Vale Tina De La Cruz

Vale Agnostina ‘Tina’ De La Cruz

Our College community were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tina last weekend.

Our community would remember Tina working in our school for more than 25 years. She held numerous roles in the administration area of the college. Tina was committed, passionate and very efficient at her daily work.

We would all remember Tina, for her selfless, kind, generous and often forthright in manner. But no one would ever take that serious face of hers to heart when she was giving you a dressing down. Tina had little patience for us incompetent staff members. It was often a case of leave it with Tina and the job would get done. Nothing in administration was beyond Tina. She only needed to be shown something once and it was done. She adapted to the ever-changing personnel around her, often dealing out lessons to new Principals on ‘how things work around here’.

Tina knew the mechanisms of our school and an incredible capacity to locate a random item in some obscure part of our school. It was often said, ‘Just ask Tina!’. She could often be found at school after everyone had long gone, making sure everything was in place for the next day.

Tina had one of those rare hearts of gold who would go out of her way for others. She had an incredible capacity for empathy towards others who were struggling. Tina deeply cared about all our students but had a soft spot for the less fortunate.

Our College staff fondly remember the fried rice and those awesome spring rolls that graced our staffroom table on a regular basis. She was a fabulous cook that could make a tasty meal out of anything. Anyone in Tina’s company would never go hungry.

Tina joined the staff of what was then Wedderburn High School in 1994. She remained a dedicated staff member right up until retiring at the end of 2020. The College staff and students were delighted to have visits from Tina after her retirement. Her determination shone through as she battled ill health in the last couple of years. Tina’s faith was a constant in her life and gave her strength in her final years.

We will always remember Tina with a smile on our faces as we all have plenty of fond memories.

The College staff pass on their deepest sympathy to Jonathon and family at this extremely sad time.

There is a funeral mass for Tina at St Kilian’s Catholic Church (161 McCrae Street) Bendigo on Friday 25th November at 1pm.