Which House are you in?
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Welcome to Trinity College Colac! At Trinity, all students are allocated to a College House, which provides opportunities to meet others and participate in a common goal together. There are House sporting events, academic challenges and fun activities for everyone to be able to contribute towards earning points for the annual House Spirit Cup. Commendations for being courageous, resilient, grateful, respectful and persistent also builds up those valuable points, providing all students with the opportunity to work towards winning the coveted trophy that is awarded at the end of the year.
There are four Houses at Trinity and they are named after people who made a huge difference in the world. They were ordinary people who did extraordinary things by having a deep faith in God and being inspired by Jesus, who is the ultimate role model for helping others. One of the House patrons, Mary Glowrey, was born in Birregurra! And another, Mary MacKillop, is from Fitzroy and became Australia’s only Saint!
There is much you can learn from our House patrons and there is so much inspiration that can be gained from their determination to help the world become a better place. This booklet is just the beginning; you will have plenty of opportunities to find out more about your House patron and be inspired to be the best you can be.
We can’t wait to welcome you to our College and look forward to seeing you soon.
So, the question is, which House are you in?
Mr Paul Clohesy Principal
WHICH HOUSE ARE YOU IN?
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Are you in Glowrey House?
Glowrey House is named after Doctor Sister Mary Glowrey.
Mary Glowrey devoted her life to serving others, using her unique gifts and talents to make a difference in the lives of thousands of people and leave a lasting legacy that continues long after her death.
Mary was born and baptised in Birregurra where her father ran the General Store. She grew up in western Victoria and was very talented at school, receiving a scholarship to a secondary school and the University of Melbourne where she studied Medicine.
After graduating, Dr Mary Glowrey worked in leading Melbourne hospitals while also providing free medical care to the homeless on the streets of the city.
In 1920, Mary left Australia to travel to India to care for vulnerable women and children. She cared for many and was responsible for providing medical training to local people to be able to look after many more. In 1943, she founded the Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI) that continues to make a difference to the lives of hundreds of thousands of people through health, education and services.
Melbourne University has described Mary Glowrey as ‘the woman who changed the lives of millions.’
She is only the second Australian to be considered for official recognition as a Saint, after the Catholic Church granted her the title Servant of God in 2010.
Dr Sr Mary Glowrey died in 1957 at 69 years of age. She never returned to her homeland and was mourned by her family back in Australia who she kept in close contact with. Her courage, determination and love to make a difference is an inspiration to everyone in Glowrey House.
Mary Glowrey was born in Birregurra, Australia, in 1887 and died in Bangalore, India, in 1957.
Lighthouse
The lighthouse on the Glowrey House crest symbolises the light that Mary Glowrey shone on humanity with her good deeds.
Tiger Quoll
The mascot of Glowrey House is the Tiger Quoll that is linked to the landscape of the Otway Ranges.
MacKillop HOUSE
Are you in MacKillop House?
MacKillop House is named after Saint Mary MacKillop.
Mary MacKillop was born in Melbourne to poor Scottish immigrants. She commenced work at the age of 16 to care for her seven brothers and sisters and in 1860 moved to her aunt and uncle’s farm in Penola in South Australia where she taught her cousins and other local children.
In 1862 Mary accepted a job teaching in Portland, Victoria, and later opened her own boarding school for girls. Four years later, Father Julian TenisonWoods invited Mary back to Penola to open a Catholic school.
Mary had found her calling and chose to devote herself to God, having faith that He would provide and a willingness to go where they were needed. Along with her sister Lexie and a small group of women, Mary founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart and continued to provide education to the poor, particularly in rural areas.
Within a few years, the Sisters opened schools for impoverished girls in other Australian cities, as well as an orphanage and a refuge for women released from prison.
Mary MacKillop died in 1909 and, after a process of examining her life and miracles performed, was canonised by the Pope in 2010.
Saint Mary MacKillop is Australia’s only saint and is remembered for her determination to provide education to the poor throughout the nation. Her devotion to service and commitment to making a difference is an inspiration to the students in MacKillop House.
Mary MacKillop was born in Fitzroy, Australia, in 1842 and died in North Sydney, Australia, in 1909.
Hands of Compassion & Southern Cross
On the MacKillop House crest, the hands are reaching out in compassion and the Southern Cross recognises Mary MacKillop as being the first Australian saint.
Little Penquin
The mascot of MacKillop House is the Australian Little Penguin that is found on the coastline of south-west Victoria.
Are you in McAuley House?
McAuley House is named after Venerable Catherine McAuley.
Catherine McAuley was born in Ireland during a time of oppression and hardship for Catholics. When she was 25, Catherine went to work for an elderly childless couple, looking after their household and being their loyal companion. She was deeply compassionate and spent her spare time helping women in need on the streets of Dublin.
When the old couple died, she inherited their considerable fortune and chose to use it to build a house to provide education and care for homeless women and children.
In 1831 Catherine and her fellow workers formed the Sisters of Mercy, devoted to educating poor girls, visiting the sick and protecting distressed women. The Sisters founded more Convents of Mercy around the country and in England, with Catherine personally making sure that each community was providing necessary support to the poor.
In 1841, suffering from health issues, Catherine became bed-ridden and died on 11 November. After her death, the Sisters of Mercy left Ireland to establish new foundations in the Australia, New Zealand, USA, Newfoundland and Argentina. Her commitment to making a difference for people in need, particularly girls and women, remains at the heart of the mission of the Sisters of Mercy
In 1888 the Sisters of Mercy arrived in Colac and opened St Josephs’ College. In 1979 St Joeph’s amalgamated with Trinity College to form Trinity College Colac.
Catherine McAuley is a founder of our College and also a House patron. Her service to others and her commitment to making a difference is an inspiration for the students in McAuley House.
Catherine McAuley was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1778 and died in Dublin, Ireland, in 1841.
River
The River running past trees and mounstains on the McAuley House crest symbolises her belief that we must bend and adapt on our life journey and listen to our better nature.
Platypus
The mascot of McAuley House is the platypus that can be found in the Otways waterways.
Are you in Rice House?
Rice House is named after Blessed Edmund Rice.
Edmund Rice was born on his family’s farm in the south of Ireland and enjoyed a happy childhood with his brothers and sisters. Edmund went to work for his uncle at the port city of Waterford and soon earned a reputation for being hard and ethical businessman. He was highly regarded and soon became very wealthy, attending Mass every day and inspired by Jesus to do good works in the community.
Edmund fell in love with Mary Elliott, the daughter of a respected Catholic family. The young couple happily married and had great plans for their future. However, in 1789, Mary tragically died soon after she gave birth to their daughter. Devasted by the loss of his wife, Edmund’s relationship with God deepened and his heart was further opened to the suffering of others.
When his daughter was old enough to live with her uncle, Edmund followed his calling and founded a school for boys to provide education to liberate them from poverty and social oppression. He faced many challenges but with the help of his companions he opened another school and then many more followed.
Edmund founded the congregation of the Christian Brothers who would go on to establish schools around the world. He died in 1842, leaving a legacy of liberating education and gospel spirituality that continues to make a difference in the lives of thousands of people today.
His courage, compassion and deep faith are an inspiration to the students of Rice House.
Edmund Rice was born in Callan, Ireland, in 1778 and died in Waterford, Ireland, in 1841.
RICE
Growing Seed
The image of the seed growing out of a heart was inspired by a line that Edmund Rice wrote in 1837: ‘Have courage, the good seed will grow up in the children’s hearts later on.’
Brolga
The mascot of Rice House is the Brolga, which is Australia’s largest waterbird and can be found in the volcanic plains of south-west Victoria.