Roses are blooming around St Norbert College as the schools connection to its Irish origins continues to flourish.
Not only is the 2011 Perth Rose of Tralee (ROT) winner a staff member at the school, former student Sinéad Lehane has been named the 2014 Perth Rose of Tralee winner on Saturday, May 17.
The Rose of Tralee International Festival is one of Ireland’s largest and longest running festivals, celebrating 55 years in 2014.
The heart of the festival is the selection of the Rose of Tralee, which brings young women of Irish descent from around the world to County Kerry, Ireland, for a global celebration of Irish culture.
Sinéad graduated from St Norbert College in 2005 and is now the Acting Manager of Future Directions International’s Global Food and Water Crises Research Programme.
“I was actually shocked (when I was announced winner). It wasn’t until the girls started hugging me that I realised I had won”, Sinéad said, “I was overwhelmed… I thought ‘Oh my god, I actually won, I’m the Perth Rose and I’m going to Ireland”.
“Winning the Perth ROT means that I will be representing the Perth Irish community as an ambassador. And my family, who are over the moon (with my selection).”
Sinead’s connection to Ireland is through her father John, who migrated to Perth in the 1960’s.
“Like most Australians my background is of mixed heritage and immigration, my family built an incredible life for us here in Perth and I am a product of their hard work,” she added.
Sinéad will fly to Ireland in August for the beginning of the Rose Tour of Ireland that starts on August 10.
ROT winners from all over the world will travel around the country before taking part in festival in Tralee from August 15-19, 2014.
The International Rose of Tralee will be announced at a gala, nationally televised event on August 19.
“The whole experience in Ireland is going to be wonderful. I will join over 40 other young women of Irish heritage, who will be representing Rose Centres around the world and spend two weeks celebrating Irish culture and heritage”.
“As they say in Ireland ‘the craic will be mighty’.” St Norbert College teacher Sarah Gardner was also a finalist in the 2014 Perth ROT.