Kildare College celebrated a significant moment in its history this week as the stewardship of Kildare College was officially handed over from the Brigidine Congregation to Kildare Ministries.
Gathered in the College’s original building, the ritual commenced with a traditional Welcome to Country from Jack Buckskin, a Kaurna member of the community, before Kildare’s Lamp of Learning was brought to the stage. This was done in a procession which included a Kaurna Elder, Kathy, one of the sisters who taught at Kildare College, Sr Moira, a representative of the Trustees, Sr Maree, and a year 8 student, Madeline. The lamp is a representation of the Spirit that was here on this land from the very beginning of time along with the light that comes with the risen Christ, and a promise to keep it alight forever in our hearts.
Presented by Sr Anne Hill, the Victorian Community Leader, the Brigidine Sisters gifted a plaque to signify the official handing forward of the stewardship of Kildare College to Kildare Ministries, received by Kathy McEvoy on behalf of the Trustees of Kildare Ministries.
After a co-missioning statement, read in unison by representatives of the Members’ Council, Trustees, Kildare College and the Brigidine Congregation, the guests moved into the Wirra (an area of the College dedicated to indigenous culture and learning), where the College was presented with an art work entitled Woman of Strength and Gentleness. The art work is the creation of Chris Crebbin assisted by our Nunga Group students. It represents the land which is old, and has many stories. It also represents a woman who embodies the love and connection to the land and spirit. She is a story teller and brings people together to keep culture alive. Following this presentation, Jack Buckskin performed a Cleansing Ceremony, an ancient custom among Indigenous Australians. It involves the burning of various native plants to produce smoke which is believed to have cleansing properties and the ability to ward off bad spirits.
Guests then enjoyed a short performance by the college dancers, and lunch prepared by the Hospitality students.
“It was a beautiful celebration of the history of the college, and quite a moving event”, commented Tina Neate, Deputy Principal of Kildare College.
The event was attended by some of the founding Brigidine Sisters, representatives of Kildare Ministries (Members Council, Trustees, Kildare Education Ministry), Kildare College Stewardship Council, current and past staff, Principals, partner primary and secondary school Principals and community members, for this significant occasion.
This was a significant event for the Brigidine Congregation and Kildare Ministries, yet during the ritual, Kildare College made a commitment to continue honouring the sacred connection that the Kaurna people have with the land that the College is situated on, and a commitment to keep the flame of Brigid, that represents the risen Christ, at the forefront of all that we do.
