News

Lyndelle Lawrence
Public relations editorial intern
Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

Avondale College's Young Alumni of the Year came with a message: what good is faith if it does not encourage us to live better lives today?

Rebecca Lyngdoh Reye raised the question during a graduation-themed forum on the Lake Macquarie campus this past Wednesday (May 20). "Do you spend most of your time living in the past, the future or the present?" she asked during her speech, which encouraged staff members and students to live in the present and to allow God to realise His intentions in each one of them. "I'm learning I can plan just as much as I need and look forward to possibilities but not live and hold my happiness off until those possibilities eventuate."

Rebecca graduated from Avondale with a Bachelor of Arts in international development studies and communication in 2003. She continued her studies at the Hunter Institute of TAFE, earning a diploma in frontline management before obtaining her Master of Arts in international and community development from Deakin University. She is currently coordinator at Effective Development Group.

However, Rebecca spoke candidly during forum about her feelings of self-doubt. She told of helping review an aid program in Papua New Guinea. "I was supposed to be the methodological expert. Not only can I hardly say the word, 'methodological,' but expert? . . . I was freaking out." She described worrying about the future as "futile," "self-focused" and "not what God intends."

John Venegas, a member of the Avondale College Alumni Association Committee, introduced Rebecca and stated the criteria for the award: outstanding professional achievement and excellence; innovative or inspirational leadership; or notable contribution to a humanitarian cause or commitment to service. Alumni aged 30 and under and who graduated five years ago are eligible for the award.

Earlier, Avondale College president Dr Ray Roennfeldt announced the graduation class officers. Michael Chapman serves as chaplain, Andrew Fraser as treasurer, Emma Weslake as the Grad Banquet coordinator, James Crabtree, Patrice Patel and Samantha Wynne as undergraduate representatives, Matthew Wrankmore as the vocational education and training representative and Pastor John Skrzypaszek as staff adviser. The class co-president for the Lake Macquarie campus is Makushla D'Costa. She received a mortarboard from Ray as part of the announcement. Students on the Sydney campus will elect their co-president later this month (May).

The forum also featured Avondale Singers, the ensemble performing three items in preparation for its free concert at Sydney Opera House on June 15.

Caption: Rebecca Lyngdoh Reye is Avondale College Alumni Association's Young Alumni of the Year.
Credit: Ann Stafford