On Wednesday, Good Shepherd Catholic College officially opened its new $2m Design and Technology Centre

Located across from the school on May St the Design and Technology Centre has opened with students commencing metal work, wood work and construction courses in the new facility in term three.

The new building includes five learning spaces with two metal work or engineering spaces, two woodwork and furnishing spaces and also a design space.

Then on Thursday morning I attended the opening of St Joseph's new school buildings.

The $8.4m works involved a total redevelopment the 56-year-old campus by building 13 general learning areas and breakout spaces, the new San Jose library, a learning support centre, student and staff toilets, two prep areas, walkways and a lunch area. Bishop Harris said the new facility was magnificent and I'd have to agree with him having taken a tour.

Then in the afternoon I followed the bishop to St Kieran's which opened its new reconciliation garden.

The new garden is a purpose-built place for quiet reflection, spiritual awareness and learning containing bush tucker plants,a yarning circle, large log seating and a fire pit. The garden contains a bridge over a riverbed which symbolises the local "Tharapathee" (the Kalkadoon word for the Leichhardt River) which the school says reconciles Indigenous spirituality with Christian faith.

It's great to see Indigenous motifs designed into modern structures showing a connection with the land that dates back millennia.

These projects are also a great investment in the youth of Mount Isa and should regenerate a spirit of learning that will serve the students and the community well into the future.

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Vietnam Vet's Day will be on 9.30am Saturday at the Cenotaph. Due to COVID protocols, you need to register in advance at www.surveymonkey.com/r/W3W6K9M