ST JOSEPH’S SECONDARY SCHOOL ALUMNI : JUBILEE: 1956-2006 :NEWSLETTER NO. 2 October 2005
Dear Alumni,
It has been wonderful receiving news from our overseas alumni regarding their preparations and get-togethers for the Jubilee in 2006. Our most recent activity here at home has been our participation in the St Joseph’s Secondary School Lottery and the monthly mass in our spiritual build-up to the Jubilee.
I was pleasantly surprised to receive a visit from Maureen McKenzie Macdonald, an alumni member from the first decade who popped in to see me at the University. Her husband is the ProVice- Chancellor at Massey University and was in Suva for the USP Council Meeting. Maureen had also worked at Massey but is now retired.
Many thanks to Lorraine Sing Cutler who keeps in touch regularly. Below is an excerpt from The St Josephs de Cluny Past Students Queensland Alumni Newsletter Number 1
‘In 2004 Sr Genevieve Loo made contact with a few ‘old girls’ and put a ‘help’ call around the world about school extensions and redemption of the debt to bank. A flurry of communication amongst past students followed, spearheaded in Brisbane mainly by Doreen Elliott (Fenn) and Pam Edmunds (Beach). A list of names and contact numbers was drawn up from sources Doreen tracked down, including from Nive Wong (Rai), whom many of you will remember as a tireless fund-raiser for St Joseph’s Past Students and other Fiji causes.
July 2004 saw a fund-raiser: a KATI, held at Jane Harvey’s (Movick) place at Rochedale, Brisbane. In July 2005, the 2nd KATI was at Doreen’s, Thornlands. The idea of another get-together materialized into Saturday 12 Nov event at Pam’s place, Greenbank. We wanted a get-together before Christmas, mainly for a feast of talanoa and fun, but also to have a small hamper raffle, over $250 worth for $5 ticket. Fund-raising to date: July 2004: Raised $1500, F$1830 sent directly to Sr Genevieve; July 2005: Raised $1800, presently in a special account.
Monthly Masses – Spiritual Build-up to the Jubilee
The first in a series of monthly masses as part of the spiritual build-up to the Jubilee was held on the Friday 11th November at the Sacred Heart cathedral. The date was chosen as it was the day that Blessed Anne Marie dedicated herself to the Lord. The Mass was attended by about 50 alumni and all decades were represented. This was followed by light refreshments in the Crypt where everyone introduced themselves and chatted about the days at school.
The December Mass will be offered by Father Tuwere on Wednesday, 5 December, 2005 at the Cathedral at 5.30pm preceded by choir practice from 5pm. The Liturgy will be prepared by alumni of the first decade: 1956-1965. They will be responsible for the readings, prayers of the faithful and the offertory. So over to Anne Foster, Violet Hazelman, Dorothy Sachs & Co. Light refreshments will follow. Fiji Alumni especially - please pass this on to alumni who are not on e-mail. An idea for other alumni groups to follow.
St Joseph de Cluny Past Pupils Association (SJPPA) & St Joseph Secondary School Alumni – Fund Clarifications
There has been some confusion about the two organizations and I would like clarify this.
The St Joseph de Cluny Past Pupils Association (SJPPA) is the overarching body for ALL who were taught by the De Cluny Sisters and includes girls who are ex St Philomena’s, St Anne’s, St Joseph’s Convent, S Joseph’s Secondary, St Bedes, Cathedral Secondary etc. We, The St Joseph’s Secondary School Alumni, are represented on the Executive of the SJPPA by yours truly.
The St Joseph’s Secondary School Alumni refers specifically to those who attended St Joseph’s Secondary School. One of the activities of the Alumni to date was the establishment in 2003 of a Trust Fund for the Sisters with donations of $200 from 43 Alumni members. It is administered by the Sisters and used as they see fit and is not in any way associated with the finances of the school or the school hall. Alumni are welcome to send donations direct to this account: Cluny Central Trust Fund; Westpac Bank, Suva Branch; A/C No.: 9800747884.
On the other hand, The St Joseph’s Past Pupil’s Association (SJPPA) has a welfare fund for the Sisters that is administered by the SJPPA Executive. I hope this clarifies the difference between the two associations and the various funds.
Fiji Alumni Fundraising for the Jubilee
The Fiji Alumni teamed up with the School to raise funds through a lottery. Individual alumni members provided the bulk of the 12 prizes and the deal was that whatever we sold would be credited to the Alumni to meet expenses for the Jubilee. The income from this is around $7000.00 and I am grateful to all those who sold and bought tickets. It was an opportunity for alumni to say thank you to the school. As one alumni put it `I have not contributed financially to the school since paying my school fees way back when, therefore I will buy a book ($150)’. Again, vinaka vakalevu to all. The funds will be used for publicity, programme printing, hire of Gym, band etc.
For accountability purposes, if you still hold partly sold and unsold books please return these to Agnes Bula at the Reserve Bank counter or Tina Rokoua also of RB as soon as possible. Our reputation and honesty could be at stake! Results of the draw are:
1ST Prize: Helen Waters, Ph. 6720050, NADI, Ticket No. 019765; 2nd Prize: Tim Douglas, Ph. 9260081, OVALAU, Ticket No. 011810; 3rd Prize: Ayneel, Box 351, NADI, Ph. 6721060, Ticket No. 11701; 4th Prize: Sauhoni Mario, 19 Mariko St, SUVA, Ph 3302439,Ticket No.14634; 5th Prize: Veronica Smith, Lot 5 Wainadoi, LAMI, Ph. 3361254,Ticket No. 8822; 6th Prize: Nalisha Harikisun, SUVA, Ph. 3370116. Ticket No. 11734; 7th Price: Glen Andrews, FIT, SUVA ,Ph. 3387072, Ticket No. 18948; 8th Prize: Marica Naikaso, P.O. Box 235, Mobil SUVA, Ph. 9331549, Ticket No. 4063; 9th Prize: Ana Sovaki Rasovo, Howards, SUVA, Ph. 3300046, Ticket No. 13410; 10th Prize: Angeline T, 25 Bryce St. Raiwaqa, SUVA, Ph. 3316798, Ticket No. 25177; 11th Prize: Rita Pickering, Air New Zealand, NADI, Ph. 6720436, Ticket No. 177581; 12th Prize: Elizabeth Yee, P.O. Box 5, NAUSORI, Ph. 9994572, Ticket No. 21038
JUBILEE SOLI – target $50,000 plus
The Alumni committed to a contribution of $300,000 to the school hall when the issue was raised. To date a small part of this has been raised. At the Executive meeting held yesterday 29th Nov., it was agreed that a soli is held as part of the Jubilee celebrations to meet this commitment. A sum of $50,000 has been set as the target and that each graduating year of students asked to raise a minimum of $1,000 x 50 years = $50,000 plus. Your graduating year is your last year at the school. You have the next 10 months to get together with the girls of your class to raise this amount. It is also a way of meeting and strengthening the SJSS alumni.
Contact in Vancouver
The alumni contact in Vancouver is Cathy Groom (nee Fong). Her e-mail is .
Website designer
We’re looking for a wiz who can design our website. Please contact me if you have the skills and time.
Jubilee sponsor
Is there a company owned by alumni that might be willing to sponsor an activity during the Jubilee?
Until the next newsletter, Seasons Greetings to you all with best wishes for a Holy and Joyfilled Christmas.
Yours in Anne-Marie Javouey
Elizabeth C. Reade Fong
Ph: 32-32363(w) ;