BROTHER ALPHONSUS PHILSON (1865 - 1956)

Archibald Philson was born near Maitland, NSW, Australia, on February 20th, 1865. His father, a hardworking farmer, sent his son to St. Joseph’s College Sydney, for secondary education.

On the eve of his departure, his Parish Priest said to him : "I suppose we shall hear before long that you have joined the Marist Brothers." The words were prophetic, for in 1883 Archibald Philson became Brother Alphonsus and after his Novitiate he began his Teacher Training in the Sydney Schools of the Brothers. When the Brother Provincial called for volunteers for the proposed Suva establishment, Brother Alphonsus was ready with an enthusiastic response. He was 23 years old when he sailed into Suva with his two French companions, Brother Harvey and Brother Vincent, on August 27th, 1888. Except for three years (1912-15) as Provincial of the Australia-New Zealand-Pacific Province, Brother Alphonsus remained in Fiji for the rest of his life.

Brother Alphonsus was the youngest of the pioneering trio that arrived to begin the Brothers' educational work in Fiji. However, it soon became apparent that Brother John, the Provincial, had been a good judge of his men and their potential for leadership, for by 1896 Brother Alphonsus was ready to take charge of the community, and of the school so recently established. In 1900 he was appointed 'Visitor' (the Superior's representative) for the three Fiji establishments: Suva (1888), Cawaci (1894); Naililili (1899). He was Director again by 1908 and remained so until his appointment as Provincial in 1912.

Brother Alphonsus was described as always gentle, devoted, regular and pious though by nature quiet and unassuming. He was destined to do much, especially for Suva, for he possessed qualities to "succeed very well, earning the esteem of everyone especially the clergy."

His health was not robust but on the whole the climate of the islands seemed to suit him better than Sydney. He lived another fifty years in the islands to the ripe old age of ninety one years. Early reports also indicate that he found his classroom work easier than in Sydney "where his discipline was a little weak." He was a very able student and soon became quite competent at French, being able to follow the Noumea Retreats very well.

His standing in the community grew to the extent that, at the beginning of 1912, the citizens of the growing town of Suva showed their appreciation of his worth and influence by electing him a member of the Town Council, a position he held only briefly on account of his Australian appointment.

On his return from Australia in 1916, Brother Alphonsus took up the direction of the Schools in Suva, being especially associated with old St Thomas Indian School, an association that spanned thirty years. He was the acknowledged leader of the Brothers in Fiji, a position he held for many years. This was not surprising, for one of his outstanding qualities was that he was able to inspire confidence and loyalty. Bishop Vidal frequently said: “As long as Brother Alphonsus is there, there is no need to worry." Brother Theophane remembered him as the one who looked after the boarders, and took them for walks at the weekends, as well as work sessions such as excavating the handball court.

He entertained the boys with stories and mathematical games. They would go down the Laucala Bay track (now the Road!) to swim at Suva Point or over to the Botanical Gardens, or sometimes to the guava patches around the golf course on Waimanu Rd (now St Joseph's convent).

The Indian community farewelled him on 27 February 1937, when he went overseas. Their address is well worth quoting in full:

“We, on behalf of the ex-students and the supporters of the Marist Brothers in Fiji do herewith express our deep regret at your departure from our midst. We are ever grateful for the keen interest you have shown in the promotion of Indian Education in Suva, and particularly the new school building in Toorak which is due to your untiring efforts, and now stands as a monument to your devoted service.

We fully realize that you have devoted the better part of your life in the service of education to the young, and we owe you a debt we will never be able to repay.
The Indian Community as a whole appreciates and admires the great work you have done towards the collecting of funds and paying off the debt on the St Columba’s School which not only perpetuates the memory of the Rev Brothers Columba and Claudius, but also your own.

We pray that God Almighty may bless you with health and happiness, and that you may be spared for many years to continue the noble work He has entrusted to your care.
Yours sincerely, J F Grant, E Ramjan, C M Gopalan, R D Sharma.”

His own Brothers, on the occasion of his Diamond Jubilee in 1943, could say in an illuminated address: “Your experience of life, mellowed by the charity of Christ, renders you an invaluable friend and adviser."

Father Oreve, in charge of the Catholic Mission before the appointment of a successor to Bishop Nicholas, said at the same Jubilee: "If the Missions in Fiji were in a flourishing condition, it was largely due to the work of the Marist Brothers in general, and of Brother Alphonsus in particular."

In the early twenties he encouraged Brothers Loyola and Augustine to start preparing candidates for the Cambridge Preliminary and Junior Examinations, and was thus a pioneer of Secondary Education in Fiji. When difficulties arose with the Education Department and the Colonial Government over the provision of secondary education in 1936, it was Brother Alphonsus who persuaded the Provincial to open a new Secondary School in Suva: Marist Brothers Secondary School. It was largely through his efforts that the present High School property was acquired, and the first buildings erected in 1948. He retained his lively interest in the life and progress of the High School until the end of his life.

From time to time Brother Alphonsus served in the rural Schools directed by the Brothers at Cawaci on Ovalau, and at Naililili in Rewa. He was also the chief promoter of the foundation at Wairiki on Taveuni, where the Brothers took over the direction of the School in 1942.

Towards the end of his long life public recognition was made of Brother Alphonsus’ long service to education in Fiji. During 1953 he was awarded the decoration of Member of the British Empire (MBE), and the Queen herself presented him with the insignia in December 1953. It was a memorable and moving scene when the venerable veteran, 88 years of age, advanced towards the Queen, accompanied by his old friend and pupil, Brother Herbert Marinon, to receive the decoration. This ceremony received a great deal of publicity, and photos were circulated in the various centers.

Brother Alphonsus died in Suva on April 24th, 1956 at the age of 91 years. Seventy three of these years were spent as a Marist Brother, and during 68 of them he called Fiji 'home'. He is buried at the Extension Cemetery in Suva.