Queensland Country Life

The brotherhood of Nudgee College Boarding

Left to right - Brothers, Todd, Dean and Joe Kenny find the best way to overcome feelings of missing home is to become involved in the college's extensive co-curricular program.
Left to right - Brothers, Todd, Dean and Joe Kenny find the best way to overcome feelings of missing home is to become involved in the college's extensive co-curricular program.

This is advertiser content for St Joseph's Nudgee College.

St Joseph's Nudgee College Boarding is often described as a home away from home. The bonds that form between boarders often resemble the bonds of brotherhood.

Dean, Todd and Joe Kenny are boarders from Charters Towers who are fortunate to share the Boarding Village with their true brothers, in addition to the ones they gain being part of the blue and white.

Year 12 boarder Dean joined the Nudgee College Boarding community in 2018.

"My brother Benn graduated in 2017 so, when I started, all the seniors knew me through my brother and called me by his nickname," he said.

"Everybody in my boarding house was so easy-going and inviting."

While Benn spoke about the famous Nudgee spirit to his brothers, Dean said it was something that you couldn't comprehend until you were a student.

"Being in the grandstand cheering is so intense," he said.

"It's so loud and gives you chills."

Todd started in year 9 at Nudgee College and moved into the boarding village at the same time as his year 7 brother Joe. Common challenges for boarders is homesickness and, despite having their brothers close by, Joe and Todd were not immune.

Todd said he found the best way to overcome feelings of missing home was to become involved in the college's extensive co-curricular program.

"I started rowing this year and I really love it," he said.

Joe said he was challenged by the extra homework, but that the teachers who work with students in the evenings through the Reach for the Stars Program had been helpful.

He said he also reaps the benefit of seeking out his brothers whenever he needs advice.

"It's been pretty cool being able to go to them to ask questions," he said.

The mateship and brotherhood that is embedded in Nudgee College Boarding produces lifelong friendships. The Kenny boys might have started at the college as three brothers, but they will one day graduate with many more.

The Kenny family has recently featured in a mini documentary series about Nudgee College Boarding titled 'Home Away From Home'. The first episode of the series is featured below. The series, which created by Onion TV, is available to stream on the Nudgee College Facebook page and YouTube channel.

This is advertiser content for St Joseph's Nudgee College.