Principal
"Never see a need without doing something about it."
These words of Mary MacKillop are as relevant to our world today as they were when she was confronting injustice and hardship in the latter half of the 1800s and the early years of the 1900s. On Tuesday we celebrated the Feast Day of Australia’s first saint - St Mary of the Cross - with a Mass on Ross Oval and with the boys seated in the grandstand. Under a beautiful blue sky it was quite a scene and a unique way to remember her contribution to Australian society.
Mary dedicated her life to Catholic education, particularly to the poor of her time and to those in remote communities. She inspired the formation of the Sisters of St Joseph, who also lived among the poor and offered special care to the needy and the marginalised. St Mary of the Cross was also tenacious and resilient when faced with her own challenges within the Catholic Church. Her life, like that of all Saints, can be an example to us in our daily lives.
Importantly, St Mary of the Cross is a source of inspiration for all teachers in Catholic schools around the country. Each year, at the Feast of St Mary of the Cross, we acknowledge members of the College staff who have reached significant milestones in their service to Catholic education. We congratulate and thank the following staff for their dedication to the vocation of teaching and working in Catholic schools:
- Mr David Johnston: This year marks 30 years working in education for Mr Johnston, 20 of them in Catholic schools (St Peter’s Catholic College, Canberra 1991 - 1998; Nudgee College 2010 - present)
- Mr Simon Lilley: This year marks Mr Lilley’s 30th year in Catholic Education, having started at Mercy College Mackay in 1993. He spent 19 years at Chanel College in Gladstone before moving to St Teresa's, Noosaville. Mr Lilley came to Nudgee College in 2016.
- Ms Kay Nicholson: Ms Nicholson has worked in Nudgee College’s Art department, assisting the learning and teaching of the fine arts since 1991.
- Mr Peter Fullagar: Mr Fullagar has been a teacher for 40 years, over 30 of which have been spent in Catholic education (Iona College Brisbane 1986 - 2002; St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace 2003 - 2008; St Edmund’s College Canberra 2009 - 2014; Nudgee College 2015 - present)
- Mr David Kelly: Mr Kelly has been teaching for more than 40 years, commencing at St Joseph’s Beenleigh in 1980. After a brief time at St Kevin’s at Benowa on the Gold Coast he came to Nudgee College in June 1986.
Also under beautiful blue skies was Sunday’s Long Lunch. A crowd of nearly 1,500 gathered on Wilkes Oval for a tremendous celebration of community.
It would not have been possible without the extraordinary work of many staff and parents, as well as the support of our sponsors and suppliers. I acknowledge them again:
- Nudgee College's Property and Services staff, in particular Ms Annette Cross
- Nudgee College's Catering team, particularly Mr Alfonso Navarro and Mr Steve Lutter, who managed the alcohol arrangements
- Mr Raoul Carmody for his flair and commitment and to the Technical Production and Events team
- Ms Hannah Kilburn, Ms Chantel Roberts, Mr Paul Elliot and the team from Development and Communications for planning and coordinating the event
- Chair of the Ladies' Auxiliary (LAX) Ms Jo Curran, the LAX committee and all of the volunteers for their assistance with the set up
- Ms Simone Watson from the Past Mothers' Association for the table allocations
- The visionary of the event and source of endless energy and creativity Ms Alysia Bridger
Our caterers, suppliers and sponsors:
- Rosalie Gourmet and Ruggers @ Brothers Rugby Club for the delicious hampers
- Parents:
- Mrs Helen and Mr Barry Hamilton from Nu Water
- Mr Matt Hobson from Sunshine & Sons (Gin Bar provider)
- Mr Ian Giles from Carlton United Breweries
- Mr Steven Bradbury from Last Man Standing (craft beer provider)
- Mr Robert Wilkins from Treasury Wines
Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal
