Gifted student musos, bargains galore, comfort food and drink and “an absolute icon” took his final chocolate wheel spin at the St Joseph’s School Spring Gala on Sunday.
The extravaganza was the first to be held at the catholic school since 2018.
It was the result of months of toil and volunteer hours by the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), staff, caregivers and local sponsors with $40,000 raised for the school’s pool upgrade, modernised classrooms, and future educational expenses.
PTA member Joe Wallace lauded the organisers for the day’s success.
“The students, parents, teachers, local businesses, the parish, and other members of community gave time and money to make the school a better place for our kids to be happy and thrive,” he says.
Joe says the PTA also lauded Pat Heaphy who spun the gala’s chocolate wheel for the final time after 40 years on Sunday.
“He’s an absolute icon and a great St Joseph’s community member,” he says.
“Pat has retired on a high note, raising more with his chocolate wheel than his 2018 gala total. I wonder who he will get to spin the wheel in his place at the next gala?”
A gold-suited Pat says his swansong went “extremely well” with generous punters vying for vouchers and chocolate prizes.
“I have no regrets, I’ve done my spin, I had a lovely day,” he says.
“There is an art to managing a chocolate wheel… you’ve got to be a showman, an entrepreneur and have some of those dad jokes handy.”
