The Ignatian - December 2016 Vol 26 July Edition Vol 27 | Page 38

Generations
The Bolger Family
Celebrates a Milestone
Top photo The men of the Bolger family, including Murray’s two remaining sons, Tony and John (seated), along with his
grandsons and great grandsons, from left to right, Steve Sykes, Daniel Bolger, Andrew Bolger, David Bolger, Michael Roche,
Mark Bolger, Chris Roche, (back row) Lawrence Sykes, Bernard Bolger, Daniel Sykes, Dougie Bolger, Rory Bolger, Max Taylor.
Bottom row photos, left to right The 1916 Riverview 1st XV; Murray Bolger clearing the high jump; Murray’s three sons:
Michael, Tony and John.
The Bolgers have been at Riverview since 1907 - literally 110 years
ago. James and Michael Bolger arrived here from Trangie in 1907 and
John, their brother, came in 1908. Then Murray Bolger, patriarch of
this dynasty, great grandfather of four cousins currently in our senior
years, Doug and Rory Bolger, Max Taylor and Daniel Sykes, was here
from Wallendbeen from 1914-1916.
In April this year, we marked the centenary of Murray Bolger’s
graduation from Riverview along with the Bolger family, which
now contains many other surnames, with a Mass at Dalton Chapel
followed by lunch at Cova Cottage. Murray Bolger’s two sons, Tony
(OR1945) and John (OR1946), sat in pride of place.
We took time to remember and celebrate Murray’s life: he was a
champion sportsman who set a high jumping record of 6 feet 4
3 8 | I G N ATI A N | J U LY 2 0 1 7
½ inches that stood at Riverview for a long time. He was an expert
line out jumper in the great 1916 1st XV side, playing alongside Alan
Oxenham Snr, who is also the great grandfather to another generation
of Riverview boys, and Patrick Meagher, whose name has lived on in
every generation at Riverview since. He rowed in the 1st IV and was
captain of the 2nd XI cricket team. Little would he have known that
101 years later, one of his great grandsons, Doug, would follow in his
footsteps to also play in the 2nd XI, and another, Rory, would go one
further and open the bowling for the 1st XI.
There have been many changes at Riverview since Murray’s days, but
I feel certain he would be proud to see this prolific dynasty and know
his legacy lives proudly on at Riverview in 2017.
JA M E S R O D G E R S , A LU M N I A M BA S SA D O R