DescriptionThis interview consists of two audio recordings and transcripts. Frank Iemma was interviewed on 7 September 2009 at the Whitlam Library, Cabramatta by Shirley Kingsford McLeod.Interview SummaryFrank Iemma was born at Strathfield in 1958 and now lives in Riverwood. At the time of this interview, Frank has been a teacher at Patrician Brothers School at Fairfield for 28 years. Frank’s parents were originally from Martini in Calabria, Italy and they migrated here in 1956 and 1957 respectively. He has 3 younger sisters. Frank’s father worked as a shoe repairer and sadly died when Frank was just 8 years old leaving Frank’s mother to bring up 4 children on her own.
His initial education was at St Josephs at Strathfield, but on the death of his father the family moved to Riverwood where he attended St Josephs Riverwood. His secondary schooling was at De La Salle College at Kingsgrove and from there to Kingsgrove High School for the last years.
Frank was awarded a scholarship to the Alexander Mackie College and then went on to the Catholic Teachers’ College in preparation for his career in teaching. While there he did practical teaching for a short time at Patrician Brothers in Fairfield. That was in 1981 and he was subsequently offered a permanent position which he gladly accepted and he began teaching there full time the following year. He has remained there to the present.
He first taught Religion and Physical Education and, because of the influence of a teacher who was a role model at De La Salle, he decided to concentrate mainly on PE and sporting activities. He is now a PDHP teacher at Patrician Brothers.
Patrician Brothers at present has about 1100 male students and in Frank’s time there he has taught some of our best known sporting personalities including Paul Langmack, Greg Alexander, Michael Vella and Michael Wenden. His special interest is in Rugby League football and he is a very keen South Sydney supporter.
Frank played grade Rugby League in his younger days and his other sporting interests were in athletics and boxing. He still is very dedicated to keeping fit and regularly jogs and attends gym. Although he takes an interest in many other sports, his main love is still for Rugby League.
Franks interview is most informative as he tells in detail how the school is run, particularly in regards to their sporting activities, and the changes which have occurred because of the influx of boys from many cultures.
