In Principio v17 no2 (2006)

UNIVERSITY I NEWS A Father Kevin long A Personal Reflection This edition's contribution is from Father Kevin Long, Senior Lecturer, Philosophy and Theology at Notre Dame and Rector of St Thomas More College, The University of Western Australia. When Notre Dame Fremantle accepted its first undergraduate students in 1994 I was in the privileged position of teaching the University's Core Unit in Theology. It was an exciting and pioneering time: we never quite knew where the lectures would take place - venues changed on a daily basis; IT equipment was very basic, the university year was based on the American model and very much out of step with other Australian universities, library and computer resources were limited, some students were aggrieved at the University's insistence that all students undertake a basic introduction to the ethical, philosophical and theological foundations of Western Civilization and a small group of vocal Catholics were highly suspicious of a 'sectarian Catholic ghetto' developing within the Port City. From such unpromising beginnings Notre Dame has earned its rightful place within the academic worlds of Perth, Broome and Sydney. Its thousands of graduates are now Notre Dame's best ambassadors in their chosen professions of education, business, law, nursing and other health sciences. Catholic parishes and schools throughout Western Australia are now served by clergy and teachers trained at Notre Dame. The remarkable dream of establishing the first Catholic university in Australia could have simply remained a dream if not for the tenacious dedication and sheer dogged determination of its founding leadership, staff and students. It was an enormous leap into an uncertain future and it carried within it all the vital energy, enthusiasm and optimism needed to ensure that the Catholic faith and intellectual integrity cou ld together find their rightful place within the Australian academic discourse. It is impossible to limit how God's blessings will continue to shape the ever– expanding development of our University. It remains a great privi lege for all of us - students, staff and alumni - to be part of such a faith-filled and unique historic enterprise. HONORARY DOCTORATE OF LAWS FOR SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC EDUCATION At the July Graduation ceremony held on the Fremantle Campus, Father John Neill op, a Foundation Trustee and Governor of the University, was honoured for his lifetime of loyalty, service and passionate commitment to the Church, the Dominican Order and to Catholic education at all levels in Australia. Father Neill joined the Dominican Order Novitiate in 1955. Over his lifetime he became one of the leading figures in Catholic education in Australia. He was made Chair of the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools, a Member of the Standing Committee of the Headmasters' Conference of Australia, and a Member of the National Catholic Education Commission. In 1986 he was elected a Fellow of the Australian College of Education and, in 1988, after a health 'scare', he retired. In his retirement he joined the working group who had begun planning for the new Catholic university in Western Australia which was to become The University of Notre Dame Australia. "I knew Father John to be a man of passion and great ability, a diplomat, a peacemaker and an advocate, ideal for the initial role of Director of the Planning Office of the proposed new university. "Father John has had a profound influence on the establishment, development and enculturation of The University of Notre Dame Australia. He is truly one of our Founding Fathers, "said Vice Chancellor, Dr Peter Tannock. At the ceremony Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Sydney, Most Reverend Anthony Fisher op read a letter of congratulations from the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell. "He is a loyal son of St Dominic, a fine priest and a much loved and respected Chaplain. He is also a man who has made a quite extraordinary contribution to Catholic education in this country," wrote Cardinal Pell. Father John is now very involved in the developm~nt of the University's Sydney Campus where he is Chaplain and Parish Priest for St Benedict's in Chippendale, New South Wales. • Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, Most Reverend Anthony Fisher op; Vice Chancellor, Or Peter Tannock; Father John Neill op and ChanceIIor, Hon Justice Neville Owen. Photograph courtesy of GFP Studios.