Official Opening of The Springfield Anglican College Ironbark Indoor Sports Centre

State Member for Jordan, Mrs Charis Mullen MP; Representing the Ipswich City Council Mayor, Councillor Pye Augustine and Councillors; Bishop of the Southern Region, Anglican Church Southern Queensland, The Right Reverend John Roundhill; Chair of FSAC Ltd., Mr Tim Reid; The Springfield Anglican College Chair of Council, Mr Michael Willis and Councillors; Principal, Mr Steven Morris and the Executive Leadership Team; Chaplain, Reverend Jonathan Kemp; distinguished guests; staff; parents and friends of the College, College Captains and students.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands upon which we are gathered, the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul People, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here this morning.

It is my pleasure to join you this morning for such a significant event on your calendar for this new school year – the official opening of the Ironbark Indoor Sports Centre.

The addition of this fabulous resource will no doubt serve The Springfield Anglican College students, staff and families well for many decades to come.

I am aware that this project commenced part way through 2023, which must seem like a long time ago now. You’ve watched it rise out of the ground, imagining all the possibilities it presents once completed.

The waiting is always the hard part, and now here you are, with a fully functioning, multi-faceted centre, boasting sports courts, general classrooms and a presentation stage.

Of course, and echoing the words of Mr Willis at the beginning of the project, this building will not simply act as an educational facility but also serve ‘for collective worship and spiritual growth’.

I very much enjoy starting the year with visits to schools, for it is within environments such as yours that so much excitement for the year ahead can be felt.

Even though the holidays are over, getting back to school brings with it a positive energy and friendliness that no doubt permeates the entire school year.

It is as evident to me as it is to your entire school community that this is a vibrant and forward-thinking educational institution, with a strong foundation built on faith, honour and service.

These exceptional core values will continue to equip students with the tools to lead fulfilling, purposeful lives.

And it is within the college classrooms and grounds that the academic, sporting, spiritual and pastoral opportunities you provide coalesce to create a platform for personal growth that continues well beyond the school years.

Having attended previous engagements in Springfield, I know just how expansive and important this region is to the Ipswich City Council, and your college has certainly played a significant role in providing exceptional educational and pastoral opportunities in the heart of this growth area.

So, today I offer my congratulations to you all, and I look forward to shortly unveiling the plaque and declaring the Ironbark Indoor Sports Centre officially open.