PRAYER SERVICE FOR BRIAN STRACHAN 2008
Friday 4 April
On Friday 4 April the Kolbe community gathered for
a prayer service for Brian Strachan, a Year 10 student
whose life was tragically taken in 2007. Brian’s
mother, Loret and brother, Reece, joined staff and
students, including former Year 10 classmates, 2007
Chisholm House Captain, Elyse O’Dea and ex
Chisholm House Coordinator, Mr Scali.
Everyone present gathered around the commemorative
garden to pay tribute to Brian’s wonderful
life but more importantly to recognise the 1st anniversary
of his passing. Mrs Strachan and Reece Strachan laid
a wreath of flowers at the base of Brian’s
Rose whilst some of Brian’s close friends read
prayers of reflection.
Messages and thoughts for Brian were then written
on 30 white balloons, which were then released, into
the sky during a prayer from Psalm 23. It was truly
an emotional experience full of laughter and tears,
but symbolic of the friendship and emotion felt for
this well-loved young man.
Following the morning tribute, current Year 11 students
organised a dedication game of basketball to be played
in the College gymnasium. Brian was a talented and
passionate player of the game so it seemed fitting
for Mrs Strachan to wear one of the guernseys and
take part. When the game was finished all of the
students involved signed and presented the basketball
to Mrs Strachan as well as a book filled with student
reflections and personal memories of Brian.
“In life, Brian taught us about enjoying ourselves just like he did.
He taught us to enjoy using our gifts well. Brian’s death teaches us
that ultimately we are not in control of our own lives. Faith teaches us to
let go and let God into our lives.” (Casey Donaldson, Year 11)
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MEMORIAL SERVICE
FOR BRIAN 2007
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Our
Year10s and the Chisholm House students and staff
held a memorial service to reflect on the life of
Brian Strachan who passed away earlier this year. Brian’s
family were present to witness the packing of a suitcase
with the good things that his friends remember about
him: his clothing; his basketball shirt; his
motorbike jersey; a torch and even a bowl of whipped
cream - all items that held special meaning.
A plaque on the wall was uncovered
and a rosebush planted in Brian’s name in Kolbe’s
commemorative garden. His family were presented with
a book and a large sheet of personal reflections
of the students of Kolbe on their friendship with
Brian. Students stayed a while to speak to Brian’s
family and to talk about their memories of him with
each other.
“Our life in this world is like a series
of journeys. We pack our suitcase and move
on, carrying with us the blessings that come to
us with the good people we meet each time we stay. Brian’s
presence in our lives has changed us and we are
better people for having been with him.” Casey
As we pass by this way, we will
stop and look on your rose bush and remember …and
say a prayer for you.
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CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF BRIAN STRACHAN
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February 6 1992 - April 6 2007 |
 It was with the greatest sadness that the College
learned of the death of Brian Strachan, one of
our Year 10 students. Our deepest sympathy goes
to Brian’s mother Loret and brother Reece
as well as close family members Olivia, Michael,
Liz, Peter, Matt and Nicola. A celebration of
Brian’s life was held at the College Chapel,
lead by Father Richard Doyle.
Brian will be lovingly remembered as a gentle
person who enjoyed life and always had time for
everyone. His approach to everything was not to
stress and to live for the moment. He was a member
of Duncan Wood’s PC and Briana and Cam remember
him as the one who’d always give you a hug
when you needed it. He really enjoyed woodwork
at Kolbe and he recently received an Award of
Excellence in his favourite subject.
He loved sport and when not playing volleyball
or soccer he would have been out surfing or found
on the basketball court. In fact he was a strong
member of the Rockingham Renegades basketball
team who just won their Grand Final. This mature and confident young man was described
by his uncle as being humble and respectful, full
of fun, love and hope. His spirituality shone
through and our prayers are with Brian’s
family and friends at this time.
Togetherness
Death is nothing at all – I have only slipped
away into the next room. Whatever we were to each
other – that we are still. Call me by my
old family name, speak to me in the easy way you
always used. Laugh as we always laughed at the
little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile
and think of me. Pray for me. Let my name be the
household word that it always was. Let it be spoken
without effort. Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was; there is absolutely
unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of your
mind because I am out of your sight? I am but
waiting for you – for an interval, somewhere
very near, just around the corner.
- Brian was always one of the people how you could
listen to for advice. He always gave excellent
suggestions on and off of the sporting field.
He never gave harsh udgments of people. Even though
we were only in touch for one year he was always
one of the people in the class you could talk
to. Scott
- Brian you made our classes bright and happy, ever
since your early years in primary school, you
loved your basketball, and you were a brilliant
achiever in all that you did, everyone will miss
you. =( Shaun
- Brian you were a great frinend and i will always
remember all the things that we did together in
pc and out of pc. also Iwill remember all the
times you got so embarrassed you went so red.i
will never forget you strawny, rest in peace Cam
- Brian was not my best mate but he was still a
close mate. When we played basketball on the basketball
court when we used to say "In am the All
Star" and he was. I will miss you heaps mate. Brendan
- The one thing Iremember about you was that you
used to always go red when you spoke in front
of the class. You were an awesome guy. Justin W
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