On Friday 30 August OLMC had the privilege of hosting the Frayne Speech Festival. The Frayne Speech Festival is a gathering of students from schools, founded in the traditions of Mercy education. It provides an opportunity for spirited competition in debating, public speaking and voice choir. The festival exhibits excellent speakers and fosters a sense of unity across the schools. It is a very special event and one that is for Mercy Schools and therefore ours alone. What a privilege it is for all of us to share in such a rich tradition.
We welcomed very special guests from Mercy Ministry Companions and Mercy Education Limited:
- Emeritus Professor Anne Hunt OAM FACE – Board Director, Mercy Education Limited
- Professor Gabrielle McMullen AM FRACI, Trustee Director, Mercy Ministry Companions
- Ms Louisa Rennie – CEO, Mercy Education Limited
- Mr Chris Bence – Head of School Engagement, Mercy Education Limited.
In addition, Principals, staff and students from the following schools joined us to participate in lively debate, passionate public speaking and joyful accord in Voice Choir:
- Academy of Mary Immaculate College
- St Aloysius College, Adelaide
- St Aloysius College, North Melbourne
- Sacred Heart College, Geelong
- Sacred Heart College, Kyneton
- Mount Lilydale Mercy College
- Mercy College, Coburg
- Emmanuel College, Warrnambool
- Mercy Regional College, Camperdown.
The Frayne Speech Festival was established in 1996 and is named after Mother Ursula Frayne, leader of the first group of Sisters of Mercy to arrive in Australia from Ireland in 1846. Mother Ursula Frayne opened the first Mercy school in Australia on 2 February 1846. Mercedes College in Perth, a day school for girls from Years 7-12, continues the founding tradition of Mercy Education on the very same site.
Mother Ursula Frayne was also the foundress of the first religious house in Victoria in 1857 and in the same year established Academy of Mary Immaculate, Fitzroy, the first Catholic Secondary school for girls in Victoria.
Congratulations to the OLMC Debating and Voice Choir Teams who both placed first in the competition.
