Update: Honouring Bob Frisken

One would have thought that founding a major schooling sector, and helping thousands of Christian educators around the globe, would have been enough for one lifetime. Not for Bob Frisken. Hundreds of the family members and friends of Alphacrucis College were captured by Bob's fatherly, Christ-honouring speech in acceptance of the honorary doctorate bestowed upon him by the Council of the College at its 2018 Graduation in the Riverside Theatre, Parramatta on 28 April. Referring to his age, Bob contrasted his own career with the over 650 graduates emerging with AC degrees on that day. 'For your interest, I am 84', he chuckled, and then went on to declare that he was determined that neither age nor circumstance would stop him from embracing the opportunities he still had before him in the years to come.  As AC faculty member Dr Stephen Fyson (who was 17 when he first heard Bob speak at the beginning of the foundation of Christian schools in Regent's Park in 1975-76) declared, 'The depth of Bob's humility and spirituality has never failed, and indeed has been one of the secrets of his long-lasting impact, both in Australia and around the world.'

The Chair of AC Council, in the presence of the CEO (Dr. Daniel Pampuch) and Executive Officer of Christian Schools Australia (Mark Spencer), read the citation, and bestowed upon the now Rev. Dr. R. J. Frisken AM, the title of Doctor of Education (honoris causa). The challenge to hundreds of young graduates before whom this took place--to serve Christ faithfully under the creative hand of the Spirit--reinforced the address by Rev. Alun Davies, Vice President of the Australian Christian Churches, in which they were likewise stirred to 'bring home the gold' (the gifts, the callings) which had been given to them by God. 

Photographs: Dr. Daniel Pampuch, CEO, Christian Schools of Australia with Bob Frisken at the graduation; Dr Stephen Fyson, Mark Spencer and Bob just prior to processing into the event.

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