COLLEGE NEWS
NSW Country Rugby | Race Day | Graduation | JCR Fundraiser | Parents Weekend
St Alberts support Freeman House
ST ALBERT’S college have made a sizable donation to Armidale’s Freemen House drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre.
The donation follows last year’s contribution in providing new amenities for the organisation’s clients.
Students and staff raised $8000 over a single weekend in March through fundraising activities such as slave and cake auctions, a car wash, as sausage sizzle, bingo and a movie night.
Albies students also gave up alcohol for the weekend, contributing money that would have been spent at the pub to the cause.
Joel Hatch said it was a worthwhile cause and one that the college was proud to get behind.
There were a lot of people away that weekend but everyone who was there really pitched in. To get that $8000 and be able to give it to Freeman House is great. The fundraiser was also a way of honouring former Albies student Sarah Heagney’s association with Freeman House.
Albies donation in 2010 was responsible for two new bikes, two client computers, an outdoor setting and new recreation space.
Freeman House manager, Scott Sears, said that organisation was incredible grateful for Albies ongoing support. Its so generous. All the money goes to our clients and to making their stay here just a little bit nicer
JCR Report
Term 3 is a term which is full of social events which are organised through the JCR. The beginning of the term saw the annual Fresher haircuts, in which the Fresher boys have their hair cut by the seniors to raise money for the Cancer Council. The annual event referred to as ‘Chopper Stropper’ also occurred during this week.
The major contributor to the large number of social events for term 3 is Albies Week, which is full of Charity and social events which ends with a Ball and ‘Recovery’. The majority of students were involved to raise money for our chosen charity which is Camp Quality. BBQ’s, Sausage Sizzle, Charity Lawn Bowls, selling of Rugby doubles at both Rugby and Chugby, Charity Golf Day, Car wash and another BBQ at Chugby. The Chugby is a girls Rugby match which was played against Robb and they won 45-0. It was a huge success and was well supported by both colleges. Thank you to Alex Downes and Samantha Lees for organising the event. The event alone raised $2000 and hopefully it will become an annual event.
The annual St Albert’s Ball was held at the New England Girls School and was a great success. The theme was black and white and a touch of bright. The Ball was held at NEGS and Recovery this year was held out at Puddle dock Hall.
Finally I feel Albies week was a huge success and would like to thank the entire JCR for their constant support in the organising of the week also the RST for all the help they provided when required and finally Pete the Chef who did the catering for the ball . I look forward to the rest of the semester and hope it continues to be a success.
Jacob Sherrin
JCR President
TOM CULLEN IMPRESSES HSBC HEAD COACH - CHRIS HICKEY
Downloaded from NSW Rugby Union Site - http://www.nswcountry.rugbynet.com.au/
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 - 22 October 2011
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.
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.