat as a school evaluation consultant with catholic education. His commitment to catholic education continued when he went to Sunbury to be principal of St. Annes. Then followed by relocating to St Martins in Rosanna as principal. He moved out of catholic teaching and into his own education business as a Kip McGrath centre. After many successful years he sold the business and joined the State Education department teaching at Rowville Secondary College. In addition he found time to be a loving husband to Elizabeth, married for nearly 45 years, (I know, I was best man at his wedding )and a father to his three children Jacinta, Tim and Bridie.

He drove taxis for years, tutored in his house, but as always did the extra. He was president of the Knox Rotary or three terms, spending 20 years in involvement. The Knox Basketball Centre had a committed referee basketball coach and showed its appreciation honouring him with a life membership. He was a Justice of the Peace and a Marriage Celebrant. He was politically active. He stood for both Council and State Government elections. Somewhere in the midst of the 1980s he was the Victorian teacher of the year. He was a keen Fitzroy and Brisbane AFL supporter which rounded off his relaxation interests.

Anthony leaves a lifetime of achievements but will best be remembered by his wife, children and grandchildren.

Vale AA

A requiem mass for Anthony Joseph Aulsebrook will be offered on Monday (February 17,2020) at 10.30am in Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Church, 25 Orange Grove, Bayswater, followed by a private family cremation.