MELBOURNE: 10th September 2007 -- Seventy Salesian school and
camp leaders aged 16 – 20 spent four days undertaking leadership
training in
preparation for World Youth Sydney 2008.The Salesian Schools Leadership Camp was conducted at Don Bosco
Camp
Dromana, about 60 km south of Melbourne and was attended by
representatives
from seven Salesian schools in New South Wales, South Australia and
Victoria. The
leadership training
used a very practical, activity based peer-to-peer model, with leaders
from Don
Bosco Camp leading many of the activities.Additional input was provided by Salesians including Fr Will
Matthews,
Fr Elio Capra, Fr Ian Murdoch and Sr Rochelle Lamb. In
typically Salesian
fashion, the event was characterised by a spirit of joy, community,
prayer and
learning, with a variety of activities including games, formal input,
practical
demonstrations and opportunities for consolidating new skills.A number of themes were explored including
the Salesian Leadership, Don Bosco, the Leader as Shepherd, conducting
activities, communication skills, teamwork and Servant Leadership. A
highlight of the camp was
a sunrise Eucharist at the summit of Mt Martha.Campers
arose hours before dawn to set out for the 2 ½ pilgrimage
along the beach, through the local bush and up the mountain.The pilgrim-campers were sustained along the
cold pre-dawn journey by stops at several stations for hot chocolate,
bread and
stories promoting reflection.Upon
reaching the summit of the mountain the group was further nourished for
the
pilgrimage of life by their celebration of the Eucharist as the rising
sun
broke over the mountain. The
Director of Don Bosco
Camp, Ashley Trethowan, a past pupil of Salesian College Sunbury,
concluded the
camp with a story encouraging students to utilise their newly learning
skills
for the benefit of others.
The enthusiasm of the
students was typically Salesian and they departed on the final
afternoon only
after exchanging email addresses, prepared to add a whole host of new
names to
their myspace friends list. The leadership
camp is one
of a series of activities being conducted by individual schools and the
Australia-Pacific Salesian Province in preparation for World Youth Day
2008.Two Salesian events are being
planned, one in Melbourne on the Friday before WYD commences and one in
Sydney
during WYD.It is expected that local
and international WYD pilgrims will be able to register for these
events in the
coming months. _________________
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