Lachlan Marsh
Director of Catholic Identity and Mission/MacKillop alumnus 1994-1997
Early Memories
It is my great privilege to write this reflection on the 30th Anniversary of the founding of MacKillop Catholic College on behalf of Inaugural Year 10 graduating class of 1997 who commenced in 1994.
To begin with, I found that I had very clear and positive memories of Years 7 and 10 but Year 8 and 9 are a bit hazy.
My first memories of the college are from 1993 when the founding families and people from our parish community came together for a working bee to help clean up the vandalised buildings and the neglected grounds.
These families took a big risk sending their children to this new school. Of the sixty Year 6 students at Corpus Christi only eight students went to MacKillop for Year 7. Parents were told that MacKillop may not be successful and that they might be looking for a new school for their children for the following year.
The first day of school I remember how quiet it was. When we went out to Recess some people knew only a handful of the other students. Many students didn’t know anyone at all. I remember everyone slowly filtering out onto the big expanse of the yard. We all seemed very small.
Everything had to be created from scratch; sporting teams, choirs, bands, debating teams. Nothing was in place like it is today. Often these were led by students who campaigned to have their interests realised.
As we were the first year level, we were always the leaders of the college. I never had the experience of having older students ahead of me until I got to Guilford Young College in Year 11.
In the early years, Students from MacKillop would turn up to SATIS Carnivals to be questioned by the other schools as to who we were.
Brother Tony Smith
Br Tony Smith was the founding principal of our college. In thinking about my connection to Br Tony, I would say that he is one of two people outside my family that had a big influence on my life.
Br Tony leadership was characterised by kindness and gentleness. He took the time to get to know us as individuals particularly in the early years of the college.
He would have been so pleased to see how far we have come and to see our expansion to Years 11 and 12. It is a moment of sadness and melancholy for those who knew him well that he has since passed away.
Building our Heritage
To conclude, I want our current students to understand the heritage that we are building together here at MacKillop Catholic College. Some schools in our Catholic Community have been around for the best part of 200 years. Their heritage is strong and unquestionable. They are confident in their identity. We don’t have that yet. We don’t have that history. Our students and staff are creating that heritage here today in 2024.
Everyone who has gone before us has added a piece of the puzzle to our MacKillop picture. Some people contribute more than one piece to the puzzle. Some people have a stream of badges down the front of their blazer that show what they contribute to the picture. Some people, like Br Tony, have contributed the corner pieces that helps hold everything together and in one place. Our founding families and staff have formed the border and it’s up to us to keep adding to the picture.
You might think that your piece of the puzzle isn’t very important. But that isn’t true. We need what you have to offer. We need you at your best, because we won’t be complete without you.
