The proverb ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ is sometimes credited to the writer Thomas Haynes Bayley in a work he published in 1850, although others date it back to the days of Caesar and the poet Sextus. Regardless of the author, the significance of the proverb has been felt by all in recent years. This ‘absence’ has been felt in many ways, including the lost opportunities to celebrate; that significant birthday with a limit placed on the numbers permitted to attend, a postponed wedding, a sports contest with only officials as spectators and a performance with those on stage playing to a live stream rather than a live audience.
Thankfully, 2022 has seen a regeneration of many spectacular public celebrations, including the Queen’s recent Platinum Jubilee with the awarding of an Order of Australia (AM) to Carey alum Meg Lanning as part of the 2022 Queens Birthday Honours list. This year has also seen a celebration of Carey events in their full splendour. In the last term we have had the opportunity to celebrate together at the Middle School Musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; we have been able to once more spectate at Bulleen on a Saturday; and alumni, students and staff were able to come together to celebrate Founders Day. Absence has made us fonder of these moments that may once have been taken for granted.
For some, the crescendo of our celebration will be experienced in Carey’s 2023 Centenary Year. It holds anticipation of occasions where we will reflect on our past. Whilst looking to the future with optimism will always form part of who we are as a school, recent years have reminded us to be fully present when key moments of celebration arrive. Let us continue to embrace the opportunity to pause together and celebrate, both in our upcoming centenary year and in those numerous weekly events that in recent years had been lost to community gatherings.
Peter Robson
Deputy Principal – Wellbeing
