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President's Address on the occasion of |
| I should like to begin my
address tonight by welcoming all our past pupils to this celebration and
extending a special welcome to your wives and guests; also, a warm welcome
to the teaching staff of the college, past and present, and their families; in addition to parents of present pupils and friends of the college. . We welcome Monsignor Kehoe, both as the representative of Bishop Walsh and, in his own right as one who has a long association with St Peter's College. Thank you, Lory for being here tonight and for your kind words. . W. B. Yeats once said: “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire”. Such a fire has been lit in the lives of innumerable past pupils of St Peter's College since its foundation, and the imprint on local and national society made by these men has been significant, generous and lasting. So too, our diocese has been a major beneficiary of our alumni - men who have dedicated themselves to fostering values in the diocese which, whilst received from their families, were nourished in the college. . Fifty years ago, a small number of these past pupils came together to found the Past Pupils' Union, under Patrick D. Breen, as president. Their desire in forming such a union was to foster continued friendships among alumni, create business opportunities through what we now call networking and to provide the opportunity for alumni to give of their energy and ability to the college and its present student body. The dedication present in the committee of 1954 was infectious and has been a key to the success of the union since its foundation. . I want to mention at this time the contribution made to the union by the Dublin members, who for many years were a very significant arm of the union and were instrumental in making alumni feel at home in Dublin and providing them with opportunities which otherwise would not have arisen. We thank you for all your achievements and for joining us here tonight. . Some of the most noticeable structural achievements of the union have been our involvement with Power Park and the construction of the sports complex. Over these past fifty years, the union has helped to foster the social and business life of the county. For years the fabric of Wexford solely revolved around the union and its members; many present tonight have fond memories of dinner dances and other great social events. The college continues to be a major player in the sporting life of County Wexford, and in 2000, the union organised the millennium celebrations to honour our sporting heroes. . Significant victories chicly many will remember are the first Leinster Senior Hurling Championship in 1960, the first Leinster Senior Football Championship in 1992. And, of course, the All- Ireland Senior Hurling victories of 62, 67, 68, and 73. . Additionally, the college has broadened its involvement and success to include All-lreland victories in equestrian eventing and badminton. Success has also been achieved at swimming, handball and athletics. When we think of sport and St Peter's College, it is a pity that Ned Power and Fr Paddy Curtis are not here with us tonight. Both men gave of themselves immeasurably, encouraging chaps and bringing the best out in them. Neither achieved a long life, especially Paddy Curtis who unfortunately died a young man, but in their time, they left a healthy and happy lasting impression upon many and are spoken fondly of to this day. . Our golf society has been a significant part of the union over the years and continues to bring large numbers of alumni together for a great day of sport and reminiscing. We welcome tonight one of the founding members of the golf society, Eamonn Cullen. We also take this opportunity to express out thanks to one man who has been synonymous with the golf society for about twenty years and who organises all our events, Dan Redmond. Thank you, Dan. . When we look back over the years, one of the annual highlights was the college opera which was always a great celebration. The PPU is delighted to be associated with the resurgence of the opera in tandem with the Loreto Secondary School. Those who have seen the productions of Brigadoon and Les Miserables will recall being very proud indeed. . Spectrum has for many years been recording the life of the union and college alumni, in a partnership with the present student body. This is a vital link for the union with past pupils and we thank you for supporting Spectrum with articles and advertising. . Academically, the college is successful, seeking as it does to maximise the latent talents and abilities of its students: the union's sponsorship of the annual prize giving ceremony is a significant acknowledgement of such. Long may it be so. . Through the years we have seen many changes at St Peter's: the cessation of boarding, the closure of the seminary; the role of college president is defunct; and the clergy have departed from the teaching staff. Yet, through all this change and when all other systems broke down, the union has remained steadfast. . The college and the union have soldiered together for the past 50 years - significant, fruitful years in the history of the college, too. The economic development of Ireland through those years has provided an opportunity for many alumni to shine in the business and academic world. True there also has been immeasurable hurt caused, during this time, which has shattered many lives. As alumni, we should endeavour to reach out compassionately in our own way, to those we know are in pain. . As president of the Past Pupils' Union, l feel somewhat akin to the person who having shopped in a particular supermarket for only their first or second time, and surrounded by dedicated life-long customers, steps through the door to the announcement that they are the store's millionth customer. . I have the good fortune to be president during this jubilee year, an accolade ill deserved for one who has been associated with the union over such a short period of time. So many men have given of their time and energy over the years with quiet dedication. To those who have made the Past Pupils' Union the vibrant and significant organisation it is, I say 'thank you' for your commitment and hard work. . Our committee of 2004/2005 is no different than those before, marked by hard work, dedication and a deep affection for the college. When they could be at home, with their feet up, our committee members instead head to the college and try to think of new ways to help alumni and present students, and to reach out to those less well-off than ourselves. . I wish to thank our sponsors for the night: Michael Bennett & Sons Building Contractors & Niall Barry & Co. Michael is our vice-president and a member of the 1972 class. . Also we wish to congratulate one of our past pupils who has married last Saturdays John Murphy, past president of the Past Pupils' Union. . Society is an ever-changing reality which we both shape and learn to live in. We must all see ourselves as playing a role in the evolvement of society and in playing our part, we should keep the college motto to the forefront of our minds: Disce prodesse - strive to be useful. . Please enjoy the rest of the evening and thank you for your commitment to St Peter's and to our union. |
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2006