Toongabbie Christian College

DAVID RUDD Student 1984-1989 School Captain 1987-1989

It was a privilege to have been part of the early vision of Toongabbie Baptist Church, to have had the opportunity (with my co-captain Louise Woodhouse) to cut the ribbon when we moved to the new site in Toongabbie and to go on to pioneer Years 11 and 12 in 1988 and 1989. There were no more than 18 of us who went on to become the first HSC graduates. I can still remember every one of my classmates over the years by name (and nickname - Mad Mattho, Woofman, Emu, Turkey, Pineapple and Kunja to name a few} and have been fortunate to have stayed in touch with several to this day. The Call - to Grow up into Christ. In the years since school; worship, witness and service have remained key parts of my life. I currently work as the Director — Innovation and Project Office for the Synod of the Uniting Church and my family; Beck (my wife) and our two girls Caitlin (16) and Jess (13) all attend Parramatta Baptist Church. My career, my faith and my relationship with God have to a large extent been shaped by the committed teachers who guided me throughout my high school years and I am indebted to them. Thank you. My prayer is that those of you who fill the hallways and classrooms of TCC today (as we once did), make the most of the opportunity, under the guidance of teachers who dedicate themselves not only to your education but your development as future leaders and disciples in the communities, workplaces and churches of tomorrow - don’t waste it. May God continue to bless, touch and work through all those who teach and learn at TCC.

The year is 1984. The dollar coin came into circulation, Advance Australia Fair became our official national anthem and green and gold were adopted as our official sporting colours. It also marked a significant time in my life: The Destination - Dunmore House, Pendle Hill (Google it - it still looks the same today). This was high school… It was not what I was expecting, having come from a large public primary school. It felt like I was going to school in a small remote rural community, not suburban Sydney. But I loved it. I have very fond memories of disembarking at Pendle Hill Station from old red rattlers (they were trains, Google it, we really did travel in them) to make the short walk to Dunmore House, an old, historic two-storey building with lots of character and charm, perched atop a grassy hill. The Purpose - to begin Year 7 at Toongabbie Baptist Christian Community School. I did so, in those early days, with only 30 or so other kids making up Year 7. One of whom some of you know today as Mr Elmer (we called him AJE back them). Rev Peter Hester was our Principal and together with a small band of dedicated teachers, set about ensuring we had a quality education and that we grew as young men and women, in Christ, prepared for the grown-up world that we would soon encounter. These teachers laid the foundation for celebrating TCC today. My personal favourite (shhh, don’t tell anyone) was Mr (tuck your shirt in, young man!) Lawrence. Can you believe my favourite teacher was the one who used to pick on me to read, again and again and again (to my misery and the delight of my classmates), because my voice took so long to break?

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