“Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel,” wrote the 19th Century American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson. It is a principle Joeys Year 12 student Bernard Lund has applied to his own public speaking, having recently won the prestigious Lawrence Campbell Oratory competition with a moving oration on his brother’s autism. It was a magnificent achievement and a source of great pride to the College, which places great value on oratory as a cocurricular activity.

Joeys is at the forefront of contemporary education, but what was it like in the 1960s and ’70s – a turbulent period in Australia’s history? Brother Michael Green studied at Joeys from 1967 to 1972 and was a member of the College staff between 1979 and 1986. He has since been a teacher and headmaster in Marist schools across Australia, and served as the first National Director of Marist Schools Australia. Here he remembers his life as a Joe Boy and the valuable lessons he learnt at College during a time of great upheaval.

St Joseph’s College Old Boys have a long and distinguished history of service in Australia’s defence forces. From the Boer War to Afghanistan, they have fought to preserve peace and liberty across the world – sometimes paying the ultimate price. It is this sacrifice – and the sacrifice of all our men and women who have served in conflict – that the College honours at the ANZAC Headmasters Assembly.