Dear Members of the Trinity Community,

Term 3 is now well advanced and we have been blessed with some remarkable sunshine. The past month has been filled with many wonderful community events and celebrations that I would like to highlight in this edition of The Lantern Newsletter.

40th Anniversary Celebrations

On Friday 15 August the whole College community gathered in St Carthage’s Cathedral to celebrate Foundation Day and the Feast of the Assumption. Bishop Greg, Fr Bing and Fr Jim Griffin celebrated this important Mass with all students and staff.  We very much valued the presence of several Presentation Sisters and Marist Brothers who were also able to attend.

Each year on the Feast of the Assumption we come together to remember and celebrate our rich history and heritage. The Feast of the Assumption of Mary has been chosen as the date on which we celebrate “Foundation Day” for two reasons: firstly, it is the date in 1886 when the Presentation Sisters began St. Mary’s College, an independent school for girls; and secondly, the day is central to the spirituality of both the Presentation Sisters and the Marist Brothers.

In his homily Bishop Greg reminded us to look to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, for inspiration. He reminded us of two important lessons that Mary’s life and example teaches us: that our lives must always remain centred on others - not self; and that, when our God-given gifts are used for the benefit of others, these gifts grow. This powerful message has been a source of much reflection for our College community this Term.

2025 also marks 40 years since St Mary’s and St Joseph’s Marist Brothers amalgamated in 1985 to form Trinity Catholic College, Lismore.  Our Charisms, and the spirit of Mary - the Mother of Jesus, permeate all aspects of College life and directs us to focus on God. Foundation Day was a day to celebrate and give thanks for the tradition and history we are all part of; a day to appreciate what we have, as well as a time to consider those who have come before us and have helped to make this College the great community that it is.

At the conclusion of Mass service awards and badges were presented to the following staff:

5 Years of Service::

Naomi Robinson

Sulmae Keane

10 Years of Service::

Pauline Leeson

Serena Rose

Tracy Benfield

15 Years of Service::

Jesse Smith

Patrick Martin

Paul Cartwright

20 Years of Service:

Alissa O’Reilly

Reggena Grew

Julie Fryer

25 Years:

Tony Flood

Zelinda Brown

30 Years of Service:

Lisa Yopp

Narelle Cole

Vicki Evans

Julie Spark

I also had the pleasure of announcing our 2026 College and Ministry Captains - Tayla Matthews, Solly Neilsen, Mia O’Reilly and Logan Connolly. Congratulations to each of these students and their families, and thank you to all of the wonderful candidates who put themselves forward for these important roles.

40 Years of Trinity Celebration Dinner

Our 40th celebrations continued on Saturday 16 August with 230 alumni of staff and students coming together for dinner. During the evening a fitting video tribute featured Sister Mary Cannane, Trinity’s Foundation Principal, a highly intelligent, humble and practical leader who was visionary and well ahead of her times.

In the first Trinity Year book in 1985 Sister Mary’s report focused the First Letter of John:

My children,

Our love is not to be just words

Or mere talk

But something real and active.

Grounded in the notion of Christian love, she went on to outline her vision for the Trinity graduate. Her  message is as relevant today as it was 40 years ago:  “I hope that Trinity ex-students will be recognised in the future as people of tolerance and compassion, men and women who can recognise the good in other people even though they may disagree with their beliefs or actions.” “I hope that their compassion and Christian love will make them active in righting the wrongs of our society whatever way their gifts suggest. I hope they will be seen to be concerned about others, especially those less privileged.” What remarkable words!

The night celebrated the countless students who have walked through the Trinity gates and grew into people of purpose and character. We are proud of the way our alumni contribute—not just locally or nationally, but globally. In every corner of the world, you will find former students living out the values nurtured by the College working with integrity, leading with compassion, and serving others.

Ours is a resilient, connected, and deeply supportive community of people. That is what has carried us through 40 years — the highs and the lows — and it is precisely what will carry us into the future. Thank you to Mrs Jenny Dwyer, Miss Ava Coombes, Mrs Annette White and all of the staff who assisted to bring this celebration together.