It started as a simple idea: 100 acts of service to honour 100 years of Wesley’s history. But it ended up as so much more than that.
The last 12 months have been filled with celebrations marking 100 years of Wesley College. We’ve looked at our history and enjoyed bringing people with a Wesley connection together, to reminisce about what a special place this is.
But, the spirit of Wesley has never been about looking inward. That’s why one of the most important Centenary activities this year was called: ‘100 Acts of Service’.
The plan was to find 100 ways to give something back to the community. A hundred ways we could help others, echoing the famous words attributed to John Wesley himself: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can.”
We put out a call asking for suggestions. Fingers were quietly crossed – what if 100 ideas was a little too ambitious?
However, as always, the Wesley community never fails… completing more than 6,000 acts of service across the year.
Six thousand.
That is 6,000 acts from students, staff, parents and friends helping in their community gardens; restoring Bikes for Humanity; cleaning our beach and foreshore from rubbish and debris; counting birds for breeding programs; supporting local community sport with coaching, sausage sizzles, shed clean outs, umpiring; collecting food for Christmas hampers; donating socks; cooking for Tranby House; planting dozens of trees; shaving heads for the Leukemia Foundation; raising funds for Movember; supporting the disabled surfing foundation; collecting donations for Beyond Blue; volunteering at community cinemas; running for Relay for Life; sewing hearts; helping the elderly with technology; selling poppies for the RSL; writing letters to residents in care; making bird nesting boxes and on and on and on.
Speaking with a smile, Mrs Sophie Carroll, Director of Student Wellbeing, said: “I could not be prouder of our students and our community this year.
“Everyone is so busy, but they still value the community. They are empathetic to the needs of others and are so happy to give their time to help make life a little easier for someone else. That is the spirit of Wesley College, and I think that is something very special”.
We know what a difference each act of service makes. We hope the ripple of helping others will extend beyond our community.
“A very big and warm thank you to everyone in our community who committed to serving others in this Centenary year as well as Wesley staff who support the programs,” continued Mrs Carroll. “Now we’re excited to see how we can continue to give and celebrate our wonderful community in our 101st year!”
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