15 MARCH 2022 | ISSUE 495 | FREE
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St Joseph’s Celebrates
100 YEARS S t Joseph’s School Nagambie celebrated its Centenary Celebration from Friday 11th – Sunday 13th March, 2022 in what has been hailed an outstanding success with many past students and staff reminiscing and reconnecting with old friends. The celebrations started on Friday with Mass concelebrated by Bishop Shane Mackinlay Bishop of Sandhurst diocese, Monsignor Frank Hickey (part Parish priest) and Fr Tony Hill (current parish priest). Attending was Director of Catholic Education Mr Paul Desmond and Deputy Director Sr Geraldine Larkins, Mr Damian Drum, Federal member of Parliament, Dr Hye Sang Shin, former student and Mr Anthony Butts past Principal. Michael Cruise (first lay principal after the Josephite nuns left in 1982) and his wife Sharon were also in attendance with Sharon singing during the mass. Sr Carmel Crameri, a Sister of St Joseph who lived and taught at the school in the 70’s also joined in on the festivities.
A delicious morning tea after the Mass was attended by past students, teachers and principals. . Sr Carmel a popular teacher during her time at St Joseph’s loved catching up with past students, one of them being the current principal Maree Findlay (nee Boyer). Maree can remember Sr Carmel as an absolute beautiful teacher who was so gentle and caring in nature. Saturday saw returning students, staff and visitors enjoyed guided Tours of the school convent (now the administration building), the church and presbytery. The tours ran throughout the duration of the day and were led by current and past students.
“It was a great opportunity for our current students to experience leadership and feel a part of this celebration as well as learn more about the history of their school,” said Principal Maree Findlay. Visitors were most excited to walk through these building as many had not seen them for many years if at all, especially the convent and presbytery.
'It was wonderful to see past students, some in their 70’s and 80’s reeling off names of classmates as if it was yesterday.'
The weekend was a celebration of friendship, laughter, reflection and a moment in time where new memories and friendships were formed.
‘One of the main features of the memorabilia was the ‘living history’ videos played in each of the classrooms. These videos were of past students, teachers, principals and parents who shared their memories of their time at St Joseph’s. It was a great opportunity for those who were unable to make it to share their memories but also a fantastic way to keep some of these stories and memories alive before they are lost or forgotten.
Congratulations to all involved in the organisation of the St Joseph’s 100 Years celebration.
130 alumni came together on Saturday evening at the Nagambie Rowing Club, formally The Valley Hotel to enjoy dinner and drinks in a relaxed atmosphere. Reunions of past school mates and rekindled friendships that had lasted in some case for more than 70 years. Some attendees had travelled from Queensland and Sydney to be there. The weekend concluded with Mass concelebrated with Monsignor Marriott (a past Parish priest) and Monsignor Hickey. St Malachy’s Church was full of parishioners which in itself was quite the celebration after two years of covid restrictions.
It was a walk down memory lane with visitors spending lengths of time in the classrooms perusing the photos and memorabilia that was on Sr Patricia Williams, a Sister of St Joseph who display. taught at the school in the 1950’s was also in attendance.