John Puleo: Service and Satisfaction – Oakhill College

John, recently retired from the Oakhill Board, but still practicing law in partnership with his son, an alumnus of Oakhill, I reflected with John on his 33 years of association with “Oakhill”. It was fruitful and insightfull. He comes from an Italian migrant background, and in 2025 the achievement as a key negotiator of the College’s new status as an incorporated and Lasallian entity, built for the future.

John spoke about himself as a first-generation Italian migrant. His father came originally from Sicily to Australia when John was 6 weeks old, to work in the cane-fields of far north Queensland. John and his mother joined him in 1951. Two sisters were born later.  From primary school at St Michael’s Gordonvale, the family briefly moved to Brisbane when his father was very ill, and then to Marrickville, in Sydney, where John attended the state school, while his sisters learnt at St Brigid’s.

What has been your career over the years?

Doing law at Sydney University, at evening college, from 1969, I was articled to a firm in the city, and I would attend courses and do my studies at night, while working full time for the law firm during the day. My wage was $17 per week. I had to pay my own way, because my dad and mum needed to work two jobs. After being admitted as a solicitor, I set up my own law firm. It was instilled in you from our generation: “I don’t have an education, but you will…you will be better, than what I do.”

How did you get drawn in to Board work, or were there other involvements with Oakhill College?

Initially, there was involvement with a primary school that had just started up – St Madeleine’s Kenthurst, which was very new and had few facilities. My children (3 boys and a girl) went there and I saw that there was a need there. My wife Jenny and I worked there to increase facilities for the children. I became President of the P & F and we raised money for the benefit of the school.

Did this naturally lead on to Oakhill College?

It was sort of in the blood, I think! We were looking for a College for our children. Oakhill was a fit for us. It was a Catholic school, and our values included church every Sunday; I served as an acolyte. My wife’s brother had worked there in a support role. I joined its P & F and over a very short time I found myself to be the President. We did art shows, country fairs, trivia nights and all that fundraising, in the 1980’s.

When did you become a member of the Board at the College?

It was 1995, in Br Ambrose’s time as Principal; I became the Chair of the Advisory Board. In 2008, the College incorporated and I transitioned to the new Board – to oversee the running of the College, and as a Director you are obliged by the rules of incorporation. It is a serious responsibility. You are supporting the Principal, advising, and making decisions on spending, on funding and development. The Board basically was to ensure good governance and proper operations. In conjunction with the Board, it is important that budgeting etc. comes from the Head down.

Why did you spend so much time over many years on the negotiations?

During my 33 years at the College I never thought in terms of what was in it for me (as one friend asked him), but what’s in it for others! The benefit for me was really the satisfaction…I saw the situation as diminishing. For me, it was the right thing to do. The school had so much potential. The Brothers have given so much to the establishment of Oakhill College, and have left a wonderful legacy of which they can be immensely proud. I saw that the College’s future flowed on from its Lasallian heritage and values. The space and facilities that the College offered were the main attractions for prospective parents choosing a school for their children. With all the development going on around it, I did not want to see the College turned into a high-rise complex.

What is the connection between the College (at its start) in 1930’s and now-- Catholic education in general ?

The ability to develop good citizens. I would say to parents –‘Don’t expect every one of your children to come out to be a brain surgeon. What you will get is a good citizen.’

Why is that important to you?

Because the College develops graduates who are valued, who will give back to the community, and as a result our society will benefit. The De La Salle values are certainly important. I have attended many graduation ceremonies and seen people come out of the College, and there is a whole history of people, of alumni, who have gone on and given to the community, not necessarily by charity, but their values and skills, and gone on to help people be productive citizens.

How would you describe your personal values and life beliefs?

It wasn’t about my values, but to ensure the College was there for the future. There is a wonderful satisfaction and sense of pride knowing that the College will still be there for future generations.

I am glad to see that you are an Affiliated Member…

I was very proud. My wife, Jenny is also affiliated. It is a wonderful recognition for her because she worked side by side with me, and was fully involved in all the functions over the 33 years. She not only ran the Debutant Balls, but Jenny was always during my time at Oakhill a great support to me. Affiliation was brought forward by Br Mark McKeon .

How do you keep life interesting now John?

I spend a lot of time looking after my bees, my orchard, gardening and looking after our property in Dural, and for social life I go to trivia on Thursday nights, and my friends and I play bocce on Friday nights.  Also being a life member of Parramatta Leagues Club I enjoy watching the Eels play. Having ten grandchildren also keeps me busy as there are lots of sporting games and events to attend.  

It was certainly impressive to hear of John’s commitment of thirty-three years with the College. Utilising his proven skills as a lawyer and negotiator, John provided a stable and wise point of reference. He could do the hard yards as the College was incorporated and took control of its own future. GW

Source: Br Gary Wilson, District Creative Writer