On the 24th of August, Pat Farmer, world-renowned ultramarathon runner and former Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives for Macarthur in the John Howard government, visited Edmund Rice College during his campaign – ‘Run For The Voice’. Mr Farmer is currently running 14,440km across Australia in solidarity, support and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament, and he stopped to share with the boys his story and motives for his participation.

He generously gave us his time in the middle of his race, outlining his career and world record-breaking achievements, emphasising that he could only do this through sheer dedication, determination and most importantly of all, a noble purpose. Mr Farmer encouraged each of us to find the special skill unique to ourselves, and in doing so, we would be able to excel beyond other’s expectations; most importantly, he added that when we find that purpose, we should dedicate it to helping others. He has run many ultra-marathons to bring awareness, advocacy and fundraising to many initiatives but he said that this was his most important one because each of us has an opportunity to make a difference to the future for all of us, especially the First Nations people. Mr Farmer has demonstrated all of this through his steadfastness to the great cause that is ‘Run For The Voice’, already completing 129 days, 80km a day, after starting in Hobart. We wish Mr Farmer all the best and share our support with him and the campaign, as he continues with this journey until its completion at Uluru on the 11th of October. As for each of us, the message is clear that we should at least learn more about this and do what we can to participate in democracy, always thinking about not only what benefits each of us personally but what benefits the common good, a core tenet of Catholic Social Teaching.

Marcus Henriques-Thakur
Sustainability Prefect – 2023/2024