The Queen’s arrival in Perth produced a flourish of activity, including the opening of a boarding house in Waterford. Clontarf Aborginal College, a co-educational Catholic school originally established by the Christian Brothers and catering for indigenous students in Years 7 to 12, was the only school in WA to receive a visit from Her Majesty.
For St Mary’s Cathedral Dean Monsignor Michael Keating, who blessed a newly built 80-bed boarding house on campus, it was the second time meeting the Queen.
“I meet her in 1960 when she was much younger – and I was much younger,” Mgr Keating told The Record after the royal visit, noting that his first meeting with her Majesty was also during a Commonwealth occasion in Rome.
The boarding facility officially opened by the Queen is called Ngulla Mia meaning ‘Our Home’ at Clontarf College.
Since 1986 when Clontarf was first established as an Aboriginal College, students have been housed at two external hostels.
With the opening of Ngulla Mia, college administrators are hoping it will become a true home to the students.
Built around a central courtyard and offering an open learning environment, the new boarding facility will enhance the sense of community at the College. Celebrations and activities on display for the royal visitors and dignitaries greeted the opening.
Clontarf students produced traditional dishes at the Home Economics Centre, displayed skills in basketball and Australian Rules football, and performed a traditional ‘Welcome to Country’ combining Aboriginal dance and music.
“She was really interested in the young people,” Mgr Keating told The Record. “The head boy and girl gave her a lovely bouquet of native flowers.” He said while she shares most of the flowers she receives with hospitals and others, there was something very special about the ones she was presented with by the Clontarf students.
“I noticed she hands her bouquets to her lady-in-waiting, but when she got to the car she must have said ‘oh, I want that one.’ The lady-in-waiting went flying down to get it back. It was a particularly nice bouquet. The event was a great boost for reconciliation,” Mgr Keating said.
The official opening of Ngulla Mia was also an acknowledgement of sponsor contributions.
Major sponsors, BHP Billiton and Indigenous Land Corporation, each contributed AU$3 million. Other supporters were the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Government of Western Australia and Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia.
“There was a joyful spirit among the top echelons of the government, industry and Catholic Church,” Mgr Keating said.
“The Christian brothers owned the land at Clontarf but were handing it over to the Aboriginal people which the Queen thought was a lovely affair. She was very gracious and lovely, it was a great privilege, a great thrill and all was well with the world,” he said.