Biography:
Early life and studies
Robert James Tully, or as he was more commonly known as Bob, was born in Gawler on December 5, 1934. A few years later, the family moved to Jamestown (Bob’s father, Frank, was a manager in Eudunda Farmers Co-op) so his early education was received from the Sisters of St Joseph in Jamestown. He won a scholarship to Rostrevor College and began there in first year (Year 8) in 1948.
After three years at Rostrevor, he entered St Francis Xavier Seminary in 1951 – part of a large group of Rostrevor students to go to the seminary that year. After completing his studies in Philosophy, he went to St Patrick’s College Manly for his theological studies. He was ordained priest in St Rose’s Church, Kapunda on March 10, 1958. (Because most of the bishops were going overseas the ordinations were brought forward to March that year rather than the usual July date.)
Bob had two sisters, Margaret, who joined the Josephite Sisters, and Barbara who married Brian White in Kapunda. His mother died at an early age in 1953. The family moved to Kapunda in 1955. From early childhood Bob was always a keen sportsman – he excelled at Rostrevor and also in many Seminary sports, taking after his father Frank, who was Captain of South Adelaide Football Club, and also the SA State team in 1936. While at Manly College he made a name for himself in becoming quite a good rugby player.
Sadly a brief priestly life
Sadly Fr Bob Tully had a very short life as a priest. Following ordination he was appointed assistant priest in Mt Gambier in December 1958 under Monsignor R.M.I. Redden as parish priest and Fr John Swann who had also attended Rostrevor College with Bob, as well as St Francis Xavier Seminary and St Patrick’s College. Fr John was also ordained at Kapunda a year before Fr Bob.
However as he was on his way home from his first holiday since ordination in the company of his father, he was killed in a car accident at Drouin, near Warragul in Victoria. He was killed instantly when a log from a passing truck smashed through the windscreen, striking Fr Bob. His father escaped with just minor injuries, having just minutes before handed over the driving to Fr Bob.
Fondly remembered, deeply mourned
Fr Tully’s Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Francis Xavier's Cathedral on September 30 with a large attendance of people, including many from Mt Gambier.
News of Fr Tully’s tragic death sent shock waves through the parish and township of Mt Gambier. Though he had only been there a short time he had endeared himself to many people. He was remembered for his visitation of families and his care for the sick. He had a special interest and care for the young people of the parish. He was noted for his enthusiastic and energetic support for the YCW and the YCS and often participated in their various sporting activities. The students at Mater Christi College where he was chaplain were deeply affected by his tragic death. The College magazine at the end of the year paid a fitting tribute to him in the following words:
Testimony to his legacy
“Father Tully, as we knew him, was the ideal priest to be our College Chaplain. He found time to make personal friends among the girls from the lowest to the highest grades. He was always ready to stop and joke with a group of children, and we felt that he was genuinely interested in each one of us. Father could be heard from one end of the yard to the other, and everyone brightened up when he arrived. His cheerfulness was contagious and (this) was his outstanding characteristic. This showed unselfishness, as he must often have had much to worry about.
“You could not say that Father was a visitor to our school – he just made himself part of it and one with us. He took an active part in all school affairs and his non-appearance at any function was a small disaster and reason for surprise. He worked harder than anyone to make a success of our YCS work, and at sports matches he could be relied on as chief barracker and even coach on occasions.
Father seemed to be one with us and to speak the same language. His breezy manner made us feel quite at home and it was easy and natural to talk about our problems with him. He had a way of making hard things seem easier and of explaining things so that there was no longer anything to worry about. I think seeing how such a bright and jovial person could also become serious and reverent had a lot of influence on everyone.”
At a school assembly at the end of second school term, just prior to leaving for his holidays, he spoke very movingly to the girls. He said: “We have finished a term of hard work in the classrooms and on the sports field. It has been a successful term and we all feel that we have deserved a holiday. Now next term is a very important one and I want you all to work exceptionally hard. In everything in life, you know, you must always aim for the highest. It’s no use playing for points, play for goals all the time. Have courage and don’t let anything stand in your way. Work to come top, not just to pass.
An eloquent advocate of religious vocations
“During the holidays I want you to think about something. MCC girls are successful in almost anything they take up, in study, in sports, and even in giving concerts! But there is one thing in which MCC is lagging, and that is in producing girls generous enough to give their lives to God in the religious life. Now during the school holidays I want you to think about this. Don’t just say to yourself: ‘I don’t want to be a Sister’ or ‘I haven’t got a vocation’.
What I want you to do is to take time off to ask yourself: ‘Is there any good reason why I should not be a nun?’ Now I mean it, so don’t forget. You’re going on holidays and so am I, but next term I am going to do something about this. We can’t go on failing in this very important matter and I’m going to see that we don’t. So be prepared, next term I’ll be asking you individually for the answer to this very important question.”
Sadly Fr Bob never got the opportunity to meet with all the girls again. But his words must have had a deep and lasting effect, for from the girls present at that assembly at least six subsequently joined the convent – something unheard of before or since! Though his life was short, he left a deep impression on the lives of many people especially in Mount Gambier and surrounding districts.
May he Rest in Peace.
|
