DIRECTOR OF CATHOLIC IDENTITY

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Placement Experience – Caring for and Rehabilitation of Wildlife (Reptiles)

Throughout my community service over the past year, I have given somewhat and gained a lot – this has been my greatest lesson learnt.

I thought completing my compulsory community service hours would be difficult, but it was not. Find something you are passionate about, and it will never seem

like too much work or too hard.  As Marc Anthony once said, 'If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life'.  My community service did not feel like work.

I am passionate about the environment and wildlife, particularly reptiles, and therefore committed myself to be a wildlife carer over the past two years.

This commitment and community service has spanned over an entire two-year period and has taken up my time, money and effort, but every minute has been worth it. I have met new people, learned about new reptiles and nurtured my passion and love for animals.  I have gained invaluable experience in caring for these animals and rehabilitating them to the point where they can once again be released into their natural environments or back to their owners. 

I was fortunate enough to look after a few animals that had loving owners and were overjoyed to be reunited with their 'lost and injured pet' – this was particularly 

rewarding during my experience.

In my mind, not enough people, especially young people, are willing to give back to their communities, to give some of their time and effort. I think they overlook the many priceless experiences and moments they are set to gain by doing community service. It should not be seen as a duty but rather as a privilege.

It is a very long process to become a wildlife carer. If you are 18 years old and want to get involved, you can contact the Conservation Regulator on the following website:  

https://www.vic.gov.au/conservation-regulator

Tiaan Potgieter (Year 11)

MERCY EDUCATION

https://www.mercy.edu.au/about/history-beginnings

On December 12, 1831 Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland. Her original intention had been to gather like-minded companions and devote her considerable inheritance to serving the poor, especially women and children.

Church authorities prevailed on her to find a religious order so the work could continue after her death. The Sisters took as their special concerns the education of girls, the visitation of the sick in their homes, and the protection of distressed women of good character. Their attention was on local needs, and they soon came to be called the ‘walking nuns’ as they were often seen on their way to and from their works of helping others.

Catherine McAuley founded the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy in 1831 in Dublin, Ireland. Before Catherine died in 1841, there were Sisters of Mercy working in twelve different towns in Ireland and two in England, and the Sisters were already involved in school-based and adult education, the care of the sick in hospitals, and the establishment of homes for orphans, the aged and disadvantaged.

Fifteen years later, in 1846, the first Sisters of Mercy arrived in Perth from Ireland. One of these pioneering women was Ursula Frayne, who brought with her Catherine's vision that they should be 'living witnesses of God’s mercy in a new world.’  Today we celebrate over 180 years of Mercy Catholic Education in Australia.

It was in 1906 that St Joseph’s College, Mildura had its beginnings when four Sisters of Mercy came to Mildura from Wentworth at the request of the local Bishop to establish a Catholic School. This Mercy Week, may we ensure that the dedicated work of the Sisters of Mercy is celebrated and honoured as we continue their wonderful work in our local community.

Miss Paula Cox

Director of Catholic Identity