College Board

CollegeBoard

It is hard to believe that as I step down as Chairman of the Mazenod College Board that I am in my 30th year on the Board and 29th as Chairman.

The College has grown in that time from 800 students to 1440. We have constructed new buildings and spent in excess of $40,000,000 in that time. We have greatly advanced and improved the educational opportunities for our students. I have really enjoyed working with and becoming personal friends with so many wonderful staff and in particular the Oblate priests. It has been a great gift to share in their dreams for the faith and education of thousands of boys. I have never met a better group of priests than the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

I would like to pay tribute to the five Rectors I have worked with over the 30 years. Fr Kevin Davine, Fr Pat Moroney, Fr John Sherman, Fr Michael Twigg and Fr Christian Fini. I would also like to thank Mr Tony Coghlan, the first lay principal of Mazenod. Tony has made a significant contribution and is well respected by the students.

The staff at Mazenod are totally focused on providing a first class education, but they also care about our boys as people and their wellbeing. The College has, and continues to, provide outstanding education for the boys who are fortunate to attend Mazenod. The values passed down by parents and teachers is something to behold. There is a wonderful caring camaraderie amongst our Old Boys throughout the generations.

Being Chairman has not been an easy ride. There have been many challenges with providing the right infrastructure and balancing and managing finances. If the buildings were necessary we built them. It must always be remembered that they have to be paid for. This is done through a mix of College fees and Federal and State Government grants.

My wife Anne and I look forward to Mazenod continuing to be a large part of our lives, as it was for our sons Roger, John and Michael. My daughter Virginia now has her son at Mazenod, so the family tradition and connection continues.

We are embarking on a new board which will be very business orientated. They will focus on developing the College and the faith filled educational opportunities even further. I thank all who have served on the Mazenod College Board for their time, loyalty and commitment to the wellbeing of the College. I wish the new Board every success and will always be there to advise and assist if required.

May Mary Immaculate continue to bless and keep safe our College, staff, parents and students.

Peter Le Grand JP Chairman