HELLO AGAIN !When Fr
Gerhard left us to take up
residency at Nazareth House Geraldton, he handed over the task of
publishing Term 2 Tardun News. While I took hold of the 'baton' and
got off the starting block I have stumbled along the way.
With the closure of the Hostel at the end of this year we have kept
our student numbers to around 13. It has been said the atmosphere is
more family-like. We seem to be enjoying one another! Of course this
close community living also has its stresses, but I hope it will be
remembered for the happy times.
During term 2 the students enjoyed the company of youth from
Mullewa on several occasions, for basketball and BBQ and also a Disco
Night. With our small numbers the extended interaction with others was
important. We owe a big 'thank you' to Charlie Comeagain 1/C APLO and
the Mullewa Youth Team.
Without a priest in our community we joined with Christian Brothers
for Mass on Friday nights. The trip over in the bus became a social
event for Staff and students.
I hope you enjoy the catch-up on News. Pray for us as we start 'the
run home' .
MARIA ROHR
COMINGS AND GOINGS
As has been the history of Wandalgu there are special people coming
and going throughout the year; depending on how much time they can
give us. At the end of term 1, Ken and Lorrie Rowlinson returned to
Victoria and we welcomed Marinus Jans back as bus driver and support
for the Brothers.
Alan Egan also left at the end of Term 1 to be at home in Morawa
with Elsie. The boy's houses are now combined with Reg Carnamah as
house parent. Frank Gerling remains until the end of the term as
support person for Reg.
Christine Schuette reluctantly returned to Germany at the end of
2nd term. Melanie Kuss, also from Germany, will take over from
Christine in term 3.
Leonie Boddington (now working at Morawa District High) relieves in
the girls' house one night a week. It is good to have Leonie 'at
home'.
Laurie Fletcher, who is doing her Certificate 3 in Youth Work,
completed her placement with us for the month of June; having enjoyed
her time here so much has asked to return in Term 3 and 4.
Thank you Laurie.
THANK YOU WANDALGU !
I'm Christine Schuette from Germany and I spent the
first and second Term 2004 in the Wandalgu Hostel. I worked mainly as
a houseparent for the girls and I enjoyed my time here. The girls and
I had a lot of fun even though it was sometimes stressful. To be
together with these girls every day made it possible to build up a
good friendship between us. I miss already their laughing, all the
lively and even the difficult moments.
During the week this Term they loved to be in the
Youth Centre to play pool or to go and play basketball against the
boys. Sometimes it was also nice just to sit down and watch a movie or
to tell stories to each other. I loved to listen to their stories. At
the weekends we undertake a lot and have been together for picnic in
Yalgoo at the "Jokers tunnel", went to the football with the boys to
cheer them, drove to Geraldton for a concert in which Phynea was
involved or had BBQ at the waterfalls near Mullewa. Twice the Youth
from Mullewa came out here this Term. The first time we had BBQ and a
game of basketball together and the second time we arranged a disco.
The girls enjoyed this. I think in fact of the small number of
students it was good to organize something where they could have fun
with other and more kids.
When I look back I see that I learnt very much
here. One of the main things is that my respect for all the mothers in
the world has grown. Suddenly to be responsible for six girls showed
me how much work it is to run a household and educate kids.
Beside the girls I've also met many lovely people here who were
always helpful an accompanied me on my way in a foreign country. At
this stage I say "Thank You" for all love, trust and kindness.
I will always keep the girls, the Wandalgu
staff, all the other people I've met and the experience in my heart.
CHRISTINE SCHUETTE
A POEM
We answered the call
We packed our bags
And closed the doors,
To come back to Tardun
So here we are now
And the breeze blows softly
Through the same orange curtains.
I sit listening to the birds
Murmuring in the old gum tree
As I watch the low branch
Sweep the dry brown earth.
Here I am as though caught
In a time warp,
Yes it is good to return.
Now I live and work
Through the hot, hot days,
Our old friends are here
And some of the children we know.
A woman was very ill in hospital. Seeing God, she asked, "is my
time up?"
God said: "No, you have another 43 years, 2 months and 8 days to die."
Recovering from her illness, the woman decided to stay in hospital
and have a facelift, liposuction and a tummy tuck as well. She even
had a hairdresser come in and change her hair colour. Since she had so
much more time to live, she figured she might as well make that most
of it. After a while the lady was released from hospital. While on the
way home unfortunately the lady was knocked down by a car, and killed.
Arriving before the face of God she demanded, "I thought you said I
had another 40 odd years to live. Why didn't you pull me out of the
way of the vehicle?"
And God replied, "I didn't recognise you."
CONTRIBUTED BY GERRY DUCK
Hi, my name is Melissa Egan and
I am 15 years of age and I am in Year 10 and have been at Wandalgu
Hostel for a very long time - since I was in Year 2, and I have been
here for 8 years. It will be very sad for this place to close down
because I really enjoyed being out here and having to get to know a
lot of people and meet different people.
When I was in Primary School I really learnt a lot of Aboriginal
dances off my Gummy Ross Boddington and I really enjoyed that. When I
got into High School I did Aboriginal paintings with my Gran, Olive
Boddington who has taught me a lot about Aboriginal art as well.
I also really enjoyed working with Brother John who has taught me
lots of things that I would really miss.
A very long time ago in 1948 my Grandfather Alan Egan was 6 years
of age when we was admitted at Pallottine Mission Tardun (that was
what it was called back then, but now its known as Wandalgu Hostel
Tardun). Also my parent's Ainsley Egan and Marjorie Carnamah came
here.
My Grandfather Alan Egan has been doing part-time work here in 2002
and has done full time in 2003. I really enjoyed him being out here.
Then my Grandmother Elsie Egan also came along and helped pop Alan in
the Senior High School House.
BY MELISSA EGAN
THE BOYS
Aaron Unghango (Kalumburu), Dominic Yanawana (Bidyadanga), and
Shavarne Parker (Carnarvon) played football for Mullewa this term.
While winning was not the name of the game, some excellent work on the
field has earned them much praise.
Some weekends the girls enjoyed going along to support the boys.
OUR GIRLS
The girls still enjoy Thursday night music with David Stinson and
sometimes join with the boys to form a band.
BOYS AND THE BAND
The talent of the boys from Bidyadanga continues. They are naturals
when it comes to playing drums and guitar. We miss 'Wandalgu Rock'
playing in the evenings and weekends but the sound of music is still
in the air every Thursday.
Buy a copy of the CD 'Wandalgu Rock' for your collection? It was
produced in Perth last year and is now a part of the history of music
at Wandalgu. Colleen Drage is happy to sell them to you for $20.00. A
great Christmas gift!
