Thank you for 30 years of giving
There is probably nothing that connects our supporters and amplifies our spirit more than the St Vincent’s College Foundation.
The Foundation harnesses generosity and focuses on building philanthropic support to ensure the College can continue to meet and adapt to a changing educational climate and deliver to each student the best possible opportunities.
Compared with the history of the College itself going back to 1858, the Foundation is relatively “young”. It was set up by Principal Sister Margaret Beirne in 1991 and this year we are celebrating 30 years of generous work by everyone involved.
There is no doubt, St Vincent’s College today would be very different if it were not for the Foundation. Sister’s Margaret’s objective when she launched the key supporter group was “to raise funds for a new boarding school.”
In congratulating everyone who has been involved over the 30 years, Sister Margaret said, “With the amazing efforts of the Foundation Board, led by the inaugural chair, Lady Angela Carrick, we achieved that first objective with the opening of Mary Aikenhead House. Then we expanded the focus to include a bursary program.”
Today, it is interesting to recall the words spoken by the School Captain, Rachel Kelleher, at the time of the official opening of Mary Aikenhead House, “I take this opportunity to thank the College Foundation and the Parents and Friends of the College for their continuous contributions and efforts in making such a seemingly unachievable dream become a reality”.
Former student and former Chair of the Foundation, Jane Doolan, who is today Chair of the College Board, has a strong belief that we are custodians and there is a need to give back.
“By supporting the Foundation, we have an opportunity to live our mission of providing scholarships for disadvantaged students,” she says.
Inspired by the Sisters of Charity, the ongoing work of the Foundation is a very visible sign that Generosity of Spirit is alive and well in our College community today.
As John Duddleston, Foundation Chair 2008-9, points out, the Foundation has always been totally transparent, and it has been easy for people to see where the money is being spent.
“Everything raised is spent for the benefit of the students and the College,” he says. “It can be as little as new sporting equipment and new tents for outdoor events but it can also be as big as the Garcia Centre. However, the Foundation’s role is not just monetary but also bringing the College’s community together. The impacts from having great facilities and supportive communities at the College will last long into the future.”
Over the years the Foundation has done so many great things with improvements almost always happening. When you give to the Foundation, the College benefits, of course, but so do you as a supporter. And, of course, your gift is not only for current students, but future students and their families also receive benefits.
We all know that Generosity of Spirit is a core value of our College and clearly the tradition of giving makes the College of today the unique and special place it is. To mark 30 wonderful years of giving, we salute all who have supported the Foundation in any way at any time.
David Osborne
Director of Advancement