LYNN Martin has been an inspirational leader of Xavier College and the wider community for 16 years and will be recognised as such, this Australia Day.
Mr Martin is the latest recipient of the highly-regarded Mayor’s Inspiration Award, which is awarded at the discretion of Light Regional Council Mayor Bill O’Brien.
It is only the second time Mr O’Brien has given the award, with Pinery fire victim Terry Lee and Brevet Sergeant David Byrne having jointly received one in January, 2019.
Mr O’Brien said Mr Martin has been a terrific role model to his students and staff, having joined Xavier College as principal in 2004 and seeing it through a number of positive developments, up until retirement, due to ill health, at the end of last year.
“I met Lynn when I first went to the college some years ago… and I was just absolutely blown away by his manner, professionalism and the fact that everybody liked Lynn – he was just an amazing
person with the students and staff,” Mr O’Brien said.
“He was able to guide that school over the past 16 years and I think we all know how far that has come – it is one of the great schools of the state I would think.”
Mr Martin said he felt privileged and delighted to receive the award, but that it was a reflection of the good work of all involved at Xavier College.
“I can’t say I’ve ever consciously thought about being an inspirational person but I’ve always enjoyed my engagement with people,” he said.
“Last year we celebrated our 25th anniversary… so I’ve been able to share in the growth journey of the college… and being part of that journey has been really exciting.”
Mr Martin said he has also been privileged to witness the growth of his students through their secondary school learning and beyond.
“I went to dinner in the Barossa recently and two of the chefs came out to the dinner table and said ‘remember us Mr Martin?’.
“To have two old scholars come out and say ‘we’ll be preparing your meal tonight’, it is absolutely great.
“And that’s just the most recent case but of course I experience that all the time.”
Mr Martin said the decision to retire was made reluctantly after finding out his Leukaemia, which he was first diagnosed with five years ago, had returned.
“It was a very difficult morning for me this (Monday) morning to not go to work,” he said.
“I have loved my time working within the Xavier and regional communities.”
Mr Martin has worked in Catholic education for 43 years, teaching at St Michael’s College and Mercedes College, as well as holding senior leadership positions at Blackfriars Priory School and Gleeson College, prior to his appointment as principal at Xavier College.
During his time at Xavier College he has over seen student growth from 600 to more than 1000, the establishment of the science learning centre, trade training centre, new gymnasium, and
auditorium, as well as last year’s announcement of a second Xavier College campus to be developed at Two Wells.
Mr Martin will be presented his award as part of Light Regional Council’s Australia Day celebrations, from 7.45am, this Sunday, at the F.A.R.M Centre, in Freeling.