Headmaster Column – May 1, 2015

Dear friends,-

I have to admit I felt very proud to be the Headmaster of St Patrick’s College last week!

Last Saturday, on a very cold morning in Ballarat, I had the great pleasure of accompanying 40 boarders and staff to the ANZAC Dawn Service at the Arch of Victory. By all reports, there were 15,000 present. I am sure that each person present would have been moved, as I was, by this emotional event. It was an opportunity to acknowledge the fallen men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country, as well as those servicemen and women who returned home to our shores. Our boarders were very respectful of this occasion, listening intently to all of the speeches and readings. They were fine ambassadors for St Patrick’s College and I congratulate them on the way they participated.

Later that day, our Marching Band held pride of place in the ANZAC Parade down Sturt Street. Our students were nothing short of superb! I can’t imagine a better advertisement for the College than these young men who performed to an incredibly high standard. I would like to acknowledge Mr Peter Gunn, past Student and member of the armed forces, who has given his time very generously over the past few months to prepare our band for this important event.-

And finally, St Patrick’s College hosted a number of visiting sporting teams from St Kevin’s College last week in the areas of football, rugby, soccer, basketball and cross country. This is an annual event that provides the opportunity for our boys to compete at the highest level against another school in the Edmund Rice tradition. Our students competed very enthusiastically and in the spirit of the occasion. Once again, each of our participating students were fantastic ambassadors.

And finally, on Saturday evening, the Old Collegians Association will host the annual Legends Dinner, where past students Major Joe Fogarty, Mr Laurie Larmer, Sgt Blaine Diddams, and Colonel Shaun Hoffmann will formally inducted as Legends of the College. Past Staff members Br Kevin Tuck and Mr Brian Broadribb will also be formally recognised as Facere et Docere for their contributions to St Patrick’s College over many years.

Many past students will return to the College on this night, with many wonderful stories to share. It is a terrific opportunity to catch up with friends, commencing at 6pm with a Mass in our Chapel. I look forward to reporting back to the community on the success of the evening in the next edition of Crest.-

John Crowley

HEADMASTER

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