Well Done 'Bushy"!  

Congratulations to long-serving members of the St Virgil’s staff Mark 'Bushy' Smith and Julia Denniss on being nominated for the Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) Charter Leadership Awards. 

The EREA network encompasses: 

The four winners were announced on November 19.

Mark was successful in his category, but Julia, although missing out, was not unhappy - just thrilled to be nominated. The blow statement from EREA highlights the work he undertakes for the College and why he is such a worthy recipient of this award. 

Mark is a Learning Support Officer at St Virgil’s College, Hobart.  His joint passion for land care, reconciliation and sustainability has made an indelible impression at the College.  He has created an Outdoor Learning Environment which allows students to maintain and harvest a range of seasonal fruits and vegetables throughout the year.  It has become a place of connection, engagement and purpose for many students with diverse learning needs.   He has also included students and staff in a land care project to return the college property of 70 acres to its native state.  It includes working closely with Aboriginal ecological activist Jamie (Jam) Graham Blaire as part of the College’s Tunapri Makuminya Project to conserve and regenerate native flora as part of a cultural development initiative.  The project has identified 50 plants of significance on the Austin Ferry campus.  Mark is also a member of the Colleges Reconciliation Action Plan Committee which saw the College recognised as a finalist in the 2021 Narragunnawali Reconciliation Awards in November.  Mark is dedicated to giving students real and practical experiences in land management, appreciation and cultural awareness.

Mark’s association with the College commenced in 2003 in a most unusual way!  He lived near the Austins Ferry property and was a regular walker on it. None too happy as to what he perceived as neglect and degradation of the natural environment, he sought out the then Principal Chris Smith to vent his displeasure.   The pair walked and talked with Chris admitting he was not aware of some of the issues that were occurring on the College grounds.Not long after Bushy was offered six weeks work over the summer break and 20 years later he is still here! 

Julia Denniss joined the St Virgil’s staff at Barrack St in 1995 and following the cessation of Year 7 to 10 classes at that campus in 1996, moved to the Austins Ferry Campus in 1997.  Julia is retiring at the end of the current school year after 27 years of extraordinary service to the College.  She is a great teacher, outstanding mentor and a wonderful colleague.   Julia’s husband Steve (SVC 1967-75), an accountant at the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office, attended the College.