Brother Charles (Ray Bradley)
3 December 1901 - 3 June 1981
Br Charles was a simple, devoted Brother; he was on the first staff of Kyneton, founded in 1926. We recall his story here using mainly his entry in the Province’s Necrology.
Ray Bradley was born at Lismore, where his father ran a billiard saloon. He came from the Brothers’ school in Lismore in 1916 to the Juniorate at Hunter’s Hill.
He began teaching at Bendigo (1922-26), then at Kyneton, New Norcia (1934-41), and at Kilmore (1941-44) during the war years. Most of his life was spent in New South Wales – West Maitland, St Patrick’s, Hamilton, Campbelltown, Kogarah (1959-64), and at Randwick (1964-81) for the last eighteen years of his life.
He was a competent teacher. Besides his teaching and coaching assignments, Brother Charles shared actively in the fund raising and the maintenance work of the house and school; he could turn his hand to most kinds of work and do them all well. He loved to work with the School Committee in running Housie, in installing amenities.
From 1959 he was associated with Brother Geraldus and others in setting up the Gerroa holiday house. He enjoyed the various outings equally well – fishing, golfing, billiards or cricket, at which two games he was of professional standard.
Photos above: (L) Kogarah 1963, when Br Charles was on the staff. (R) Marcellin College Randwick today. Br Charles served here for 18 years.
Brother Charles was a fine religious, a manly character, a jovial confrere. Though not appointed to positions of authority, he was a solid community member, strongly depended on by every superior.
Following heart attacks, Brother Charles was cared for by the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary Nursing Home, Lewisham, for many months. He died there at the age of 79 years.
Br Michael Flanagan
Province Archivist