The dog and I were walking in Brisbane a few weeks ago when the ‘March for Australia’ was on. I have to admit to being more than a little disturbed by some of the chants heard during that march. People have a perfect right in a democracy to protest and express an opinion. Disappointingly, many of these demonstrations appeared to be hijacked by factions who seem to be interested in making people uncomfortable, dividing our society and greenlighting racially inspired attacks on people who are not Anglo-Saxon. I don’t think a good number of those folks represent the values of the Australia I love.

Chris Prowse is one of our Australian Catholic Archbishops. In responding to those marches around the nation, he said, “In the immigration debate, there’s a difference between reacting and responding. On the weekend (of the marches), there was a reaction and all the old stereotypes came up – that migrants are taking our jobs away, that this is really an Anglo-Saxon land, and others aren’t welcome.” Archbishop Prowse acknowledged the challenges that come with migration but insisted they should be addressed constructively. He pointed to schools as a living example of multicultural Australia. “Around the table of Australia, there’s hospitality for everyone. You go into any Catholic school in Australia and it’s like a little United Nations” he said. “Social cohesion is a central part of what makes Australia a good place. So, let’s continue to be a better, more hospitable Australia. Be people of hope in this Jubilee Year and look to the future with a response, not a reaction.” The Archbishop could well have had Shalom in mind. We are a much better school for the 33 different nationalities represented in our student and staff community. I really value that an increasing number of First Nations families are choosing Shalom to partner with us in the education of their daughters and sons. I love seeing those young women and men being obviously proud of their heritage. Schools are being increasingly successful in helping young indigenous men and women through to graduation in Year 12. That is a great thing. Diversity is a strength, not a weakness.

Very grateful to Mrs Gail Norris for stepping into my role for the past nine weeks. I really enjoyed my Leave but now looking forward to this last week of term and then Term 4. As most would be aware by now, I will move on from Shalom at the end of this year. Being in this community for 17 years and having my two children attend Shalom and living in the Bundaberg community, has been an extraordinary privilege and one for which I will be forever grateful.

Year 11 Retreat brings me back from Leave this week. I say it every year but this event is one of the best educational experiences we offer young people at Shalom. No doubt, 2025 will be no different.

Our prayers go to the family of Tony Darlison who died following a motor accident last weekend. Tony had just finished supporting the arrival of one of our students at the Formal. Tony is a past Shalom student. This is another awful tragedy and I hope that everyone of our young drivers hold their new ‘freedom’ as a sacred responsibility every day.