Organisers of St Joseph’s Centenary were thrilled with the outstanding success of the weekend celebrations. Every aspect including the history display, Trivia Night Saturday night; the prayers at the cemetery Sunday morning; Centenary Mass at St Joseph’s Church and outdoor luncheon in the school grounds made the weekend one that will be long remembered.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The magnificent history display in the school attracted many on both days and featured old photos, newspaper articles, visual display and items of nostalgia bringing back many memories of both the church and school. The display, originally the concept of the late Sonia Clear, will stay permanently in the school and already more items have been donated to enhance same.
Saturday night saw over seventy trivia buffs attend the “Aussie Trivia Night” at the Delegate Country Club. A trivia night with a difference, the questions being visually displayed on a giant screen and included both visual and audio content, was well received by those in attendance. The Stewart family of Delegate were the winning team for the night and they graciously donated their prize winnings back to St Joseph’s.
On Sunday morning, with the weather conditions being perfect, many joined Archbishop Christopher Prowse and Father Mick MacAndrew at the Delegate Cemetery for a prayer and blessing ceremony. Immediately following was the Centenary Mass at St Joseph’s Church with the church filled to capacity with over 220 in attendance. Additional seating had to be set up outside the church to accommodate the large numbers. The children of Delegate welcomed the congregation with a wonderful dance routine specially prepared for the occasion under the guidance of Sr Teresa Keane. Clive Cottrell, on behalf of St Joseph’s, then welcomed and thanked all present for joining in the centenary celebrations with a special thanks to Archbishop Prowse, Father Mick and the Sisters of St Joseph. At the conclusion of Mass, Father Mick presented the chief organisers Clive & Lorraine Cottrell, Sandra Walker, Dolly Guthrie, Joyce Reed and Greg Crotty with a token of appreciation for the many hours of work undertaken in preparation for the weekend.
Following Mass, lunch was held in the school grounds under an array of gazebo’s erected for the occasion. The new kitchen facilities, donated by the Crotty family in memory of the late Madge Crotty, certainly proved a great asset for the weekend. In typical Delegate style, the delicious food was plentiful with a wide variety to suit all tastes.
Clive Cottrell and Greg Crotty thanked all again on behalf of the organising committee with Robyn Mikula responding on behalf of the Clear family and Sr Christina O’Connor responding on behalf of the Sisters of St Joseph. The cutting of the centenary cake was then undertaken by Robyn along with Barry Reed, Robyn being a relative of Les Kelly and Veronica Clear the first couple to be married in the present church, and Barry being a descendant of Geoff Stewart and Ellen Jones the second couple to be married in the present church.
Many old acquaintances were renewed on the weekend along with recollections of stories and memories being shared amongst friends. As well as a wonderful support of locals, there was great support from St Mary’s Parish Bombala, St Peter’s Parish Pambula and Reverend Judy Holdsworth and the Anglican Parish of Southern Monaro. Many travelled from near and far places for the occasion including Brisbane, Moree, Lightening Ridge, Sydney, Wollongong, Wagga Wagga, Orange, Gundagai, Goulburn, Canberra, Queanbeyan, Cooma, Eden, Pambula, Nimmitabel and Bombala.
Sisters of St Joseph present for the celebrations were Sr Kathleen Price, Lightening Ridge, Sr Christina O’Conner, Hunters Hill, Sr Helen Madden, Croydon, Sr Mary Timothy Monaghan, Wagga Wagga, Sr Marietta Drew, Goulburn, Sr Brigid McMahon and Sr Rosemary Hart, Eden, Sr Bernadette O’Sullivan, Nimmitabel and Sr Teresa Keene, Bombala.
Souvenir glasses and “A Brief History of St Joseph’s Delegate” booklet are still available and can be purchased through Sandra Walker on 02 6458 8089 or email to joeysdelegate@gmail.com .
The organising committee would like to thank all those who helped in any way towards the success of the weekend. They are already planning another event for next year which they hope to hold as a yearly event at St Joseph’s. The history display in the school will be ongoing and donations have been pledged for a new access ramp and upgraded bathroom facilities.
Well done to all and happy centenary St Joseph’s Delegate !
