THE REMEMBRANCE PLAQUE

With the closing of the hostel on the 11.12.04 a plaque in memory of all those who contributed to the running of the Pallottine Mission – Wandalgu Hostel over the past 56 years was erected. The plaque was Blessed by Bishop Justin after the closing Mass.
I am sure that all who take the time to come back to this unique place will visit the plaque and remember the wonderful times we all shared.

BY GERRY DUCK

JACK RYAN
8-11-1925 – 21 8-2004
REST IN PEACE

Jack began his life in Brisbane. On completing his education with the Christian Brothers at St Columban’s College, he served an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner, working on ships at South Brisbane docks until after the war. He then had a milk run in partnership with his brother until after his first marriage in 1947. Meanwhile he changed his occupation again, going into menswear, first on his own and then in partnership with his father-in-law. He often regaled us with stories of his co-workers and customers and their adventures at Chapman’s Corner.

Together he and Joan had six children: When Joan became too ill with cancer, Jack moved out of his business and gave up his other interests to care for her and his children until Joan died.

While pursuing full-time theological studies, Jack met Marnie. The year 1980 proved to be a turning point in his life. As well as getting married in Redfern, (where he had spent time with Father Ted Kennedy) towards the end of the year he and Marnie moved to Central Queensland hoping to work with Aboriginal people there.

In 1983 they answered an ad in the Catholic Leader and came to work with the Pallottines at Tardun.

Here he was truly a ‘Jack of all trades’! During the fours years spent here, he did maintenance work, drove the school bus, dug drains, fixed septic systems, baked bread and much more.

At the end of 1986 they moved to Geraldton to continue working with the Pallottines in the ministry to Aboriginal people. It was not long before he began his work visiting Greenough Regional Prison and driving the bus for Church on Sundays and funerals on other days.

Jack continued his chaplaincy work at the prison until a couple of months before his death.

He was passionate in his belief in Jesus and determined to give his life in service to those who had been badly treated and marginalized in society.

Thank you Jack and Marnie for your time at Wandalgu.

(Excerpts taken from The Sower vol. 19 No.5)

ON THE BUS...4 DAY TRIP TO SHARK BAY

Staying at Denham Seaside Caravan Park

After a long hot bus trip we arrived at the caravan park tired and ready for a swim. Once we had all decided on where we were sleeping we set up camp and headed for the beach. That night we went to the
Yadulah Aboriginal Corporation for a BBQ tea and a game of mini golf. Rodney, a Member of the Yadulah Aboriginal Corporation told us the best time to go to Perron Station to the hot tubs was at night and offered to show us. We went back to camp got our bathers and headed off. The water was warm and very relaxing. We all slept well that night.

Monkey Mia
The next day we went to Monkey Mia to see the feeding of the dolphins. Allanah and Melissa were lucky enough to be picked to hand feed a dolphin. All of us that had our sea legs went on a cruise on the Aristocrat. It was heaps of fun; we saw dolphins in the wild, Dugongs and turtles. We all had a great time on the boats boom net ride.

Pearl Farm
On Saturday we went on a boat ride to a pearl farm off the Monkey Mia coast. We learned about the pearl growing process and how the farmers made sure they were successful in getting pearls later.
Later that day we went to a marine park and saw fish, turtles and crayfish in aquariums. A guide took us all onto a bridge over a large pond. He then fed the sharks below us which was scary!!

Fishing
All the students had a great time fishing off the Shark Bay jetty. The boys had a great night Friday night and brought home enough fish for dinner the next day. Not to be outdone the girls had a go the following afternoon and Darrylynne, Terri and Phynea all reeled in a big one!!
Sadly Sunday came around all too quickly and we had to set off for home. We made a few detours and visited shell beach, the stromolites and went for a swim and mass in Kalbarri. We all had a fantastic time on our trip and have memories that will last a lifetime.

HARVEST TIME

Harvesting time is a busy for everyone at Wandalgu. Maurice and Marinus spend long hours in the harvester while Brother John drives the wheat to the bins. Brother Gunther is kept busy with any break downs that occur.

CONGRATULATIONS REG AND MARLENE

In week four Reg left us for one week to marry his  partner Marlene. With Anneliese and Maria looking after the boys is was a big (but happy) week for everyone. We wish Reg and Marlene all the best for their future together.

‘A LIFE WORTH LIVING’ BY GEORGE CARLIN

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

MONDAY NIGHTS IN THE CHURCH

Monday nights continued this term as a chance for us to sit quietly in the church with candle, music and sometimes a poem. It was a time for us all to reflect on the last week and think about how we could make the next one even better.

TUESDAYS AT POTTERY

Pottery with Doug Allan was a great chance for the kids to show us how talented they all are when it comes to anything creative. Everyone was lucky to have their pieces glazed and ready to take home at the end of the term – a good idea for Christmas presents. A big thank you to Doug and Colleen for all the hard work they put in getting all the pieces finished.

WEDNESDAYS IN THE ART ROOM

Every Wednesday afternoon/ evening was spent in the art room with Colleen. The kids had a great time painting. Again some great pieces were produced.

THURSDAYS AT MUSIC

Music continued on Thursday nights with David Stinson and the kids natural talent still amazed us all. The way they are able to pick up an instrument and play is something we all wish we could do. A thank you to David and Heidi for all their efforts in the last year.

 

AFTERNOONS BY THE POOL
As soon as the pool opened this term everyone knew the place to find the kids after school would be in the pool. It was the best way for them to cool down after a long day and heaps of fun was had. Even in the cooler evenings we would find ourselves in the pool as it was a nice way to end the day. The pool made the term much nicer for everyone. A BIG thank you to Brother Wim for all his hard work in running the pool, we don’t know what we would have done without it.


WORKING ON THE FARM
Many afternoons and weekends were spenT with Br John and the kids on the farm. From chasing sheep to checking water troughs the kids were certainly kept busy and happy when out working on the farm.


TERRI SIMPSON – YEAR 12 CLASS OF 2004
In Week 4 we were proud to celebrate the graduation of Terri Simpson, a long time student at Wandalgu. Terri’s graduation was celebrated with a BBQ and mass. We were sad to see Terri go but also pleased that she was able to reach this special event.


SWIMMING AT DONGARA
On Sunday 13th of November we took a trip to Dongara for the day. A few of us jumped in and others were pushed in! We enjoyed hamburgers for lunch followed by a game of cricket where we all had a chance to demonstrate our sporting talents. Everyone enjoyed the water and especially jumping the waves at the beach. At the end of the day we had to drag the kids out of the water to come home.

A GROOVY SATURDAY NIGHT
On Saturday 12th of November we took the kids to The Morawa District High School production of ‘Groovy’. It was a great night for everyone and much better than spending the night at home! Well done to all the students and teachers of the school for a wonderful production.
 

SHOPPING IN GERALDTON
Later in the term we kids got the chance to do some shopping in Geraldton. After leaving Tardun at 8:00a.m. it was a long day in town. The kids got the chance to buy the important things they needed…
t-shirts, caps and Lynx sprays! With a stop for McDonalds lunch we had to energy to continue shopping for the rest of the day.


VISIT TO FR GERHARD
When we finished shopping we drove to Nazareth house to say hello to Fr Gerhard and met his sister who was visiting all the way from Germany. We sat down on the lawn outside where the Sisters brought us cordial and some biscuits and Fr Gerhard had the chance to meet some the students he hadn’t met before and to catch up on what had been going on. We all had a lovely visit with Fr before we had to leave to go to mass at the Cathedral.


MOVIES IN THE HALL
One weekend we decided to set up the big screen in the hall and camp in the hall for a night of movies and lollies. Once the mattresses and blankets were dragged to the hall, Troy set up the DVD player and speakers, and the lollies and soft drink was gathered we were ready to settle in for the night. Fr Ray joined us for a while and brought with him some chocolates and chips. Once the movies were finished the music DVD’s started and the kids were singing most of the night! The clean up was a bit harder than the set up but we all had a great time.


A VISIT FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL
On Friday the 3rd of December the students from Morawa District High School came to Wandalgu for the day. A nice way to say ‘goodbye’ to their fellow students. For some of these students it was their first visit here. In the morning they had a look around the student houses, the hall, the bakery and the old student dining room. We had a yummy morning tea made by Anneliese and Monique and looked through some old photo albums. After morning tea we went and played some basketball at the boys’ courts and even had a game against the staff. We had a BBQ lunch and then headed to the pool where we spent the rest of the afternoon.


A MUSICAL EVENING
The last night of music lessons was finished with a concert by the children. At the concert we were lucky to see nearly all the students perform on stage. We had a variety of songs performed for us from Pearl Jam to John Denver. David performed some of his original songs. Dominic and Phynea were also very brave and even sang for us!!
 
 

The Pallottine Fathers who placed their trust in us

The Pallottine Brothers who were a very special part of our family this year

Br Barry Hall – who loved a trip to Wandalgu!

Morawa District High School staff – for their enduring interest in & care of our students

Students – dear students - without whom there would not have been ‘a 2004’.

Local neighbouring families John & Val, Jill & Paul – thank you for hospitality shared – for time and energy given when ours was running low

To Christine, Frank, Lumari, Lori, Ken & Tom, who as members of staff journeyed with us early in 2004. Thank you!

and….to the staff who rode the ‘last bus’.

Laurie, Anneliese, Marinus, Gerry & Reg. Thank you for the generous sharing of your giftedness and for supporting me and one another, especially when the going was tough.

‘…there is energy in us which makes things happen when the lives of other persons touch ours and we have to be there and let it happen ….’

Thank you for making it all happen! May life’s journey be kind to each of you.

Maria