Damian Hale (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to acknowledge 100 years of Catholic education in the Northern Territory: in 1908 the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart—the OLSH sisters—began Catholic education in the NT. I have a strong interest in this important anniversary as I attended St John’s College in Darwin for five years. I was a school vice captain and played Australian Rules and Rugby Union for the school. I am still friends with many of the staff: Greg O’Mullane, Leigh and Glenda Lockley, and Noel and Carol Muller. The Mullers have committed much of their working lives to the school. Mr Ralph Braithwaite, who recently retired after more than 30 years service, was instrumental in the administration of the college.

Celebrations throughout the year highlight the work of the OLSH sisters in establishing schools across the Territory and the development and history of all Catholic schools. Today, there are 15 Catholic schools throughout the NT: 10 urban schools and five Indigenous Catholic community schools. In 1908 the first Catholic school, St Joseph’s—the present-day St Mary’s in Darwin—was established by five OLSH sisters. The sisters went on to establish schools at Bathurst Island, Santa Teresa and Alice Springs. 1 July 2007 is a significant date in the history of Catholic education and marks the commencement of the agreement to transfer five Catholic remote schools to the Catholic systemic model, following negotiations between the Australian and Northern Territory governments. These five schools were previously funded under the 1979 Mission Schools Agreement.

Staff, students and the community are all welcome to become involved in the celebrations. Activities will include a Eucharistic mass, a formal history of the school and centenary awards in recognition of service and outstanding commitment to the school. A dinner and a performing arts festival showcasing the talents of the students will take place on 19 September.

During the orientation program at the start of this year, Sister Anne Gardner, who has spent 50 years at Bathurst Island, launched the celebrations for the year with a study package distributed to each school. Sister Anne was also responsible for the publication of The Flame in the North, which seeks to capture the stories and the history of some of the pioneering sisters.

I congratulate everyone involved in the 100 years of Catholic education in the Northern Territory. During 2008, the National Catholic Education Commission will meet in Darwin to mark this centenary. A reception at Parliament House will provide an opportunity to recognise the icons of Catholic education and to recognise long-term service in Catholic education across the Territory. I seek leave to table the timeline of the development of Catholic schools in the Northern Territory.

Leave granted.