27th May, 2014 Reflection Dadirri “Dadirri is inner, deep listening and quiet, still awareness. Dadirri recognises the deep spring that is inside us. We call on it and it calls to us. This is the gift that Australia is thirsting for. It is something like what you call ‘contemplation’. When I experience dadirri, I am made whole again. I can sit on the riverbank or walk through the trees; even if someone close to me has passed away, I can find my peace in this silent awareness. There is no need of words. A big part of dadirri is listening.” “In our Aboriginal way, we learnt to listen from our earliest days. We could not live good and useful lives unless we listened. This was the normal way for us to learn - not by asking questions. We learnt by watching and listening, waiting and then acting.” “My people are not threatened by silence. They are completely at home in it. They have lived for thousands of years with Nature’s quietness. My people today, recognise and experience in this quietness, the great Life-Giving Spirit, the Father of us all.” Another part of dadirri is “the quiet stillness and the waiting,” “Our Aboriginal culture has taught us to be still and to wait. We do not try to hurry things up. We let them follow their natural course - like the seasons.” Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann, Aboriginal writer
Macpherson Smith Rural Foundation Scholarship It was a great pleasure to be present at our VCE Assembly last Friday to honour Annika Miesen, College Co Captain in 2013, who was presented with a MSRF Scholarship. This Scholarship, valued at $15,000 per year for three years, is one of four scholarships awarded this year. There were 150 applicants from across Australia. Pete Ekstedt, MSRF Executive officer, presentation to the Assembly noted :
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Her passion for leadership and mentoring young people has now led her to study an Education Degree at Ballarat's Federation University." Members of Annika's family were present at the Assembly including her father Paul, her siblings, Dominic and Evana, and grandparents, Patricia and Rodger Patterson. Annika’s acceptance speech can be found on the College website.
"Annika at 19 years of age already has an impressive list of community, sporting and academic accolades. Her leadership qualities, commitment to helping others and inspirational road to success has earned her great respect from CRC and the wider community. Annika has a generous spirit and has always reached out to those in need. From mentoring younger students and raising funds for disadvantaged youth to travelling to Kenya to work at an education centre, she's always been the first to raise her hand to help others. Annika is a talented sportsperson across many disciplines, she umpires football and is an accomplished dance teacher- all the while producing impressive academic results. In April this year, she was presented with a Gorton Young Leaders Award in recognition for her contribution to the community, volunteer work and efforts to help local causes.
Mark Sheehan, Annika Miesen & Pete Ekstedt Mark Sheehan Principal Parents & Friends The next meeting of the Parents & Friends will be held tomorrow, 28th May at 7.00pm. The College Masterplan will be presented and parents will have the opportunity to offer feedback.