St Joseph's Nudgee College

May 20, 2008

They are fierce rivals but last week students from Nudgee College and Gregory Terrace joined together to raise money for Christian Brothers communities in East Timor.

In what has become an annual event, students from both Colleges wore their College colours in a free dress day leading up to the Nudgee vs Terrace rugby and football matches.

Students make contributions for being allowed to wear free dress and the money collected from both schools goes towards the home game hosts overseas Christian Brother's project.

"Last year St Joseph's Gregory Terrace very graciously donated $3,500 to our Philippines activity," Nudgee Principal Daryl Hanly said.

"This year, it is our turn to show our appreciation by supporting St Joseph's Gregory Terrace's East Timor project."

Terrace held its Black and Red Day last Thursday while Nudgee's Blue and White Day was held on Friday. The money that was raised by Nudgee College will be presented to Terrace later this year.

Both Nudgee College and Terrace have connections with Christian Brothers Schools in the Philippines and East Timor respectively. Year 10 students from both Colleges visit the respective regions as part of Immersion projects.

Due to unstable conditions in East Timor, Terrace students were not been able to attend for the past few years however Terrace Principal Peter Chapman recently travelled back to the area and was keen to have students return later this year.

Preparations for this year's Nudgee trip to the Philippines have already begun with Year 5-9 students recently undertaking the "Walk to the Philippines: Making the Connection" event.

Mr Hanly said events such as Blue and White Day were important because they teach the students that even rivals can work together to make the world a better place.

"There is obviously a fairly strong rivalry between Nudgee and Terrace that goes back many years. This rivalry however, shouldn't stop us from working together to help those most in need," he said.

Mr Hanly said he believes Nudgee College and Gregory Terrace, as Christian Brother's schools, have a responsibility to help those less fortunate.

"There is no doubt that as Edmund Rice Education Australia moves into the future, our involvement with projects such as East Timor and the Philippines keeps us in touch with Christian Brothers working at the margins," he said.