Gala Night 2008
The success of the first three senior school galas, La Nuit du Bac, Serendipities & Molière @ The Rugby, determined us to diversify and broaden the cultural focus of this year's event, Dreamings.
Our notion of Dreamings was a multi-layered one, one which not only called to mind the mythological creation stories underpinning indigenous aboriginal culture from ritual to contemporary artistic and cultural practice but also the individual dreamings of our senior school students as they embark upon the next phase of their life's journey. It is our hope that this next generation will find the strength and generosity of spirit to show their elders the way in which to embrace practical reconciliation and inclusion with all members of society. The essence of Dreamings at Gala 2008 was music, art, cultural awareness and reconciliation from a very grass roots level.
The entire school community was touched by the immense goodwill and generosity of spirit demonstrated by our sponsors and collaborators and those who participated at the Gala. This year the Gala evolved to include a fund-raising initiative to assist The Fred Hollows Foundation in its important work with indigenous remote and regional communities in Australia and we were honoured to have the invaluable collaboration of the local La Perouse traditional owners, The Lockhart River Art Gang, Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Cooperative, The Fred Hollows Foundation and Galleries Direct. The silent auction of Josiah Omeenyo's work, Great Balls of Fire, raised $1,000 for The Fred Hollows Foundation, while the gold coin donations harvested from the community art project in the days following the Gala raised several hundred dollars more.
The welcome to country address was given by Mr. Vic Simms, local traditional elder from the La Perouse indigenous community. He further honoured us with a gift of ochre (from local ochre pits) contained in an abalone shell as well as traditional hunting and ceremonial implements now in the keeping of our principal, Mr. Francis Cappe. The community art project, inaugurated on the evening of the Gala, will be exhibited and auctioned at a cocktail reception to be held in mid-September. Our talented IB music ensemble performed and covered themselves with accolades and applause - a tribute to their dedication and hard work and to the hard work and dedication of their teachers, Shannon Wunderwald and Prue Freiinger.
Fostering individual talent and recognizing the aspirations of all our students is the often stated mission of our school. We endeavour to ensure a serene and positive learning environment for all our students, the goal of which remains excellence in education in the liberal tradition, allowing all our students to fulfil their individual potentials for success whatever their chosen path. Supporting this annual event enables us to celebrate the achievements of our senior students and the dedicated work of their teachers while at the same time shining a spotlight on the potential of the entire school community. Please continue to support this valuable project for the good of our school.
Zita Rohr
Trustee
Click on the following link to download the Gala Brochure 2008:
http://www.condorcet.com.au/content/agenda/Gala_Brochure_2008.pdf
Trustee
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