Michael John Bowden OAM the Territory. In 2015, Mike retired to spend more time with his wife and their grandkids. Judy had been in gradual decline due to dementia and retirement was brought on when Judy's condition worsened. Always community-oriented, and guided by the values of social justice and equity, Mike remained heavily involved in local issues in the Territory. Recently he completed his PhD in Theology based on the Arrernte people's spiritual lives and reflecting his deep commitment to Aboriginal people.
Each of the elements of our catchphrase "learning, family and fullness of life" is wonderfully applicable to St Kevin's old boy Michael Bowden. Born in 1947, Mike Bowden grew up in a workingclass Catholic family in Chadstone, Melbourne. At age 17, Mike joined the seminary in Werribee before leaving to join the Richmond Tigers and to study at Monash University to be a teacher. At university, he met the love of his life, Judy. They married in 1969, the same year Mike played in a VFL premiership with Richmond. In the late 70s, Mike departed the big smoke for Robinvale, in the Sunraysia district of Victoria. He was lured to coach the Robinvale Eagles. Mike and Judy had already welcomed their first son Sean, and two more boys, Rhett and Kane, were born in Robinvale while Mike taught at the local secondary school and coached the Eagles to a premiership. The family took on guardianship of local boy Charlie Kellet and, as was his and Judy's way, developed friendships that would last a lifetime. OMNIA
Through the late 70s and early 80s, the Bowden family moved around Sunraysia through offers from football clubs for Mike to coach. By this time, Joel and Patrick had been born. In line with his values, the Bowden family moved to the Pitjantjatjara community of Ernabella in 1983, beginning a relationship with the Pitjantjatjara people that continues to this day. Their daughter Majella was born while the family lived in this majestic part of Australia. Mike later worked in Alice Springs at the Catholic High school, establishing the Intjarlke Unit for Arrernte students. He worked closely with the Arrernte community and completed his Masters. Mike then worked at the Tangentyere Council and began a decades-long relationship with the Arrernte people of the Whitegate community.
Mike was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2018 and, sadly, passed away earlier this month. Mike Bowden was a man of compassion, drive and humility. He led a life of putting others ahead of himself and looking out for those less fortunate. Mike made an enduring contribution in all of the communities he has lived in, especially in the Northern Territory. For his family and the many he has taught, coached and supported, he was a true inspiration. Mike Bowden was a great Australian and was awarded an Order of Australia (OAM) in January 2020. He was cherished by all that are fortunate enough to know him, and the St Kevin's community was proud to call Mike a member of our old boy community.
Mike went on to advise the Northern Territory Minister for Education and took on teacher and principal roles throughout
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