On Sunday 28 July, at the commencement of Catholic Education Week, the Staff and Students of The Cathedral College Boarding hosted High Tea in the recreation room of Genazzano at the Range. The purpose of the event was to thank and honour the Sisters of Mercy for their continued support of Catholic Education and in particular, the support the Sisters give to The Cathedral College.

Individual students welcomed the Sisters at the entrance and escorted them to beautifully decorated  tables where the boarding community joined the Sisters for High Tea. Following an acknowledgement of the Dharumbal people by Year 12 student, Amaroo Smith (Woorabinda), a formal welcome was extended by Mr Ron Armstrong (Head of TCC Boarding), Year 12 Boarding Captains Maggie Finger (Marlborough) and Anesu Chitura (Perth) and Miss Leesa Jeffcoat, Director of Catholic Education, Diocese of Rockhampton.

Each of the speakers acknowledged the tradition and contribution of the Sisters of Mercy in developing the boarding facilities of the former Range College which closed at the end of 1990.  Sr Bev Whitton (Northern Community Leader) responded on behalf of the Sisters.

Of special significance was the prayer focussing on the dream and vision of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy. More than twenty Sisters attended the afternoon tea and each Sister was presented with a corsage and a gift, namely a small cup and saucer, symbolic of ‘warm hospitality and generosity among the Mercy family’.

Musically gifted students, Cleo Bongers (Biloela), Emily Carew (Emerald), Tiarna King (Emerald), Reade Conaghan (Blackwater) and Connor Cilento (Goondiwindi) entertained the guests with song and background music. The delicious afternoon tea was prepared and presented by the TCC catering staff and graciously served by the students.

Since 1895, boarding facilities have existed on the Range site and the Sisters are proud to know that Genazzano and Coolock buildings are still being utilised for this important ministry. Once an integral part of the Range College and now administered by The Cathedral College on behalf of the Diocese, more than one hundred girls occupy modern accommodation at Girls’ Boarding with eighty-three boys housed at Boys’ Boarding in Derby Street, adjacent to the day campus.

The rich heritage of the Sisters of Mercy continues to be acknowledged and appreciated by Mr Rob Alexander (Principal), Academic and Boarding staff and students of The Cathedral College.

Joanne Molloy RSM