Class 2024 of
Edmond Whyte
THE SPIRIT OF AQUINAS
Hugo Denny
A REFLECTION ON THE BEATITUDES AND THE EPHESIANS
Nishok Nimalan
VALEDICTORY ADDRESS
Banjo Young
BOARDER GRADUATE SPEECH
Austin Delic
DAY STUDENT GRADUATE SPEECH
pirt of Aquinas
aiditbest:youcanalwaystellhe’san ausehe’llalwaystellyouhe’sanAquinas eshortsandsocksoutsideofschool,it’sin os.TobeanAquinasboyistohaveapride hatiscompletelyunmatched Iknowalot eusforthis,buttheydon’tunderstand wearesoproudof aughandmakejokesabouthowmuch veAquinas,theythinkit’sbecausewelove howexpensiveitistogohere,orthatwe erthanthembecausewegohere.Butno ngonthisrecently,andI’vepinpointed thatmakesanAquinasboysoproud: onglineofAquinasboys MybrotherPeter eclassof2015,whenwewereallabouteight meofmyfondestmemoriesareofhim alltheshenaniganshewouldgetuptoat scountry,athletics,absolutemischiefat h everyaspectoftheschoolthathewould ouldonlydreamof Ithoughthewasso oexcitedtogrowupandbejustlikehim.
myfinalyearofschool,Ilookbackat edoneasacohort Icanseeallthestories me,andIrealiseIcantellmostofthem wnperspective Youshould’veseenthe ewhileIwaswritingthis.
Mypointisthis:whatmakesanAquinasboysoproudisthe factthatthisplacehasbeenstandingforover85yearssince itopenedin1938 Over85yearsofAquinasboyspushing thisamazingtraditionfurtherandfurther.It’ssuchan honourtobeapartofthis AquinasisbuiltonthelegacyoftheChristianBrothers, menwhodedicatedtheirlivestoeducatingboysinfaith andleadership Theseweren’tjustordinarymen theywere builders.TheytookthevalueslaiddownbyBlessed EdmundRiceandlaidthefoundationsforeverythingwe knowandloveaboutthisplace.TheChristianBrothers didn’tjustbuildclassroomsandchapels;theybuiltaspirit,a wayoflifethat’sbeenpasseddownfromgenerationto generation AndnooneembodiesthatspiritmorethanBrotherBrian Clery.Ifyou’vebeenatAquinasformorethanfiveminutes, you’veprobablyheardastoryortwoaboutBrotherClery I rememberthefirsttimeImethimbackinYear7.He walkedintotheroomonourYear7campwiththisquiet authority,wrotehisnameontheboardinmassive, sweepingcursive,andsuddenlythewholeroomwasdead silent.Andifyou’veeverbeeninaroomfullofYear7s,you knowhowrarethatis
Butthat’sjustthekindofpresencehehas Itwasn’tjusthis storiesorhisjokesthatstuckwithus itwasthewayhe carriedhimself,withhumilityandagenuinekindnessthat youcan’tfake.He’soneofthosepeoplethatmakeyou proudtobepartofthiscommunitybecauseifyoucanwalk outofherewithevenafractionofhischaracter,thenyou’ve donesomethingright
ButBrotherCleryisn’tjustafigurefromthepast,aname whisperedaroundtheschool.He’slivingproofofwhatit meanstobeanAquinasboy,longaftertheuniformis foldedupforthelasttime.Thethingis,whenwetalkabout Aquinasboys,we’renotjusttalkingaboutstudents we’re talkingaboutpeoplelikeBrotherClery,whotookthespirit ofthisplaceandlivedit Hedidn’tjustweartheCBCcrest; helivedthevalues.AndIthinkthat’ssomethingthathits homeforalotofus Whetheryou’replayingFirstXVrugby orhelpingonaSoupPatrol,whatAquinasinstilsinyouis biggerthanjustyourtimehere it’sawayofseeingthe world,ofactingintheworld.
oneofmyfriends,whoIhadn’tconnectedwithintoolong, andithitmeharderthanIexpected.Itwasthis overwhelmingsensethatallthelittlethingswestress aboutdon’treallymatterasmuchaswethinktheydo. Whatmattersisthewaywetreatpeople,thewaywelift eachotherup,andthewayweliveoutthevalueswe’ve beentaught
We’veseenthisinourserviceopportunities SoupPatrols, EdmundRiceCamps,thePhilippinesImmersion.It’swhen we’vesteppeduptohelpthosewhocan’thelpthemselves thatwe’vetrulyembodiedthespiritofthisschool.Those momentsdon’tjusthappen;they’reareflectionofthe valueswe’vebeentaughtandthefaiththat’sbeeninstilled inus Wedon’tjustweartheuniform;welivethevalues
Now,aswesithereinthechapel,let’snotforgetthatthis placeistheheartofourspiritualjourneyatAquinas Think aboutallthetimeswe’vecometogetherhereforMass,for reflection,forprayer It’seasytogetcaughtupinthesports, theacademics,andalltheotherthingsthatmakethis schoolgreat,butthechapeliswherewestripallthataway andcomeface-to-facewithwhatittrulymeanstobean Aquinasboy It’snotjustaboutsuccess it’saboutservice It’sabouthumility.Andit’saboutfindingapurposethat goesbeyondjustourselves
AsYear12s,thisissomethingwe’veexperiencedfirsthand I knowthatforalotofus,theYear11EncounterRetreatwasa game-changer It’sfunnyhow,whenyouaskpaststudents whatstandsoutmostabouttheirtimeatAquinas,they usuallysaytwothings:sport andtheEncounterRetreat
There’ssomethingaboutthosethreedaysthatstrips everythingback yourmates,yourdistractions,yourego andyou’releftwithreal,rawmomentsofreflectionand connection.Iremembersittingthere,readingaletterfrom
Aswestandontheedgeofgraduation,it’seasytoget caughtupinwhat’snext theexams,theATARscores, university,andwhateverelsetheworldhasinstoreforus
The spirit of this place isn’t locked behind these gates, it’s something we carry with us wherever we go. ”
Andthat’sreallywhatitmeanstocarrythespiritof Aquinaswithus It’snotaboutwhatwe’veachievedonthe fieldorintheclassroom,butaboutthekindofmenwe’ve becomethroughthoseexperiences Theworlddoesn’tjust needmoremenwhocankickafootyoraceanexam;it needsmenwhocanlookbeyondthemselves,whocansee theneedsofothersandrespondwithcompassion.Men whoknowthatrealstrengthisn’taboutbeingtheloudest voiceintheroombutaboutliftingthosearoundyou.
ButIwantustotakeamomenttoreflectonwhatwe’re leavingbehind.We’resteppingoutofAquinas,butAquinas isn’tsteppingoutofus It’sinouractions,ourdecisions,and thewaywetreatpeople.Thespiritofthisplaceisn’tlocked behindthesegates;it’ssomethingwecarrywithus whereverwego.
Forus,theClassof2024,it’sabittersweettime.Thefinal examsarelooming,andinjustafewshortmonths,we’llbe steppingintothenextchapterofourlives.Someofuswill gotouniversity,otherswilltravelorbeginworking but whereverwego,wegoasAquinasboys.We’vespentsix years someofusmore beingshapedbythisplace,and nowit’stimetoshowtheworldwhatthatmeans.And believeme,theworldwillknow,becauseyoucanspotan Aquinasboyfromamileaway.
Edmond Whyte
A Reflection on the Beatitudes and the Ephesians
Good morning teachers, family, friends and my Year 12 classmates.
It’s crazy to think we’re finally here, graduating and moving on from Aquinas There’s a lot of excitement, for sure, but also some uncertainty about what’s next. Some of us are heading to university, starting a trade, going into full time work or taking a gap year, and others might still be figuring things out, and that’s totally fine
Right now, we’re standing at this big turning point, where our lives are about to change. And the next chapter of our life is not just about what we do, but a continuation of what kind of man we want to become. Men of faith, character and excellence
I know that not everyone here may be a regular churchgoer or feel deeply connected to faith, but I truly believe these readings have something valuable for us as we take our next steps.
I remember hearing from the Year 10 and 11 students who went on the Philippines immersion trip They talked about how it took them far beyond their comfort zones, and how it became a life-changing experience for them
Seeingsomanypeoplelivinginpovertywasahumbling reminderofthefirstBeatitude:“Blessedarethepoorin spirit,fortheirsisthekingdomofheaven”
Theboysdidn’tgoseekingrecognition,theywentbecause theycouldhelpthosewhoneededitmost,eveninthe smallestofways
LikeBlessedEdmundRice,whobackin1802,also recognisedthedignityineachpersonhemet.
Theboysdemonstratedthatsometimesourgreatest strengthliesinservingothershumbly,withoutexpecting praise reflectingalloftheBeatitude’smessageofhumility andcompassion.
AnotherBeatitudetellsus,“Blessedarethosewhomourn, fortheywillbecomforted”
Iknowthatmightsoundabitheavy,butmourningisn’t justaboutsadness it’spartofgrowing.
We’veallexperiencedlosses,whetheritwasadeathofa familymember,afriendshipthatquietlyslippedawayorthe emotionaldifficultyofsayinggoodbyetothisschooland friendsthathaveshapedus Thisyear,wealsofeltthedeep impactoflosingafellowstudentandmate,andithithard.
Inthosemoments,grieffeltoverwhelming.Butwhatmade thedifferencewashowweleanedoneachother,opening up,listening,andbeingpresent.Sharingouremotions remindedusthatevenwhenwefeelisolated,we’renever trulyalone.Theseexperiencesshowustheimportanceof connection,reflectingChrist’scalltoloveoneanother,
Mourning isn’t just about feeling sad, it teaches us to reach out and be the comfort someone else needs, just as we have been comforted.”
especially in tough times Mourning isn’t j sad, it teaches us to reach out and be the someone else needs, just as we have been
Let’s not overlook the phrase, 'Blessed are they shall obtain mercy.' During our time come to understand that compassion is o powerful forces for good.
I’m reminded of our time volunteering w Many of us approached those first shifts w apprehension, unsure of what to expect. B walked away feeling more connected, kno made a small but meaningful difference. W wasn’t just about offering a meal it was a moment of connection. Holding a convers kindness, and acknowledging the human met was just as important as the food we experience opened our eyes to the fact th chooses to be homeless, and how quickly circumstances can change without a supp Those we once might have overlooked on no longer invisible to us they are people circumstances shifted, and who deserve o support
In the Ephesians reading today, St Paul ta “Established and grounded in love.” That’s for where we are right now, about to step world. We’re leaving behind the familiar, t school, and that can feel exciting yet daun established in Christ’s love gives us a foun on when life gets chaotic It’s something w have with us.
Hugo Denny
CAPTAINOFINDUSTRY&ENTERPRISE
ictory Address
hemeacrossallGraduationspeecheshas lassisthebestgrouptomakeitthrough muchasIwouldlovetorecounteveryevent dourcombinedClassof2024,I’mafraidI imenorthepatiencetotryit Soinstead,I’ll ighlightwhatmakesusuniqueasacohort classsuchasourswillbespecialtousall,for tocome.
throughoutourtimehereatAquinas,every mories,somesharedbyusallandsome s,andIthinkit’sthosecombinedmemories sthatshapethebeautyofourcohort’stime wecanjustbarelyrememberthefirsttime ameapartoftheAquinasCollege dIthinkthefirstyearwespentatAquinas nforgettable Whetheritwasmeetingupon Year7forOrientation,beingapartofthe rjoininginthelateryearsthereis queaboutexperiencingaplacelikeAquinas e Ifyouaskedmostofourteachersbackin falltheamazingthingsthey’llhavetosay ervous,immature,middleschoolersshould ten.
ringetolookbackatyourMiddleSchool you’dsayorthestuffyou’ddo,butwhenyou kitseasiertoseehowmuchyou’vechanged
overtheyears Whetherit’sthesportsyoulearnedtoloveor gettinginvolvedinsomethingyouwouldn’thavedreamed ofwhenyoufirstgotinvolvedintheCollege,Ithinkahuge partofallourstoriesistieddowntotheopportunitieswe’ve allbeenluckyenoughtoexperienceduringourtimethe College.
It’stheopportunitiesliketheYear7OrientationCampthat havehelpedourClassof2024grownotjustasindividuals butasacollective.Frombuildingfriendshipsduringthose earlydaysthat’vestuckaroundasthemateswehavenow, tonavigatingtheseeminglyendlesschallengestogether, thesesharedexperienceshavelaidthefoundationforthe communitywe’vebuilttogether.
Year8wasprobablythefirsttimetheentirecommunityof Aquinaswastestedthroughthepandemic Movingonline wasprobablyterrifyingfortheparents,butformostofus hoppingonthebrandnewMinecraftEducationEdition worldafterfinishingyourvodcastsbylunchtimewasthe dream Butwequicklybouncedbackwithourfinalyearat MiddleSchool.Thelastyearofhearing“WorkHard,Be Kind”andtheyearwewereallluckyenoughtoexperience theYear9Odysseyprogram.
Whetheritwasstandingovertheoceanwhilehangingto theedgeofthesailsontheLeeuwin,walking20kmwithout aflynetintheheatorperformingattheDanceNight,the entireprogramtestedourcharacterinwayswehadnever hadtoendurebefore.Beingabletostraysofaroutofour comfortzonesisauniqueexperiencethatwillwith hopefullyallofusassomethingtolookbackonand appreciate
Despite our time coming to an end at the College, it feels like not long ago when we first became a part of the Senior School Moving on to white shirts, Saturday sport and shuffling into a new set of far more competitive houses. The Senior School experience was a uniquely different to anything we had previously known. There came a new level of responsibility as the role models of the school no more excuses for forgotten homework or blaming mum for coming late to school, it was time to put on our big boy pants and use everything we built in our early years at the College to show what it meant to be a man for others, and looking back I’m confident to say we have.
Whether it’s the commitment to service, pouring countless hours to fill in for soup patrols and fundraising Our ever growing Arts program consistently one-upping themselves every year with brand new productions and performance nights… the effort and culture of all the boys and their sports, whether it’s the footy lads bringing home the Alcock or Cicca’s mighty 5ths Basketball getting 5 players to rock up on time every Saturday without any training… or the time put in to our studies, regardless of what path we’re on, to continue to improve and be the best we can be.
All of these amazing achievements are as much a testament to us, as they are to the community that got us to where we are today.
Firstly on behalf of the entire cohort I want to start by thanking our teachers and the countless staff that make our experience at the College. The people that put in so much unseen effort into helping provide us the knowledge and support to grow and learn. Thank you to our Tutors
Graduation is not the conclusion of a journey but the beginning of a new adventure, where the lessons we ’ ve learned become the foundation for all that we will achieve.”
andourHeadsofHouse…it’safinebalancebetweenbeing a friendandsomeonewhohastokeepusincheck,andI cansaywithconfidencethatwe’resoluckytohaveyouall atthecollegewhoarewillingtogothatextramiletomake surewe’reokay.Finally,I’dliketothankMrVanDykfor keepingourcohort’sshipontherightcourse Sir,you’ve alwaysbeenavoiceofreason,avoiceofwisdomandavoice ofcomfortthroughalltheupsandthedownsandwe’re forevergrateful.
NowI’dliketothankourparentsandourfamiliesforbeing aplaceofsupporttoturntothroughoutourlives.The peoplefirsttocelebrateourachievements,thefirsttohelp usupwhenwe’redownandthefirsttolookforwhenwe’re inneed Thankyouall,evenifwedon’talwayssayit,you meansomuchtous.
Andfinally,thankyoulads.Youallaretheonesthatmade upourcohort’ssuccess Eachandeveryachievement, celebratedtogether,madeupaculturethatwon’tbe forgotten,sothankyou AfterthesixyearsI’vespentwithall ofyouI’llaskonething,neverbeastranger.Evenifyouonly onehadoneREclasstogether,ifyouseeeachotheraround, say“hi”,becausethiscultureifworthkeeping.
I’llendwithIthinkthefirstquoteI’veeveruseinaspeech thisyearandsay,"Theendisadoorway,notawall So,asthis chaptercloses,weturnthepagetoanewbeginning, carryingwithusthelessonsofyesterdayandthehopeof tomorrow."aquotebythisguycalledChatGPT.
So,aswesignournamesontheBookofGraduates cementingournewroleintheAquinasCollegecommunityI askyoualltoremembertheyearswespenttogether,the experienceswesharedandtolookforwardtotheyears ahead. Thankyou.
Nishok Nimalan COLLEGECAPTAIN
Boarder Graduate Speech
Good evening,MrHenderson,Theclassof2024,ourmuchlovedparents&teachers,andallspecialguests.I’mBanjo Young,andI’mheretogiveyouareflectiononmy experienceinboarding.IstartedatAquinasasatinyyear sevenfromanevensmallerfarmingtown,thatnoonehad heardof,andtonowbestandinghereatmygraduationisa bitsurreal JustincaseIdo,feelwelcometohavealaughor maybecry.
Beforeourlastweekofclasses,wehadourboarding graduation Ithappenedmuchearlierthanusual,whileall theboysnotdoingexamswerestillhere.Thenextday,the realisationthattheseweregoingtobethelasttimeswe weregoingtoallbrushourteethtogether,thelasttimes wewouldallwalkdowntolunchtogether,thelasttimeswe wouldstaywaytoolateatdinner,startedtohitus.That night,weallpiledintotheYear12commonroomofthe Nunanboardinghouse.Wefoundourselvesgoingthrough memoriesofourtimeinboarding;allthefunnyphotos, videos,andstoriesweretold.Itwasastrangefeeling, knowingtheseweremylastfewdayslivinglikethis,with theseboys.
Itgotmethinkingabouthowourboardingclassof2024 aren’tjustagroupofgoodmates;weareafamily,justlike thewholegraduatingclass.Dayboysandboarders, sportsmenandmusicians,tradesmenandacademics;we areallabrotherhood.
Thereare17boardersheretonightwhostartedinyear sevenandhavespentthewholesixyearsinthisgroup.But everyonewhohasleftorjoinedisstillandalwayswillbe partofus.
Toourparents,it’shardtolookbackandthinkhowhardit wouldhavebeenforyoutodropusoffonthatveryfirst night.Youarealwaysmakingcountlesssacrificestokeepus here,andtomakesurewehavethebestexperiencewe can.Nomatterwhenwering,ourMumsandDadsare alwaysthere Ifyou’veeverdoubtedit,thedecisiontosend ustoAquinasboardingisthebestyoucould’vemade.The mateswe’vefoundandtheindependencewe’veearnedare worthmorethanyoucouldknow.
Overtheyears,ourexperienceshavemadeusthemates wearetoday IntheveryfirstweekofschoolatAquinas,just aswefeltlikewehadsettledintoboardingforabout5 seconds,MrDempseyshippedusofftoWoodmanPointfor aYear7camp.Now,boardershaveabitofareputationfor complainingaboutfood,nomatterhowgood Butthefood oncampwasn’tgreatandtrustme,weknewaboutit, becauseallthatthedaykidsdidwascomplainaboutit Of course,wetoughcountrykidspretendedlikeweknewhow todealwiththiskindofstuff Irememberdayboysbeing homesick,andallofusbeinglike,pfft,theydon’tknowthe halfofit,becausewehadspentawholetwonightsin boardingatthatpoint.
TherestofourYear7experiencewasawesome.Manyofus havehadBrotherRobertasateacherandlovedit,just imaginehiminchargeofyourboardinghouse.Sometimes, itwasabitcrazy,butourhousemother,MissCox,helped keepusinline,especiallybymakingsurewehadaspotless
room,meaningwecouldgetourphoneearly Sadly,that didn’tstopusfromcomingupwithcunningplanstoget thembackoravoidhandingtheminatall Atourboarding graduation,MaxSkerrittoldthestoryaboutthebestitem handedin,intheplaceofaphone,whichwasFlynnHulls, whohandedinasockandsomehowgotawaywithit.Miss CoxalsohadthetroublesomeissueofrationingMilo Year 7sareinfamousforeatingwaytoomuchMilo,butagainwe allhadourwaystogetanextraspoonfulortwo Anyone whohasbeenintoBrothers’Housewillhaveseenthehuge wallofMilotinstoweringoverthekitchen
In the words of fellow boarder Tre Healey,
‘I came into this school as an only child, but now I’m leaving with my brothers’.”
Aswewentintotheolderhouses,ourgroupcontinuedto grow.Wewerelookedafterbyourhousemasters,house mothers,andsupervisors,whowerealwaysupforachat Theseawesomepeople,aswellasMrMeadowsandallthe stafflivingonsite,havebeenthere,quiteliterallydayand night,forourwholetimeinboarding.Itisn’teasywhatthey do,especiallywhenitcomestowakingsomepeopleupon aschoolmorning.
Despitethis,therearesomethingswemightnotmiss,like havingtodothecommonroomdisheswithMaxevery Wednesdaynight,especiallywhenherefusedtowash dishesbecausetheywere“toodirty”.Orthetypical conversationwithMrMac,whichconsistedoftalkingabout theAFL,Collingwoodand,ofcourse,NickDaicos.When CrippawontheBrownlow,itwasabigreliefforus IfDaicos won,wewouldn’thaveheardtheendofit!
AllthewaybackinYear8,ourfirstyearinthebighouses, weallusedtogotoPinderBoortodoourTuesdaynight religionhomework.Irememberprintingenoughpaper copiesandreadingout,Imeandiscussing,theanswerson thecouchwhilsteveryoneelsescribbledfuriouslyand listenedin Weboardersknowhowtoworkasateamand helpeachotherout,it’swhatmakesusafamily.
Aswegotolder,wegotextraprivileges,liketheBoarders Ball,thebalconyandthecommonrooms Oneofour agreedbesttimesinboardingwastheRottnestleadership campinYear11 Itwasthosetwodaysthatturnedourgroup fromabunchofgoodmatesintothebrotherhoodweare now One-staraccommodation,20bunkbedsinoneroom andnotawinkofsleep,itcouldn’thavebeenanybetter.
Inboarding,wespendallweektogether,thenheadouton theweekend,inneedofabreakandsometimealone,away fromallthebusyness.However,weneverstayedapartfor verylong Ourgroupisinseparable Ithinkallofusare goingtofindithardnextyear,aslotsofusgobacktoour cornersoftheglobeorourstate Weareabitworriedabout eachother,wevespentsomuchtimetogether,thataswe headourseparateways,Ithinkweareallgoingtoneed someseriousseparationcounselling.
Ontheotherhand,wewillmisshavingtolistentoJett Lockyeratdinner,ashemanagedtogetthewholeYear12 tableinfitsoflaughtereverynight.Wearegoingtomiss CharlieMcKinlay’soutrageousrecesscombinations,likea bananadippedinsoup,andCaylonSeelander’swayof tellingstoriesthatsoundlikeamovie Wearegoingtomiss walkingupthehillonaSundayafternoon,andhavinga debriefafterchapelabouttheweekend’sadventuresand misadventures.InthewordsoffellowboarderTreHealey,“I cameintothisschoolasanonlychild,butnowI’mleaving withmybrothers”
Andthetruthis,wearegoingtomisseachother.
Banjo Young
CAPTAIN OFBOARDING
Thankyouforyourcoaching,counsellingandsupportithashelpedustothriveandhasnotgoneunnoticed.
Some of us have unknowingly undertaken the noble task of lowering the class average to help others shine.
Ifwedothat,I’msurewecanadvancetogreat achievements:
Our time at Aquinas may be drawing to a close, but the work to be good men will never end.”
Youvetaughtuslessonsthatextendfarbeyondwhatwe couldfindintextbooksoronWikipedia–that’sifwewere allowedtouseWikipedia.Mostofallthankyouforthevalues youhaveinstilledinus Youraimwastobuildgoodmenand you…well,youdidyourbest…Actually,youhavearmedus withallthetoolsweneedtopursuethatgoalandnowitis ourgoaltoo.Thankyou. Totheclassof2024,thankyouforyourcamaraderie.Every oneoftheyoungmeninthisroomshouldbeproudoftheir uniquecontributiontolifeatAquinas. Someofushavedemonstratedthatweare academically,musicallyorathleticallygifted. Someofushaveshownthatwearecreative, entertainingorcharitable.
Although today some faces in this room may be more familiar to us than others every one of us is forever a part of the Aquinas family.
Soon we will remove the school uniform for the last time and the school gates will close behind us - but the sense of belonging will never fade. The day boys may not have lived on campus, but Aquinas has still been a home for us tooa place where friendships have deepened into brotherhood
The family we’ve formed here will help to sustain us through all that life throws our way. Let’s continue to be ready to lend each other a helping hand or a shoulder to lean on. As Thomas Aquinas once wrote: “There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship” I would like to see that on the back of a bus one day.
This brings me to my second proposition – in contrast to the quote on the bus, for Aquinians there is no finish Our time at Aquinas may be drawing to a close but the work to be good men will never end Some of us will be lucky enough to one day have a wife and children that will constantly remind us of this Those of us who listen to dad’s advice on the way home tonight will instead be on a ski slope, in a nice boat or in that new tractor
As we become adults, we must endeavour to make the most of every opportunity using the skills we have developed, and relying on the values nurtured by the people in this room.
whetheritbeleading,likefuturePrimeMinister TremaneBaxter-Edwards; whetheritbekeepingtheworldrunning,workinghard inbluecollarjobs; whetheritbefeedinghumanity,toilingonthefarmand payingtaxestofundCentrelinkorliningupat Centrelink,havingchosentopursuewhitecollarjobs thatgotreplacedbyAI.
Whateverthefuturebrings,let’saimtobethebestwecan, trytodowhatisclosesttorightandrememberalways,toat leastbekind.
Istartedtonightwithadodgyadvertisementontheback of abus,andI’dliketofinishwithanadvertisementonevery Aquinians’blazerthatissoclassyit’sinLatin:VeritasVincit“truthconquers”
Onbehalfofthedayboysof2024,IsaytoalloftheAquinas staffandallofourparents:Thetruthis:thatyou’veshaped usintoyoungmenanchoredbyourfaith,valuedforour characterandfocusedonthepursuitofexcellence.You’ve taughtustostandupforwhat’sright,tothinkcritically,and toalwaysstriveformore.Forthat,wethankyou.
Andfinally,totheclassof2024,boardersincluded,thetruth is:ithasbeenanabsoluteprivilege Thankyou
