Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Hosking, Philip

Teacher, missionary; born Ararat, Victoria, 16 August 1927; died Sydney, 15 May 2011, aged 83.

Philip Hosking, affectionately known as PD in Sydney, will be most specially remembered for being an excellent teacher of geography and mathematics. He was a perfectionist, who prepared his classes thoroughly, gave copious notes relevant to the course, and was clear in his presentations. He knew what was expected by the government syllabus, and inspired his students to excel. His results in the Higher School Certificate geography examination in N.S.W. were well above the State average.

Hosking completed his secondary education at St Patrick’s College, East Melbourne, in 1944 as captain of the school, and joined the Society the following year at Loyola College, Watsonia. After noviciate, juniorate (he graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Arts in 1952) and philosophy studies, his regency was at St Patrick’s College, where he was sports master, and taught history and mathematics. Being a forceful presence, efficient and full of energy and enthusiasm, he was an influential member of staff.

After theology at Canisius College, Pymble, and ordination in 1959, Hosking returned to St Patrick’s College for a year before tertianship at Sevenhill under Henry Johnston. In addition to being prefect of discipline and teaching, he was involved with the military cadets.

From 1962-67, he was a very successful teacher at St Aloysius’ College, Milson’s Point, where he taught geography, mathematics and religion, was assistant minister and second-in-command and chaplain of the College Cadet Unit. He took all his responsibilities very seriously, and was most efficient in all that he undertook. His organisation of geography excursions and cadet camps were long remembered, as he was a commanding, hard-working presence on those occasions.

He was sent to St Ignatius’ College, Riverview, 1968-69 as prefect of studies, as well as a teacher of mathematics. He retained his involvement with the army as a chaplain until 1973 on an irregular basis. As an administrator, his perfectionist, highly-strung nature resulted in great stress, and physical breakdown. So, in 1970, he rested at the provincial residence working as province secretary. Being less intensive work, he recovered his health and went to St Ignatius’ College, Athelstone, South Australia, as teacher and prefect of studies in 1971.

Recognising his efficiency and leadership skills, he was appointed rector in 1973, and was head of school for five years. The school was well organised. The library was developed, and the undercroft was filled in, with a small chapel, beautifully furnished and decorated by the artist, Voitre Marek. Some small seminar rooms followed this, as well as a many-tiered lecture room linked to the audio-visual section of the library, and finally the Bellarmine Room. The building of ‘The Great Hall’, as Hosking called it, was an appreciated addition to the College. Two more building ventures followed, a simple remodelling of the administration block and a protected lunch area between the Tuck Shop and the teachers’ common room. At the Junior School at Norwood he built new classrooms and ‘the Father Walter Logue SJ Library’. Drama, under the directorship of Richard Flynn, flourished at this time, as did the development of co-education. Following his great interest in South-east Asia, Hosking went on an independent schools’ headmasters trip to China, and was present there when Mao Zedong died on 5 April 1975. Upon returning to Australia, he gave talks on his experience of China, which was at a challenging time in its history.

On various occasions he expressed his desire to become a missionary, and negotiated a visa for India in 1978, a time when it was very difficult for Australians to enter India. He was the last Australian Jesuit to obtain a visa. He lasted one year, then returned to Adelaide to be founding principal of Thomas More College, Salisbury Downs. The strain of this challenge resulted in another breakdown. He was told to rest. However, he went to the Indian High Commission in Canberra and asked to have his missionary visa renewed. Amazing all, he obtained one, and returned to India for 14 years, first studying Hindi at Bhurkunda, then at St Xavier’s Hazaribag. Here he found the home he had been searching for all his Jesuit life. He taught every day in the classroom with his usual perfectionist spirit, inspiring his students. His students were always welcome to see him in the evenings after class, where he was ever ready to help especially with English composition. Homework tasks were meticulously corrected in his fine handwriting. He also took them, as in Australia, on geography excursions, times that he enjoyed and was more relaxed.

During his years in St Xavier’s he twice spent the summer vacation directing a long retreat for the Holy Cross tertians. He was faithful to saying daily Masses for the religious communities riding out on his cycle in all weathers; and from time to time was confessor to some communities in Hazaribag.

His final appointment in India was to St Stanislaus College, Sitagarha, as an English teacher to the Jesuit novices. It was here that his health began to cause concern, and, after a short stay at St Xavier’s College, Bokaro Steel City, he returned to Australia and Canisius College in 2003. In the early days here, anxious as always to work and to feel needed, he acted as a part-time chaplain to the elderly at Lourdes Village, Killara. However, in time, this work became too much for him, and he retired to Arrupe House caring for his health.

Like every human being, Hosking longed to belong, but he found that difficult to achieve. He was the last surviving member of his family, and wherever he worked, he sought friendship, but that desire was frequently unfulfilled. However he did made lasting friendships with a few families who were supportive of him and appreciated his company. Some of these attended his funeral Mass at Canisius College, Pymble.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)