Good morning students, our dads and staff.
It’s a privilege to stand before you today as we gather to celebrate Father’s Day—a day dedicated to the special bond between fathers and their children.
A warm welcome to all the students and their fathers who have joined us. This is a moment for us to reflect on the importance of fatherhood and the values that guide us in our journey together.
I begin by respectfully acknowledging our indigenous Elders past, present and emerging, the Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin nation. and remember that they have passed on their wisdom to us in various ways. Let us hold this in trust as we work and serve our communities.
At Salesian College Chadstone, we hold dear the values of respect, belonging, integrity, joy and dynamism. These values are not just words on a page; they are the guiding principles that shape our lives and relationships. As fathers, we have the unique responsibility of instilling these values in our children. We teach them respect through our actions, demonstrate belonging by fostering a loving and inclusive family environment, and model integrity by staying true to our commitments and beliefs. A hug, kick of the footy or watching a performance brings joy and spending time and being present in an activity of interest sparks dynamism.
During today’s reflection we will hear the story of the Prodigal Son. It’s a story of a father’s unconditional love, patience, and forgiveness. The father in the story shows us that, no matter the mistakes our children may make, our love for them remains steadfast. He also teaches us about the importance of welcoming our children back with open arms, no matter where life may take them. This parable is a powerful reminder that our role as fathers is to be a source of love and guidance, always ready to support our children on their journey.
Don Bosco’s work embodies the message of the Prodigal Son passage through his deep commitment to the care and guidance of vulnerable and wayward youth. Much like the father in the parable, Don Bosco embraced those who had lost their way, offering them unconditional love, forgiveness, and the opportunity to start anew. His Oratory became a haven for boys who were often abandoned or at risk, mirroring the father’s open arms welcoming back his lost son. Don Bosco’s mission was not just to reform behaviour but to restore dignity and self-worth, reflecting the profound mercy and compassion found in the Prodigal Son story. Through his dedication, Don Bosco provided not just material support, but also spiritual nourishment, guiding young people back to a path of purpose and hope, much like the father who rejoices in the return of his son.
As a father of two girls, the eldest who is 4 years old and the youngest born 10 weeks ago, I find myself reflecting on the profound responsibility and joy that comes with fatherhood. Watching my daughters grow, I am reminded every day of the importance of being present, of nurturing their spirits, and of guiding them as they discover the world around them. The arrival of my youngest has deepened my appreciation for the small moments—the hugs, eye contact, the first smiles, the bond that grows stronger with each passing day. It’s a journey that requires patience, love, listening and understanding. Most importantly, it requires a commitment to being the best father I can be to support their faith, interests and growth as I provide them with purpose and hope.
Before I conclude and introduce our guest speaker, I express my gratitude to the many people in our Salesian community who have contributed to our celebration this morning;
- Marketing and Development team – Ms Suzie McErvale, Trudy Skarajew, Michelle Collins, Jonathon Stevens
- College student leaders and tour ambassadors
- Faith and Mission Team, Daryl Barclay, Amy Zhou, Melina Barcellona and Nadia Knight for the reflection
- Facilities, IT, and Administration teams
- Leadership Team
I also thank our Year 10 food technologies students and staff members Kate Nugara, Lois Curry, Lucyanne Agius who made the trail mix gift for our dads.
To all the fathers here today, I encourage you to cherish the time you have with your children. Our role is not always easy, but it is one of the most rewarding journeys we will ever embark on. Let us continue to guide our sons, teaching them the values of respect, belonging, integrity, joy and dynamism, and let us do so with the same love and patience that the father in the Prodigal Son story showed. Together, we can build strong families and a strong community, grounded in the values that define us at Salesian College Chadstone.
Thank you, and Happy Father’s Day!
In 2023 we introduced a guest speaker to our Father Day Breakfast with a focus on social justice and our school values.
As a school we support the Salesian Missions work in Samoa through our Salesian schools in Apia and Salelologa.
At the end of Term 3 each student was captivated in assemblies by Year 12 student Sholance Thomas who shared his Samoan heritage. This was part of presentations to increase awareness and raise money for projects in our Salesian schools in Samoa. During the Festival Day walkathon and fair the college collectively raised $9000 for science labs and resources for Don Bosco High School in Salelologa.
Sholance’s mother Ana is Samoan and father Jose is Fijian.
Today we have Sholance’s father present to us his story. Thank you for accepting our offer to speak.
Jose has played rugby union for Fiji and Germany, was the Regional Strength and Conditioning coach for the world champion New Zealand Black Ferns 2006/07 and Head Strength and Conditioning coach for the Auckland Rugby Referees Association 2006-07. Jose was the Head Strength and Conditioning coach for Premier winners Harlequins RFC, Melbourne – 2014, 2015, 2017 and was Chair of Welfare at the club in 2020-21.
With wife Ana, Jose runs Mana Fitness Solutions, a reputable fitness and conditioning gym in Notting Hill that caters for those who want body conditioning as well as athletes.
As a father of two amazing kids Aliyah and Sholance he will today share his insights into fatherhood, culture, business and wellbeing.
Please make Jose welcome this morning.