The College by the Harbour - St Aloysius

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Constitutional Convention NSW Schools Constitutional Convention Russell McGoldrick (Year 12) was selected by the History Department at the College to have his name included in the draw for students to be considered to take part in the NSW Constitutional Convention. Russell was fortunate enough to have been selected to represent the College and the State. Following Russell’s participation in this event he filed the following report. Of the 251 Year Twelve students that applied from across New South Wales, the 60 accepted applicants filed into Parliament House at 8:30am on Monday, 4 March. We were a varying lot, with representatives from schools as far afield as Tumut and Casino flown in for the day. Having received our kits containing copies of the constitution, and the issues papers for the day, we went into the Legislative Council chamber to have the Convention officially opened by Hon Dr Meredith Bergman MLC, President of the Legislative Council, and to hear the two keynote speakers of the day talking about the two issues that were up for debate – Should Australia have a Bill of Rights recognised in the Constitution? and Should Australia have a change to a republic? We were welcomed by Hon Dr Bergman MLC and the two Chairpersons who had attended the Convention last year. Justice Marcus Einfeld made a speech about human rights in Australia. It was a real eye-opener, finding out about the human rights abuses that were going on in the world, and although myself and the student from Tumut did not agree with all he said, everyone, who attended the Convention, ourselves included, commented on how is was a speech that touched the heart, and made the hour he spoke for seem much quicker than it really was. The speech came as something of a surprise for me, I was expecting it to be about the ramifications of a Bill of Rights in the constitution (as stated by the topic), but it was more about the protection that a Bill of Rights would bring, and how it would be able to turn Australia into a world leader in Human Rights. Prof Elaine Thompson, an associate professor of Politics made a speech about her thoughts on an Australian Republic. She spoke about her own republican feelings, and spoke about the feelings of the Australian society. She stated that there were approximately 15% of the population who were devout monarchists, and that the rest of the population were republicans or did not have much interest in the issue. After recess, we were split up into our four groups, and went to our respective rooms to debate the issues. On the Bill of Rights issue, my group (Green), decided to amend and simplify the constitution to include basic, nondiscriminatory rights, and have a further legislative Bill of Rights to deal with more complex issues that would only be able to be changed with the times by a 2/3 majority of both houses of parliament in a secret ballot. Although this may seem relatively simple, when you have fifteen 17-18 year olds debating it, coming from all walks of life and all political persuasions, it took us 45 minutes all up to thrash out that agreement. This left us with approximately 15 minutes left to debate the republic. In the end, we decided that we should not become a republic in the present circumstances, but that it was inevitable that we would be one eventually. We decided that the President should have the same powers as the combined powers of the Queen and the Governor- General at the moment, and the method for election would be direct election of a council to make recommendations to Parliament, and a 2/3 majority in both houses of Parliament to choose a president from the list of nominations. After lunch, we voted on the delegates that would go to represent New South Wales at the National Convention in Canberra. These delegates would have the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister, the Governor-General, and various politicians and community and social leaders. I was fortunate enough to be chosen as a delegate, and I am looking forward to representing my State at the Convention on 20 – 22 March 2002. After voting on the delegates, we entered the Legislative Assembly chamber, where we were fortunate enough to speak to the Foreign Minister of Canada, and for the Speaker, Hon John Murray MP to speak to us about the role of the Speaker in the House. We then had soapbox, which is where delegates could speak for one minute on a topic of their choice. This was followed by a general vote on the propositions, with the end result being 54-6 in favour of a Bill of Rights, and 57-3 in favour of a republic. I would like to thank both St Aloysius College, and the Parliamentary Education office for giving me the opportunity to represent my school and my State at this Convention. Russell McGoldrick Year 12 P & F Card Day Thursday 13th June 2002 $25 – including morning tea and a champagne lunch Enquiries: Jenny Monckton 9949 1785 20
Jesuit Cricket Week During the last week of the school holidays St. Aloysius took part in the annual Jesuit Cricket Week, which this year was hosted by St. Ignatius College, Riverview. The participating schools for the Jesuit week are St. Aloysius, St. Ignatius Athlestone, (Adelaide), St. Ignatius Riverview and Xavier College, Melbourne. 1st XI members waiting to bat David Coburn (Year 12), Captain of the 1st XI, in action against Xavier College The week proved to be a successful one for the St Aloysius’ team. The new format introduced this year saw each team play three one day games in a round robin, with the top 2 teams going through to play a 2 day final, and the remaining 2 to play a "consolation" 2 day game. Our first match was against the fancied Riverview side, which had previously been unbeaten during the season. Batting first we could only manage 94 runs before being bowled out in the 30th over. Andrew Hurley (Year 11) top scored with a swashbuckling 34 from 31 deliveries. Riverview passed our total for the loss of 6 wickets, so all in all it was a disappointing start to the week. Our next game was against St. Ignatius Adelaide. Winning the toss and batting the College amassed 242 runs. Openers Peter Fitzgerald (Year 12) (70) and Mark O’Reilly (Year 10) (31) laid the foundations for our solid total. Paul O’Byrne (Year 11) (55no) played perhaps the best innings of the week, and Captain Dave Coburn (Year 12) made a 21 run contribution. St Ignatius Athlestone could only manage 160 runs in reply, with Andrew Hurley (Year 11) (3 for 16) being the pick of the bowlers. Day 3 saw us up against the only undefeated team, Xavier College. Xavier had easily accounted for St Ignatius’ College, Riverview and St Ignatius’ College, Athlestone in the previous 2 games. Xavier won the toss and batted under overcast conditions. For those fortunate enough to be at the ground, the first 40 minutes saw one of the best spells of opening bowling by a schoolboy witnessed in some time. David Coburn (Year 12), bowling left arm over the wicket, bowled with pace, swing and seam, to have Xavier 4 for 1 at one stage. Ian Skinner (Year 10) ably supported David, and at 5 for 29, Xavier was both in shock and real trouble. Two good partnerships saw Xavier rally to make 187, however David Coburn (Year 12) took the honours with 5 for 22 from his 10 overs. Our innings began well with solid opening and first wicket partnerships, and at 3 for 104 St Aloysius’ seemed to be in control. Peter Fitzgerald (Year 12) followed up his 70 with a fine 55. Ian Skinner (Year 10) hit an important 32 runs, and his partnership of 50 with Chris McKenzie (Year 12) (17) was the most important of the match as the Xavier bowlers bowled a superb line and length. In a tense situation at 5 for 152, Tom Borger (Year 11) was sent out with instructions to relive the tension by going after the bowlers. Tom hit his first delivery for 6, and 12 balls and 25 runs later; Xavier’s backs had been well and truly broken. We passed Xavier in the 44th over for the loss of 6 wickets. Our first win against Xavier since 1990 was an excellent achievement, but unfortunately not enough to guarantee a place in the final. As three teams had ended up with 2 wins, the finalists were decided by net run rate. Whilst St Aloysius had the best run rate for, we had the highest run rate against, so Xavier’s net rate was superior by just .15 of a run. A disappointing result for us, as Xavier went on to win the championship against Riverview in a close fought final. Unfortunately rain prevented any play in the consolation final against St Ignatius’ College, Athlestone. At the end of the carnival, an Australian Jesuit Cricket team was announced. David Coburn (Year 12), Ian Skinner (Year 10) and Peter Fitzgerald (Year 12) were all selected. David had the honour of being named Captain, and our First XI Coach, Mr Michael Rogan, was named as coach of the side. All in all the week had been a tremendous success. Our thanks go to the parents of our players for their generosity in hosting and billeting the St Ignatius’ College, Athlestone boys, and for helping throughout the week. Also thanks go to St Ignatius’ College, Riverview, and Mr Andrew Szabo, MIC of Cricket at St Ignatius College, Riverview, for organising and hosting the carnival. Mr Greg McKenzie Manager of the 1st XI 21
Page 1 and 2: Autumn 2002 ALOYSIAD The Magazine o
Page 3 and 4: St. Aloysius’ College 47 UPPER PI
Page 5 and 6: Ad Majora Society Following the pub
Page 7 and 8: The completed Visual Arts Centre Th
Page 9 and 10: Mr J Edstein Mr & Mrs D Effeney Mr
Page 11 and 12: New Academic Staff For 2002 we welc
Page 13 and 14: Parents & Friends Parents and Frien
Page 15 and 16: Junior School Junior School Wrap Up
Page 17 and 18: CAS Swimming Championships Aloys go
Page 19: Annual Camp All Staff and Students
Page 23 and 24: The next two days were packed with
Page 25 and 26: Before School Activities Swimming:
Page 27 and 28: School is located. It is a chance t
Page 29 and 30: Senior School Sport Cricket This se
Page 31 and 32: Honour the past … Invest in the f
Page 33 and 34: But their best bat was still there.
Page 35 and 36: March 2001 Sean has been working in

The College by the Harbour - St Aloysius

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