The partnership between St Martin’s College and South Wagga Anglican Church continues to grow and develop this year.
For a number of years the South Wagga congregation has provided meals once a term for College residents in what the St Martin’s residents call ‘SWAC Dinners’, also known as ‘great home-cooked food’. In 2021 some of these meals were cancelled because of COVID lockdowns but they were planned to commence again in March 2022.
However, COVID created another pivot and at what was the planned dinner on Thursday 10 March the congregation provided the food in individually packaged boxes for all residents who wanted a meal.
Head of St Martin’s College Susan Bazzana said: ‘We know this was much more work for Eva Bergmeier (the coordinator of the SWAC Dinners from South Wagga Anglican) and her team of volunteers but again the residents really appreciate it.’
On March 24 a group of South Wagga young adults came to St Martin’s and led a ‘Games Night’ for the residents which included opportunities to make an ice cream sundae.
Amanda Bailey, the Youth and Young Adult Pastor at South Wagga church, said that the Games Night was ‘really good and we were very happy with the night. We were able to connect with about 20 St Martin’s residents and plan to return again for a similar event in Term 2.’
‘We hope that if we continue turning up that we will be able to build connections with some of the students and that this will be of mutual benefit.’
Eva in black striped top doing food delivery
Garden chairs around the college grounds have been beautifully restored by David Crosweller, also a member of the South Wagga congregation.
St Martin’s has over 80 residents living in the College this year which is a big jump up on the COVID-impacted numbers in 2020 and 2021.
Susan Bazzana said: ‘The community is active and engaged and we feel like we have turned a corner, with lots of new first years moving in and enjoying themselves. It has also been great to be able to get new King Single beds for every resident this year.’
‘Our future is looking bright.’
