MCC Alumni Publication - Issue 1 2019

MT . CARMEL
Mount Carmel College
Rosewater
CARITAS ET DIGNITAS
OLD SCHOLARS
Issue 1 | September 2019 Newsletter
NEWS

Welcome from the Principal
Mr John Konopka
AROUND THE COLLEGE
On Friday 28 June 2019, Mount Carmel College
celebrated the Blessing and Opening of the Sacred
Heart Centre at Mount Carmel College, Rosewater.
At the Opening, Principal John Konopka gave an
explanation of the naming of the centre and of the
history of the site. The name honours the contributions
of both the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart
and the Marist Brothers at the Newcastle Street site.
Marist Brothers Commercial High School, Alberton or
known more commonly as Marist Brothers Alberton,
was conducted at 33 Newcastle Street site from 1927
to 1966, until it moved to Thebarton on what is now
the site of the Catholic Education Office. In 1967 Mount
Carmel Girls High School moved from being co-located
with Mount Carmel Primary School (as it was known
then) to 33 Newcastle Street. In 1983 it became coeducational
and was re-named Mount Carmel College.
At the Blessing and Opening, Mount Carmel College former
student and 2018 SA Young Australian of the Year Kyran
Dixon spoke with passion about his life journey and the
significant role Mount Carmel College has played in his life
and in forming his values.
Fr Philip Marshall spoke about how important Mount
Carmel College community is viewed in the Catholic
community and its importance in the western suburbs.
The Sacred Heart Centre includes a state of the art senior
secondary centre, additional Visual Arts room, senior STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) centre,
counselling rooms, APRIM office, new canteen and toilets.
Mount Carmel College - Old Scholars | Issue 1 October 2019

Sam Taylor (Class of 2005) retires from the
Mount Carmel College Board
Marist Brothers &
Sisters of St Joseph
Reunions
AROUND THE COLLEGE
After six years of dedicated service on the
Mount Carmel College Board, Sam Taylor is
retiring from the Board. Catholic Education SA
rules stipulate a maximum of six consecutive
years on a school Board. Sam has also been a
member of the Mount Carmel College Finance
Committee for the six years.
It is a big commitment for all Board members
to give up time after work or home duties
to come out and volunteer their time. This
commitment is doubled if you are also a
member of the Finance Committee. Adding
to the commitment has been Sam’s leadership
first as Deputy Chair then as Chair of the Board.
I have personally been so appreciative of Sam
for his contributions, and as Chair. The role
of Chair is not always an easy one – finding
the balance between appropriate time and
opportunity for discussion, whilst being
decisive and knowing when to move the
conversation along. Sam has managed this
delicate balance exceptionally well.
Sam is an old scholar of Mount Carmel College
and he has a real passion for improvement.
He is acutely aware of the need to explicitly
provide leadership advice and opportunities
for students. Sam has skilfully guided the Board
through important decisions.
Thank you Sam and we know that you will be
keeping a watchful eye on us, and we will be
keeping an eye on you as we know you are
destined for great things.
Federation Gardens and Land Purchase
The front of our College has undergone a wonderful transformation this year including a new
colour scheme, the new colourful signage, the new fence and the landscaping of the gardens. The
Federation Gardens are nearly completed and we will be opening the gardens for student use at
the start of Term 3. The signage on the corner of Newcastle Street and Dundas Street is the final
item to be completed.
The College has purchased the house at 25A Newcastle Street, which adjoins the Evans Building.
We anticipate demolition of the house in the Term 2 school holidays. We then intend to lay lawn so
that it can be used as a recreation space for students at recess and lunch.
From 1927 to 1966 the Marist Brothers ran Mount
Carmel Boys school on what is now the site of
Mount Carmel College after moving from rooms
in Port Adelaide.
Old Scholars of Mount Carmel Boys Alberton,
Thebarton and from Other Marist Brothers’ Schools,
as well as Old Scholars from the Sisters of St Joseph
school at Alberton – Mt Carmel Girls School still meet to
share stories of the past and keep in touch with the new
College now standing on their old site.
With two key functions a year, many of these old scholars
catch up regularly for lunch on the first Tuesday in June at the
Alberton Hotel and then again later in the year for Sunday lunch
on the grounds of Mount Carmel College. These functions are both
well organised and very well attended.
Photo Right:
Attending the Sacred
Heart Centre Opening
L-R: Pat Hoy, David Cotton,
Carmel Fairbairn,
Peter Boddington
Front:
Terry Cashin
Past and current staff and students along with current student leaders will often
come along to assist on the day give tours of the new facilities.
For further information on this group please contact the College on 8447 0500.
Students Perform at Southern Cross Aged Care Centre
It was a prevelidge to be a part of the Southern Cross Aged Care official opening of their new Carmelite development
which incorporates in-house facilties including a cafe, a pool and gym, a Wellness Centre with therapy service which
provides a strong focus on healthy ageing.
Mount Carmel College students performed the National Anthem during the opening and then entertained guests
with a program of famous tunes from yesteryear taking residents down memory lane.
Mount Carmel College - Old Scholars | Issue 1 October 2019

AROUND WHERE ARE THE TEHY COLLEGE NOW
Kyran Dixon (Class 2010) named SA
Australian of the Year 2018
The 2018 South Australia Young Australian of the Year is 24 year old Kyran
Dixon, a role model for all youth but especially indigenous youth. Kyran was
a student of Mount Carmel College and graduated in 2010.
This is Kyran’s story...
Braving two battles with cancer, Kyran is a
role model for young Indigenous people in
his community. After being diagnosed with a
bone tumour in his hip when he was just 11,
this talented Australian Rules footballer had to
press pause on his sporting ambitions. Working
his way back to football, Kyran joined the
Port Adelaide Football Club Academy before
disaster struck. A second diagnosis, this time
Acute Myloid Leukemia in 2014, demanded
lifesaving treatment. While enduring the
rounds of chemotherapy, Kyran maintained his
university studies, graduating in 2016. He is now
an ambassador who actively promotes cancer
awareness and research. As a proud member
of the Kaurna and Narrunga clans, Kyran is
a founding member of the Aboriginal Youth
Cancer Advisory Group and promotes healthy
lifestyle choices among Aboriginal young people.
Whether he’s a guest speaker or a mentor
for at-risk youth, Kyran spreads a message of
hope, strength and resilience, and motivates
others to make the most of their choices.
Ashleigh Paparella (Class 2008) accepts a
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in NY
Former student,
Ashleigh Paparella
(2008) completed her
Bachelor of Science
(Biotechnology)
at the University
of Adelaide with
First Class Honours
in Biochemistry
in 2012. She then
commenced PhD
in the Biochemistry
Department at the University of Adelaide in
2013 and was awarded her PhD in January this
year with a Dean’s Commendation for Doctoral
Thesis Excellence. Ashleigh’s project looked at the
development of inhibitors that have the potential
to be used as new antibiotics targeting the
superbug, Golden Staph.
Kyran invited
Kelli Lewis, his Art
teacher at Mount
Carmel College, to
attend the Awards
Night
During April Ashleigh will be moving to the
United States where she has accepted a position
as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the
Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New
York. She will be studying the structure and
function of enzymes in infectious diseases and
how this information can be used to develop
new drugs.
In 2015 Ashleigh was also selected as one of
11 South Australian Fresh Scientists, please
use the following link to view Ashleigh’s profile
explaining in more detail her work at the
University of Adelaide. http://freshscience.org.
au/2015/bacteria-vitamin-mimic
Congratulations to Ashleigh and her
outstanding achievements. We wish you all
the very best with your future research.
Julianna Bollella (Class of 2013)
Births
1
2
Congratulations to Mount Carmel College staff member, Alana Dichiera (nee Tattoli) and
husband Michael on the birth of their daughter Clementine Ross on 14 May 2018, weight:
2.65km, length: 46cm. Alana and Michael are expecting their second baby in October!
Another Mount Carmel College staff member, Emma Westwood and husband Nathan
welcomed their third baby Imogen on 15 July 2018, weight: 3.2kg, length: 48cm. Imogen
has a bubbly personality helping her to keep uo with her older brother and sister.
Weddings
3
I attended Mount Carmel College from 2009-2013. Whilst at the College, I was heavily
engaged in the music department as a violinist and was fortunate enough to receive
various academic awards along the way. Since graduating from the College in 2013, I
attended the University of Adelaide studying a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and
a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), and was a part of the Adelaide Youth Orchestra for four
years as a violinist. I graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2019 and worked
part-time as a law clerk during my final year to compliment my studies. Currently, I am
undertaking an exciting role working within the legal department in export controls at
BAE Systems Australia Limited.
Mount Carmel College Visual Art & Design Teacher, Jodi Pomazak was married on
17 November, 2018 to Jonathan Ireland. Their Ceremony was held on a beautiful
sunny spring afternoon at Brougham Gardens in North Adelaide followed by a
Reception at the Lion Hotel also in North Adelaide.
3
MCC Racing
Sponsorship
We are currently looking for sponsorship
for our 4 new Pedal Prix Bikes.
There are various levels of sponsorship
on offer including signage on our trailer
to be purchased ready for next year!
If you are interested in supporting Mount
Carmel College in this event please
contact:
1
2
Mount Carmel College - Old Scholars | Issue 1 October 2019

Reunions
MCC Classes of 2008 - 2018
REUNION TOUR
MT . CARMEL
CARITAS ET DIGNITAS
To be held at Mount Carmel College on
Saturday, 26th October, 2019
Free Sausage Sizzle and refreshments
(all partners welcome)
RSVP by 11th October to Tammy Mieglich on
tammy.mieglich@mcc.catholic.edu.au
or phone 08 8447 0500
OLD SCHOLARS
Please join us for
a Sausage Sizzle and
Tour from 1pm-3pm
AROUND UPCOMING THE COLLEGE EVENTS
College Tours
Do you have news to share?
We would love to hear from you regarding your achievements and special occasions eg
engagement, marriage etc.
If you have news you would like to share with the Mount Carmel College community please email
mcc@mcc.catholic.edu.au or phone the College on 8447 0500.
33 Newcastle Street, Rosewater SA 5013 | PO Box 35, Port Adelaide SA 5015
T: (08) 8447 0500 | E: mcc@mcc.catholic.edu.au | W: www.mcc.catholic.edu.au