FROM THE ARCHIVES

Fr (Francis) Xavier Whitely SJ was an extraordinary man. In fact, everything about him and his life was extraordinary. He developed a lifelong love of St Aloysius' College from the short time he spent there in 1940. He worked in the Indian missions for twenty-eight years and eventually returned to the College in 1971 where he remained until 1979.

Born in Perth in June 1899, Fr Whitely was the second of ten children. Aged fifteen, he met Fr John Forster SJ who was in WA in 1914 conducting a retreat. Fr Forster had been a draughtsman on the Victorian Railways before joining the Jesuits and went on to become the Rector of St Aloysius' College in 1916. On just one day's notice, Fr Whitely's parents granted permission for young Xavier to return to Sydney by boat with Fr Forster and enter the Society of Jesus. This was despite Xavier being awarded a government scholarship to attend university. Xavier Whitely was the first Western Australian to join the Jesuits in January 1915, while still only fifteen years of age.

After completing his Novitiate in Australia, most of Xavier Whitely's further studies were completed in Ireland, Belgium and France. He returned to Melbourne to teach at Xavier College's Junior School, where he sustained multiple injuries after falling from the roof while fixing a window. During a period of recuperation, he promised Our Lady through prayer that if he recovered fully, he would go to India and work in the missions.

Fr Whitely did recover, and after his short stay at St Aloysius', he followed in the missionary footsteps of St Francis Xavier and left for Bombay in 1940. He eventually established a school for street children in Gooderah, many of whom went on to have successful professions and vocations. In 1968, it was decided he should return to Australia. Following a period working in Norwood SA, he transferred to St Aloysius' in 1971.

Fr Whitely was an intriguing public ambassador for the College. He was never without his well-worn St Aloysius' College cricket cap, while his unkept clothing screamed abject poverty. Fr Whitely had many eccentricities. He disliked cars and made every attempt to prevent cars parking in Wyalla, frequently changing the locks on the gates to the annoyance of the Rector. He assumed responsibility for the Wyalla playground where he constructed his notorious 'playground' for the Junior School boys.

Fr Whitely understood the world of young boys and was significant in the lives of the younger Aloysians, happily teaching Religion to the Junior School. During this time, he began to build his infamous playground and tree house known as 'Kailash' meaning 'paradise'. It was located to the right-hand side of the Wyalla gates, and chaotically constructed over time from countless pieces of reclaimed timber including disused doors. It was a place of wonderment for the boys, to say nothing of the neighbours. Wyalla was Fr Whitely's domain. He was seen cleaning the grounds continuously, while restricting human and vehicular traffic.

Fr Whitely loved sport and followed the First XI everywhere, proudly wearing his blue College cap. Michael Punch (SAC 1957) once saw Fr Whitely riding his trusty push bike to Barker College and stopped with a degree of concern to offer him a lift. Fr Whitely responded indignantly that he had traversed rivers and creeks full of crocodiles in India and had no fear of a few cars on the Pacific Highway.

Unfortunately, there are no photos in the Archives of Fr Whitely wearing his College cap or of 'Kailash', despite both being so remarkable at the time. Fr Whitely may have also had an aversion to having his photo taken because he is not present in any of the staff photos in the 1971-1979 Aloysians.

Fr Francis Xavier Whitely SJ died in retirement at Waitara in 1989 aged 90. His eccentricities often overshadowed the extraordinary work he performed with tireless energy in India. He was significant in the lives of many young Aloysians. Fortunately, his blue College cricket cap is held in the College Archives. 

Mr Tim Quilty

College Archivist

tim.quilty@staloysius.nsw.edu.au