Events

The Shining Light Awards are back for 2017.

Catch up with old friends and colleagues and hear the inspirational stories of past scholars and leaders. This event is open to anyone who has a connection with Tenison Woods College and its predecessors, St Paul's School, Tenison College, Marist Brothers Agricultural College, Mater Christi College, St Mary's School and St Joseph's College.

There will be entertainment throughout the night and memorabilia on display.

This year, The Friends of Tenison Woods College (Old Scholars Association) would like to present the following Shining Light award recipients:

• Noel Bull

Noel attended Tenison College, completing his schooling in 1976. He worked for Softwoods Plantations in Dartmoor before becoming a shearer for around 15 years. Noel’s father died when he was young and his mother had to lease out 300 acres of their family farm. After leaving school, Noel and his brother regained their land and started farming. Today, with his wife and two sons, and in partnership with his brother, Noel farms around 2,000 acres of land. They do this, however, in their spare time. Noel currently works full time for SFM Asset Management in Mount Gambier. After falling ill in 2007, Noel decided to create a list of monthly farming jobs so his sons could continue to run the family farm. His notes eventually evolved into a ‘Farming in Your Spare Time’ annual calendar which came about with a little creative help from some family members. Noel decided to sell the calendar to raise money for Beyond Blue and had an incredible response, raising $16,000 over two years. Noel has a strong sense of community; he has been an active member of the Dartmoor CFA for over 37 years, he’s a member of the Dartmoor grounds and complex committee, a volunteer for the Dartmoor cemetery trust and a well-known and respected community member. In 2017, Noel was awarded Glenelg Shire Citizen of the Year, nominated unbeknown to him by his work colleagues.

• Maurice Corcoran

Maurice attended Tenison College from 1972-1974. After leaving school, he took up an apprenticeship in fitting and turning, but at age 18 was involved in a car accident which left him with quadriplegia. After an intensive rehabilitation process, Maurice was able to drive again and return to work in Mount Gambier, but continued his rehabilitation with regular visits to Adelaide. It was during these visits he discovered his passion for encouraging and counselling other paraplegic and quadriplegic patients on their road to recovery. Maurice went on to complete a Diploma in Social Work and during this time he was a member of the Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association, appointed Chair of the group in 1983. Maurice now has a Bachelor of Social Work and over 30 years’ experience as a social worker, advocate, strategic planner and policy officer. His work has significantly influenced issues affecting the lives of people living with disability. He has developed advocacy training programs and played a pivotal role in the drive for accessible public transport in Australia. Maurice has a long list of accolades, but perhaps his most significant was being made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2006.

• Pauline Kenny

Pauline was born in Mount Gambier in 1937, but spent most of her younger life in Adelaide, where she eventually married in 1958 and raised five children with husband Kevin. During this time, Pauline did a great deal of volunteer work, particularly at her children’s local parish school. She ran sporting programs, organised weekend sports teams and annual sports days. After completing a diploma in Teaching, Pauline went on to become a Principal at two Adelaide Catholic primary schools, before returning to Mount Gambier for the Principal’s position at St Paul’s Primary School from 1997 – 2000. Pauline was heavily involved in the amalgamation between St Paul’s and Tenison College. Retiring in her ‘60s, Pauline kept very busy as a relief teacher. She also established the Sunset Community Kitchen; feeding the poor and providing care for disadvantaged youth. The kitchen still runs today and works with local businesses and volunteers to support the homeless and disadvantaged. In 2015, Pauline was honoured on Australia Day as a Citizen of the Year in Mount Gambier.

• Natalie Medhurst

Natalie grew up in Millicent, attending St Anthony’s Primary School. She completed Year 8-10 at Tenison College from 1997–1999. Natalie played Western Border Netball and also travelled to Adelaide most weekends for state netball. In Year 10 Natalie was selected in the state under 17 Netball team, which was the beginning of a highly successful career for the talented netballer. Career highlights for Natalie include; playing for Australia in the 2005 World Youth Championships (placing third), debuting in 2007 with the Australian team in the Netball World Championships, winning the ANZ Championship in 2011 with the Queensland Firebirds and named the season’s MVP. In 2014, Medhurst moved to Perth to play for the West Coast Fever, eventually becoming Captain. She was selected in the Australian Netball Diamonds to compete in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, where they went on to win gold. In 2015, Medhurst became one of only eight players to win three Netball World Championships. This year, the Suncorp Super Netball League was formed and Medhurst signed a new 3-year deal with the West Coast Fever and was re-named Captain of the club for 2017.

• Robert Peake

Robert Peake attended Marist Brothers Agricultural College as a boarder from 1958-1960. On the basis of his Leaving (Year 11) exam results, Robert was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship for University studies, which he took up after completing his Leaving Honours (Year 12) at Sacred Heart College in Adelaide. Robert studied Electrical Engineering at Adelaide University, graduating in 1966. He joined the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) in Melbourne, working as an engineer on radar systems for air traffic control. Since then, Robert was involved in setting up radar and air traffic control systems all around Australia. He worked on the panel of technical specialists for the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the improved radar and airborne collision avoidance systems they developed are now used all over the world. Robert went on to consult in other countries about air traffic control systems and has received a number of awards and accolades for his career achievements, including The Royal Aeronautical Society Wakefield Gold Medal, an Aviation Safety Foundation of Australasia Award and a Public Service Medal in 2016.

These recipients will be awarded and celebrated on Saturday 14 October at City Hall and we invite past and present staff, students, families and friends of the Tenison Woods College community to attend the evening.

Tickets are now on sale here.

You are also invited to attend a BBQ lunch and tour of Tenison Woods College, following Mass at St Paul’s on Sunday 15 October.