What an incredible day, it was for me and many others new comers the first experience of a Graduation ceremony at Triple Care Farm. I could not have imagined how moving and special it was to be. I boarded the coach in Sydney along with a group of our supporters, and new friends to the foundation. The trip was happy, air-conditioned and a great opportunity for us to meet with one another.
Arriving at Triple Care Farm is always a ‘breath of fresh air’, turning into the long, tree lined driveway with the smell of salt in the air. Passing the cattle, a run away goat and the newly painted Ben Quilty shed. Today was no different except for the paddock full of cars; nearly 500 families, guests, and donors had arrived to see these wonderfully courageous kids ‘graduate’.
Her excellence Marie Bashir was already at the Farm mingling with staff, students and guests. Her Excellency is the Patron of the Sir David Martin Foundation and with her background in Adolescent Mental Health is always an encouragement to the students and our staff.
Watching the students collect their certificate from Her Excellency was very special, a big thankyou to Shane Rochefort gentleman’s outfitters who supplied suits to those students who could attend fittings, and to Australian Opal Cutters who supplied pearl ear rings to the young ladies graduating.
The smell of BBQ’s whiffed through the air with the white tents gently blowing in a early sea breeze. The highlight of the day was a testimony by a parent about her daughters confession of drug addiction and the families grief and confusion in the days after. Her discovery of Triple Care Farm and the support and healing that followed her arrival at the farm brought tears of joy for this brave and wonderful young girl.
Farmer Tom gave a glowing speech about the very humble Warren Holt who will be leaving Triple Care Farm in early 2009. Warren has spent the last 30 years working at the farm and will be greatly missed. His love of the students and his wisdom and knowledge of the issues they face is quite unique. However, Warren will be moving on to a new position in the early part of the New Year with Mission Australia as a Youth Mental Health advocate.
After the ceremony had finished Her Excellency took a tour of the farm, whilst the guests enjoyed a BBQ lunch on the lawns overlooking the Pacific Ocean, talking to families and graduation students about their dreams and visions for an exciting future.
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