By Ms Beth Gilligan

Glenorchy, Australia -- On Wednesday 26 October the College held a very special assembly to mark a significant anniversary - in November it will be 70 years since our first Salesian brothers and priests came here to Glenorchy and established a home and school to educate children and young people.

Current members of our Salesian community joined us: our Rector Fr Peter Rankin, Br Michael Morrow and Fr Nick Castleyns, Fr Bob Curmi and our Parish Priest Fr Lawrie Moate. This group of wonderful, dedicated men continue the commitment made 70 years ago to be an active presence here and support the children and young people of Hobart.

Fr Bernie Graham, our Vice Provincial of the Salesians of Don Bosco, the chairman of our College Council and former Principal of Dominic College, also attended to celebrate and bless our special student badges.

When Fr John Brennan, our first Principal and Rector of the Salesians, came here 70 years ago, this school was a farm. Our ovals were used for grazing cows, sheep, an apple orchard and there were hay stacks. There were ducks, wallabies and snakes... some things haven’t changed.

The love and care and happiness in the hearts of the Salesians and students of 70 years ago has not changed – it is like a strong energy force from the past to the present - Dominic as a family and home continues.

I think Fr John Brennan would be proud that the Salesians are still here, still present, still working here, still praying and still serving in the name and spirit of Don Bosco. He would be very proud of our students – still learning, still playing, still aiming to fulfil their dreams. As we gathered we remember those days of 1946 there were 36 students here as our first school – today there are 926 students.

We remember those early days, the Salesians who built and grew our school, and our former students who made this school a great place to be.

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