Welcome to Term 4. I want to begin this term by enclosing a note from our Academic in Residence, Dr Martin Dowson who is doing a charity ride for Compassion from Perth to Newcastle (and onto GPCC). Commitments like this are what we want our graduates to have as they seek to serve the community they live and work in and also the wider needs of the world. 

"Dear Green Point Christian College Community (students, teachers, support staff, parents, carers, and other supporters), I am now almost two-thirds of the way across the country to our destination in Newcastle (and then Green Point for me). Today is a rest day in Berri, South Australia – before crossing into NSW tomorrow. Two States down, one to go! So far, the ride has been manageable but challenging in many ways – some of which I was not expecting (like being attacked by March Flies on the Nullarbor that bit through my cycling shorts and gave me welts on my posterior!).

We have been blessed to have had only a little rain – with most rain falling overnight and clearing up by the morning. However, we have had strong, and sometimes cold, head and crosswinds. One day we rode all day (180kms) into a strong, cold headwind. I only weigh about 54 kilograms, so I get slowed and moved around a lot by the wind which makes cycling difficult physically and emotionally. Not every cyclist has finished every day on the bike – but we always look out for people who may be struggling and have the options for them to ride in the support bus if needed. I have completed every day so far – but every day has its challenges and any of us (me included) could need the bus at some point.

On the bright side, we have a wonderful group of cyclists that care for each other as well as working hard to support children in poverty. About each second night we have a meeting with local churches along the way. At these meetings, our Team Leader Rodney tells the churches about the many ways Compassion is helping children in need. Compassion feeds children who have little or no food; provides clean drinking water for those who only have dirty wells (or rainfall run-off from dirty and rusty rooftops) to obtain water; clothes children whose parents cannot afford even one respectable shirt or skirt for their child; and houses whole families whose mud-huts are literally falling around them. The needs of many of the world’s poorest children are desperate.

Once a child’s needs for food, water, clothing, and shelter are met – the next most urgent need is education. As a teacher and lecturer, I know that education can and does change lives. Compassion supports children in many countries to complete Primary and Secondary school, and even go on to university. This education not only helps the child but helps their children and their children’s children. A child that learns to read and write can teach their own children to read and write, and so on. I hope to visit (and maybe even help at) some of Compassion’s schooling/education projects in the not too distant future.

In the meantime, I will keep pedalling my bike for children living in poverty. Many people from the Green Point College Community have already supported me as I ride for others far less well off than any of us. If you would like to help financially, please go to https://rideforcompassion.raisely.com/martin-dowson and make a donation (or sponsor a child as I have!!). We are so well off in the Western world – time to even up the tables (at least a bit) if we can.

I am so much looking forward to coming ‘home’ to my College community and sharing many stories with you about the ride and about Compassion’s life-changing work."

Dr Martin Dowson

I commend Martin’s appeal for funds to you.

Phillip Nash

Principal