College Captain 2015 Cameron Clark's speech:

Good morning Br Garry, distinguished guests, Brothers, staff and students. Nearly 18 months ago, in May of last year I found myself immersed in an unknown country and foreign culture, which had gone previously un-noted to me. In the industrial heartland of southern China, with the company of both my father and grandfather by my side, the common perspective of what I thought life was changed forever. As I peered across the streets, walked through markets and watched the Chinese locals go about their daily lives, all I could think of was one word, OPPORTUNITY!

Upon visiting a factory in the city of Dongguan, my perspective of the word OPPORTUNITY had taken on a new and profound meaning. The strain of stitching, clamping and gluing from 6am – 6pm for 6 days a week, on a minimal wage and then seeking refuge on a concrete floor, knowing that the next day was going to be much of the same, hit me pretty hard. Those harsh labouring requirements and tough quality of living that the majority of Chinese citizens have to face every day got me thinking about the OPPORTUNITY we have on our own shores, especially here at St Bede's College.

At the commencement of this year, our Year 11 cohort was presented with an OPPORTUNITY to travel to Thailand in order to help educate and build facilities, at a fellow De La Salle school for the underprivileged Thai and Burmese children. Upon my unsuccessful application to travel to Thailand, I spoke with my great and long-time friend Lachie Tedde, seated behind me today, who was fortunate enough to attend the trip. In conversing with him about his experience, he gave me a perspective of what OPPORTUNITIES were like for the children. After getting passed his endless complaints about constantly eating rice day-in day-out, he finally explained to me, that besides the education offered through the generous hearts of the Brothers and charitable funding including our Mission Action Day donations, the children really have nothing much else to build their OPPORTUNITIES on.

Furthermore, the involvement with the College’s Lasallian Youth Leaders group this year has been an worthwhile experience for me. Fortunately, I was able to involve myself in the community through the Sudanese Tutoring Program, along with Joey’s Van and Ozfam House, two dinner services dedicated to giving the needy a nice warm meal. Through this involvement, I’ve been able to realise that the deprivation of one’s OPPORTUNITY is not just a problem that occurs on foreign soil, however one that is knocking on our front doorstep.

This is why I strongly believe, that as a student body and as a College we need to appreciate the environment we live in and make the most of the OPPORTUNITIES presented to us today. Currently at St. Bedes there is a plethora of pathways found in countless facets of day to day College life. As a fellow student today, I challenge you to make your actions speak louder than your words. Try out for the ACC Sport team that you have been longing to get into, make the effort to “Raise the Bar” when it comes to your academic studies, or maybe take the time to involve yourself within the local community, by lending a hand and showcasing the true Beda Spirit.

It’s through my eye opening journey to China, Lachie’s tale of the children in Thailand and the community interaction through the Lasallian Youth Leaders, which has given me a new comprehension of the term OPPORTUNITY. One that allows us to grasp new concepts, achieve new heights and expand our horizons as a person.

Finally, I would like to congratulate my fellow leaders on their appointments to their respective positions next year. As we look forward to representing you and the College in 2015, we aim to be positive role models, work with you all to “Raise the Bar” and lead by embracing the many OPPORTUNITIES that St Bede's College has to offer. In the words of Jim Carrey “Life opens up OPPORTUNITIES to you, and you either take them or stay afraid of taking them”. So as a fellow Beda Boy, I ask you to take them!

Thank-you!

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