O'Brien family traces Galen's generations

GALEN Catholic College's 50th anniversary events this August are being billed as a celebration of 'Generations of Galen', tracing the history of the three schools which came to form the college. Wangaratta's earliest Catholic secondary schools were St Joseph's High School (later St Joseph's College), which can trace its beginnings to the arrival of four Brigidine Sisters from Ireland who opened the Brigidine Convent locally, and Champagnat College, which opened in 1955 as a day and boarding school as well as a juniorate for the Marist Brothers. Galen College - catering for years 11 and 12 - opened in 1975, which is the occasion being marked by the celebrations, and in 1983 these three schools amalgamated to form the enlarged Galen Catholic College. It's an educational evolution well known to Wangaratta's O'Brien family. John O'Brien started at Champagnat College in the 1950s, while all of he and late wife Margaret's children - Julie, Sue, Jackie, Sheree, John, Paul and Ally - attended St Joseph's and Galen, and most of his grandchildren have also been Galen students, including current year 12 Harrison. Two of John's daughters, Jackie Seymour and Sue Witham, also work at the school - Jackie in the student services centre and Sue running the canteen, Sue's Soul Food. "I'm proud that our family has such a historical connection to Galen," Jackie said. "It's comforting to know we've all walked the same hallways and have stories from our times here. "I love that we've continued the tradition of our parents, siblings and with our own children, all being brought up with the same strong values." Harrison, now in the final months of his secondary school life, agreed: "It feels great knowing I'm walking in the same footsteps as so many of my past family members. "All facing the same challenges and routines brings us all together. It makes school feel more meaningful, as if I'm part of a bigger story." Both Sue and Jackie were part of the transition from the all-girls St Joseph's to co-educational Galen in the early 1980s. "Changing to co-ed was scary, but exciting to be part of. It gave the nuns a few headaches, I think," Sue said. Jackie agreed: "I remember it took time to get used to having boys at the school. There were lots of distractions with interruptions, with a lot of kids trying to impress each other, and the teachers must have been pulling their hair out. "Initially, learning possibly went down, but I think hair and make-up product sales went up." Sue said she loved working in the canteen, where she often met the children and grandchildren of people she knew, and could stay connected to the views and mannerisms of young people. "I've also had the privilege of seeing my nieces and nephews at school, and after leaving they have all come at some stage to help me in the canteen, so the family history with Galen continues," she said. Jackie said she loved being part of the Galen community, and felt at home at the school. "I love that there are still parts of the school here from when my Dad was here," she said. "Having had so many come through the school, occasionally you come across photos or write-ups of someone in your family; they get sent to the family chat and it brings up plenty of discussion, laughter and stories. "People donate memorabilia and clothing from their time at Galen, and I enjoy looking at what past students wore and how the uniform has changed over the years. "I love that I can see Sue every day, and her husband Al. My sister Ally has started doing some CRT work here, so it's great that we get to catch up regularly too." The sisters have seen significant change at Galen since their own school days and in the time they've worked there. "Kids are so lucky these days; back in our day, girls did typing and sewing, but now they are encouraged to try anything they want to and be anything they want - the world really is their oyster," Sue said. Jackie said she had watched the facilities grow and undergo redevelopment works over the 10 years she had worked at Galen. "The library has changed location four times; we have an amazing new stadium and performing arts centre; the end of last year saw our Max Fletcher Auditorium transformed into our student services centre; and the wellbeing and learning support areas (never something around in my time) have grown so that students are able to get whatever support they need," she said. "I have watched the school change and grow with the community." Sue and Jackie said they had enjoyed watching their own children attend the same school they had, and often be taught by the same teachers who had taught them as teenagers. They said they had experienced the strong values instilled through their family by Galen, helping shape students to be good, kind people who give back to society, and are inclusive and respectful of everyone. "Galen is a family and a great environment to grow in, but I sometimes think you don't realise this until you get older, so the life lessons you learn at school probably aren't recognised until you are out in the real world," Sue said. Jackie encouraged the next generation of Galen students to be proud of and thankful for their education. Those current students, and many from past generations of Galen, are preparing to celebrate the school's history over two days later this year, on Friday, 29 August and Saturday, 30 August. College tours will be held during the school day on the Friday from 10am to 1pm, with a gala dinner on the Friday evening at Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway, and a mass on the Saturday from 10am followed by refreshments. This event is open to everyone who was part of the St Joseph's, Champagnat or Galen communities over the years. For more information, visit https://www.galen.vic.edu.au/community/alumni/old-collegians

O'Brien family traces Galen's generations

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