Celebrating a Milestone
December 9, 2009
Image Gallery
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Br Vic receives his gifts at the assembly
Yvonne and Br Vic with the boomerang, emu egg and painting
The St Joseph’s Nudgee College community took time to celebrate a milestone birthday for a College stalwart as part of the College’s final assembly.
Well-known for his calm demeanour, reassuring words and general presence, Br Vic Larkin cfc celebrates his 80th birthday on December 9.
Staff, students and parents congratulated Br Vic during the assembly and sang Happy Birthday. Indigenous Liaison Officer Yvonne O’Neill presented him with an emu egg, a boomerang and a painting she painted depicting Br Vic’s story.
The boomerang contains a goanna which is Yvonne's father's totem. It is customary to include family totems as they are signs of safety and handing things down, which is what Br Vic does.
The emu egg is painted blue for Nudgee College. It contains the Brothers' cross and footprints to represent Mary.
The painting includes a red kangaroo, which is called a bodha and represents Br Vic. The kangaroo is facing the blue circle in the middle, which is Nudgee College's Treacy building.
This image was also in paintings commissioned by the College for National Sorry Day earlier in the year.
The blue line and circles represent Br Vic's Nudgee College journey while the brown lines represent the knowledge that Br Vic has that he continues to pass on.
“To reach 80 years of age is a great milestone in a person’s life”, Principal Mr Daryl Hanly said.
“We wish Br Vic well for his birthday and hope there are many more to come.”
Mr Hanley was taught by Br Vic in Mackay in 1958 and 1959.
Br Vic came to Nudgee College seven years ago when he joined the Brothers Community. Today he is an adored member of the College community.
Br Vic can always be found at home games, speaking with those in attendance and is often asked to perform grace at College events.
The College’s inter-house shield, which is presented to the winning House at the end of each year for sporting and academic competitions throughout the year, is named in his honour.
When accepting his gift at the assembly, Br Vic shared with those present his secrets for reaching 80.
“I am often asked how I made it to 80. I have never done drugs and have stayed away from wild men and wild women”, he said in typical Br Vic style.
“The truth is though I just kept breathing and I took each day as it came.”