FREE. Fear not. I am here to give you good news. Great joy for all people. Today a saviour has been born. He is the Messiah and the Lord.

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1 Published by the DIOCESE OF BROOME PO Box 76, Broome, Western Australia 6725 Tel: (08) Fax: (08) ISSUE 08 DECEMBER 2007 FREE Multi-award winning magazine for the Kimberley Building our future together Fear not. I am here to give you good news. Great joy for all people. Today a saviour has been born. He is the Messiah and the Lord. Lk 2:9-11

2 Christmas Message The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem has a very low doorway so that in order to enter you have to bow down in a manner of forced reverence. When I first experienced this humbling entré into the celebrated birth place of Jesus Christ the Saviour, I remember thinking how fitting it was that we approached the crib scene in such a way. Our body language was that of supplication and respect, bent over as we were. At home, far from the precinct of Bethlehem, the crib scenes on display in our churches fill me with a similar sense of admiration. Some cribs are simple and uncomplicated, while others have the details of a well produced movie set. It doesn t matter really what they look like. What cries out for our acknowledgement and prayerful recollection is the inspiration for the crib scene the Gospel infancy narratives that announced to humankind, Unto us is born a Saviour. He is Christ the Lord. The suffering and sacrifice of Mary and Joseph is evident in their squalid surroundings. The child is born in a stable meant for animals, a shed that speaks of poverty without any deprivation of love. They bear the injustice of their surroundings with dignity and resolve, powerless but strangely grateful for the bare shelter made available for them. The presence of the angels is the divine touch assuring us that this human birth that appears like any other is yet at the same time like no other. This birth of a boy-child will forever change the history of the human race. God, through this birth, has entered into human life binding with his creatures in a covenant of love. The wise men present gifts in gratitude and veneration, not for each other we note, but for the Son of God. They came as strangers driven by curiosity and a quest, searching for the sacred. They are grateful for having witnessed a moment of epic proportions that heralded a new relationship between God and humankind, sealed in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ some thirty-three years later. It would be a sad loss for us if the lessons of the simple crib scene in our churches passed us by unnoticed. Last year I saw a mother and father together with their three children pointing out the details of the crib at a Church. The presence of angels, wise men and the Holy Family were spoken about in a manner that would please any competent catechist. The Christmas story is a beautiful one filled with hope, new life and bright promise. It truly is a family story with a familiar faith dimension so striking that to pray about the message will bring us to our knees in wonder and awe of God s love for us. Let us pray that we may reverence God and each other, being always grateful for life as God s gift to us. May the peace of Christmas and God s choicest blessings be with you and your family. + Christopher Saunders Bishop of Broome Cross and Icon journey through Australia The journey of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon continues throughout the Diocese of Australia. The Cross and Icon will travel through the Diocese of Broome from 19 to 27 June Track the journey at: and click on JOURNEY OF THE WORLD YOUTH DAY CROSS AND ICON COVER: An Aboriginal Christmas II. From original artwork by Yves Cox Kimberley Community Profile is a publication of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Broome, published eight times a year by the Bishop of Broome. Articles to do with the Kimberley are welcome to be submitted for publication. SUBSCRIPTIONS & ENQUIRIES: Diocese of Broome, PO Box 76, BROOME WA 6725 Tel: Fax: secretary@broomediocese.org Subscription Rate $25.00pa The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Bishop of Broome. INSIDE This Issue The World Youth Day Cross recently journeyed through country around Uluru accompanied by young people and others from the Diocese of Darwin, NT, as well as some from interstate Dioceses. Photo: Courtesy WYD08. A Farewell Tribute to a Community Leader More awards for KCP The year that was Congratulations Congratulations to our priests who have recently celebrated their Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood: FR MARK CONNOLLY CSSP 21 SEPTEMBER FR DANIEL CHAMA 9 NOVEMBER FR RICHARD TOMELTY 9 NOVEMBER 2 Kimberley Community Profile DECEMBER 2007

3 Briefly Speaking Photo: J Grimson. FR JOHN KELLIHER, a Missionary of the Sacred Heart Father, is the Administrator in the Diocese of Darwin. Fr John was delighted to spend much of his recent holiday motoring through the Kimberley and visiting the Diocese next door. Photo: M Moore. THE KALUMBURU COMMUNITY has welcomed the arrival of Mrs Brenda McCann to work with them as a counsellor for a six week period. Brenda has been seconded from the Catholic Education sector, and has been working most recently at Clontarf Aboriginal College in Perth. She has qualifications in Education, Religious Education and Psychology. Bishop Saunders is grateful to Clontarf and the CEO for making this arrangement possible. Photo: C Posa sgs. PATRICK DODSON will join the staff at The University of Notre Dame Australia, Broome Campus, in 2008 when he will take up the position of Adjunct Professor in the School of Arts and Sciences. Mr Dodson, a regular guest speaker at the Campus, is the Chairman of the Kimberley Development Council and Chairman of the Lingiari Foundation, an organisation with a charter to promote reconciliation between Australians through education, research and public advocacy. This appointment comes as the Broome Campus prepares to establish a Centre for Indigenous Studies and offer a Bachelor of Arts (Major in Aboriginal Studies) in Photo: J Purnell. JOHN PURNELL, a seminary student for the Diocese of Broome, is currently studying in Rome. John spent part of his summer vacation in pastoral work in the Parish of Derby before heading off to spend time with his mother back home in Newcastle, NSW. John is presently in Rome continuing his studies. Photo: J Grimson. SR BRID RYAN from Ireland (right), the Congregational Leader of the Sisters of St John of God, called on Bishop Saunders during her recent visitation to the Kimberley. Sr Brid was accompanied by Sr Mary Kiely, who is on the Congregational Leadership Team and is Deputy to Sr Brid. Photo: M Moore. FR JOHN HILL CSSR, a Redemptorist priest, is stationed at the Redemptorist Monastery in North Perth. Fr John was in Kalumburu during November to provide for members of that Parish community while Fr Anscar was on annual leave. Photo: G Kennewell fsc. FR MATTHEW DIGGES is on study leave at Notre Dame Fremantle and finishing his Post Graduate Degree in Liturgy. He is sorely missed at Balgo but regularly keeps in touch and visits Balgo patients in Perth. We wish him well for his studies. A Prayer in Time of Drought All things look to you, O Lord, to give them their food in due season: look in mercy on your people, and hear our prayer for those whose lives and possessions are threatened by drought. In your mercy restore your creation and heal our land. So guide and bless your people, that we may enjoy the fruits of the earth and give you thanks with grateful hearts, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Kimberley Community Profile DECEMBER

4 Kimberley Kitchen Photo: J Grimson. CARTELLATE (Little baskets) INGREDIENTS: (makes 24) PASTRY: 1 /2 kg plain flour 2 eggs pinch of salt 1 /2 cup warm water oil for frying FILLING FOR BASKETS: 100g walnut pieces honey icing sugar WHAT YOU WILL NEED: rolling pin knurled pastry wheel pan for deep frying PREPARATION: On a pastry board place flour, eggs and salt: mix and gradually add water. Work the Phone: Service: Fax: Service: ANGELA ARACE, along with husband Franco and two of their now four children, arrived in Broome from Cairano, Avellino Province in southern Italy just six years ago. Angela and her family were asked to come to Broome as a family on mission with the Neocatechumenal Way.. Angela enjoys cooking for her young family and offers this traditional Italian Christmas specialty for us all to enjoy. dough for 20 minutes to form a smooth dough. Divide dough in half. Roll each half out to 2mm thickness to form a circle. Out of that cut six 3 cm strips with pastry wheel. Take 1 strip at a time and pinch edges together every 2 cm to make little baskets; then form strip into a round shape with edges joined together. Fry 3 pastries at a time in hot oil for about 2 minutes each side until lightly golden. Drain on paper towel. Fill with walnut pieces and drizzle with honey; sift icing sugar on top.this recipe will keep for several weeks. Store in an airtight container. Buon Natale! Divertitevi! THE BOSS SHOP OFFICE NATIONAL BROOME Stationery, Art & Craft Supplies, Photocopying, Laminating, Office Furniture, Internet Services - iinet (Local Call), Business Machines - Sales & Service, Faxes, Printers, Photocopiers, Cash Registers MON - FRIDAY 8AM-5PM, SAT 8AM-12NOON 26 Clementson Street Locked Bag 4003, Broome WA 6725 boss@the-boss-shop.com.au Editorial What s in a Name? It s interesting how we often select words to our advantage when putting forward an argument for a particular position we oppose or support. For instance, tourists coming to the Kimberley by bus, caravan or plane are no longer referred to as tourists rather they are visitors. Broome now has a Visitors Centre on the edge of town not a tourist bureau. Aboriginal people travelling to Broome from the Pilbara, the desert communities, along the Fitzroy and from Halls Creek used to be called visitors when they came to town but now they are referred to as itinerants. Itinerants it would seem, according to news reports, are not welcome in Broome. Visitors are. You can come to Broome as a visitor with your caravan as part of your itinerary on the great voyage around Australia but if you come from the communities in the Kimberley you are merely an itinerant. You would make certain sections of the commercial world happy, it appears, only if you go away again as soon as possible. Itinerants sit on Male Oval and shout in the streets near to where tourists are feted. Some tourists shout in the street too, outside the Divers Tavern, the Mercure Inn and the Bungalow Bar but that s okay because they are tourists not itinerants. The sooner we begin to see itinerants as visitors, who are to be regarded as people, the better it will be for all. Broome delights in its commercial capacity to offer something attractive to visitors on tour. It does not seek to dehumanise visitors but to treat them with respect. This same hospitality needs to be extended to those visitors who are not tourists but countrymen seeking something of the facilities offered that do not exist in their own isolated and depleted settlements. Visitors or itinerants? What we call them says a lot about ourselves and will determine how we regard them and what we say about them. Some people they say love tourists for their money. That s what Broome s largest industry is all about, they say. Countrymen from about the Kimberley perhaps don t have enough money. Is that why we can t love them, don t want them? Having due regard for all people who visit our town is a useful place to begin to discuss issues that worry us and cause real or imagined problems for us. Avoiding prejudicial words such as itinerant is also a useful beginning. As we approach Christmas we remember that Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem as visitors. They too had nowhere to lay their heads but were offered humble hospitality and stayed where they could. Jesus was born an impoverished visitor in a stable that rated no star save the one above. This humble beginning for the Lord who encourages us to love everyone including our enemies is worthy of deep consideration in the context of Broome s alleged visitor problem. Hopefully there is still room in our lives to create a view of Broome that is moral and allembracing. 4 Kimberley Community Profile DECEMBER 2007

5 Catholic Mission Fr Daniel Chama, Diocesan Director Education in Rajshahi, Bangladesh 22 Oct 2007 Anjoli is being supported by Children's Mission Partners Photo: Courtesy Catholic Mission. The people in the Diocese of Rajshahi Bangladesh are poor, landless people. They work as day labourers for their landlords and earn so little that they can t afford to pay for education and formation of their children. Father Gervas Rozario writes Only education can give them a better future and assist them in every way possible. With the help of Children s Mission Partners, there are 570 children getting an education, food and medicine in the area. Of these, 87 children are orphan boys and girls who are now getting the benefit of the program. Every year there are hundreds of new applications and the Bishop does his best to help as many as he can. The local villagers, although poor and cannot donate money, are very generous with their time and try to help as much as they can. Anjoli Hembrom is just one of the orphans in the program. She is 13 years old and studying in Year 5 at school. Her father died when she was a toddler, and her mother died a year later. She and her brother were then brought up and taken care of by their grandmother for a few years. Unlike many local children, they were lucky and were sent to school. When her grandmother died Anjoli and her brother were sent to the Mission in Rajshahi in Bangladesh where they are now looked after thanks to the generous support of Children s Mission Partners. If you would like to help children like Anjoli, please become a Children s Mission Partner, for just $15 a month. Find out more about Children s Mission Partners at p.asp or contact the Diocesan Director, Fr Daniel Chama on CEO News A Farewell Tribute to a Community Leader This year we bid farewell to one of Western Australian Catholic education s most committed and inspirational leaders. Broome Regional Officer Sandra Brogden leaves the Catholic Education Office on secondment as Director of Projects with the National Curriculum Services in Photo: Courtesy CEO Perth. Melbourne. Sandra has devoted her career to improving conditions for Aboriginal students and helping educators to understand the difficulties and barriers facing Aboriginal people in education and beyond. Beginning her career in Catholic education in 1995 as a consultant in the Aboriginal Student Support Team, Sandra soon became coordinator of the team. Her achievements and vision saw her nominated for the 1998 Aboriginal Education Awards of Excellence for her commitment to improving the educational experiences of Aboriginal students in Catholic schools. In 1999, Sandra moved to the Kimberley to take up the role of Regional Officer for the Broome Diocese. In her time in this role she has displayed outstanding passion and determination in her efforts to close the gap between educational outcomes for Aboriginal students and other Australians. Her strong sense of social justice, intellectual acumen and highly-developed interpersonal skills have helped her to form productive relationships with communities, educators and staff. Those who have worked with Sandra speak highly of her innovative, creative approach, her support and encouragement as a leader and her gift for relationship building. Sandra has taken a leadership role on a wide range of boards and committees including the Gordon Inquiry Committee, the Safer WA Committee and the Burdekin Youth in Action Committee. She has acted on the boards of Centacare Kimberley and the University of Notre Dame Broome. Sandra has had an enormously positive impact on Catholic education in this state and we thank her for her ongoing commitment to improving outcomes for Aboriginal students, said Ron Dullard, Director of Catholic Education in WA. We wish Sandra and her family all the best for their time in Melbourne. Kimberley Community Profile DECEMBER

6 Office of Justice, Ecology and Peace Br Shane Wood, CFC, Co-ordinator. The blame game in religious education The Bishops of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory recently released a Pastoral Letter in relation to Catholic Schools. It was titled Catholic Schools at a Crossroad. The Bishops expressed their concern that there is a rising number of students in their Catholic schools who are not Catholic or nominally Catholic and that there is an under representation of students from poorer families in these schools. These are serious concerns worthy of attention and the Bishops are asking school administrators and staffs to look closely at these issues. The success indicators for the measures suggested to revitalize the schools might be a little more controversial. The critical indicators of progress enumerated on page 18 of the letter include: maximum involvement by students and younger staff in religious events such as World Youth Days and progress towards significantly increased attendance at Sunday Mass. I am reminded of the question, Catholic schools are full; our churches are empty. What s wrong with the Catholic schools? I was reading a book recently which traced the history of the Christian Brothers schools in Western Australia. The author recalled the concern expressed by a Diocesan Inspector for Religious Education, Dr J. T. McMahon, in 1930 when he wrote that The schools were not delivering the goods as our forefathers hoped our Catholic Schools would do. He based his judgement on the fact that an increasing number of those who left the schools did not attend Church or practise their religion. He said this was due to indifferent teachers and careless parents. Sound familiar? One who was keen to defend the schools at the time wrote that it was the lack of adult educational programs in their later parish lives that caused men to drift away from their faith. Perhaps the same could be said of schools and parishes today. After all, the parents have the primary responsibility for the education of their children and this has always been upheld by the Church; it is emphasized in the Rite of Baptism. So what is my point? I suppose there are two points I would like to make: our parishes and schools need to work more closely together with the parents to ensure that there is a closer bond, a jointly held belief about the religious education programs and the general Catholic ethos that pervades school and parish in all that children and adults experience in their relations with the Church; and, that the same efforts and financial support that are put into ensuring that schools are genuinely catering for the religious education of the children ought to be directed to ensuring that parishes continue to provide appropriate levels of adult education in the faith to their people. The homily during Mass is a good place to begin, but this is not enough of course. My hope would be that all Catholic schools and parishes would be re-examining their ability to reach out to all and to continue to work together for a better level of education in the faith for all our constituents, old and young alike. Church for the Diocese Consultation on the proposed new Cathedral for the Diocese of Broome continues. The Liturgical Design Consultant for the project, Sr Jill O Brien sgs, has recently visited the Parishes of Derby, La Grange and Kalumburu where very successful meetings have been held. Sr Jill plans to visit all Parishes to complete the consultation process. Sr Jill with members of the Kalumburu Parish community at their meeting to discuss plans for the new Cathedral. Photo: L Zieba. From left, Josephine Munro, Janelle Munro, Louanne Bangu and Marissa Munro were keen to hear more of the new Cathedral plans during the meeting held recently in La Grange. Photo: J O Brien sgs. Large numbers of pilgrims are expected to visit WYD08 The current numbers expected from leading source countries are: Australia 63,398 Germany 9,657 United States 37,630 New Zealand 8,002 Italy 18,908 More than 500,000 people are expected to take part in at least one WYD08 event, which will feature the first visit to Australia by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. You too can be part of this exciting event taking place in Sydney in Contact Erica Bernard at the Kimberley World Youth Day Office Phone: or kwydc@stmarysbroome.wa.edu.au Web: 6 Kimberley Community Profile DECEMBER 2007

7 Vatican Dossier Benedict says music leads to God VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 5, 2007 (Zenit.org) Benedict XVI says that music has the power to lead us to the Creator of all harmony. The Pope said this, following a concert he attended in the inner courtyard of the apostolic palace at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome. According to the Vatican press office, the event was organized by the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra as part of the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the archdiocese of that German city. The Pontiff said that music has the power to lead us back... to the Creator of all harmony, creating a resonance within us which is like being in tune with the beauty and truth of God, with the reality which no human knowledge or philosophy can ever express. Benedict XVI thanked the conductor and members of the orchestra, as well as the event s organizers and promoters. He said the concert was a gift which I interpret as being the sign of a special bond of affection between the Archdiocese of Bamberg and Peter s successor. KCP wins more awards The Kimberley Community Profile has again been successful in the Australasian Catholic Press Association Awards taking out Best Column and being Highly Commended for Best Editorial. The award for Best Column was gained through Bishop Saunders Viewpoint article, in the April edition, which we have reprinted here. Viewpoint Imagination and Faith By Bishop Christopher Saunders DD Recently I spoke with the Priests and Pastoral Associates of the Diocese about the need for an imagination in pastoral practices. Not the imagination of children but the imagination of faith. Not the imagination of fantasy and fairy-tales but that which is born of prayer and listening attentively with the heart to the needs of our community and fellow travellers. For a host of reasons our pastoral endeavours are apparently not nearly as effective as we wished and not nearly as relevant as they used to be. There has quite obviously been a marked change in the nature and depth of spirituality among Kimberley residents, as elsewhere, and hence a diminished receptivity to religious values and tenets of faith. There is now more than ever before a pressing urgency to reflect carefully on the gospel metaphor of new wine being unsuitably contained in old wineskins. To put it plainly our present manner and method of passing on the faith is not adequate. The faith as we treasure it is not being received by present generations. To preach effectively in this era of stark materialism and faithless selfgratification requires a new imagination beyond anything we have experienced before in our lives. This imagination is the ability to create images to cope with what we are experiencing in our pastoral endeavours and to cast aside images which are no longer helpful. Father Ronald Rolheiser OMI speaks of the need for a paschal imagination that allows us to move on from tired and inadequate images of faith and Church, to let these die so that other images may be born and may thrive, bringing life to weary and worn-out structures. Father Rolheiser goes on to say that we must let ourselves be led by God through changing times and this requires great imagination! To image in our minds what God is saying to us. God is aware of our difficulties. He knows of the parent who languishes at the thought of their children growing up with a threadbare notion of God. He hears the teacher who struggles to find the language to transmit something of the divine mystery to his students. He sees the priest proclaiming the Word that is falling on deaf ears. And He invites us to imagine how we might best bring the Good News to the poor, to set the downtrodden free, to let the blind people see. The world has changed dramatically in the last thirty or so years. As a faith community the Church has to change too particularly in how it lies in and interacts with the world around it. But the matrix we work from must not be that of the world or any one particular culture but that of the person of Christ himself. When Jesus fed the 5000 He did so because they were hungry. He connected with His congregation at their point of need. In this act of service He nourished them spiritually and expanded their horizons of faith. Our task is first to find out what the needs of our people are and then to imagine how we might most meet those needs. God invites us to imagine creatively. To Take and eat how will we respond? I once knew a woman who was a person of great and unshakeable faith. It was a faith she came to late in life. Her children had grown up wild and undisciplined. They lived a life on the edge, tainted by drugs, mishappen by self-indulgence and by every appearance they were Godless in character. The woman never abandoned her children. She blamed herself partly for their early childhood misdemeanours and resolutely she remained always there for them. She prayed constantly for them and cared for the physical and spiritual needs of her children and grandchildren whenever possible. Sometimes her children abused her generosity but that didn t cause her at any time to disregard them. When she spoke of faith they tuned out. When she invited them to pray they found every excuse to avoid such practices. So she contented herself to serve her children as a listening ear, to share the everyday family crisis and to stand in solidarity with them. Eventually some of the children began to see in the life of their mother something of a saint. They became curious as to why she persisted in loving them no matter how hopeless they were. She told them it was simply because she loved them in a way that God had asked her to love them. She added that God loved them even more than she did. For that reason alone, she said, God was worth knowing well. That is an imagination born of faith and most certainly led by God. It is not only amazing please God, it is inspirational to us all in every facet of our calling. Kimberley Community Profile DECEMBER

8 A Walk in the Wilderness PART 1 Friday 21st July (with Tony Treacy) Exploring the Kimberley up close Landscape typical of the area around the Hann River. Photo: T Treacy. Saint News Saint Lucy Feastday: December 13 Patron Saint of the blind and those with eye-trouble. Lucy s name means light. Unfortunately, Lucy s history does not match her name. Shrouded in the darkness of time, all we really know for certain is that this brave woman who lived in Syracuse lost her life in the persecution of Christians in the early fourth century. Her veneration spread to Rome so that by the sixth century the whole Church recognized her courage in defense of the faith. Whatever the fact to the legends surrounding Lucy, the truth is that her courage to stand up and be counted a Christian in spite of torture and death is the light that should lead us on our own journeys through life. PRAYER TO ST LUCY: Saint Lucy, you did not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world, for all the centuries to see. We may not suffer torture in our lives the way you did, but we are still called to let the light of our Christianity illumine our daily lives. Please help us to have the courage to bring our Christianity into our work, our recreation, our relationships, our conversation - every corner of our day. Amen In 2006 Tony Treacy, Principal of St Mary's College Broome, undertook a serious trek through the wilds of the Kimberley during his long service leave. This article is Part One of an account relating his adventure. I was very much looking forward to my walk of days down the bottom reaches of the Hann River and the Fitzroy River to explore Sir John Gorge and then back up the Fitzroy to cut through the range into Tableland Station via the Little Fitzroy. The Little Fitzroy is a tributary of the larger river and is the water source for Yulumbu Aboriginal Community, the home for some of our family members and the destination for my walk. This is an approximate distance of 130 km. With my wife Bev, six of the children and a family friend Br Kevin Ryan cfc, we camped at a favourite get away spot on the Hann River for five days. When it was time for Bev and the children to head back to town for school I accompanied them to the Tableland access road through the scrub to ensure that they were able to get away incident free as there is no track in to where we camp and the country is rough. They dropped me where the Hann cuts the road and I was surprised by my own emotion as I said my farewells to Bev and Kevin and the children. There was a lot of love disappearing up the road in the two troopies we used to make the eight hour journey from Broome to the Hann River on the edge of Mt House Station. As soon as the vehicles were out of sight, I began to make my way down the right side of the river towards our camping spot - a distance of 3 km. This walk was good practice for getting used to the feel of my boots whilst covering rock strewn ground before I had the added burden of a backpack. I was sure this kind of terrain would be my lot for the duration of this excursion. [Ed. to be continued next issue.] 8 Kimberley Community Profile DECEMBER 2007

9 Notre Dame News Degree course to raise awareness of Indigenous issues The Broome Campus of University of Notre Dame will offer a Bachelor of Arts (Major in Aboriginal Studies) course in The degree course has an emphasis on Aboriginal Studies with a range of elective units to be chosen from the areas of Legal Studies, Social Justice Studies, Politics, Psychology and Sociology. This new degree continues the University s mission as a Campus of Reconciliation. The course is focused on developing awareness of the historical, social and legal areas which impact on the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australian society. The course also aims to raise students awareness of the important role of individuals, and society in general, in addressing issues facing Indigenous Australians. The three year course can be studied externally. Assistant Dean of Arts and Sciences, Broome, Associate Professor Lyn Henderson-Yates said offering this Bachelor of Arts degree was an exciting initiative. The Broome Campus is ideally located to deliver the degree as it is in a culturally rich and strong region of Western Australia and it has Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal lecturers who will bring to their teaching, extensive experience and qualifications, she said. For more information on the Bachelor of Arts or any of the University s courses contact Associate Professor Lyn Henderson-Yates (standing back, left) is looking forward to the beginning of the Bachelor of Arts course next year. Photo: M Doyle Funding to Build Multi Purpose Hall University of Notre Dame Broome will receive $1.5 million in funding for a sports and recreation facility, funded by the Australian Government under Round 2 of the Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) Transition Fund for Sporting and Recreation Facility, introduced to help universities adjust to the abolition of compulsory student union fees. By late next year it is hoped that students, staff and the Broome community will have use of an air-conditioned sports and recreation hall. The multi purpose hall will provide a space for sport, cultural events, larger lectures, seminars and for dance and drama performances. International Teacher s Day Insight into Remote Teaching Alisdair McGuffin has enjoyed teaching in a remote community and also ran the Active after School Program and the Auskick program. Third year education student Alisdair McGuffin describes teaching in a remote community as a fascinating insight into the remote teaching service. I would recommend it to anyone, he says. I have immersed myself totally in the community, which has been very rewarding. Alisdair taught at Fitzroy Crossing District High School for ten weeks and at Muludja remote community east of Fitzroy Crossing during his practical placement. He said knowledge of the cultural differences gained in his course on Aboriginal Studies was invaluable during his placement, but it was still difficult not to place his values and world view Notre Dame University, Broome Campus, marked International Teacher s Day in October with a liturgy followed by morning tea. Education students at the University joined staff and others in burning seeds of incense to represent the seeds of learning they will sow. Photo: J O Brien sgs. over those of the community. Things are done in different ways and you have to go with the flow and not interfere unless specifically asked to, he says. I think that to teach in this environment you must be flexible. We often have children arrive from other communities and they just join in like the rest. When I first arrived in the community I realised that no matter where you are and whatever the cultural setting, kids are kids. They are exploring, testing, learning and playing. All in all, a teacher must wear many hats; you just have to roll your sleeves up and get into it. Kimberley Community Profile DECEMBER

10 The year that was CHARITY CAR RUN The Annual Matso s Classic Car Run, sponsored by Matso s Broome Brewery and Nexus Transport, was held at the end of May. Fifteen classic cars with thirty-one entrants cruised the Great Northern Highway and a short section of the Gibb River Road. Funds in excess of $16,000 were donated to the School of Nursing at the University of Notre Dame Broome Campus. Kim and Martin Peirson-Jones, proprietors of Matso s Brewery, participated with their D sedan SISTERS CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF KIMBERLEY SERVICE Celebrations were held throughout the Kimberley to acknowledge the Centenary of the Sisters of St John of God in the Kimberley. Bidding farewell to the Balgo community, following the celebrations held there in mid June, are Sisters of St John of God (l-r), Philomena Hockings, Veronica McCarthy, Leone Collins, Angela Cox, Aine Small, Alice Dempsey and Patricia Rhatigan Photo: G Kennewell fsc ST JOSEPH S CELEBRATES FORTY YEARS A significant milestone was reached when St Joseph s Catholic School celebrated forty years of meeting the educational needs of the Kununurra community on Friday August 24. Past Principals, Mr Alan McMahon and Sr Veronica Ryan rsj, joined the current Principal, Mrs Carol Geurts (centre) along with special guests, past students and present staff for the celebrations Photo: A Fyfe. GRADUATION AT NOTRE DAME A large number of students, from a wide variety of disciplines, graduated from the University of Notre Dame Broome Campus on Friday 27 July. Campus Minister Sr Jill O Brien sgs congratulates Thunder Billycan of La Grange-Bidyadanga community on his achievement Photo: M Doyle 10 Kimberley Community Profile DECEMBER 2007

11 AGED CARE FACILITY UNDERWAY Work commenced on the new aged care facility, being operated by Southern Cross Care, in early Dr Frank Prendegast (pictured below) was in Broome during July and inspected progress on the new facility located in Dickson Street Photo: J Grimson The year that was... THE BLAKE ART PRIZE A Kimberley Winner The Blake Art Prize, Australia s most prestigious religious art award, for 2007 was won by Kimberley Aboriginal artist, Shirley Purdie, of Warmun Community. Shirley s rendition of Catholic devotional Stations of the Cross is painted in a distinctive motif reflective of the renowned Warmun art school. The large canvas features outlines of the hilly country that marks that part of the Kimberley as being so remarkable and each Station is painted in specially prepared local ochres YEARS YOUNG Sr Scholastica Carrillo, OSB (affectionately referred to as Sr Scholie), celebrated her 90th birthday in March. Sr Scholie (pictured right) is one of three Missionary Benedictine Sisters resident in the northern Kimberley community of Kalumburu. Dinner that evening was followed by the sharing of a suitably decorated birthday cake Photo: L Zieba. JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS Sr Veronica Ryan rsj celebrated her 50th Anniversary of Religious Profession at the dinner attended by Priests, Pastoral Associates and Principals following the Mass of the Oils in Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral Broome in late March. Bishop Christopher Saunders presented Sr Veronica with a cake to mark the occasion Photo: P Cowan. WYD08 Preparations for World Youth Day 2008 are well underway. Erica Bernard (above right), who runs the WYD08 desk for the Diocese of Broome, and Matthew Shields, from NATSICC (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council), met in Broome to discuss World Youth Day a week of festivities in Sydney in July Photo: CAS. Kimberley Community Profile DECEMBER

12 Parish News BALGO Farewell to Fr Matthew Digges By Br Geoff Kennewell, fsc. WYD Preparation Fr Eugenio Zurias (right) and Br Bernie Cooper fsc (left) look on as Fr Matthew is presented with farewell greetings by Jerome Williams on behalf of the Parish community and Luurnpa Catholic School, Balgo. Photo: G Kennewell fsc. For the past eight years Fr Matthew Digges has been answering the call of God and people to serve in the Balgo Kutjungka parish in the east Kimberley region of northern Australia. It is a harsh, brittle country with a rugged, surprising beauty that people are happy to call home. It is a diverse, challenging region, demanding of a person in Fr Matt s position, a generous commitment of time and energy and among other qualities a patience and love to answer a call for help at any time of day or night. Fr Matt is a man whose faith and resilience, whose compassion and caring were very strong. Pastoral ministry was for Fr Matt something that knew no time or boundary. It was something that was freely given with no strings attached. It was not exclusive, but always inclusive. Training of Church Leaders was always important for him and he made sure they had a real role among the people. Funerals were special and those involved in Sorry Time always felt comfortable with his leadership on such occasions. His homilies inspired, they came from a man whose deep spirituality and wide reading were obvious. A key role for him during his time in the region was that of advocacy, a voice or presence for those who found it difficult to speak for themselves. His advocacy with external providers such as government agencies was particularly important, as quick fixes were not to the long-term benefit of the local people. Children and young people and their needs were ever on his mind. Fr Matt did much, in concert with other community agencies, to ensure that children and young people got a fair go and were protected. Among other things he developed the Yangpelaku Centre for Youth and worked tirelessly to attract funding for it. People of the region were sad to see Father leave and more than a few tears were shed. He obviously touched lives in a very real way during his time in the desert. He belongs to a group of Australians who contribute with courage and generosity to the deeper values of the nation, so that we are recognised for what we can be, not for what we can have or possess. The community joins together in wishing Fr Matt every success for his studies at Notre Dame. Photo: M Zachary. In order to raise interest in World Youth Day 2008 among the young people, Father Eugenio Zurias held an information evening recently at the Parish House in Balgo. Fifteen young people came to watch a DVD and learn what World Youth Day is all about. They also had the opportunity to listen to George Lee, Joseph Eastgate and Father Eugenio share their experience of previous World Youth Days. The meeting was very successful and generated a lot of interest in the Kutjungka Region for World Youth Day KALUMBURU Smart new look for mission The Mission at Kalumburu, in the remote north of the Kimberley, now has a smart new look with a beautiful stone fence marking the entrance. Bishop Christopher Saunders, at right, took a closer look and was impressed with the excellent workmanship of builders, Chris Benhke at left, and his co-worker William Killey. 12 Kimberley Community Profile DECEMBER 2007

13 Parish News HALLS CREEK A welcome visitor Fr Daniel Kilala, a Spiritan Father, is recently arrived in the Diocese of Broome where he will spend time with fellow Spiritan, Fr Mark Connolly, Parish Priest of Wyndham. Fr Daniel celebrated his first Mass in the Kimberley at Halls Creek and is seen with youngsters, from left, Jean-Claude Farjardo, Zondra Mosquito and Michael Mosquito following the Mass. New parishioners Jane and Gary with Fr Mark Connolly, Parish Priest. Photo: M Deblegiers.. Photo: M Deblegiers. BROOME Remembering the Dead Mass was held in the Broome Cemetery on Friday 2 November, the Feast of All Souls, to remember those who have died. Notre Dame nursing students, Anita and Sophie Harrison, placed candles on the grave of Robin Miller, known as The Sugar Bird Lady. Robin administered 37,000 doses of Sabin vaccine, used to immunize against poliomyelitis, between 1967 and Sabin vaccine is given on a sugar cube, and the sight of Robin arriving, on her own, in her aircraft and giving out sugar lumps led to the Aboriginal children calling her The Sugar Bird Lady. New parishioners to St Mary s Halls Creek are Doctors Jane and Gary Farjardo, who have recently arrived to work in Halls Creek, and their two sons, Michael John and Jean-Claude. Jane is currently employed as a counsellor with Jungarni-Jutiya, the Alcohol Centre, while Gary is awaiting an appointment. KUNUNURRA WYD gathering Photo: J O Brien sgs. A number of young people from the Parish of Kununurra in the north of the Kimberley gathered recently to focus on World Youth Day Pictured here is (back left) Erica Bernard, Co-ordinator of the Kimberley WYD08 Office, (seated right) Sr Robyn McNamara rsj, Pastoral Associate in Kununurra, and members of the Morgan family, from left - Jason, Thomas, Jessica and Tere with their mother, Lee Lee (standing at right). It was a very interesting and informative evening in which Erica gave an overview of what WYD was all about with a DVD of snippets from the Cologne gathering. Jessica Morgan was one of those young pilgrims who travelled with the Broome group to Cologne, Germany in Jessica shared some interesting highlights of her WYD experience. Kimberley Community Profile DECEMBER

14 Parish News DERBY Nurse & parishioner farewelled In October, Holy Rosary Parish and the Derby Hospital and community farewelled Suzanne Dennis, a favourite nurse with parishioners, hospital colleagues, patients and families. Suzanne, right, chats with hospital patient Cecil Hester, and his mother Roseanne White, from Halls Creek. School News MULAN Annual Camp Photo: M Scanlon sgs. Anointing of Sick The Sacrament of the Sick was celebrated during the week-end Masses in the Parish of Derby in mid October, when the Liturgy of the Word told stories of lepers being healed. Photo: P Cowan. Year 3 students from John Pujajangka-Piyirn School in Mulan travelled to Broome for the annual camp in October. They stayed at the camp school, and enjoyed the hovercraft ride and a visit to the crocodile farm. The group is gathered ready for their early morning departure from Mulan. WARMUN High School Hospitality Photo: M Baker rsj. Fr Paul Boyers, Parish Priest of Derby, anoints Donna Ifould (centre) and Maria Danborena during Mass. Photo: M Scanlon sgs. The High School students, along with teacher Leanne Mahy, at Ngalangangpum School, in Warmun, East Kimberley look great in their new chef uniforms donated by Mount St Joseph School in Milperra NSW. The High School students have a Hospitality lesson every Monday, during which they cook a hot meal for the whole school. 14 Kimberley Community Profile DECEMBER 2007

15 School News BILLILUNA New staff join education centre Joining the staff of Kururrungku Catholic Education Centre, Billiluna in the east Kimberley in Term 4 are, left to right, Leah Thorpe, Jess Kennedy, Lena Puckey and Mary Kennedy. Jess and Mary are sisters and all the girls are from the eastern states. BALGO Long-standing Principal There s a wise saying that goes something like this: If you need some urgent assistance, then ask a busy person for help. Such a busy person always ready to take on that extra responsibility is Br Bernie Cooper, a De La Salle Brother, now coming to the end of eight years as Principal of Luurnpa Catholic School in Balgo, east Kimberley. A man of many talents, with a remarkable memory for details of people, places and events, Br Bernie worked tirelessly to achieve and maintain high standards for all aspects of the school: staff morale and professional development, students well-being and progress, involvement and training of Aboriginal Teacher Assistants, liaison with the parents and local request of the Catholic Education Office. He agreed to take on the responsibility for the overall supervision of the Wirrimanu Adult Education Centre with its own set of staff, student body, curricula, buildings and history. In these days of close State and Federal Government control of the necessary input of funding, and the expected outcomes of the educational process, Br Bernie was in his element in conferring, advising, cajoling and confronting the powers that be, not for any personal power play, but because he saw the necessity of engaging in this way at these various levels in order to promote the good of the school, its staff and students. To meet Br Bernie informally, Photo: P Holden. Camp School Students from Kururrungku Catholic Education Centre in Billiluna enjoyed a week at Broome Camp School in September. The days were filled with lots of fun riding camels on Cable Beach, zooming across the water in the hovercraft, watching a movie, swimming, boogie boarding and much more. The students also loved shopping for new clothes in Chinatown and packed so much into their days that each night that they were very tired and slept well. Photo: G Kennewell fsc. Savannah tests the teeth and jaws of this Croc at the Malcolm Douglas Cocodile Farm. Photo: L Puckey. community and Parish, cultural and language maintenance, extension and improvements in the school s buildings and resources. Part of Br Bernie s recreation was to spend hours in the school grounds, erecting cyclone fencing, extending the maintenance workshop, attempting to clean up that area, checking the water quality and shade-cloths of the school s swimming pool. As if all this was not enough, as a busy person, at the beginning of this year, at the one could not help but be impressed by his expansive hospitality, his wide range of knowledge and interests, his upbeat attitude, and his concern for other people and their interests. Even the busiest person needs a break, so we wish Bernie a restful period at the beginning of next year where we hope he will be able to follow his interests in travel and extensive study. We thank him for his efforts on behalf of the young people and the Staff at Luurnpa Catholic School. Kimberley Community Profile DECEMBER

16 School News RED HILL Regional officer helps out By Dean Savoia, Principal Mrs Sandra Brogden, Regional Officer for Catholic Education in the Kimberley, visited Warlawurru Catholic School at Halls Creek recently. She happened upon a day when two staff members were away sick, and quickly offered to step Photo: D Savoia. Volunteer Thanked By Dean Savoia, Principal When Warlawurru Catholic School in Red Hill, Halls Creek, was offered a much needed speech program, Bev Hacket readily volunteered her time to guide children through a in and assist with the normal running of classes. Sandra is shown in the photo presenting an Accelerated Literacy lesson to Year 2 and 3 students, from left, Ceciline Lannigan, Mikayla Jinderah, Olive Johnstone, David Skeen and Narkeliya Birrell. programme of speech development. The program is provided through WA Country Health Service. Bev is pictured working with student Malik Skeen. BEAGLE BAY Sacred Heart School Snaps into Life Over the past two years Sacred Heart School, Beagle Bay, on the Dampier Peninsula has been piloting a health game that educates children about health issues and concerns in Kimberley communities. Developed by the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service Council (KAMSC) with funding from Healthway, the game Snap into Life is played like snakes and ladders. The artwork for the game board was designed by Taran Cox from Photo: T Sarah. Kununurra and features traditional Aboriginal artwork depicting didgeridoos (for ladders) and crocodiles (for snakes). The game was originally called Game of Life but was later changed to Snap into Life, as it focuses on the four main lifestyle risk factors Smoking, Nutrition, Alcohol and Physical activity (SNAP). Pepita Hunter (back), a Senior Aboriginal Health Worker at Beagle Bay Clinic, found the game very rewarding and enjoys playing with the kids. Pepita says the kids are learning much from this game, about health in the community as well as their own health. NAIDOC Week by Tristan Sarah Photo: D Savoia From left to right, Shenarah, Jason, Mr Jason, Sienna and Cobie enjoying a swim. Photo: T Sarah. This year NAIDOC was celebrated over three days at the end of Week 8 in Term 3 at Sacred Heart School, Beagle Bay on the Dampier Peninsula. The students enjoyed a variety of activities from dance, movie study, painting and wood craft. Part of the celebrations included a Baptism during a community Mass celebrated by Fr Bernard and Fr Dan, a sea of hands, an open fire cookout lunch and the releasing of balloons carrying messages and prayers. The celebrations finished off with a day trip to Budgarjook where staff and students relaxed in the clear cool waters of Beagle Bay. 16 Kimberley Community Profile DECEMBER 2007

17 School News BROOME New Buddies at St Mary s by Aidan Mitchell St Mary s College Year 10 Religious Education students have been visiting the Year 1 class recently to forge friendships and learning links with their younger schoolmates. The students have been engaging in prayer, music and faith development activities, with the younger students looking forward to the weekly visits. Pictured is Sheridan Jaffrey sharing a good book with Charlee Job (left) and Sage Lovell. Year 12 Graduation Photo: CAS. A Graduation Mass was celebrated by Bishop Christopher Saunders for students of Year 12 St Mary s College Broome in Nulungu Chapel, in the grounds of the College, on Friday 26 October. Principal Mr Tony Treacy and his wife, Bev, were among the many parents and guests who joined the students for dinner, held at the Cable Beach Club, following the Mass. LOMBADINA Confirmation Photo: A Mitchell. Physics Fun at Adventure World In the last few days of Term 3 the Year 11 and 12 Physics class of St Mary s College went to Perth to see the science of Physics in context. The trip included a day at Adventure World with hundreds of other Physics students as well as trips to SciTech, the Light and Sound Discovery Centre, World of Energy and the Gravity Discovery Centre at Gingin. It was a fun and educational adventure, which we hope will help the students in their exams. Rohanis (left) and Sarah all set to enjoy the ride on the Power Surge proof that physics is fun Photo: D Bruce. The happy group of girls cut their Confirmation cake. Photo: B Ennis. On Sunday October 28th, Bishop Christopher Saunders administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to six students from the Lombadina Djarindjin Catholic School at the 9:00am Mass in Christ the King Church, Lombadina. Fr Bernard Amah, Parish Priest of the Dampier Peninsula Parish, concelebrated the Mass. The six girls confirmed were Bernadette Auburn, Grace Bin Swani, Jamiliah Bin Swani, Erika Kyle, Sheliah Manado and Mazzucchelli Shadforth. Each of the girls presented beautifully and was a credit to their family and their school. It was a wonderful day of celebration. On Monday Bishop Saunders was able to come over to the school and visit all the children in each of the classrooms and have morning tea with the staff. Kimberley Community Profile DECEMBER

18 18 Kimberley Community Profile DECEMBER 2007

19 WYD08 WORLD YOUTH DAY On October 15th, the World Youth Day Preparatory Meeting was held in Sydney. Over three days Australian organizers of WYD shared information regarding the operations and planning for this momentous event with an international delegation led by the Vatican s Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko and with Australian WYD organizers from across the country. After an opening Mass celebrated by Cardinal Pell and a welcome to Gadigal country by Mrs Elsie Heiss, Coordinator of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Premier Morris Iemma MP hosted an official NSW Government Reception at the Australian Museum. Youth-Day work pleases Laity Council SYDNEY, Australia, OCT. 24, 2007 (Zenit.org). Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko led the delegation from the Pontifical Council for the Laity, the dicastery that oversees World Youth Day preparations and promotes the initiative around the world. The Cardinal expressed his appreciation for the Church in Sydney and its archbishop, Cardinal George Pell, as well as the organizing committee, headed by Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher. Cardinal Rylko also thanked the civil authorities, noting that "right from the beginning, [they have] been very open and supportive of this initiative." YOU TOO CAN BE AMAZED. BE INSPIRED. BE RENEWED. IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP! If you are seriously interested in attending WYD08 in Sydney, please see your Parish Priest or Pastoral Associate immediately. There is no time to lose! LESS THAN 8 MONTHS TO GO! From left, Bishop Anthony Fisher OP, Kimberley World Youth Day Coordinator Erica Bernard, Louise Campbell, Gloria Martin and Cardinal George Pell at the Government Reception. Photo: Courtesy WYD08. During the following days, briefings began which detailed preparations so far. All those gathered were able to offer advice and feedback on the information given. Joining the WYD members were representatives from both State and Federal government bodies, dealing with such issues as security and health, who were able to answer queries and make valuable suggestions. Cardinal Rylko thanked the civil authorities, noting that right from the beginning, [they have] been very open and supportive of this initiative. All WYD members present also took part in learning the World Youth Day song Receive the Power, singing it in English and then singing it in the three international languages, Italian, Spanish, and French. On the second day of the meeting there was much excitement as the delegation visited the significant sites for next year s international gathering. Such sites included Barangaroo, the arrival point for Pope Benedict, the venues where the Stations of the Cross will be held and Randwick Racecourse where the Pope will celebrate a vigil and the closing Mass. At the end of this preparatory meeting, Mass was held at the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel, which was highly significant as Mary is one of the patrons of WYD With much excitement everyone is looking forward to bringing their young people to Sydney next year to experience not only the presence of Christ and the Holy Spirit but the warm and friendly hospitality of all Australians. For more information: Contact Erica Bernard at the Kimberley World Youth Day Office - phone: or kwydc@stmarysbroome.wa.edu.au WYD 2008 website: 1st December just 237 days to go! Kimberley Community Profile DECEMBER

20 Right: When calling on Bishop Christopher Saunders (centre) in early October, these six Marist Brothers were delighted to pose for a photo shot in front of their Wicked Van. The Brothers, from left, Tony d Arbon, David Hayes, Cletus Drew, Barry Lamb and Gerry Steele with Martin Connell at the wheel, are from the eastern states of Australia and spent five weeks in the Kimberley. Photo: J Grimson. Below: Johari Bin Demin, with little Johari, were among the guests at St Mary s College Broome Year 12 Graduation, held in the Sam Male Room of the Cable Beach Club on 26 October. Photo: CAS. Below: Students of Sacred Heart School Beagle Bay, on the Dampier Peninsula, stand ready, behind their sea of hands, to release balloons containing messages and prayers, at their recent NAIDOC celebrations. Photo: T Sarah. Below: Students and staff of Kururrungku Catholic Education Centre, Billiluna, east Kimberley, riding the camel train at Cable Beach, Broome, during their recent Camp School visit. Photo: L Puckey. Below: Smiling contestants Rachel Treacy, left, and Danielle Sibosado were among the 38 secondary students of St Mary s College Broome who participated in a 7 Round Chess Competition. held at the College on 29 August All students were commended for their sportsmanship and gamesmanship. Photo: S Bailey DESIGN BY RED LOGIC DESIGN, BROOME W.A. 6725