As I write this article, I am currently engaged in a bidding war with one of our Year 12 students, Ari, over Noah Anderson’s signed football jumper. It is fitting that I am bidding for this guernsey with this particular student, as the person who owned the guernsey, the person whose cause it is for, and my opposition bidder all symbolise what I am hopeful to convey to you in this message.
Amber’s White Light (AWL) is an organisation aimed at improving complex mental health assessment, diagnosis and treatment for young people through funds and research. Carey alum Amber Wraith (2020) was tragically failed by mental health services 12 months ago after her own battle with complex mental illnesses, and would have been 21 this year.
Amber was well known for her selfless support and care for others, and she is dearly remembered for being a fiercely loyal friend, bringing an air of positivity to the difficult situations others found themselves in, and encouraging those around her to be creative and engage in their interests.
The impact Amber had on so many was wide-reaching and reminded me of the Prayer of St Ignatius of Loyola: ‘Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give, and not to count the cost, to fight, and not to heed the wounds, to toil, and not to seek for rest, to labour, and not to ask for any reward, except that of knowing that we are doing your will.’
The relationship of the jumper for which I am currently bidding involves Noah Anderson (2019), who is also a former Carey student, and he will always be remembered by me for the way he would clean up the Quad each lunchtime, for his inclusiveness and for doing the right things even when nobody was watching and for no recognition. Yes, he is already a superstar in the AFL, but he is also a person of principle and someone who gives constantly to improve the cultural environment around him.
So how does this relate to the student I am currently bidding against? He is also a young person who is constantly exploring ways in which to build upon and support the School. He singlehandedly (when told it was impossible) convinced the School run a cricket tour for the cricket team and is always pushing for student events and participation in support of others.
All three, Amber, Noah and Ari, are very different, but all so giving and they leave a legacy of support and care to the Carey community.
This weekend, Carey is supporting AWL in the APS Winter Sport Round on Saturday. Students can purchase white AWL shoelaces from school to wear during their matches. We’re also auctioning off AFL guernseys worn in matches and signed by some of Carey’s AFL stars – Collingwood player Nick Daicos (2020) and Gold Coast Suns power-duo Matt Rowell (2019) and Noah Anderson (2019) to raise money for AWL. You can join the bidding here – although I suggest you stay away from the fierce war over Noah Anderson’s.
‘Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.’ – President Barack Obama
Christian Gregory
Deputy Head of Senior School – Student Wellbeing
