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Brenton Stacey
Cooranbong, New South Wales

Graduation at Avondale College (November 30-December 2) has reminded students of their responsibility to use education not for self-interest but in service to the community.

Dr Peter Beamish encouraged graduands attending the consecration service on the Lake Macquarie campus to live life meaningfully. "Remember, it's not about you, it's about them," he said.

Lecturer Katherine Cooper acknowledged, during the consecration service on the Sydney campus, the spirit of service demonstrated by the graduating nursing class--students served in Kenya, Mozambique, the Philippines and Romania this year. "This class exhibits mission in action in the commitment and care they have demonstrated to others in need," she said.

The theme of both services reflected the graduation class motto, based on a text from the biblical parable of the sheep and goats. The text, "Because you did it for the least of them . . . you did it to me" (Matthew 25:40), appears on a plaque attached to the back of a decorative key ring the graduands received as a gift from the class.

President Dr John Cox spoke during his graduation service speech of the benefit of service. "[It] not only makes a difference in the lives of the people the students serve, but in the lives of the students themselves," he said.

Speaker Desley Scott, the state member for Woodridge in Queensland, assured graduands, "Your stand for principle, for openly and honestly revealing your values of faith and your authentic and genuine interest in others and their issues, will open up many doors of opportunity." Expect adventure on this journey with God, she said, "but always remember everything is possible with God and no-one is beyond His reach."

Service also featured prominently in the charge given by the pro-chair of the Avondale College Council, Dr Barry Oliver. "As graduates of Avondale, you have the unique privilege of going from this place not merely to serve self-interest, but to follow the example of Jesus and serve the community with compassion and concern," he said.

Carole Ferch-Johnson described the "close and intimate" nature of the love of Jesus during the valedictory services on Saturday. "[His] declaration of closeness to us is one thing; He is also looking for some reciprocity." She noted the simplicity of Jesus' valediction. "It is his last word. He gives it first place. He says, 'Remain in Me.'"

The presentation by Avondale Foundation of a letter of guarantee for $300,000 highlighted its role in serving the college. The money is for new scholarships ($75,000), continuing scholarships ($170,000) and staff research ($55,000). In his graduation service speech, president Dr Norman Young referred to graduation not so much as a celebration but as a relief. "The college is relieved because graduands have now paid their fees in full, parents are relieved because they can finally plan an overseas holiday, and the government is relieved because 90 per cent of these graduands will soon be working to pay off their debt. However, students who receive an Avondale Foundation Academic Excellence Scholarship are relieved from the beginning of the year. They don't have to pay back anything to anyone."

Some 266 graduands--the most since 1985--were eligible to march during the service, held in the Chan Shun Auditorium on the Lake Macquarie campus. These included an equal record number of honours students (6), the first students with an Associate Degree in Theological Studies and the first with a Certificate IV in Transport and Distribution (aviation flight operations).

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