BROTHER BERTRAND HODGINS (1913-2003)

Lionel Hodgins was born on May 29th 1913 in Auckland, New Zealand, the eldest of ten brothers and sisters. His primary education was at St. Benedict's and secondary at Marist College, Tuakau, south of Auckland.

At 19 Bertrand began training as a Marist Brother at Claremont in Timaru and made first Profession on 12 September 1933. The following year he was appointed to Fiji and like, the obedient man that he was, set sail on 6 March 1934 on board the "S.S. Monterey".
On his arrival in Suva Bertrand was not allowed off the boat because he had no passport. However the well known Brother Alphonsus was on the wharf and he soon took charge and quickly had the young Brother walking up to Suva Street. On his arrival there Bertrand was told to put on his soutane and was shown his class in the Indian School. Later that day he was taken to the police station to be fingerprinted and have his entry legalized.

When Bertrand started teaching at the Indian School he had 40 students aged between 10 and 16. Like Br. Claudius, he developed a deep love and respect for each person, and in his respect for different religious beliefs he was years ahead of Vatican 2. The presence at his funeral of people from all cultural and religious backgrounds is a testimony to this.

Br. Bertrand's simplicity of lifestyle kept him in touch with the grass roots people. He was not a man for driving in cars. He went almost everywhere on foot, even to places as far away as Namosi in the days before there was a road. From the 1970's he took part in Walkathons at every opportunity and so made his contribution to many a worthy cause.
This energetic young Brother was soon posted to Cawaci to join the Brothers who had been there since the turn of the century. He spent three happy years there.

Later (1939-1941) he moved to Naililili to join some famous old Brothers. Among the stories that he shared was the use of Morse code for communication between Naililili and Suva, especially to receive the Saturday night sports results.

1942-1944 were special years for Bertrand over on Taveuni at Wairiki. This was war time and life must have been quite challenging. Among his many spare time activities, he was known for diving for fish, pigeon shooting, trapping mongoose (but not on Taveuni, where there are no mongoose), milking the cow, repairing fences and surfing.

While he was in Wairiki Bertrand came to know the family of a young boy named Joseph Rasiga, later to be ordained as a priest. Bertrand often expressed his appreciation for the help and care he received from Fr. Rasiga's mother especially on the occasion when he parted company with the horse he was riding and badly damaged his collarbone.

Between 1945 and 1950 Bertrand taught in several Schools in New Zealand before returning to Fiji and to Suva Street. During this period, he was able to spend time with his beloved mother during her last few months (1949).

He remained at Suva St for the rest of his active Marist life. Br. Bertrand's life has been one of diversity and individuality. As a teacher and educator he was respected for his "no nonsense" approach to discipline, at the same time he was loved and respected by his students. He made his classes interesting while striving for excellence. As well as teaching the normal subjects of the day he learned and taught Hindi, Fijian and Chinese at various times during his teaching career.

He was not ashamed to be known as a soccer fanatic, and at various times coached not only the Suva soccer team but also the Fiji soccer team. However, in those days the Fiji players had no boots. He was made a Life Member of the Suva Soccer Association in recognition of his involvement in this sport.

His contribution to the work of the St. John Ambulance Brigade was outstanding. This started back in 1927 when he gained his first certificate in First Aid. What a treasure Bertrand must have been in those rural schools and villages in the early years, with this St. John background. In 1954 Richard Herman asked Brother to set up a Cadet Division at St Columba's. During his active life thousands benefited from Brother's First Aid work. The many hundreds of lectures to the Police, Army, Prison Service, teacher trainees and many others.

His work was recognized by the country on several occasions with medals. One of these medals was presented to him in his capacity as Deputy Commissioner of St. John Ambulance in Fiji, a position he held until he retired in 1989.

Another medal for Bertrand, from the President, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau

In his Marist brotherhood he was strongly influenced by the founding Brothers, Alphonsus, Vincent, and later Jerome, Raphael, Lambert, Anthony, Plunkett and others. The Brothers' life in those times was "early to rise and early to bed" and centred around a very structured prayer life and spirituality.

Bertrand certainly lived out the Marist Constitutions: "Our vocation as Brother is a special call to live the brotherhood of Christ with everyone especially young people, loving them with a selfless love." He lived it with the children, he lived it with his St. Johns Ambulance team, he lived it with his Brothers, and he lived it with everyone in the Toorak neighbourhood.

In the Brothers' community at Suva Street Bertrand lived out the Marist charism of "presence". He was always there to welcome visitors. At Marriage Encounter weekends held in the school he would personally meet, encourage and welcome each couple.
He was particularly close to the Ismail family, beginning in 1934 with Ibrahim. This gentleman was known as the "Second Cook", but was also in charge of the cow, and general handyman. When Bertrand returned in 1951, he was met by Ibrahim's son Ismail, now the captain of the Suva pilot boat. Ismail's sons became Bertrand's work force for general repairs round the place, and one Bob, was handyman for a time. The women of the family were called on for small sewing jobs.

Many small boys appreciated a hand to hold when parents were late coming to pick them up. Bertrand was always there to befriend them.

Bertrand's love of work extended to the new Marist Primary School at Vatuwaqa. He was there to lend more than a helping hand. He was responsible for planting the great baka trees and for the hundreds of cement posts around the boundary. When Lomeri Novitiate was under construction, Bertrand was there too, with his boys. When the Montfort Boystown first opened Bertrand was out there lending a hand. For so many years at Marist Suva Street Bertrand demonstrated his gifts as plumber, carpenter, electrician and handyman.

Bertrand acquired from Brother Malachy the ability to perform tricks with cards or coins or sweets that disappeared or changed hands. Brother Jone Seduadua recalls how the youngest children loved meeting him and seeing his tricks. He kept many a small Class One child happy during his first days at school.

Over many years Bertrand sat by the bedside of Brothers as they prepared for death or were simply sick in hospital for a time. He would always take over the night shift in such cases. His only regret was making arrangements for Brother Paulo's funeral in his hearing! Paulo was in a coma from tetanus but in fact was perfectly lucid.

The last fifteen months of his life Br. Bertrand spent at the Home of Compassion. Long before going to the Home he expressed the wish to be in the care of the Sisters of Compassion and their staff. The love, care and compassion of the Sisters and Staff was truly magnificent. Our Brother Bertrand had the ability to be the model patient but on other occasions he could be the most difficult one at the Home.

As one Brother recalled, "We can't but admire his life. In many ways he exemplifies the diversity and individuality of us all. He was delightfully extreme in his likes and dislikes, so loyal and simple, so responsive and energetic, so spic and span, and so precise and disciplined.