Gowrie Times!

The athletes from Abergowrie are four of eight representatives from Queensland and they are contesting the following events: Arthur Ketchell 16 Yrs - Javelin, Javid Bowen - 15 Yrs Javelin, Glen Noack - 15 Yrs Discus and Cameron Hooker -14 Yrs 100m, 200m, Long Jump, Triple Jump and 200m Hurdles.    

Two of Abergowrie’s most promising young rugby league players, Dale Murphy and Josiah Geia, have been selected in the Townsville Under 18 squad for 2009.  The selection trials were held last weekend and the names of the squad have just been released.  The team will play in an 8-week QRL competition in 2009 with teams selected from Cairns, Mackay, Wide Bay, Rockhampton and the Northern Territory.  Following those rounds the team at the head of the competition will compete in a National Final.  The squad will be coached by Cowboys Under 20’s coach, Grant Bell, and will be an opportunity for the selected players to play at a higher level than their local competition. 

Running alongside the Queensland Cup competition, the games will also give the players opportunities to come under the scrutiny of other selectors.  Speaking about his selection today, Dale Murphy could hardly wipe the smile from his face.  “I am so very excited and happy at making the squad,” he said. ”Again it shows that hard work and taking opportunities that are offered really does pay off.”   And Dale really does know what taking opportunities means.

A permanent member of the 2008 Gowrie Firsts, Dale would have been a certainity to play at Confraternity this year, the dream of any budding Rugby League player.  But another opportunity came his way.  Dale chose to forgo playing at the confraternity level, and instead went with his Church group to Kenya to help with a food and rebuilding program. ”It could have looked foolish to some people that I missed Confraternity for Kenya,” he said, ” but I do believe that when your heart is in the right place, opportunites take care of themselves.  I just give my best each day.  I’m proud of my Christian faith.  I pray before every game I play and I know there are many NRL players who gladly tell of their Christian faith.”

“ I am extremely proud of both Dale and Josiah,” said Mr John Crowley, Principal of the College.  ”Along with George Kepa who is currently playing in the World Cup for the Kumuls, Matthew Bowen, Brenton Bowen, and Palmer Wapau currently playing in the NRL (all recent Old Boys), they know the hard work and commitment reaching these levels of the game takes.  I hope they never forget where they began and that in all they do they will bring honour to their families and communities.”

There were many happy faces around the office notice board when the 2008 Academic and Community Prize List was published.  It continues to amaze us how word of such happening spreads.

Space does not permit us to publish all the subject winners here.  The major prize winners are listed:

Year 8 Dux - Wilson Bennet                                                                 

Year 8 Second Aggregate - Robbie Holt

Year 9 Dux - Mangubadijarri Yanner

Year 9 Second Aggregate - Jake Liddel

Year 10 Dux - Alex Marshall

Year 10 Second Aggregate - Gibson Pearson

Year 11 Dux - Ricky Kiori

Year 11 Second Aggregate - Daniel Crowley

Year 12 Second Aggregate - Daryl Seden

Dux of the College - Ryan Thorp

St Teresa’s Awards - Deklan Sellars (Yr Eight), Michael Enosa (Yr 9), Josh Watson (Yr 10), Camden Pascoe (Yr 11), Urimah Lowatta (Yr 12)

Joe Dawes Award for general proficiency - school and residential - Ryan Thorp

Caltex Medal - for all round excellence - Daryl Seden

Bob Bax Award - for demonstrated pride in self, family community and culture -  Alex Blanco

Bishop McGuire Award - for services rendered to  the student body - Ryan Thorp

Steve Bowman Award - for services rendered to the community - school and residential - Sebastian O’Brien

Ergon Medal for academic achievement - Ryan Thorp

Contribution to the Religious Life of the Community -  Nicholas Sheahan, James Arrowsmith

Edin Hill Memorial Prize (Year 10) - Janguar Nona

Marie Gibson Memorial Art Award - Earl Robertson

Old Boys Bursaries: Kieren Marr, Raoul Casey, Nicholas Sheahan, Frank Duigu

Contribution To Community Life In The Dormitory                                     Br Doran House  - Urimah Lowatta
Doyle House - Sebastian O’Brien
Ryan House - Alex Blanco
McGuire House - Dale Murphy