The Last Wednesday

Gibbo, Meg and I walked early, down to the dam and up through the sorghum. I was nervous; I knew the morning session was going to be an emotional one.

And it was. More awards were given out. Drew received a Gold Cultural. The 19 kids who had completed their entire 13 years of education at the school received a Journey in Faith and Knowledge certificate. Then it began.

Taylor lit the College Candle. I took forward the oil. The Grade 12's were called up, one by one. The Grade 1's met them at the bottom of the stairs and gave each of them a school pen. BH addressed the graduating class. Danni led the prayer on behlaf of all year 12 parents. Lydia led the prayer on behalf of all year 12 students. Kylie shared some thoughts for the year 12's to take with them. Four parents, including Gibbo, handed out letters that we had written over the last few weeks for our kids. JH commissioned and blessed the year 12's on their journey. Drew responded on behalf of the year 12 students.....and proceeded to make almost the entire assembly laugh and cry with him. The Grade 1's were crying; teachers were crying; parents everywhere were crying; the grade 12's were crying. He had to stop in several places to collect himself; Fran got him a drink of water. "Jeez, I'm a mess", he said. He was amazing. Steve got up afterwards to continue proceedings and said how Drew was the perfect choice to deliver that speech; his passion for his school, his friends and his family shone through; Drew wears his heart on his sleeve; with Drew, you get it all. So many people commented; so many people congratulated. Later, we got a lovely email from someone who's opinion I value; a grandfather made the effort to ring and congratulate; people who weren't even there commented to us that they'd heard about it. It was a very emotional morning.

It wasn't until I was driving to Toowoomba the next morning to return the grey suit that I realised something quite profound. On this day last year when the new leadership team was announced, Drew said to me that afternnon when he got off the bus, how badly he had wanted to be the one to deliver the speech on behalf of his fellow classmates in 12 months time - and as things turned out - he got his wish. He did deliver the farewell speech. His wish was granted.

From there, Gibbo and Drew went to Toowoomba to pick up the suit. I went to the RSL to finish off the decorations. The afternoon flew by; I grabbed a coffee with 5 sugars from CClub; went and sat with Meg for a bit; kept in touch with the boys progress; went to Mum's and got ready; boys got back, showered and changed; went to Bree's; Gibbo and the kids left to pick up the car; Mum, Meg and I went and waited for the arrival, it rained. They looked great. There were beautiful girls in gorgeous dresses; handsome boys in stylish suits. An array of cars, including a rural fire truck and a limo, delivered each couple.

The night began. The graduands were announced one by one; their dreams, plans and aspirations were read as each one entered. There was some fun with some teacher awards; a little skit about having your mobile phone confiscated in SOR performed by Drew and Mamma Caff (who handed him an enormous hanky when he got up on stage); the cutting of the cake, and a slideshow that went on a little too long. The meal was lovely, the dancing was fun. Drew went and got changed at 11.15 then they all caught the bus out of town to the after-party which also doubled as Ashley's 18th. I drove Kylie home; we finally arrived home around 1am. Exhausted. With two more days still to go.