Street Retreat

On the 17th of June, four Year 11 students, Taylor Powell, Charlotte Hayes, Isabelle Brennan & Oscar Hanson attended the 2021 Street Retreat in Brisbane. The Street Retreat was also attended by students from the other schools within the Lismore Diocese, from Port Macquarie to Banora Point. Throughout the retreat, from Thursday night to Sunday afternoon, the students worked with a range of social justice initiatives in Brisbane and surrounding areas. Through their participation, the students were able to reach out to those less fortunate and get a greater sense of the call of Jesus to serve the poor and marginalised. Below are recollections from the students about their experience at this year's Street Retreat. 

Taylor Powell

On our exciting trip to Street Retreat, we visited various locations around Brisbane investing in a variety of activities and implementing our purpose of Faith in Action. We attended Street Level activities and heard some amazing yet devastating stories of local residents, as well as feeding the less fortunate through the charitable work of Rosies. Other experiences include beach clean up at Red Cliff and a Walk of Reconciliation. This experience rivals anything I have ever attended in my schooling career and would encourage others to attend if the opportunity arises. 

Charlotte Hayes 

This experience exposed me to the truth and reality of homelessness. It uncovered information about how organisations work together to help those in need while involving the community to impact the lives of others. I was lucky enough to be involved in Rosies, a small organisation providing support for those living in poverty among the streets of cities and towns. At first, I was a little scared, frightened of not being able to do enough or that I might feel useless. However, I was amazed by the work and commitments these people have towards Rosies. Being able to actually see and interact with these people opens your eyes to the realisation that this isn’t just something our parents say when we're being ungrateful, but there are hundreds upon thousands of people living like this daily. The fact is, we don’t realise how lucky we are. If I’ve learnt anything it’s that showing a smile or giving a bit of money goes a long way. We are all equals, so let's start treating people that way.  

Isabelle Brennan

Going into Street Retreat I wasn't really sure what to expect or how I would fit into such a large group of people in which I knew only a few. But it turned out to be my greatest high school experience yet. We moved around Brisbane with newly assigned friend groups each day, roaming the city and meeting some amazing people, who had truly remarkable stories. We visited various homeless shelters, served the homeless, listened to their life story and gained an overall new perspective on gratitude, respect and appreciation for everything I have. 

Oscar Hanson

This experience was one like no other. I didn't know what I was in for when I put my name forward, but I knew it would be a change. I met so many awesome people along the way. While going around the city at various times throughout each day, we would visit homeless shelters and help as many people as we could. I met some awesome locals working at each place, and also met and became friends with some of the people from the streets. This was one of the best things I've done; it was eye-opening and, if I could, I'd do it again.   

I would like to congratulate the students on the way they conducted themselves throughout the Street Retreat and I cannot commend them enough on their humility and work throughout the four days. 

Alex Montford

The video below is an insight provided by other students of the Street Retreat experience.