What’s Happening
A time capsule found at St Mary’s College has revealed a surprise link to the Dobbyn family.
The capsule was a bottle containing a handwritten note from the college’s senior class of 1945.
It was found during excavations for a new toilet block, after an old dunny was demolished.
Paul Dobbyn was invited to the college’s Anzac Day ceremony after the note was found.
His uncle, Brian Dobbyn, was one of the names listed on the note.
Paul had visited St Mary’s College last November, when he donated a copy of “War Spoils” to the school.
That visit was likely the first time in about 80 years that a Dobbyn had been on the St Mary’s campus.
Why It Matters
The find has connected the school’s wartime history with a living member of its Old Boys community.
Brian Dobbyn is still alive at 98 and may be one of the college’s oldest Old Boys.
The timing also added weight to the Anzac Day ceremony.
The note was written in the year World War II ended, and it named students whose families had service links.
St Mary’s principal, Brendan Stewart, spoke about the discovery during his Anzac Day address.
By The Numbers
- 1945 was the year the note was written, making the bottle time capsule a direct link to the final year of World War II.
- Five senior students were named on the note, Terence Quinn, Robert Ryan, Clifford Pobar, Clifford Greenslade and Brian Dobbyn.
- Brian Dobbyn is now 98, placing him among the college’s oldest known Old Boys.
Local Impact
The discovery gives St Mary’s College a rare personal link between current students and past generations.
For the Dobbyn family, it has brought a school connection back into view after about eight decades.
Paul Dobbyn was present at the ceremony as a special guest.
Mr Stewart also showed him where the time capsule was found on campus.
The moment tied together the college’s history, family memory and Anzac Day reflection.
Zoom In
Mr Stewart told the assembly the note had been found in a bottle.
“A time capsule in a bottle has been found, revealing a note from a group of five friends from the SMC senior class of 1945,” he said.
“1945, of course, was the year World War II ended.”
He said the note was held in his office and was written in blue handwriting.
“The note now in my office is in simple, pristine blue handwriting outlining the achievements of five young men during their final year at St Mary’s College,” Mr Stewart said.
He said it listed academic awards, sporting achievements and other interests.
“Academic awards, sporting achievements, interests including punting for a number of them and yes members of the Australian Cadets at the time as well,” he said.
Mr Stewart said the note was written on 23 November 1945, near the end of senior exams.
“The note ends that it was written on 23 November 1945 towards the end of senior exams,” he said.
“The names were Terence Quinn, Robert Ryan, Clifford Pobar, Clifford Greenslade and a Brian Dobbyn.”
Zoom Out
The discovery came at a fitting moment for the school community.
Mr Stewart said the note was more than 80 years old.
“That note uncovered is over 80 years old,” he said.
He also connected Brian Dobbyn’s school story with his family’s Army service.
“Ironically, Mr Brian Dobbyn was a 1945 St Mary’s with family members from the Australian Army that fought in World War II,” he said.
Mr Stewart then acknowledged Paul Dobbyn, who had visited the school the previous year.
“A number of you in front of me met his nephew last year Mr Paul Dobbyn, author of War Spoils,” he said.
“He’s here as a special guest.”
What To Look For Next?
The time capsule may prompt more interest in the 1945 senior class and the families named on the note.
For St Mary’s College, the find offers a chance to keep sharing its Old Boys history with current students.