Pelican: Semester 2, 2023

St Edmund’s College FOUNDATION

Inspired by the charism of Edmund Rice the St Edmund’s College Foundation (the Foundation) was established to give financial assistance to marginalised or disadvantaged families so that the cost of educating their sons would be alleviated.

Since its inception in 1988 the Foundation has supported the education of over 100 young men at St Edmund’s College in Canberra.

The Foundation’s aims:

• To support families who are experiencing financial barriers that may limit their ability to provide an Edmund Rice education for their sons.

• To provide appropriate fee relief to ensure students have the quality education they deserve.

• To support families who may be affected by difficult circumstances so students are able to continue their education at St Edmund’s College without disruption.

How to Donate

Contact foundation@stedmunds.act.edu.au or 6239 0673 and ask to speak to our Finance Staff for more information on how to make a donation.

Donations of $2 or more to the St Edmund’s College Foundation are tax deductible in Australia.

“Your donation to the Foundation will enable families in need of help in educating their sons leaving a lasting legacy that will benefit current students as well as students for generations to come.”

IAN GARRITY

Principal’s Reflection

It gives me great pleasure as Acting Principal to write the Principal’s Reflection in this edition of the Pelican. I have taken on the role during Joe Zavone’s leave. It has been a privilege to lead this College for the time he has been away. We look forward to Joe’s return in Term 4 this year. It is appropriate that I acknowledge the hard and dedicated work of our Acting Principal, Ms Margaret Maher, during this time. The College is very fortunate to have so many committed and passionate staff.

In this edition, we have a wonderful range of stories from our old boys and parents. This includes Tony Lo Pilato (Class of 1980), James Carter (Class of 2006), and Matthew Winchester (Class of 2018). We also have a wonderful contribution from a current parent and ex-staff member Mary-Jane McLeod. Finally, Rhys Hekimian (Class of 2013 and current staff member) also shares his story.

The ‘community’ part of our College is one of our pillars. The ongoing positive relationships of the Eddies community are very strong and genuine. The College was fortunate to be able to present Tony Lo Pilato with a Faith and Service Award at our annual Founder’s Day in 2022, and to have Rhys Hekimian join our Performing Arts team and play a significant role in our Cabaret this year was also very fitting in many ways.

I will use this opportunity in Pelican to highlight some of the events and activities that have taken place throughout 2023. These events show our character and the vibrant learning community that is St Edmund’s. The College has continued to grow again this year, with enrolments of around fifty more than 2022 and an expected similar growth is forecast for 2024.

We have many new and continuing activities and opportunities in Mission and Identity. It was really pleasing this year to have another thirty-nine students engage in the College’s Sacramental Program. This number was very similar to 2022 – the first year of the Program. These students received one or more of the sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist and Confirmation.

Under the leadership of our strong Head of House team, each House adopted a particular cause to support and focus attention and learning on in 2023. The House structure continues to thrive at the College; a structure that enables our boys to feel connected, build strong relationships, and participate in some friendly and healthy competition. The Houses ran activities for the following organisations/causes this year:

- Clancy: RUOK Day

- Hayden: Red Feb Heart Health

- Mulrooney: World Mental Health Day

- O’Brien: White Ribbon Day

- Rice: Earth Hour

- Treacy: National Day Against Violence and Bullying

The College continued its relationship with and support for Karinya House, Marymead, Home in Queanbeyan and St Vincent de Paul through activities and fundraising events. I thank our Mission Team of Michal Monagle, Bridget Cusack and Carmela Wilson for their leadership of social justice and outreach programs.

The Collee was also able to reestablish its Immersion Program with a successful trip to Darwin. Michal Monagle and Joachim Fatiaki supported nine of our students on this successful event where our students experienced the cultures of different communities and led retreat programs from other students.

The College has also recommenced its full Camp and Retreat Program since the COVID-19 disruption. We have had successful camps to various places in 2023. Years 4, 5 and 6, as well as the Father/Son Camps visited the The Pines in Tuross, while Year 7 (Tathra), Year 10 (Sydney) and Year 12 Retreat (Jindabyne) used other venues. It is wonderful to

be able to offer the full range of our regular and co-curricular programs again.

The College is a busy place. Many other significant and successful student events have also taken place. The Cabaret has been a highlight of the year. The range of talent that St Edmund’s student have is so very impressive. All of the performing arts were on show in the R. J. Wallace Hall in August. The sense of community and celebration that was put on show during the Cabaret sums up our College. I encourage you to read the article on the Cabaret that appears later in this edition.

Once again, the Heritage Round was a huge success, with our footballers and rugby players demonstrating their skills on a beautiful sunny Canberra winter’s day. Unfortunately, our First XI went down in the main football match, but the First XV kept the large crowd interested with an entertaining draw against Marist. We had a great turn out of old boys and friends on the day which included Mass led by Bishop Pat Power and a tour of the school for our old boys.

I would like to thank the Old Boys and Friends Association for their assistance and partnership in co-hosting and organising a number of major events

again this year. In particular, I would like to thank the Committee who continue to give generously during their meetings and in their own time to keep the College community connected and providing social events that bring our community together.

We have commenced our planning for celebrating our 70th Anniversary in 2024. We have a proud and rich history, and we are looking forward to celebrating our past and being grateful for what the College is today. The College will be communicating with its current students, parents and carers about these events through its regular communication channels. I would encourage all old boys and friends to sign up to the Old Boys and Friends Association through the College website to ensure that you stay in touch and receive information about our 70th Anniversary celebrations.

Congratulations to Tammy Willers-Wagstaff for being successful with her design for our 70th Anniversary logo. The logo is shown on this page. Stay tuned - it will be a great year.

Edmund’s to the Fore.

Ian Garrity Acting Principal

JAMES CARTER Class of 2006

Be you, hold strong, find belief.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have attended such an amazing school. Overcoming various challenges along the way has shaped the foundation of who I am today as a successful leader. Believing in success and maintaining a strong educational background has been crucial in navigating our fastpaced society.

In 2006 during Year 12, my classmate Anthony Magro and I participated in the International Australian Culinary Federation Championships held on the Gold Coast. There was a strong field of participants from various places across the world and Australia, including New Zealand, Taiwan, New Caledonia, Tahiti, Victoria, and Queensland. Despite losing by only one point to Taiwan, we secured second place and took home a Gold Award. I appreciated the experience I gained from St Edmund’s College, which enabled me to go on and successfully run my own restaurant after graduation.

Having extensive experience in Commercial Finance, being a Licensed Builder B Class and a Real Estate Agent, in 2019 I established a boutique agency that offers exceptional personalised service in Residential Sales and Property Management. As the owner/Director of Carter & Co., I’ve taken this energy and experience to create Carter & Co. An experienced and driven team of Real Estate Professionals, ready to set the bar for Real Estate service and innovate the industry. I am proud of what Carter & Co. have achieved with our remarkable success over the years.

We have established the Carter & Co. Named Charity Fund and participated in multiple charity events. This includes Donate Life and organ donation and also attending the recent Transplant Games which we wore matching riding pink and orange kits to acknowledge the games around Canberra, and acknowledging our good friend Josh who has just undergone a heart transplant. Additionally, we are corporate sponsors of the Canberra Raiders and the Women’s International OzTag Team, who recently won gold.

It’s important to make the most of our limited time at school while avoiding the regret of unfulfilled goals. However, it’s not just about personal achievements; it is also about making a positive impact and inspiring others to believe in your mission or holding greater significance. This power comes from a deeper place, where you uplift others, take pride in your work, and strive to leave a positive mark on the world. That’s why “dreaming big, moving fast, and holding belief” captures the essence of my philosophy. It encompasses your multifaceted nature, your ability to create a safe space for others, your willingness to rise to challenges, and your commitment to uplifting others and leaving a lasting, positive legacy.

I dare you to challenge yourself and step outside your comfort zone. My time at Eddies gave me the confidence to experience many opportunities since

graduating, such as property investing, hiking the Kokoda trail, learning how to fly a plane, and staying active in many sports. Perhaps you have been preoccupied with enjoying the simple pleasures of indulging in meat pies and sausage rolls, unaware of the potential that lies within you and the person you can become. Finding a balance between maturing, learning and taking responsibility is a journey you’re still trying to navigate. It’s a process of self-discovery that may lead you to realise that there’s more to life than the interests of the now,

whether it’s developing those interests into fulfilling life paths or growing them into the version of you that tomorrow holds. Embracing your uniqueness and not conforming to societal norms is not only acceptable but also commendable. It’s about finding your own path and being true to yourself.

If there is one piece of advice, I can give you; “always leave someone better off than how you found them.”

MATTHEW WINCHESTER class of 2018

I started at St Edmund’s in 2010 as a Year 4 student and graduated as part of the 2018 cohort. I was always going to be an Eddies boy, with my dad Peter (Class of 1984) and older brother Bradley (Class of 2016) both attending the school. I am now an Eddies alumnus of 5 years, and to this day I reminisce on the positive experiences that have helped shape who I am today.

Before even becoming a student at the school, I was exposed to the lively culture and a sense of community when attending my brother’s Rugby matches, which I immediately gravitated towards. The first day was a daunting experience, however, this was eased by having a great teacher in Mr Bond and the head of Junior School Ms Doyle, as well as the immediate connections made with my classmates.

My early years at the school were hallmarked by great teachers and the formation of friendships that remain until this day. Everyone I talk to who has gone to Eddies all talk about their unique and positive experiences with varying teachers, which I like was taught by some great ones. Whilst I could go on about every teacher by whom I was fortunate enough to be taught, some of my most memorable memories came from Mr Calder’s History class and Mr Richardson’s Sports Science class. The enthusiasm and passion Mr Calder brought to the classroom was second to none, and Mr Richardson’s class was highlighted by the strong bond we all

had in Years 11 and 12. Additionally, being part of Treacy House meant Ms Gair was the Head of House for my entire duration in the school. Ms Gair was someone Treacy boys and I could always rely on for guidance and a listening ear.

I played Rugby Union for Eddies from Year 4 up to Year 12. This gave me the opportunity to play in the First XV and experience a trip of a lifetime with a Rugby trip to New Zealand in 2018. Not only was this trip an opportunity to represent the school, but a chance to travel with my best mates and experience a different culture. My mates and I still laugh and ponder over the unforgettable experience that the school offered. Being involved in Rugby at the school also saw the likes of Mr Langtry, Mr MacArthur and Mr Fox running the Opens Rugby program, in which they assisted in my development both on and off the field. School camp was another fond memory in a list that is countless, with chicken and gravy rolls, and late-night hill sprints coming to mind.

One of my greatest achievements at the school was being given the opportunity to represent the school as College Vice-Captain. The chance given to be involved in the leadership group of the school in my final year is something I will always cherish.

Leaving the school was tougher than expected, as I often took for granted seeing my best mates every day. However, I joined the Queanbeyan Whites Rugby Union Football Club, which has a strong Eddies connection. The club has a high percentage of players, coaches, and volunteers either from Eddies or have a connection to the Eddies community, which makes for a great culture. I was fortunate enough to win two Colts premierships with the club. This was made even more special by doing so with some of my best mates from school as well as my brother. To this day, I still play every so often, as I still have a passion for Rugby, but

more importantly, it keeps me connected with the strong community fostered by the Queanbeyan Whites.

Upon finishing school, I enrolled at ANU to pursue a degree in Criminology, which I can happily say I graduated in the latter half of 2022 with an undergraduate degree. Whilst studying, I had various jobs, working as a Dominos delivery driver, a bartender, a disability support worker and in a supermarket.

I recently began a role within a fraud and compliance team within the Australian Public Service, which has been a good steppingstone upon completing my degree, and I look forward to further developing my skills and knowledge in this field.

It has been a privilege to be asked for my input into this edition of The Pelican, as I have a great sense of pride in the school. Eddies has given me values that I will continue to rely on in everyday life, as well as lifelong memories and lifelong friends.

HERITAGE ROUND

We are excited to announce the Eddies Education Partnership Program, where we the College collaborates with community organisations to enhance and broaden the education of our students. The Partnership Program works to improve student engagement, improve academic outcomes for students, enhance the social wellbeing of students and broaden vocational options and skills

We thank the following organisations for being in partnership and collaboration with us, offering our students a wide range of opportunities and skills.

The College is partnering with the University of Canberra through the new St Edmund’s College Sports Academy This provides an opportunity for our students to consider a sports-focused pathway that offers direct, non-ATAR entry to a number of undergraduate courses at the University of Canberra This means that a tertiary pathway is now open to students who may not have necessarily considered a tertiary education, or who were wanting a more tailored, individual approach to the tertiary pathway

St Edmund’s College is partnering with the Canberra Raiders through our Sports Science program The Raiders partnership will provide a clear connection between St Edmund’s College and the Canberra Raiders for students playing Rugby League, maintaining and engaging these students at a high level both academically and physically

Regular on-field training will be developed by College staff and the Canberra Raiders The partnership will allow contracted Canberra Raiders juniors to have a pathway to an independent Catholic education with a dedicated pastoral care system Students will participate in Rugby League Gala Days and have a clear representative program for Rugby League students enrolled at St Edmund’s College

The College is in partnership with the Hyatt Hotel in Canberra. This partnership will allow our Hospitality students to immerse themselves in all aspects of the Hospitality industry, engage in real work opportunities and work alongside experts in the Hospitality field to develop their skills and competencies, be mentored and coached and build their professional network This is a wonderful initiative for our students, providing a unique opportunity for them to broaden their skills and options.

St Edmund’s College is proud to formalise a partnership with Accelerate Physiotherapy. Accelerate Physiotherapy will work extensively with our CoCurricular and senior Talented Sports Programs to provide elite level athlete screening, assist in the injury and rehabilitation of student athletes and to help develop athlete knowledge of content studied in senior courses St Edmund’s College is excited to strengthen this partnership and work towards student athlete development

PARTNER WITH US DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS

When you give to St Edmund’s College, you are directly investing in our students and supporting their growth and development.

Making a philanthropic gift to the College enables countless opportunities for future generations of Eddies students, including your own child. Our students will enjoy an exceptional and vibrant education that will set them up for a bright and prosperous future.

Your gift allows the College to fulfil its vision of a world where we can provide an education which challenges young men to be the best they can be and opens doors to their future.

WAYS TO GIVE

There are several ways that you can financially support the work of St Edmund’s College. Many donations have tax deductibility status for Australian donors.

One off or regular donation to St Edmund’s College Building Fund

Give a donation so that it can be used where it is most needed. The St Edmund’s College Building Fund enables the community to make a direct contribution to the refurbishment, maintenance and future development of infrastructure at the College. Please contact the College on 6239 0621 and ask to speak to the Principal, or email principal@stedmunds. act.edu.au or make a donation online by following this link and select Building Fund.

One off or regular donation to the St Edmund’s College Foundation

Inspired by the charism of Edmund Rice, the St Edmund’s College Foundation was established to give financial assistance to marginalised or disadvantaged families so that the cost of educating their sons would be alleviated. Since its inception in 1988 the Foundation has supported the education of hundreds of young men at St Edmund’s. Your donation to the Foundation will enable families in need of help in educating their sons leaving a lasting legacy that will benefit current students as well as students for generations to come.

For more information on how to donate contact foundation@stedmunds.act.edu.au or 6239 0673, or make a donation by following this link and select St Edmund’s College Foundation.

Make a bequest

Those who have experienced the special quality of St Edmund’s can make bequests to the College, so we can continue to deliver excellence in education in the Edmund Rice tradition. A bequest is a very personal form of giving, and a gift to St Edmund’s provides you with the opportunity to create a lasting educational legacy to our future generations of young men.

Please contact us on 6239 0621 and ask to speak to the Principal if you are interested in giving in this way, or email principal@stedmunds.act.edu.au.

MARY-JANE MCLEOD

Ex-staff member and current mother

I feel very privileged to have had the opportunities I had at Eddies as a parent, a staff member and the first female Head of Rugby. This year, my youngest of three sons is in Year 12 and I am sad to think my regular connection to the school is coming to an end.

I first stepped on the grounds at Eddies in 2008, when we were doing the rounds of all the school open days. A young Year 6 boy, Angus took us on the tour, and I am sure he has gone on to become a very successful salesman! At one point he turned to us and said, “the only problem with Eddies is that you can’t sleep here”. His knowledge of the school, the relationships we could see he had with staff and other students alike, and his incredible enthusiasm won us over. Job done; the course was set for three McLeod’s to become Eddies boys.

My eldest son started in Year 4 in 2009, which lay the foundations for many lasting relationships for not only my son but us as a family. The first Mum I spoke to, standing watching our boys’ first Under 10s Rugby game, has become a lifelong friend, along with many other families we met in our first year. It has been a privilege to also watch their boys grow up into fantastic young men.

For six years I worked in administration and as the school nurse. What a privileged position this was. ‘Sick bay’ as it was known was a place to come when not only you were injured, but just needed some time out from the business of school and corridors full of rowdy boys. I had boys who had to come daily to receive medications, as well as ‘frequent flyers’ who just liked to come and have a chat. Not knowing I had access to their timetables; I often saw a correlation between the time they visited and particular subjects they weren’t so keen on!

Eddies boys also managed to sustain some pretty interesting injuries … I spent many ambulance rides taking boys to the Emergency Department; the most memorable times were when boys were sucking on the green whistle and telling me all their deep thoughts … usually, it was how much they loved their Mum! From cricket bats connecting with heads to food tech and woodwork injuries, I saw it all.

A number of times I had boys bring animals to me in sick bay. Injured birds, and my favourite - a dog found at the bus interchange. They took the dog onto the bus, with the thought in mind that “Miss would know what to do with it”. The lovely dog stayed with me until my lunch break, by which stage the boys had decided he was the school mascot, and his name would be “Eddie”.

Another role I held during my time at the school was as the first female Head Of Rugby. I had managed teams for 8 years, had been the first aider and had been involved on the sideline in many ways. It was a demanding role, with an average of over 300 boys playing each season; add in sourcing coaches, managers, first aiders, referees, and parents - there was rarely a dull moment!

Home games meant clocking over 25,000 steps in a day and being there to open the gates to meet the baker at 7 am and close the gates in the dark when

the stragglers finally left. Whilst exhausting, they were the absolute best days. The boys cheering in the grandstand, those endless Eddies tunnels, meeting so many wonderful people, watching fantastic Rugby and enjoying the community feel. So many boys would say “Miss! Did you see me play today?” ... honestly, I had no idea if I had half the time! Some Saturdays I had three sons playing, two sons coaching, a daughter referring, and 18 home games to keep an eye on… utter craziness, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

I was lucky to accompany 46 Eddies boys on a tour to New Zealand in 2018. I became very adept in ordering huge amounts of food (I never thought I would be ordering 50 bananas and 50-foot-long subs from Subway!) and sourcing local laundromats where I could wash the jerseys and shorts and get them back to white again, just in time for the next match. Those were the days when billeting remained the norm; what an experience that was for the boys!

I dedicated 12 months to arranging the first Eddies tour to South America, which was to entail playing high-quality schools in both Argentina and Chile. The kit was distributed, everything was in order, and then … COVID hit. It was a tough day when it was decided it could no longer happen, three weeks out. Bringing the boys into that meeting was very tough, particularly for the Year 12 boys. In hindsight, I’m glad I wasn’t stuck in South America with 46 boys in the middle of a pandemic, but it was incredibly disappointing after so much fundraising and hard work by all to cancel. Little did we know that would be the norm for the next few years.

Soon we were all working from home and studying from home … what an odd time for the boys. When school reopened in May 2020, the wonderful Year 12 boys painted a lovely big sign, thanking the staff, and in classic Eddies boys’ style, hung it nice and high on some out-of-bound scaffolding.

I used to pride myself on knowing 800 boys all by name and would laugh that they didn’t even have to remember my name, as the standard title was “Miss”. Being called Miss still when I see old boys is a highlight … just forgive me if I need you to remind me of your name boys!

On my final day as a staff member, I was asked by the Junior School to attend their assembly, where wonderful Sonny, a Year 6 student, sang a Pasifika farewell song. What a special memory to leave with.

It has been a privilege and an honour to be part of the blue and white community. I look forward to pulling in off Canberra Avenue in years to come on a Saturday and watching some games.

RHYS HEKIMIAN Class of 2003 and staff member

My journey to becoming an Eddies boy was a little different to some. As the son of an ex Marist student I first considered Marist as my preferred option for high school, however it didn’t feel right for me. Perhaps it’s just because all the people I liked in primary school were off to Eddies, who knows. Nevertheless, I do remember the first day I walked up the front steps of St Edmund’s College Canberra. My little brother could not get over how much the campus looked like Hogwarts. Much to his disappointment, the strange smells and potions were just the science teachers making instant coffee.

On Open Day, all students and parents were invited into the Hall to be addressed by the Head of Junior School. Sadly, I cannot remember what Pat Doyle said exactly, but it worked. I left that speech wanting to be a part of the culture, the school, the sport, and the history.

My first few years at Eddies were spent playing sport and scraping by in English and Maths classes. I would take notes and engage in conversation, but neglect the suggestions of editing and submitting drafts to my teachers. The irony is not lost on me when I discuss a difficult student with teaching staff, and they remark that this student sounds a lot like me when I was in their class. One subject that I remember enjoying fondly was Youth Ministry. I remember asking endless questions about the Bible and theology. Next thing I know, suddenly my Religious Education teacher sent me to Youth Ministry, perhaps to challenge me or to stop all the questions, whatever the reason, it worked. This form of community service education inspired me to give back to my community and eventually led to me becoming Clancy House Captain.

I quickly came to realise that my true passion was not in the classroom, but on the stage. I was keen on the idea of becoming an actor long before I put on the blue and white tie, but it wasn’t until I was given a small role in the

school musical (“Oliver”, 2010) that my passion really grew. Now I will not lie, at the time, the school musical was one of the only co-curricular subjects that allowed students from both St Edmund’s and St Claire’s to co-habitate. This was, without a doubt, the main reason I wanted to participate in the show. However, once the costumes came on and the lights went up, I remember being hooked on the excitement, adrenaline, and challenge of performing for a live audience.

I began taking drama classes and I felt I found a space in the school where I experienced success. Little did I know at the time I would go on to top the subject in Year 12 and achieve a BSSS Award in Drama. All these successes were due to the work and support of my Drama teacher, Nigel Palfreman. Nigel was a major influence in my early career and even helped me get my first professional acting job in an ABC TV show which filmed in Canberra. Since then, I would frequently ask for his advice when working on auditions or scripts. Looking back on my time at Eddies, it was in the Creative Arts department where I felt a great sense of belonging and support. Looking out my office window, ten years on, I see many of our current students finding this same sense of community and connection within the creative arts as well.

After graduating, I moved to Wollongong to study a Bachelor of Performing Arts at the University of Wollongong. I spent many years living and working between Wollongong and Sydney. As an actor, I was constantly chasing the next job and I could see that this kind of uncertain lifestyle was not for me. So, I moved into the only other job I enjoyed and felt passionate about - teaching. Before I had finished my final year at Eddies, I asked the Principal at the time if I could come back a couple of days a week and engage in some work experience. I wanted to get a sense of what teaching was really like.

Peter Fullagar clearly saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself and offered me a part time job

in the learning support team. This position was an invaluable opportunity and one that I didn’t fully understand until many years later. The months I worked in the Diverse Learning team allowed me to experience the challenges and rewards of educating and improving students’ outcomes. In many ways this experience has directly influenced where I am today.

Currently, I am working as a teacher and creative artist in Canberra. When I began studying to be a teacher, I was shocked at how many theatre companies and production teams needed educators who could present or perform. This combination of skills has afforded me many incredible opportunities, including directing theatre shows, coaching actors, starring in professional productions, and working with exceptional artists from all over the country. Since I left Eddies in 2014, the Canberra arts culture has grown exponentially, and I am so grateful to be a part of this community. Now that I am back at Eddies, ten years after I graduated, I can really see the lasting impact great teachers and a safe learning environment can have on a student. I honestly thought I would leave Canberra and school would become a distant memory. Yet, somehow, Eddies keeps calling me back and now I try to offer the same opportunity and support to students wanting to follow their dreams, just like me.

EDMUMS

TONY LO PILATO Class of 1980

I commenced at St Edmund’s College in January 1973 commencing in Year 5, with limited English language skills as I had spent two years living in Italy. I finished Year 12 in 1980, with the College seeing many changes during those eight years, such as the construction of the basketball facility and the Brothers’ residence at the front of the school.

Schooling in Italy was very different. I returned having forgotten my English speaking and writing skills, but I still was well accepted in the new school surroundings. Along with my limited English came the usual comments about my heritage, but was I able to deal with that due to my height and size. It made a difference. There was an incident in Year 7, when I was called a ‘wog” and I had a fight with another boy calling me that name. I lost the fight, but from that day no one called me “wog” again.

In my rugby playing days our coach was Brother Bob “Woodwork”, as he was affectionally known. He would bring the strap to training and in winter it was not pleasant to be at the other end of it if we weren’t practicing your ruck and mauls correctly. I suppose this was one way of perfecting the “dark art” of rucks and mauls.

Many teachers had an impact on my life in the eight years that I spent at the College, but three teachers stood out:

• In Year 8 Chris Morrissey encouraged me greatly by what you would describe as “tough love”. If you put in the effort, you get rewarded. This translated into better academic results as well as enjoying playing basketball and rugby union.

• Brother Bob Wallace always stressed the importance of effort. I remember very clearly in Year 12 Brother Wallace telling us that if you intend to go to university you should treat the studies as a working week (being 40 hours) and you will get results. I did not follow that statement and the results were not the best in the first semester. I followed Br Wallace’s words during the second semester and my academic results improved.

• Brother Don Gallagher for the love of the arts and his calming influence.

The Brothers also played a large role in our student life, as there was a large contingent of them teaching at the College.

I have given back to the College by coaching the boys in basketball and did that for a number of years. We were undefeated in one season and won the Grand Final. I was proud of the boys that we participated in a Grand Final, as some may never have that opportunity.

Religion has always played a big part for students in the life of the College, and for me, it did that, due to our sister having a disability and I wanted the situation to improve for her in some small way. This has had a significant impact on me and was the main driver for me to be involved in various community groups to help the disadvantaged and assist in providing a better environment to live in. I have been involved in this work for over 40 years.

The College taught us values and respect for people and this has carried me through to this day.

CABARET

BLUE & WHITE BALL

St Edmund’s College BUILDING FUND

The St Edmund’s College Building Fund enables the community to make a direct contribution to the refurbishment, maintenance and development of infrastructure at the College.

Like many independent schools, St Edmund’s depends on the support of the entire community - school fees and government grants alone do not support new capital projects, major maintenance and restoration of existing buildings, or the on-going support and enhancement of the College’s scholarship programmes.

We would like to provide our students across the College with learning spaces which:

• Can be adapted to accommodate learning modes and technology

• Create opportunities for students to learn independently and in groups

• Support collaborative learning and teaching for students and teachers

• Provide optimum learning conditions that are aesthetically appropriate

How to Contribute

1. Visit our College website at https://sec.act.edu.au

2. Find ‘Links’ at the top or bottom of the page.

3. Click on ‘Online Payment’ which should take you to our College Payment Portal.

4. In the ‘Event’ selection menu, click ‘Voluntary Building Fund’

“All gifts support our future, and whether large or small, gifts are greatly appreciated and assist the College’s vision to develop boys into young men of strong character.”

St Edmund’s College

A Catholic School in the Edmund Rice Tradition. Educating boys Years 4 to 12 since 1954. 110 Canberra Avenue, Griffith ACT 02 6295 3598 reception@stedmunds.act.edu.au sec.act.edu.au