Members of the school community and special guests celebrated the official opening of the St Johns College Dubbo Multi-Purpose School Hall yesterday.

Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst Most Reverend Michael McKenna, Father Greg Kennedy PP, Mrs Christina Trimble Executive Director of Schools, Mr Patrick Cooper Diocesan Financial Administrator, Mrs Nicole Morton Principal St Johns College Dubbo, feeder school principals, College staff, students and community members were present to enjoy the celebration.

Guests participated in a smoking ceremony prior to the Welcome to Country led by Uncle Ralph Naden, a local Wiradjuri elder, who was supported by a local Wiradjuri woman, Ms Tracey Rapley, one of the school AEW’s and two young Wiradjuri dancers from Trangi. Following the official welcome, the school’s Wiradjuri dance group performed a specially choreographed dance for the event. Mrs Morton, College Principal stated in her address, “St Johns College Hall is more than just a building to us. It is a place where generations can witness the wonder and awe of our First Nations culture, history and traditions, a place where we will witness the wonder and awe of our Faith, a place where we will sit in awe of the talents and achievements of our community” and “St Johns College Hall will always be more than just a Hall to us. It stands as a beacon for all in our community to remind us to dare to dream, to come together as one and to be in awe of all that our community can be, today and in the future.”

Bishop McKenna and Fr Greg Kennedy led the Liturgy for the official blessing of the Hall. The Executive Director of Education, Mrs Christina Trimble spoke of the importance of dreaming for a better future and the symbol of the Hall reflecting the power of dreams and achievements for the whole community. Bishop McKenna concluded the Opening with a final blessing for St Johns College and unveiled the plaque.

The hall was designed and built by the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst and CDF Bathurst using local organisations Barnson Pty Ltd and David Payne Constructions, it is a ground-breaking innovative structure that seats up to 1300 guests and will serve the school and the local community for many years to come.