MISSION CENTRAL

Relay for Life

Jayden Cox, Service Captain

Fifty-five students and a number of staff participated in the Cancer Council’s Relay for Life last Saturday raising vital funds for cancer research, treatment and support services for patients. As a relay, the Saints baton must be carried by someone walking around the track across the whole 9 hours, symbolic of the continuous fight against cancer. 

Saints was again victorious in the tug-of-war with our Years 12 and 11 teams taking 1st and 2nd place respectively, once again overcoming the tough challenge brought by the navy. 

Unfortunately, I was sent to “Relay Jail” for $40 by St Monica’s social justice captain, a new event where other teams can place a bounty on certain relayers. After a tough time behind bars, with unrelenting guards armed with water pistols, I was finally bailed out, raising an extra $140. 

Saints boys sang a beautiful rendition of the Sub Tuum too, scoring a 22 out of 30 from the judges. 

St Augustine’s took the trophy for the highest fundraising team in Far North Queensland, as well as the highest fundraising youth team, with an incredible $19,255 for this amazing cause. It has been such an honour working with so many people driven to make a difference for the thousands who have to go through cancer diagnosis and treatment. 

Congratulations to St Monica’s College and Team Vitalia who took 2nd and 3rd place respectively, and all other teams and individuals who have made a difference in our community. 

Ride for Rosies

Mr Chad Elliott

Saints' third annual Ride for Rosies charity event was held on 31 May. This year our sister school, St Monica’s College, also participated. Sixty-five students rode around the Smith Park Velodrome to raise funds for and awareness of Rosies. Rosies is a Queensland service organisation that “reaches out to those most in need, people who are homeless or at risk, lonely, and socially isolated within our communities” (rosies.org.au). Students began their journey four weeks earlier by gaining pledged support from sponsors who could either sponsor riders per lap or in bulk. The cyclists covered 3,989 laps (1595+ km) and significantly improved on last year’s total of $9600 by raising over $23,000. Below are some thoughts on the fundraiser from some of the cyclists:

Our goal for Ride for Rosie’s 2024 was to raise $10,000 for Rosie’s Friends on the Street. The riders formed two groups: a road biking group and a mountain biking group, each riding an hour to raise money for a great cause. I enjoyed riding with my fellow students to try to cover as many laps as we could to raise as much money as possible. A small group of us managed to achieve 98 laps in an hour (1 lap = 400m) each by working together. I look forward to next year with a goal of riding 100 laps. 

                                                                                                                   - Jackson (Year 9, Saints)

Giving back to the community of Cairns through supporting those who are disconnected significantly motivated me to ride. The Ride for Rosies has a variety of students of all ages, year levels and abilities banding together to reach the common goal of bettering the lives of others. Pushing myself feels different during the R4R than any other event I have participated in. It was no longer for personal benefit or a trophy but for the benefit of strangers in Cairns. When the last 15 minutes were announced on the loudspeaker the whole feeling of the ride changed and everyone pushed themselves to the max leaving nothing in the tank.

                                                                                                                    - Niamh (Year 10, St Monica’s)

St Augustine’s and St Monica’s colleges wish to express gratitude to the participants, organiser (Mr Chad Elliott), parents who provided support and volunteered, sponsors who gave generously, those who attended and cheered on the students, and the Cairns Cycling Club for the highly successful second Ride for Rosies. 

Well done Arabella and Finn, the top fundraisers for each college.