CATHOLIC identity shone true at St Mary’s College, Maryborough, during Cyclone Marcia when the college community opened their hearts and classrooms to some needy friends.
Many in the St Mary’s community were pleasantly surprised when they returned to the college on Monday morning to see some of their classrooms occupied by visiting students from St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon.
The 60 staff and students from St Brendan’s had had what could only be described as an eventful and terrifying set of experiences over the past few days.
They endured the effects of Category 5 Cyclone Marcia early Friday morning and, with their school grounds declared unsafe, they began a journey to Nudgee College in Brisbane to board and attend classes for at least a week.
However, their trip south came to a grinding stop at Gympie on Sunday morning with the Bruce Highway submerged by floodwaters.
With nowhere to go they decided to have breakfast at a Maryborough fast-food outlet and, on hearing about their dilemma, St Mary’s deputy principal Dan Lourigan connected with the St Brendan’s staff and offered assistance.
The students stayed in classrooms, and St Mary’s families and staff quickly conjured up mattresses and warm bedding, which provided further comfort.
St Mary’s principal Graham Meertens said he was proud to see the school community rally around the Yeppoon visitors.
“Many of our students and staff were happy to support the St Brendan’s boys through the loaning of mattresses,” he said.
“It was a great opportunity to assist people that have experienced such devastation over recent days.”
The St Brendan’s students thanked the whole school community for their hospitality as they left on Monday morning once flooding on the highway had subsided.
