Author: damcall

This interview was recorded on a Zoom session between John Purcell in Kansas City, Missouri, USA and his nephew Damian Callinan in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on December 8th, 2021. Over the session we learn some important lessons – boy scouts should never drink out of creeks containing dead cows; don’t jump over a gate wearing flares in Hobart and don’t bother looking for an explanation when family friend Jeannie Phillips gives you a nickname. Joining John ‘Peanut’ Purcell for some delightful cameos are his wife Judi Purcell [nee Palmer] & Sidney the shih tzu.

In this episode the conversation moves from Annette’s early years in rural Myrniong, Bacchus Marsh & Warragul to the big smoke of Melbourne. We learn how she leveraged her nana’s legend status at Santa Maria College, Northcote to curry favour with the nuns; how she lost two students on an excursion to the Melbourne Show whilst on teaching rounds; how Ade ‘the Big Bopper’ Rossi helped her overcome her case of Rock n’ Roll Vertigo & how Bob Bird the Bard unsuccessfully tried to woo her with poetry. In the end it was the handy golfer in yellow cords who won her heart. Laurie Bain stole her away in his rusty red Torana, piffing chalk at Digger Bowlen on Bell Street en route to the Croxton Park Hotel.

In Part 3 we learn that Paul ‘almost’ witnessed Garfield Sober’s play the greatest innings of all time at the MCG. He also finally gives a warts and all account of his summer road trip to Perth, talks us through the whirlwind honeymoon in Jan Jac & early married life in Rockbank.

In Part 2, Paul extinguishes any doubt that he had a Catholic upbringing, by revealing that there were 15 Michael’s in one of his classes. He also reveals his preference for dating head prefects, having a few beers at the pub with Bluey to miss the barn dance component of school dances & avoiding getting on the wrong side of Brother ‘Butch’ Maloney. We also hear of the blooming of his romance with Helen in the backrooms of Halls Bookstore.

In part 1 we learn of Paul’s acorn throwing crimes in Warragul, the origins of his nickname ‘Stretch’ & why Adrian went to footy training in Bacchus Marsh while Kathleen gave birth to him.

In late 2020, in the weird haze of the world pandemic, a decision was made to attempt to chronicle the personal stories of the Callinan family & its extended branches. The aim is to create an oral history of the living relatives of the dearly missed Adrian & Kathleen Callinan. Following any and all branches of the family tree, Damian Callinan will interview anyone who is prepared to answer his questions … until he can find someone to take over. There’s a fair bit to do, so we better get started.