COLLEGE NEWS
NSW Country Rugby | Race Day | Graduation | JCR Fundraiser | Parents Weekend
TOM CULLEN IMPRESSES HSBC HEAD COACH - CHRIS HICKEY
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Hickey Impressed by Cockatoos
The HSBC Waratahs’ Head Coach Chris Hickey has been impressed by the four NSW Country Cockatoo players who recently participated in the Waratahs’ Preseason Training. Tom Cullen (St Alberts College), Blake Creighton (Merewether Carlton), Matt Dun (Newcastle University) and David Kennedy (Newcastle University) joined the Waratahs in Sydney last week.
The players who were all members of the NSW Country Cockatoos who won the ARS participated in all field, gym and conditioning sessions, together with being tested and screened by the Waratahs Strength and Conditioning Staff. Hickey said “the player’s attitude and performance towards and during the training sessions throughout the week had been first class”. “They didn’t hold back, and were fully involved in all aspects of the training sessions which were held during the week” he added. “There is plenty of talent in Country Rugby and we need to keep our eyes open and provide opportunities like this week” said Hickey.
NSW Country Rugby Union President Bruce Worboys said “the Country players who had participated at the Waratah Preseason Training had been provided with an opportunity to witness firsthand the professional side of Rugby”. “Country has loads of talent and it’s just a matter of identifying the talent and providing those players with opportunities to advance their Rugby careers”.
The involvement by the Cockatoo Players in the Waratahs Preseason Program is part of an arrangement which has been established between NSW Rugby Union and NSW Country Rugby Union.
The accompanying photograph shows Matt Dun, David Kennedy, Blake Creighton and Tom Cullen with the Waratahs Head Coach Chris Hickey.
ST ALBERT’S COLLEGE RACE DAY - 25 OCTOBER 2008
Spectacular spring weather attracted a record crowd to the St Albert’s College Race Day – the first race meeting of the Armidale Jockey Club’s Spring Carnival.
In addition to local Armidale residents, this year’s Albies Race Day also drew a large number of students from across the University of New England.
Traditionally the Race Day is the last chance for Albies students to let their hair down before they knuckle down for end of year university exams and this year was no exception with almost 300 current and ex-Albies students attending.
According to Ms Kathie Hunt, the Albies Alumni and Marketing Officer, “the student’s did a fantastic job sourcing a full lineup of sponsorship with proceeds from the day going towards the St Albert’s College Senior Common Room Scholarship Fund. It’s also growing into one of the main reunion events on the Albies social calendar. Quite a few ex-Albies students took the opportunity to return to Armidale and catch up with their old college mates – a prelude to the Albies 40th Anniversary Reunion Weekend being held over 20-22 March, 2009.”
ST ALBERT’S STUDENT RECEIVES UNIVERSITY MEDAL
St Albert’s College students were well rewarded for their commitment and hard work at the University of New England Graduation Ceremonies held in Armidale over 4, 5, 11 & 12 April.
Albies students traditionally maintain a high level of academic excellence and this was highlighted by Brendan Williamson receiving the University Medal for his studies in a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics with First Class Honours. Brendan returned from Western Australia to receive his award.
Other Albies students to receive First Class Honours were: Sam Clark (Bachelor of Rural Science), Ian Horsburgh (Bachelor of Agricultural Economics) and Grant Parnell (Bachelor of Science). More than 90 current and ex Albie’s student were awarded their degree across a diverse range of courses.
ALBIES' RAISES MONEY FOR ARMIDALE ONCOLOGY & CANCER SUPPORT UNIT
The students at St Albert’s College UNE, recently braved Armidale’s cold conditions for a week of festivities and fundraising with over $1,600 being raised for the Armidale Community Oncology and Cancer Support Unit. ‘Albies Week’, as it’s affectionately known at College features a variety of charity events including a golf day, car wash and College Ball.
This brings the Albies students’ fundraising effort to almost $8,500 for the year, with the majority of the funds going towards cancer based charities, including the NSW Cancer Council and the Leukaemia Foundation. For their latest fundraising effort, the Albies students chose a local charity to be their beneficiary. “We wanted the funds to stay in our community and to go where they could really help those who are having a tough time”, said Tom Cullen, one of the organisers of ‘Albies Week’.
Donations will go towards the purchase of specialist equipment for the Oncology Unit and for providing comfort and symptom control care for cancer patients in their home. “Because we’re in a country area resources can be scarce and we rely on this type of community involvement to provide the specialist care needed for our patients. It’s also wonderful to see the effort and contribution our younger members make to their community”, said Marilyn McCarthy, Clinical Nurse Specialist of Palliative Care / Cancer Support.
PARENTS WEEKEND
We celebrate Parent’s Weekend in mid May with almost 300 parents travelling from as far a field as Northern Queensland and Tasmania. The parents are able to catch up with their sons and daughters and experience College life.
A black tie charity ball is held on the Saturday night with parents and students dancing well into the evening. This year at the Ball a number of students led by Jess Mullane, volunteered to lose their hair in the name of charity. Great generosity was shown with almost $6,000 raised for the Leukaemia Foundation and the NSW Cancer Council.