Viewpoint

This year, Sevenhill celebrates 175 years of continuous operation - a milestone that honours the courage and vision of the Austrian Jesuits. Arriving with migrant families seeking refuge from political unrest in Europe, these Jesuits established Australia’s first Jesuit mission in the Clare Valley. They planted vines in 1851 to produce sacramental wine, beginning a tradition that continues to sustain the community today. Sevenhill became a spiritual anchor for Catholics across South Australia, a centre for pastoral care, missionary outreach and education.

The first school at Sevenhill was Saint Aloysius’ College. Established in 1856 by the Austrian Jesuits, it was the first Catholic boys’ school in South Australia and served as a boarding school, a teaching ground for prospective priests, and a seminary. Interestingly, for a significant period, it also served as the only Roman Catholic secondary and boarding school in the colony, typically accommodating 40 students per year. More than 50 Austrian Jesuits would eventually serve here, shaping the early character of the Church in Australia.

The school hosted several notable figures in Australian history, including Peter and Donald MacKillop, brothers of Saint Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first canonised saint. Mary MacKillop herself visited the college and spent time in the surrounding area. Importantly, Donald MacKillop was an Australian Jesuit priest who became a leading figure in the Jesuit missions to Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory (1880-1890s). He was a defender of Aboriginal people during a period of widespread persecution.

The college closed in 1886 as other Catholic colleges opened (eg, Xavier College, Melbourne and Christian Brothers College, Adelaide). For several years, both the Irish and Austrian Jesuits jointly worked in Australia. In 1901, the Austrians handed over to the Irish Jesuits.

Marking 175 years invites us to remember their resilience and to recognise how their faith continues to bear fruit. Sevenhill remains a living symbol of mission, hospitality, and the enduring spirit of the Society of Jesus.

I thoroughly recommend a visit to Sevenhill, to view the church and the Jesuit winery, the oldest of over 30 wineries in the Clare Valley. Perhaps after sampling some wines at the cellar door, you will want to purchase some Jesuit wine. Alternatively, visit Sevenhill HERE for further information and ordering options.

Pigot Connection

After my Viewpoint article on Fr Edward Francis Pigot last week, I was grateful to receive an email from Riverview Dad, Tim McKay (OR1989), who discovered a very interesting family tie to Pigot. Tim is the Dad to a current Year 11 Riverview student, Daniel McKay.

I quote from Tim’s email:

“My great grandfather (Oscar Vonwiller) was professor of physics at Syd Uni. He was good friends with Fr Pigot and he and a few colleagues went to the NSW Govt asking them to provide funding for the school observatory and the work Fr Pigot was doing.

My great grandfather was a guest at the 1908 Riverview speech day after helping the school set up its first physics lab.”

Student Mass – Angus’ reflection

A sincere thank you is owed to Year 11 student Angus Reardon for speaking so thoughtfully at the recent Student Mass about inclusion, service, and the Ignatian call to be a man for others.

By sharing his own experiences, he offered younger students a living example of what it means to lead with compassion, humility, and purpose. Angus’ words reflected the way he already moves through the school community - welcoming others, lifting them up, and serving without seeking recognition.

Angus reflected in his speech:

“Using my gifts of compassion, empathy and resilience allows me to model to the younger students at the College that service is who we are as Ignatian men. Saint Ignatius calls us to live in God’s image by doing service and being men for others.

It is important to break down barriers between people by being there for others and making changes in our world with the gifts that the Holy Spirit has given us.”

I also particularly appreciated how Angus ended his speech by asking the boys directly:

“So, men, how will you use your many gifts to celebrate and contribute to the diversity of our community?”

I hope that Angus’ words gave the boys some food for thought about how they could use their opportunities at Riverview to make a difference and be Men for Others.

Ms Tina Van Domburg (Liturgy and Retreat Coordinator) thanked Angus:

“Thank you for writing and delivering such a beautiful student reflection at today’s Student Mass on “United through Diversity.” You articulately called the congregation to inclusive and compassionate action through stories of your own service experience and beautiful links to the set readings. Well done!

With so much gratitude for your ongoing support of liturgy and our shared mission in this way.”

Our Health Centre is challenged by winter ills

A noticeable increase in illness among boys has emerged at the College toward the end of Term 2. During this time, Leanne Neal and the Health Centre team (Meg Board, Marie Browne, Tessa Capsanis, Mel Dawe, Anne Egger, Paula Fox, Leanne Neal, Tracey Sullivan, Katrina Tucker and Anya, the Riverview lab, whom the boys adore) have continued to demonstrate exceptional dedication, providing outstanding care not only to our boarders but also to our day students and staff.

I would also like to acknowledge the commitment and professionalism of Dr John Wright, a GP in Lane Cove, who took over from Dr Jim L’Estrange in July 1990. Dr Wright visits the College Health Centre each day at lunchtime, and Dr Mark Cholakyan visits each Tuesday to consult with any boys requiring further medical attention. Dr Cholakyan has been with the College since 2001. Their consistent care for our boys is deeply appreciated.

The graph below represents the recent medical illness absenteeism numbers in the senior school:

Year 10 Service week

Our Year 10 students attended the Ignatian Service Program this week. For students in Year 10, the Ignatian Service Week experience will be the main component of their Ignatian Service whilst at the College.

The Ignatian Service Program encourages Year 10 students to move into a new stage of their service journey and to be a Companion for those who are most in need. To be a Companion means to be present to the needs of another.  It involves walking alongside the marginalised, spending time listening and responding. Students will therefore complete Ignatian Service that involves direct interaction with individuals in need. (InsideView)

Service is one of the strongest forces shaping our college community. When students give their time and energy to help others, they build a culture of connection, responsibility, and shared purpose.

This work is only possible because of the dedicated team that organises these opportunities for our boys. Thank you to the key organisers in the Ignatian Centre, Meg Morrison and Jude Southon. Your commitment, leadership, and care make a real difference, and I truly admire all the work you do for our students.

I spoke with a Riverview staff member this week after she returned from supervising a group of five boys who attended Relove in Alexandria.

ReLove is a registered charity supporting women and children impacted by domestic violence, people experiencing homelessness and those coming out of incarceration. We provide good quality rescued/donated furniture and household items at no cost, directly to families in crisis. On average, we support 25 families per week. (Relove website)

The ReLove team was incredibly grateful for the support our boys provided. One of their key tasks was assembling flat‑packed furniture such as beds for children and lending a hand wherever needed.

One of the boys reflected afterwards that this service experience opened his eyes to the growing issue of family and domestic violence in our community. It made the reality of it feel far more immediate and inspired him to want to do more to help others.

College Assembly

Thank you to our College Liturgy Captains – Henry Buscall and Artaban de Lacharriere, who guided our boys so reverently through an Examen at our College Assembly on Thursday. I include some extracts from the Examen delivered:

We gather today at the end of another term — a little wearier, a little wiser, and carrying more than we walked in with at the beginning.

In the Ignatian tradition, the Examen is not an examination of what we did wrong. It is an invitation to notice — to look back at the days just passed and find God already at work in them, often in places we weren't expecting.

So before we leave this place, before the noise of the holidays rushes in, we pause. We ask for light — and we look.

First, we give thanks. We begin where Ignatius always began — with gratitude.

Cast your mind back across this term. Not just the highlights — the whole of it.

Where did you fall short of who you want to be? Where did you choose the easier thing, the unkind word, the silence that should have been broken?

Perhaps there is something left unsaid between you and someone else — a mate, a teacher, a family member. Perhaps you gave less than your best and you know it. Perhaps you carried a burden alone that you didn't need to carry alone.

This term, we have been shaped not only by our own efforts but by the people placed in our path.

Among those we give thanks for is Fr Rob, who has walked with us this term. In the tradition of Ignatius, he came to serve — and he did. His presence here has been a gift: in his availability, his genuine interest in each of you, and in the daily witness of a life given in service to something greater.

As we farewell him today, we do so with gratitude — and we pray that whatever comes next for him is rich with meaning and consolation.

Lastly, we look forward. We don't only look back. The Examen turns us forward.

Lord of all things,

We have looked back — and we have seen you there,

in the ordinary and the difficult alike.

We give thanks for this term, for this community,

and for all those who have given of themselves for us.

We ask for your special blessing on Fr Rob, and that he is always in your presence in his life.

Send us into this break rested, grateful, and open —

ready to return with new eyes and renewed hearts.

May we go — and find you already there, ahead of us, waiting.

Amen.

Final farewell from me…

Many of the sentiments in the Examen above resonate with me. I feel I have been richly blessed through my term at Riverview and will take home many happy memories from my stay.

The warm and affirming welcome by staff, parents and especially the boys themselves will be uppermost in my mind. I have a renewed appreciation for how a Jesuit College like Riverview can create an environment where boys grow into men who are confident, generous, and led by the Spirit to be passionate about creating a more just and kind world.

May the Lord continue to richly bless this community, and may I express my sincere gratitude to all for the companionship and insights which I have received this term.