The final amount raised was $13,047.
Russell, a regular at Walk with Us in Burleigh summed up the overall feeling as he departed, "I really look forward to seeing you all again. You’ve lifted spirits in here tonight. Indeed, some students have indicated they will be returning in their own time to assist."
In between the serving of meals, our group was also inspired by a surprise visit from Nic and Lucas, Young Australians of the Year (2016) / Founders of Orange Sky Laundry.
One student commented, "I can’t begin to imagine what the daily struggles of being homeless are. After my experience this evening, I am more determined to give back using my privileged position. You inspire me."
Finally, a shout out to the all the families who continue to make meals in the Meals that Make a Difference Programme. They have been well received this winter.
The plants are all endemic to South Eeast Queensland and should do well in their new patch. We hope in years to come, future students and staff will be able to enjoy the fruits of their labour.
National Tree Day started in 1996 and has grown into Australia's largest community tree-planting and nature care event.
Cards, books and videos that have not been looked at for years had to be packed for the move. Crockery, cutlery and linen that has not graced a table in over a decade had to be part of the move because they may be required for entertaining.
It was a story repeated in every room as boxes packed by children to be despatched to a charity shop were raided and repacked in other boxes to go the new home by ageing parents protesting the necessity or sentimentality of items. Every now and then an ancient treasure that unlocked wonderful memories would emerge from the back of a cupboard, and there would be reminiscing and laughter, and sometimes a few tears.
Just as in our homes, in our lifetimes we accumulate stuff that in its season has great purpose and provides wonderful utility, or joy, and often both.
It is good to celebrate that stuff, there is infinite room in our minds for happy memories. Revisiting the memories, and often, is a wonderful tonic for the soul that makes life joyful and builds resilience to all the tough times it can bring.
The danger lies in trying to carry the stuff from that season into this because that will create expectations that cannot be met and so bring disappointment, and the clutter it causes will hinder our capacity to enjoy our new season.
For example, as a young man I was never an athlete (to be honest, I wasn’t an athlete’s bootlace) but I loved to run and jump and try to catch. I was the most enthusiastic participant at park cricket and football, even though so awkwardly unskilled I was the entertainment. As an old man I tried to carry the “stuff” from that season into this, to be the energetic fool with my grandchildren that I had been with my children; the evening and next morning pain sharply taught me that this “stuff” was to be enjoyed in hindsight, new stuff needed to be found for this season. Now, with my granddaughters I am still a fool, just not so energetic!
At fourteen, indecent behaviour sent me to jail for seven years. One day I found me love but she got taken away to a man called Joseph Shuttleworth.
They called me ‘inoffensive and orderly’ I HATED that place I tried everything, but I couldn’t get out, so I started refusing to work, absconded, and oh what I had a little drink, wait what the bottles empty! I was constantly being flogged but I did not bail, I stood me ground, and it paid off as I got to leave but then got caught again for being drunk and for living in a dog’s dinner. Thankfully, they didn’t put me in jail again, instead they fined me or chucked me up in the stocks and oooohhhhhh you do not wanna have that. One full flamin’ hour of horror. You get handcuffed and head cuffed even! Ohhhhh those nasty lads they made fun of me and threw apples at me. So, they thought that I was pathetic and weak at first…
They said I got worse, finally, I couldn’t help myself to murder someone. They sent me on a ship to Australia called George the third, kinda a stupid name ain’t it, naming it after a king, even though it killed so many people, it killed 134 fellow chaps, and there were only 294 passengers, that should scare ya. Finally, the travel was over, and I made it to the island called Van’s Diemen's land, they suspected me quiet and orderly, but then, that night, I saw him, that night that no one suspected, I killed him, Joseph Shuttleworth... We were both building a church and I got my pickaxe and did three bloody blows to the head 1, 2, 3!!! BAM!Hold it in ,no more Joseph, no more words except “Now I’m am satisfied”
I was just 13 years old when I was sentenced to seven years of transportation. Do you know what it’s like to be ditched I know I do, 13 years old!!!!!! And me brother and who I thought to be me friends ditched me! THEY LEFT ME to be sentenced for breaking into a HOUSE the judge didn’t even know he wa there! Then they banished me to that ship called the Isabella even though this ship looked ight it was the ride that was dreadful.
All that time on that cold, evil ship led me to think of my so called innocent brother and his evil pack of snakes (stomps foot on ground) and how many different ways I would get my revenge. I would just imagine what I would do if they were ere they’d see all the things I’d seen on this horrible thing. How many of my fellow chaps died of sickness and how they starve us and the rats ohh them rats that crawl out and attack oooooohhhh all the things I’ve seen. But once we arrived at this Point Puer I was even more angry.
Twenty-seven days!!!!!!!! Before me first time in solitary the cold and dreadfulness just reminded me of me brother and that group of liars!!! But as the time ere went on I started to lose the plot. But at least I had the sanity to know what I had to do. All that time in solitary led me to never be silenced (stomp foot on ground) I would shout and sing and whenever they tol me to shu it I would grow louder.
But one day me nicked some tabaco and tried to give to another wazzock who got himself trapped ere but I was a bit of a plonker to think I could smuggle some tabaco to me fellow chap.
I was finally released from that god forsaken place on Christmas day 1838. I’d managed to avoid dem troubled beings until me and a fellow chap acted like a couple of wazzocks and robbed some nutter. Then wees where sentenced for life to Van Diemens land and I was back where me was shaped into the man I am today.
Me Dad is a wastrel who was treating us wrong. Brother and I planned to leave home; we weren’t safe … it was for our own good.
We became cheap jacks, living on the roads for years. Time passed but my blustering love of boxing came around and before I knew it, I’m a good 1-2 knockout.
Not long after that I met a man called John Hart (act mad). Led me to a life of crime he did! Committing 17 crimes together we finally got caught. John dobbed me in to the coppers, showing proof of every crime I made! I was swinging me arms like I was protecting me own Ma. I was furious! Off to the slammer I went! John followed me path.
On the other side of the table he was one day. I started to fume! I saw the chance of murder, but I didn’t take it. Before I knew it, he died, without me doing no nothing. Blamed, I was sent to Van Diemen’s Land on the ship “Elisa”, A two-year trip over to complete me 15-year sentence. When I arrived, I thought things’ll brighten up. But no … (sigh) I got a stint on Norfolk Island for me troubles, then to Port Arthur.
I was made a grave digger and since I was always fighting, they called me “Port Arthur Flagellator”. People say I got this grave digging job because I’m always angry, but it’s only because they give me next-to-nothin’ to eat. More like, I’m always hungry.
I’m cold and lonely out in this forgotten place. The Isle of the Dead they call it. That’s probably because there’s no one here but me, these corpses, and the Devil himself. Me life couldn’t get any worse (look down at the ground at start to cry). I’ve turned to the bible but I’m starting to sink into depression. From now on I don’t know where life’s gonna go. Many things have happened, but most of all, I hope me brother’s well back in Wood Ditton.
With several boys still making their way from Bond University training, the 13 boys on the field acquitted themselves well given their lack of field coverage due to having two players short. Needless to say, the first 10 minutes of the match was spent defending the larger bodies coming at them from the Nerang team. Nerang mounted several attacks and eventually dove over in the sixth minute. However, Somerset responded with a period of sustained attack and with approximately 10 minutes left in the half, our Bond University reinforcements arrived. This provided the much-needed impetus and Inside Centre, Sam Capel dove over just to the right of the goalposts. Callum Wilkins slotted the conversion and the Somerset Spartans led at the half 7 to 5.
The second half game plan was to run the bigger Nerang players off their feet and hopefully capitalise on having a fitter team. With limited numbers and the day before match against All Saints taking its toll this was easier said than done. Winger, Ashton Govenlock dived over in the right hand corner midway through the second half to take the score to 12 to 5 and give us some necessary breathing space. The Nerang Bulls attempted to apply pressure but the majority of the second half was played between the two teams 22 metre lines and few opportunities presented themselves for either team. A last-minute kick by Nerang in behind our defensive line provided some heart palpitations as we failed to regather the ball cleanly. But a hurried scramble of the ball into touch enabled the referee to blow his whistle for full time. Another history breaking moment as the team racked up their first Club Rugby victory, 12 points to 5.
Ben Gallagher had a good game in the unfamiliar position of scrum half, whilst both Kane and Cory Delaney were tenacious on defence. Sam Capel and Alex Miles controlled the midfield and Patrick Sowerby and Sam Liu also featured highly through their constant pressure at the breakdown.
Congratulations to Victoria Jones (Year 10 Starkey) and Phoenix Kyaw (Year 9 Starkey) for representing the College at the Inter-School Swimming Championships in Term One.
Due to the nature of the pandemic and being unable to award these medals to them at an assembly, Victoria and Phoenix have only just been presented with this honour.
Both Spartans represented the College with pride and are worthy of the APS In The Right Spirit award.
Congratulations and well done!
What a brilliant match against Talley Valley, ending in a draw.
The team started off with some big kicks by Hamish and Liam. Hamish's early score giving the team a good start. Abhiveer scored the second goal showing some amazing footwork and great passing by Emily. Mayuko was brilliant with her defence and did not let go off the ball.
The team played a cohesive match passing well to all players.
Well done Under 7 Blues.
Under 7 Orange were outshined; an exceptionally talented Broadbeach United taking the win.
The boys put in an impressive effort, never relenting and managed to scrape in a desperate goal by Hunter. The score followed the team effort’s scramble in the opposition’s domain heading into the end of the game.
The final score was 10 to 1 to Broadbeach; a gap that would have been much wider without the Under 7s defending. Kai shined on the day, throwing himself into the line of fire and saving many goals. Score aside, the boys had a fun time in Broadbeach and we look forward to the next match against Merrimac FC.
The Whites played at Coplicks Family park verse Tally Valley in this round, under the guidance of Coach Ryan. Despite playing well, unfortunately luck was not on our side and Tally Valley took the win with a few late goals.
A good team performance from the Under 8 Green saw them finish with a 10 to 1 win against a well organised Magic United team.
Edward opened the scoring with an early goal before Ollie and Max scored two goals each to finish the half up, 5 nil. The Spartans continued to play and pass well in the second half and Ollie continued finishing off moves with more goals.
Persistence from Magic's girls saw a well deserved score after a couple of fine saves from Knox, helping in goal. Jacob saw his shot go wide before Will was rewarded for his efforts on field with a goal of his own.
A great team performance. Ollie earning Player of the Match with six goals! Well done Under 8 Greens.
This week the Under 8 Blue team was the only team playing at Somerset. They played Tweed United Red again, having only played them two weeks ago.
The side had a great game. By half time Somerset was in the lead 4 to 1. Rollin into the second half of the game Coach Maarten got louder, making the opposing team's coach louder and suddenly there was a real battle.
Both teams scored again, and Tweed United stepped up a notch with another two goals, making three in a row for the opposition. The score then 5 to 4.
The opposing team was hungry for a win but in an edge-of-your-seat climax, the buzzer went off and Somerset U8s won the game 6 to 4.
Under 10 played well against tough competition by Robina. There was great defence on both sides in the nail-biting experience for all the parents.
The 1 nil result came in Robina's advantage. Congratulations to Ashton who took out, Player of the Match.
If any questions about Football at Somerset College? Please contact our Head Coach - Football and Futsal, Maarten de Kruijf. mdekruijf@somerset.qld.edu.au
The Boys tournament took place Wednesday 5 August. Having 10 teams in the competition, the Under 16s needed to end in the top two from the group to reach the semi-finals.
The first game versus Pacific Pines was the most difficult. We lost this game and knew from then the day was going to be a tough one. The second game versus Robina State High the boys won and gave us hope for the following games.
In game three versus Shailer Park State High the boys played their best game of the tournament. We deserved a win but unfortunately did not score one. Shailer Park came out winners one minute before full time.
Somerset needed to win the final game to end on second in the group. And we did! We were then counting our goal difference between Assisi and Shailer Park. The boys were very unlucky missing out the final by one goal difference.
Next time hopefully the luck is on our side for Peter Osborne, Oliver Leal, Ethan Robinson, Bongani Mhlanga, William Burns and Hayden Goldsmith.
The U19s played the following day. The Girls were in a group with Hillcrest and Robina State High and needed to play both schools two times to decide which two teams will play the final at the end of the day.
The first game kicked off at 8.00am, which meant the girls needed a few minutes to wake up. The team played well and scored two goals for a win with the final score 2 to 1.
The second game we lost against Robina State High but we shifted focus to winning the third game which would qualify the side for the finals. The girls won and qualified the finals meaning scores from the fourth game against Robina State High did not count. We took the game easy and saved energy for the final, hoping Robina would underestimate us in the final.
We made our master plan to beat them. This plan worked great at the start of the match but the game took too long to get the result we wanted, leaving us runners up at the Gold Coast AFA School Futsal Titles.
Congratulations Serenity Thake, Amy Jackson, Nina Gray, Jessica Nguyen, Amy Barry, Nikiah McNamara.
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