Cook family connection to Our Lady

After 45 years of continuous enrollment, the last member of Cook family has graduated.

END OF AN ERA: The Cook family has been enrolled for 45 years. Picture: Contributed

FOR THE last 45 years - and without so much as a pause - at least one member of the Cook family has been enrolled in Our Lady of the Southern Cross College.

Beginning with the enrolments of Anne-Maree and Carmel Cook in 1974, George and Colleen Cook began what would become a consecutive streak of OLSCC school enrolments for the family.

To mark the graduation of Laura Cook, school captain and last remaining family member to be schooled at OLSCC at this stage, George and Colleen decided to donate something special to the school.

George and father of another graduating student at the school, Adam Luck, collaborated to construct an ornate cross with LED back-lighting that is now displayed at the front of the school.

Assistant Principal of Mission Cate Brennan said the family brought the significance of Laura's graduation to the school's attention.

"They said they'd like to do something so we worked out together which space we could put a cross in and then it was up to them to design and create it.”

The cross is a Mercy cross, which is the same as what the school uses in their symbol.

"We think its absolutely amazing,” said Mrs Brennan. "When they first floated the idea, I guess in my mind I had a very simple idea of what it would be. But it's not only beautiful and connects with our history but it's a symbol for all students to walk past.”

"They're definitely a family who's been fully involved,” said Mrs Brennan. "They're a valuable part of our school community and Parish community.”

"I think it shows the deep connection they have with their faith and the Parish community,” Mrs Brennan said. "And the importance of faith in our college community, linking with their heritage and traditions in their family.”