Albert centre kitchen passes the charity test

The commercial kitchen in Blackfriars’ newly opened Albert Centre has been put to the test – all for a good cause.

The 2024 Prefects were the first to use the kitchen, last week making chicken and vegetable soup, which they then donated to the Adelaide Day Centre for Homeless.

The cook-up was an initiative of Prefect Max Sullivan, who, as part of his SACE Stage 2 Spiritualities, Religion and Meaning studies, wanted to raise awareness of the issue of homelessness in the community.

Deputy Head Prefect Nam Le in the Albert Centre’s commercial kitchen.

According to 2021Census data, there are almost 7500 people in South Australia experiencing homelessness – a more than 19% increase on 2016 figures.

“With the current cost-of-living crisis, I think everyone is feeling it a bit,” Max said.

“I did a bit of research into it and some of the figures … it’s just crazy how much things have gone up and wage growth has not followed that. People are hurting.

“I wanted to spark some conversation around the issue of homelessness, but wanted to do it in a practical way. With this, we got to use the new Albert Centre facilities for a really good cause.”

Overwhelming interest in food-based subjects on back of Albert Centre opening

The Albert Centre is paving the way for the introduction of Food and Technology, Food Science and Food and Hospitality – and the response has been incredible.

Max and his father last week dropped the homemade soup to the Adelaide Day Centre, which was established by Sister Janet Mead in 1985.

“They were very appreciative,” Max said. “They said that (the soup) would go to many homeless people over the weekend and, for many of them, it would make their day.”

Blackfriars Assistant Principal: Religious Identity and Mission Angela Collins, who also teaches Year 12 Spiritualities, Religion and Meaning, said the subject was designed to get students thinking about their role in the world.

Prefects Will Campbell and Michael Ward.

“We ask students to come up with ideas that will drive transformative social change,” Ms Collins said.

“More widely, at Blackfriars we are guided by the four pillars of Dominican life, two of which are community and service. It is pleasing to see our students live out those pillars through their actions and continue to find ways to make the world a better place.”

Among other fundraising initiatives in 2024 were Blackfriars Greatest Shave, Walk for Love, Wear it PINK! and Hero for HeartKids.

Blackfriars is currently raising money for prostate cancer research through its Wear it BLUE! Campaign. All profits from a sausage sizzle, held at lunchtime today (Tuesday), will also be added to the Wear it BLUE! fundraising total.

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