Gregory Terrace New Building

Tony White

Brisbane, Qld, Australia

St Joseph's College Gregory Terrace

Tony White's Address on the occasion of the Opening

Good afternoon Gentlemen. It has been almost 22 years since I last stood on this platform and wished the Staff and Gentlemen of Terrace 'Good afternoon' and I am delighted to once again have this opportunity. In those 22 years much has changed and I have asked myself what is the most significant Terrace change. I thought of the many physical changes including the Holy Family Chapel, Waterford Place, and the extensive music instrumental program which 30 years ago was almost non-existent. All these are quite significant. But, in my opinion, the most significant change has been the introduction of the House system and I congratulate the Administration, the House deans and staff, Student Leaders and yourselves for the enthusiastic way you have entered into the system and encourage you all to so continue into the future. The potential benefits are boundless.

I thank Mr. Chapman for his kind words and thoughts. Some of what he said is true. Much is grossly exaggerated.

I appreciate the honour given me today. I am told that such an honour is usually rendered posthumously ... so I am doubly pleased that I am still here today.

I am very pleased to be associated with this building and congratulate the Architect, Mr. Tony Macksey, on yet another significant contribution to the Terrace infrastructure.

I do regard this honour as yet another indicator of the Terrace desire to maintain its links with the Christian Brothers.

Last Friday, the refurbished Treacy Centre was re-opened. Your Principal and Board with their team of advisors have worked long and hard to restore to its original brilliance this grand building which for more than 130 years has been the home for the 398 Brothers who lived there while teaching at Terrace and St James'. Two honour Boards (contributed by the Old Boys Association) list the 398 names. Beautiful artistic creations, paintings, photographs and many compelling displays are forcible reminders of what has gone before.

Today, by naming this building after yet another Christian Brother, your Principal and Board have further demonstrated their strong desire to both honour the Brothers and to ensure that their legacy, contribution and memory are enshrined, not only as part of Terrace history, but also as an ongoing inspiration to the future.

I was born on Terrace's 55th birthday in 1930. At that time all of the Terrace staff would have been Brothers. Today, there are no Brothers on the Terrace staff. Throughout Australia there are very few Brothers engaged directly in schools or teaching. In fact, the Australian section of the Congregation is diminishing in numbers with about 300 Brothers with an average age of 73 and with no young candidates in training. Globally, there are 54 young men exploring vowed religious life in 7 novitiates in Africa, India and Ireland.

A few minutes ago Liam read us an excerpt where Paul reminded the people from Corinth that whereas he, by the Grace of God, had laid a firm foundation for their life and practice, it was now up to them to build on that foundation confident that God's spirit would be with them. In a similar way, Br. Treacy and the 390 Brothers who followed him at Terrace helped lay a foundation for the Terrace future. I congratulate you all on the way you are building on that foundation. Let our prayer be that we will be ever responsive to the challenges that lie ahead ever confident that God's spirit will be there to guide and help as we take charge of our future.