JEREMY Donovan, an ambassador for the Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation (ALNF) and Bond University, paid an official visit to the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM)-owned St Nicholas College on Monday.
The students and staff of St Nicholas College were exhilarated by his performance of the Australian indigenous music using the didjeridu, the indigenous Australian wind instrument.
Mr Donavan is touring Solomon Islands to share indigenous Australian music which has some similarities to Solomon Islands traditional music. He has visited Solomon Islands a number of times before and has returned to share the vibes of the Australian indigenous music.
Principal Jon Patterson said St Nicholas Anglican college staff and students were pleased to have the presence of Mr Donovan.
“This visit today is the eventuation of what we planned last year. We are pleased to have you (Mr Donovan) now. In spite of the [delay].We are also privileged to have the presence of the officials from the Australian High Commission here with us and not forgetting every one of us. We thank the Australian High Commission office that they do not forget us. They did not forget to reintroduce Mr Donovan after the unsuccessful visit we planned last year, and we are looking forward throughout this year to partnering with us in such activities, we’re looking forward for the Australian High Commission office to partnering with us in different activities this year. Mr Patterson said.
“I on behalf of the School Board, Management and students, we welcome your presence here with us on this auspicious occasion. St Nicholas will always be here for you, welcome to St Nicholas Anglican College. I do believe we will have the rest of the day in your favour, welcome!” Mr Patterson added.
Introducing Mr Donovan on behalf of the Australian High Commission, Ms Lindsay Buckingham said she was very happy to see the many smiling faces and thanked them for their beautiful singing and welcome.
“Thank you, Principal Patterson for your welcome. We are so privileged to have Mr Jeremy Donovan here with us, he’s one of the very talented first nation’s music artists and teacher in Australia. He is a very famous person.
“He’s been playing in Buckingham Palace for the Queen [Elizabeth II] and he’s been playing in the Whitehouse for the President of the United States. He’s been playing with this traditional instrument (Didgeridoo) that he used in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, which he will show you today. So he is a superstar and he will come up and share his story and will also share some amazing music using his traditional instrument of the aboriginal people of Australia.” Ms Buckingham said.
With that remarks Ms Buckingham also took the opportunity to highlight Australia’s 8 years 230-million education program signed with the Minister of Education and Human Resource Development,Tozen Leokana last month.
“Australia is Solomon Islands number one partner in education; last month in partnering with the Minister of Education Minister Leokana, We have signed an – year 230-million-dollars education program called ‘Stronger Education together.
“This program will build new school buildings all around Solomon Islands so that more of you can go to schools in a way that is safe and strong. And investing in new teachers who are studying at the Solomon Islands National University to have a world-class training. But, our support does not end there. We also want to help you make the most out of your education after your finish school so that you can create opportunities and that is why we have a big round of Australia awards for this year.
“We have 106 scholarships so those of you who are in Year 12 who want to study in Australia right now, you can apply for the Australian scholarship program,” Ms Buckingham added.
By IAN LADDS OSO
Solomon Star, Honiara
