Assistant Principal

Faith and The Melbourne Cup 

Fr Dave O’Connor is a Catholic priest whose life and vocation have been uniquely shaped by his love of horses and an unexpected win on the 1989 Melbourne Cup. At the time, he was serving as a Navy chaplain in Perth, having journeyed through various postings across Queensland, Sydney, and Melbourne. During his time in Sydney, Fr Dave was asked to start a horse club for Navy apprentices, which led to friendships with saddler Graeme Murphy and top jockeys like Grant Cooksley, Brian York, Malcolm Johnston, and Chris Munce. He learned to stitch bridles and repair horse gear, further deepening his interest in the sport. 

His connection to racing ​continued  in Nanango, where he was assistant parish priest in the mid-1970s. There, he became deeply involved in the local community—playing football, mustering cattle, and working as clerk of the course at the Nanango races. Abandoned horses from slow races often ended up at his home, reflecting his lifelong affection for the animals, a passion passed down from his father.

Though not drawn to gambling, Fr Dave placed a small trifecta bet on the 1989 Melbourne Cup and won several thousand dollars. The winnings allowed him to pay off his car loan, fulfilling a personal promise to return to his home diocese once the debt was cleared. That moment marked a turning point, leading him back to Brisbane where he began serving as the parish priest in Ipswich. 

Fr Dave also found spiritual depth within the racing community, often sharing stories with fellow clergy like Archbishop John Bathersby. He recalls legendary trainer Bart Cummings as a proud Catholic who supported the racing Mass in Sydney and carried himself with humility despite his many accolades. Bart’s passing left a noticeable void in the racing world, especially during Melbourne Cup season.

Fr Dave’s story is a rich blend of faith, community, and racing—a reminder that life’s direction can be shaped by the most unexpected moments. Can you recall an experience that changed the course of your life for the better? Could this have been the Holy Spirit at work in your life?

Proof Reading and Editing our Work

This week, we have had a staff focus around proofreading and editing and how we can encourage students to actively try to improve their work. Proofreading and editing are essential for students to improve their grades and enhance their work. Solid processes allow students to avoid errors and improve clarity of their text. At STMM, we teach our students this process through the following steps:

1.  Read your work aloud

When we read aloud, we activate different parts of our brain and are more able to read errors. 

2.  Locate the Error

As students re-read their work, they may be able to identify their own errors. If this is achieved, students are encouraged to then mark them with a pen/pencil.

3.  Correct the Error

Once the error/s have been found, the student is then able to attempt to correct them. If they are not sure how to correct them, then a teacher or buddy can assist with this. 

As students improve in this process, they can expect to improve their grades, enhance the clarity of their communication and prevent future errors.

With thanks for all that you do.

Jacky Guardascione