28 February 2011
On the 26-27 of February, Fahan marked 10 consecutive years of participation in Cancer Council Tasmania’s Relay For Life fundraiser, which celebrates survivors, remembers loved ones lost and aims to fight back against a disease that affects so many.
Cancer Council Tasmania CEO, Darren Carr, said it was wonderful to have teams of young people involved with Relay For Life.
“Support from young people such as the Fahan Staff and Students team from Fahan School is fantastic,” Mr Carr said.
“Not only does it enable them to show their support for those affected by cancer, but it gives Cancer Council Tasmania an opportunity to pass on preventative health messages and information about our support services.”
John Williamson, Fahan’s Head of Humanities, has been coordinating the Fahan team each year since 2002.
“Every year I work with the Year 12 student Community Chair to put together the team and to raise funds to donate to the Cancer Council,” Mr Williamson said.
“This year our 2011 Community Chair, Rosie Battaglene, has done an inspiring job of collecting donations from students and families and also organising our student walkers, made up of our 2011 Student Leaders and volunteers from other grades who want to help make a difference, while I have organised the staff contingent.”
Principal of Fahan, Tony Freeman, said that the School’s participation in the event supported one of its core values, which is instilling in girls an important sense of community.
“At Fahan we believe that the development of a culture of participating in charity work and contributing to the community is an important part of a girl’s education,” Mr Freeman said.
“John’s hard work in organising the Fahan team each year is really appreciated by the School community.”
Rosie Battaglene, the 2011 Community Chair, said she is proud to be continuing the tradition of Fahan’s participation in Relay For Life.
“I have been involved in the Community Committee since the beginning of Year 11 and now to be chairing that Committee is a great honour and I want to make sure that we continue the legacy of those Fahan girls who have gone before us and tried to make a difference,” Miss Battaglene said.
“Relay For Life is something of a tradition at Fahan and it is also a personal tradition because over the years members of the School’s staff and the parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends of students have been affected by cancer and this is our way of helping to make a difference in their lives.”
The event takes place at The Domain Athletics Centre each year.
Fahan School is one of only a few schools to have continuously participated for ten years.
To view more photos from the event please click here.
