Traditions That Bind
The Boxing Day Test, Schoolies (extremely low key this year) and grabbing a sausage in bread from Bunnings — do they still have these and if so, onions or sausage first? — these are traditions, long established customs or beliefs that are passed on from one generation to another. In schools, traditions can be ancient, having been established and lived for many decades as part of the community’s common practice, or have their origins buried in the depths of time — as our young men might say “but we’ve always done this” — emerging as a thing we did, maybe, last year.
Regardless, traditions bind us. At Eddies we have Mums and Chums, Dads and Lads, and Foundation Dinners. We have the passing of the Wayne Suit from the leaders of one year to the leaders of the next, we have Pizza Fridays and Rookies afternoons. All these things we do because they have become us, our customs, our events, our ways.
In my household late November into December is the season of the cheesy Christmas movie. Much to the disgust of my two sons each evening is greeted by contrived predictable story lines, woeful under or over acting and more fake snow than you could shovel with a twelve-tonne earth mover. Yet this is what we do. It is the way of things and despite all the grumbling it is what brings us together. Actually, the boys wander off to their rooms; my wife and I watch the movies, but it’s our custom. It’s expected, and it’s what we do every year.
Like traditions there are people in our community whose influence and acumen are passed on from one generation to the next. They have names firmly entrenched in our culture and their presence in our halls is customary, it’s expected, it’s what we see every year.
As we come to the end of a wild string of months where we have had to revise, rework and reimage so many times; where we have introduced new ways of thinking, being and working, the counsel and stability of those wise heads, who have seen and lived a significant part of our story have made all the difference.
The year that was 2020 ends and with it so does an era. Next week we farewell a number of long-standing staff. Their faces will no longer be with us day-to-day, but they will ever remain part of our team, our community, our story.
After 43 years of service Anne Mulkerin takes her leave from the full-time classroom. Here at Eddies Anne’s name is synonymous with Mathematics at every level, from the simplest addition to the most complex integral equation. Her positive and benevolent influence on countless young men as a mentor, a teacher and an outstanding individual, will be missed.
A true renaissance man, David Gagen moves to life at a slower pace. Over 30 years at Eddies, David has taught a spectrum of subjects and each to the highest level. His genuine care for our young men has always been evident and, past students as well as current students have surely benefited from his presence.
Finally, at the heart of our place on the hill, after 43 years of dedicated service to the College, in her very quiet, gracious and oh so typical way, Diane Denman steps back from her role as Assistant to the Principal. Diane has served with eight principals since her appointment to the role in 1981 and I have had the very great privilege of having her counsel this year. Without her the College would not have run so smoothly, if at all.
We have been blessed with the presence of these wonderful people and will acknowledge them more fully when life is somewhat less restricted. So many times, this year we’ve tried to foresee, been asked to forego but amongst it all we will never forget.
I wish all our families in our Eddies Team a holy and happy Christmas. May this be a time to rest, refresh and renew in the company of family and friends. I look forward to working with everyone in the Eddies Team again in 2021.
Ray Celegato, Principal