The Southern Cross | July 2023

Craig Fosdike and Damian Antenucci were in very different places when they learned they were receiving an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for their service to education but both had the same reaction – shock and disbelief.

Craig was walking the Camino with his wife Jen when the email came through at the end of the day. “I wasn’t going to open it because I thought it was a scam and then I read the intro and thought ‘oh my goodness’,” the St Martin de Porres School principal told The Southern Cross.

“It was a huge shock, but a lovely one.”

Craig Fosdike with his wife Jenny outside the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

After his 720km pilgrimage by  foot on the Norte and Primitivo Camino Treks in Spain which finish at Santiago de Compostela, Craig returned to Australia in time for the public announcement of his award on the King’s Birthday weekend.

Craig said it was lovely to share the news with his family and parents, Bob and Pam Fosdike.

He began teaching in 1979 and has previously been principal of St Joseph’s Memorial School Norwood, and St Anthony’s School Edwardstown.

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He is a life member of the Australian Council of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACPHER), co-president and of the South Australian branch of ACPHER, and a life member of the SA Catholic Primary Schools’ Sports Association (SACPSSA) of which he has been a member for 37 years.

Craig said while he certainly didn’t expect any recognition on “a grand scale”, he was pleased that there was reference to primary education which didn’t always get the acknowledgement it deserved.

“I am really happy to accept it on behalf of all the work that primary teachers do,” he said.

“Especially in Catholic primary schools – they do a fantastic job and sometimes we forget that; it’s where it all starts, they’re real communities and the teachers we have in our primary schools are really important, as are the support and admin staff.

“It’s the commitment to children and their right to have a childhood of their own that’s been the driving aspect of my work. My work has also been strongly influenced by the Dominican and Josephite Sisters whose commitment of service to others is just wonderful.”

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