Principal
The endorphins were pumping through the veins of the cast, as well as many people in the audience, last Saturday night as the 2021 Musical production High School Musical – On Stage! came to its pulsating finale followed up by a joyous encore. Each of the four shows were sold out and the quality of the production was a credit to everyone involved - staff and students alike. We thank our partner school Mary MacKillop College and their talented young ladies for their involvement. Special thanks are extended to Ms Alison Kilgour, the Artistic Director, for her leadership and commitment to what is a long term project. It was particularly exciting to see increasing numbers of our boys involved and enjoying themselves on the stage. For some, it is a sign of a growing confidence in performing arts at the College. I also commend the Year 12 students who were involved for the manner in which they engaged with and led the younger boys.
At Tuesday's assembly, we presented students from Year 5 to 10 with the Semester 1 Old Boys Awards, which are based on the learning dispositions of our Habits of Mind framework. The Awards are named after outstanding Old Boys who achieved both at Nudgee College and in life beyond their school days. Their names include Old Boys from many years ago such as Neal Macrossan and Patrick Donovan as well as younger men such as Patrick Cook and Stephen Daley. The Year 7 Awards are named in honour of Mr Ian Brusasco (NC - 1947). The significance of the Year 7 Awards was heightened by the fact that Ian Brusasco passed away recently. We extend our prayers and sympathies to his wife, Patsy, and his extended family. The College was represented by our school leaders at his public memorial service that was held on Wednesday.

Ian Brusasco was a proud Nudgee College Old Boy who came to the College from a very poor, Italian migrant family in Far North Queensland near Ingham. He claimed that the first time he wore shoes was when he came to the College in the 1940s and he still did not know who paid for his education as his family were in no place to afford the fees. He embraced the educational opportunity that the College offered and embraced his study and sport. Beyond school, he built a highly successful career in pharmacy, politics, sports administration and charitable organisations. His life of service to others was honoured with awards such the 1988 Member of the Order of Australia; the Centenary Medal in 2001 and in 2002, he was named an Officer of the Order of Australia for "distinguished service to the community of Queensland through leadership roles with a range of public administration, sporting and charitable organisations, particularly Foodbank Queensland". In the 2018 GPS Centenary year, he was named in the Nudgee College Hall of Fame. The public memorial held in his honour was a fitting tribute to a person who never forgot his poor upbringing and who ultimately sought to use his success in life to help the most needy. Vale Ian Brusasco.
We also remembered Br Vic Larkin in a special way at assembly on Tuesday. It was the third anniversary of his passing. He served the Christian Brothers for many years, in many schools and in many roles. He lived in retirement here at Nudgee College for 15 years until 2018. Though retired, he was an active member of the school community and a much loved character. You always felt better after a conversation with Vic, even if that encounter was barely a few minutes. He dealt with his Parkinson’s Disease without complaint and it never detracted from his quick wit and sharp intellect. He was a man of great faith who could see the good in every person. Those in the community who knew him still miss his regular presence amongst us. We are comforted in knowing that he will be looking down on us and blessing the daily endeavours of all those who walk the path of a Catholic education in the Edmund Rice tradition.
Finally, it is with some sense of relief and anticipation that I inform the community that I am taking leave for six weeks at the end of the term. I return to the office early in August. I had plans in place to take leave last year but these were scuttled by COVID-19. This period of time away from the daily grind will be focused on some personal renewal, rest and well-being. In my absence, the school will be well led by:
- Mr David Johnston as Principal
- Mr Peter Todd as Deputy Principal
- Ms Jo Barrett as Dean of Students
- Mr Michael Byrne as Director of Students
- Mr Brendan McGuinness as Ross House Dean
As we come to the end of Semester 1, I am very grateful for the collective contribution of so many individuals and groups in our 130th year. We are grateful for the many blessings that we enjoy but we are also mindful of those in the school community for whom the year has been a challenge. The Nudgee College community, and the boys in particular, will remain in my prayers over the coming weeks.
Mr Peter Fullagar
Principal