Blessing and opening of recent work

On Monday 24 October Senator the Hon. Eric Abetz officially opened the Founders Link at Dominic College. Fr John Papworth SDB, a former Principal and Rector of the College blessed the redeveloped classrooms of the Bosco Wing and the newly constructed Founders Link.

This program was partly funded by the Australian Government under the Capital Grants Program. The Bosco Classrooms redevelopment consists of refurbished toilets, upgrades to the corridor and a complete renovation of four classrooms in the historic Boys’ Town building.

The new Founders Link is a covered walkway connecting the Bosco Wing to the Guzman Wing. The name, Founders Link, celebrates the founders of the two religious orders who combined to establish Dominic College, the Salesians (St John Bosco) and the Dominicans (St Dominic Guzman).

This Link improves student movement and sheltered amenity and helps define the active ball sports area, with stepped seating, and the grassed sitting area with a sunny sheltered plaza feel.

Dominic College Principal, Ms Beth Gilligan, says students are loving the newly developed facilities.

“These contemporary teaching spaces are expertly nestled inside the fabric of our heritage. Whether inside or outside, learning or playing, students appreciate the style and substance. The Link also updates wheelchair access to these classrooms.”

Both the classrooms and the Link have been in use for some time now, but where there are new facilities constructed at Dominic College we ensure the scheduling of a blessing ceremony by one of our important Salesian Fathers, and the appropriate unveiling of a plaque by one of our local politicians, especially where significant support funding has been received.

Senator Abetz recalled the contribution Dominic College has made to education, and praised the parents willing to go the extra step to contribute to the financial support of Catholic education. He said a good education makes a great difference to the world, and urged students to take up the challenge. Fr John Papworth spoke of the good choices students make in contributing to society, and commended students keeping the examples of St John Bosoco and St Dominic Guzman in front of them.

A large number of special guests included Mayor Kristie Johnston, the Speaker the Hon Elise Archer, the Hon Madeleine Ogilvie, Fr Lawrie Moate, GYC's incoming principal Mr Craig Deayton, College Council members, Sr Pam Davis and Mrs Anne Loring, TCEO Deputy Director Mr Sean Gill, DOSA Committee representatives Ms Leesa Baker and Mr John Stevenson, old scholar and lifelong volunteer, Mr Peter Allsopp and old scholar and Dominic College architect and visionary Mr Elvio Brianese.

You can see some photos from the opening here: Blessing and Opening.