Resilience and Hope on Display at Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School, South Lismore

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Governor-General, His Excellency, General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and his wife, Her Excellency Mrs Hurley, returned to Lismore with Mayor Steve Krieg for a lovely day of learning with the students of Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School, South Lismore. (26 October 2022)

The Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and his wife, Mrs Hurley, returned to Lismore last Wednesday to spend time with the community as it rebuilds and recovers from the devastating February flood. This is Their Excellencies fourth visit to the region this year and their third visit to our Catholic school communities.

Their Excellencies and Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg visited the students at Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School, South Lismore, exploring the Our Lady of Lourdes Infant School campus. Their Excellencies sat down with a group of students impacted by the flood sharing their experiences eight months after the flood. They were moved by the resilience the students displayed in enduring their recent hardships.

Their Excellences were eager to participate in classroom activities, working vigorously in the Kindergarten mathematics assessment. We are pleased to report that Their Excellencies passed with flying colours and then practised their comprehension skills with Year 6. 

To match the beautiful weather, the students sang ‘You are My Sunshine’ after Her Excellency reminded the students of the importance of looking after each other and sharing our sunshine with others.

Using Google images, Their Excellencies gave students a wonderful tour of the Governor-General’s official residence, Government House, in Canberra. Showing them the room late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, stayed in during their last visit to Australia in 2011. He used this opportunity to explain in a fun and interesting way that the Queen appointed him as His Majesty's representative in Australia. 

The visit concluded with Her Excellency presenting the school with a Christmas ornament to place on the school's Christmas tree. 

The school community genuinely appreciated how the Their Excellencies listened to and interacted with the students and how they acknowledged the resilience and hope displayed by the students, staff and families.