In March 2025, eight very lucky St Mary’s College students, Mr Steve Gregory and Mrs Clare Pigram returned from Melbourne after participating in the Melbourne Cultural Immersion Program. We were very privileged to be hosted by our two partner Colleges, Genazzano FCJ College and Xavier College in Kew.
The Melbourne Exchange Program has been running since 1988 between our Colleges, and its main purpose is cultural exchange between indigenous and non-indigenous students, it aims to foster a greater understanding, respect and tolerance for each other’s cultures and encourage students to become a positive voice on issues of social justice and reconciliation.
Nathalia Bergmann, Ebony Chulung, Janiqua Dodd, Vivianne Rivers, Caleb Crispin, Jaxon Jan, Kenneth Rahman and Dequarn Tchooga, were fantastic ambassadors for our College and thoroughly enjoyed their 2 weeks exploring Melbourne and Ballarat, and experiencing life in large prestigious Catholic Melbourne Colleges.
Over the course of the trip students visited many Melbourne attractions and took part in some special events at our host colleges, Genazzano and Xavier Colleges. Below is a snapshot of our two very busy but immensely enjoyable weeks.
- A Welcome to Country, followed by a welcome BBQ for all at Xavier College.
- Our female students wore school uniforms from Genazzano and the boys received Xavier uniforms for their 2 weeks stay. Students enjoyed wearing these uniforms especially, at times, for their warmth!
- Throughout the program, students attended classes, assemblies, excursions and shared meals at the Boarding Houses, which allowed them to make comparisons between their experiences in Broome and Melbourne. The SMC students enjoyed typical school days, often accompanied by their host siblings at both colleges, and actively participated in classroom activities and interactions with local students.
- One of the highlights was the Catholic Encounter Day, an immersive experience where students listened to stories about pilgrimages and faith journeys. The group visited the impressive St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne, enriching their cultural and spiritual understanding.
- We were very proud to be present and take part in the Missa Kimberley Mass which was held in the beautiful chapel at Xavier College. The Missa Kimberley is a unique Mass, created in our Kimberley region which honours Aboriginal culture through song. This special Mass was facilitated by Fr Chris and organised by our Host Colleges. It was also a lovely opportunity to connect with former staff and students who played a significant role in the cultural immersions.
- Students attended AFL football games at Marvel Stadium and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). A special MCG tour included a meeting with the CEO, Mr. Stuart Fox, who guided the group to the center of the field, an experience that is considered a rare privilege.
- The Sky Deck also gave us a spectacular view of the city and surrounding areas of Melbourne.
- The girls experienced a train trip from Melbourne Central to Ballarat where they spent the weekend exploring Ballarat and visiting the Wildlife Park, and taking part in some activities in the Sovereign Hill Gold Rush Adventure. Special acknowledgment to Clare Scanlon, Principal of St Mary’s Primary School Clarkes Hill for her generous hospitality
- Our students thoroughly enjoyed the morning spent at Grange Hill Genazzano Primary School where we got to interact and engage with the younger students.
- The program also included fun group bonding activities such as Laser Tag, Ten Pin Bowling, and various games at Time Zone, further enhancing their experience.
From its very beginnings, the cultural immersion program is an enriching experience for both our students and the Melbourne students, and we are sure life-long friendships have been created.
We must acknowledge the ongoing commitment of the Principals of the three participating Colleges, Ms Loretta Wholley, Mr William Doherty and Ms Coby Rhatigan for continuing to support this very valuable program which enables students to immerse themselves in lifestyles different to their own, whether it be in the bustling city of Melbourne or the remote Kimberley region.
In 2025, dedicated teams from three colleges came together to design a wonderful engaging immersion itinerary. This program captivated our students and allowed them to partake in an enriching educational journey which fostered personal growth and understanding of different cultures. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Frank Cumbo, Geraldine Vytilingam, Karen Young Nick Cowall, Catherine Newman and team from Xavier College and Zack Pizzingrilli , Bernadette Reed and team from Genazzano FCJ College including the team at Grange Hill for your dedicated efforts and warm hospitality. Thank you also to the host brothers and sisters and all students at Genazzano and Xavier Colleges. Together they helped shape unforgettable experiences for our students, and for that, we are truly grateful.
We look forward to returning the hospitality and to create wonderful experiences for our brothers and sisters from Melbourne when they come to St Mary’s College.
