IN THE

Beginning

ASK, AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU; SEEK, AND YOU WILL FIND; KNOCK, AND THE DOOR WILL BE OPENED TO YOU.

MATTHEW 7:7

It began as an idea; a belief that Christianity had a place in the education of children and that there was a way to provide students with an education that would equip them for a life following God.

On 5 May 1990, a public meeting was held to share that dream and to realistically examine the need for, and interest in, the development of a Christian school. On 3 February 1992, Cooloola Christian College opened its doors to 57 founding students.

The initial steering committee consisted of representatives from six churches, but only the Gympie Baptist, Wesleyan Methodist, Presbyterian and Church of Christ remained through the initial development. They were required to register as a school and develop a statement of faith, curriculum, staffing, policies and procedures, uniforms and a myriad of other small yet significant requirements to legally operate a school. This diligent group of men and women were unswerving in their faith and tireless in their duties.

It was this group of people that set the foundations for the development of the College as we know it today, and it is this group of people, and those that have followed, for whom we give thanks and uphold.

“In these very early meetings a dire warning was given that the school may not succeed. What the group was about to attempt, had never been done successfully in Australia. Most Christian schoolshadbeenestablishedbyonecongregation, and here were six very diverse congregations, consisting of evangelical and reformed wings of the church, endeavouring to form the basis of a school which would appeal to all. ... Overriding all differences however was the tremendous vision of establishing a school that would provide a sound biblically based education for children. Central to the success of the venture was to be a unity of vision and purpose – ‘unity in diversity’.”

(LookingBackMovingForward,CooloolaChristianCollege 1992-2002)

“Your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” JOEL 2:28