Farewell Br Bill

Brother Bill Firman took up the position of Principal of De La Salle College at the beginning of 2005. As a former student and College Captain, he brought with him more than 40 years experience and knowledge in education and administration. His extraordinary energy and enthusiasm was immediately evident. During his tenure, Br Bill’s expansive brush swept through all aspects of the College — ethos, academic standards, staff welfare, financial management, as well as maintenance and capital works. We all came to recognise Br Bill as a big thinker who was also able to focus on the detail. He expanded the College motto to include Deo Duce, ‘Doctrina Lux’ — ‘learning is our light’. His vocation of service to those in need was seen through the expansion of the Mary MacKillop Enhancement Centre, which provides additional education support for students. We will all remember Br Bill’s unique public addresses, always peppered with Latin quotations, drawing on the collective wisdom of the great thinkers of the world. Br Bill always looked for the goodness in others revealing much about the man — a Brother, educator, leader, financier, builder, entrepreneur, philosopher and protector of the prophets. His door was open to everyone. When he started at the College he gave up a large office to enable a boardroom to be established. In a much smaller space behind the reception, Br Bill set up his office. A door opened onto the playground and during recess students were free to wander in and have a chat or get a ball to play with. Many important discussions with the Principal were interrupted by a student anxious to retrieve a tennis ball from his desk. During his time at the College it was evident that Br Bill was very committed to social justice, and he dedicated his time, College resources, and his exceptional energy to educating our young men in the service of others. It is in this latter area that his mark as a true “Lasallian” educator will be indelibly imprinted on the hearts of those who have learnt under his administration, and those who have worked with him. Brother Bill’s willingness to volunteer himself to work in a volatile area such as Sudan highlights his unquestioning faith at this point in his life, and mirrors the commitment of the early brothers under St John Baptist de la Salle who, in the face of adversity, believed in the providence of God. Br Bill is now based in Sudan, where he is establishing a teachers’ training college. Mrs Joan Ferguson College Chaplain