Moving Ceremony Marks Official Opening of Acacia College

Younger students at Acacia College were a little confused when first told they would be participating in their school’s official Opening Ceremony in July 2010. ‘Haven’t we opened already?’ they asked.  Principal, Andrew Houghton, was quick to reassure them that Acacia College had indeed been open for two very rewarding terms. ‘But we want to celebrate our opening and say a big thank-you to all the special people who created our wonderful College,’ he told them.

Joining College staff, students and parents to witness this historic event, held on Friday 23 July 2010, were many dignitaries, including Ms Danielle Green, State Member for Yan Yean and Parliamentary Secretary for Police and Emergency Services, who was also representing the Premier of Victoria, Mr John Brumby; the Mayor of the City of Whittlesea, Cr Mary Lalios; representatives from the Uniting Church Synod and Presbytery of Yarra Yarra; and past and present Acacia College Board members.

In the simple but moving Ceremony, the College founders received heartfelt tributes for their vision, dedication and hard work over the past five years.

The College choir, AC Vocal, set the tone with a stirring performance, then two Year 7 students, Andrew and Grace, shared their experiences as Foundation students. They talked about their initial trepidation at joining a brand new school, which soon gave way to a sense of excitement and privilege. While acknowledging the exceptional facilities available to them, they particularly noted the richness of the student programs and the strong sense of community across all the year levels. Andrew commented that ‘our College is very much a family school’, while Grace said that ‘all our students feel proud to be members of our new school.’

Mr Houghton reflected on the complex journey from his appointment in 2007 – when the school site in Bridge Inn Road was still home to horses – to this momentous day which he said ‘will be recognised each year in the College calendar as Founders Day.’

The Chair of the Board, Mrs Frances Wright, reminded those present that the Opening of Acacia College was just the first step towards establishing the Acacia Ministry Centre, a vibrant community hub with a range of services including child care, aged care, and health and well-being facilities. The hub would also include a worship centre and a cafe.

‘This is a challenging, brave and innovative project for the Uniting Church to be undertaking,’ she said.

The Ceremony culminated in the much-anticipated moment of the Unveiling of the Plaque to mark the official opening of the College.

The Moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, Ms Isabel Thomas Dobson, congratulated the Acacia College Board and the Presbytery for their ‘vision and tenacity’. She then drew back the curtain to enthusiastic and sustained applause, declaring the College to be ‘officially opened for the education and enrichment of young lives and for the building of a strong, just, healthy and sustainable community.’

In closing the Ceremony, the College Chaplain, Rev Ros McDonald, asked that God would bless Acacia College and that the school would be ‘a place for the seeking of wisdom, for striving to do what is best, and for rising to the challenge of creating a better world.’ Her words reflected the sentiment of the College Belief Statement included on the Opening Ceremony plaque:

“We believe that for our students to make responsible choices for a peaceful and sustainable future, they must be filled with reverence for the gift of life we share. Then, in their life journey, their achievements will make the world a better place.”