Thank You Tony Coghlan

14 T hank You Mr Tony Coghlan

2021 marks the end of Tony Coghlan’s tenure as Principal of the College. His appointment as the first lay Principal of Mazenod came after Fr Christian Fini’s election to the position of Provincial of the Oblate Order in 2018.

The selection of Tony to the role of Principal was the obvious choice. In the 26 years that he has been employed by the Oblates, Tony has always held leadership positions. His wisdom, compassion, ability to consider all aspects of a problem and his handling of sensitive issues are his strengths. Tony has a delightful sense of humour, he is compassionate and Tony is unwavering in his support of the Oblate Priests. There is no better way to thank Tony for his leadership through the change of governance, a massive building program and a pandemic than to hear from the Rectors that he has supported in his time at the College.

On behalf of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, I would like to acknowledge and thank Mr Tony Coghlan for his dedicated service to Mazenod College over many years, and particularly over the last three years. Mazenod College, the extended community and the Oblates are grateful that he took on the role as the first lay Principal for the last three years. He was the right person of vision, faith and commitment to navigate the College through what would be one of its most significant changes in governance, especially during a period of change for Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

I have been privileged to work closely with Tony and have learnt a great deal from him over the last six years. Two conversations with him stand out for me, which speak to the quality and professionalism of the man. The first conversation was shortly after it was announced that I would be taking on the role of Rector and Principal of Mazenod. I openly expressed my concern at how green and new I was to everything in education. Tony reassured me and was very supportive, reminding me that the community was committed to the Oblates and the College and they were here to support me.

Over my time, he proved his loyalty to the College repeatedly by always having the best interests of the students at the centre of all the advice he ever gave me and every decision he made, no matter how tough the decision had to be. I always knew that I could rely on Tony for honest feedback and support.

The second conversation was the morning after I was appointed Provincial, which brought my position as Rector and Principal to an abrupt end, giving little time to manage what would be one of the most significant changes in governance in the College’s 52 years. That morning I spoke to Tony from Fremantle, where I was about to commence my annual retreat and said, “I think I might need your help in managing the transition in leadership of the College.” His response was an immediate “whatever you need.” I am not sure in that split second he realised that he was putting his hand up to be the first lay Principal, transitioning from Catholic Education Melbourne to Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd, and leading the community through a oncein-a-lifetime pandemic.

Tony has been a faithful leader at Mazenod for many years, and his leadership has always been characterised by service of others, but especially the young men at Mazenod. His faithfulness and generosity over the last three years in particular is a testimony to the quality of the person. Talking to the Old Boy community, he is one of the staff members who is always mentioned and held in high regard.

I would like to thank Tony for his faith and for his dedication to the teaching profession and to the students, families and staff that we serve at Mazenod. I wish him every blessing in the transition from his current leadership role at Mazenod.

Fr Christian Fini OMI Provincial of Australia

Mazenod Rector 2015 - 2020

16 T hank You Mr Tony Coghlan

I have only had a professional working association with Tony during this year. However, even prior to this association, Tony has always been welcoming to me and all Oblates who have been fortunate to cross his path.

Tony is certainly held in high esteem by the Oblates for the way he embodies the ethos of Catholic Education and especially the Charism of St Eugene de Mazenod through his partnership with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

I take this opportunity to recognise, celebrate and thank Tony for his remarkable and tireless contribution over his years of service in the teaching, administration, and leadership roles within our Mazenod College community.

Tony exemplifies St Eugene who was known as a man with a heart as big as the world for everyone. God Bless.

Fr Harry Dyer OMI Rector: 2021 - Current

Tony was appointed to Mazenod as I finished up as Rector in 2004. When I returned in retirement and as Chaplain in 2017, Tony was Deputy and later became Principal when Fr Fini became Oblate Provincial in 2019.

Tony fit in perfectly with our tradition of leaders at Mazenod College. He brought to his new responsibilities all of his teaching talents, already well honed, but retained his gentle courtesy towards the boys, colleagues and parents.

I admired his calm and balanced approach and fairness in decision making and challenging situations.

Tony showed an interest and, wherever possible, an involvement in the students’ progress in studies, certainly, but also in their sport and certainly their music performances and successes.

Tony led by example in the religious life and liturgies of the school and we Oblates have sincerely appreciated his belief in the Oblate charism shared here and his respectful friendly trust and cooperation with each of our Priests, and to myself in a kindly way on my return. Many blessings to you, Tony, and your family. You will always be part of the development and spirit of Mazenod.

Fr Kevin Davine OMI OAM Rector: 1973 - 1977 & 1989 - 1995

It is with mixed emotions that I pen these few words on the occasion of the retirement of Tony Coghlan as Principal of Mazenod. Sadly, it is not merely from the Principalship from which Tony is retiring, but a great deal more!

There is undoubtedly a sense of gratitude and appreciation for his wonderful service to the whole Mazenod community. At the same time there is more than a whiff of nostalgia, not to mention regret, as we approach the final days of his Principalship at Mazenod College. He has left his mark on the fabric of the College in so many ways, administratively, pastorally, academically and, in particular, on the wonderful relationships he forged with both colleagues and students. He will be sorely missed.

For some 25 years, Tony served the Mazenod community in many guises, among them the role of teacher, Deputy Principal and, finally, as the first lay Principal. He proved to be an excellent choice and strove to uphold the vision and values of both the Oblate founders of the College and the ideals of the Archdiocese.

It would not only be difficult, but also a tad unwise, to attempt to name the many different gifts and attributes that Tony brought to the task, but one can certainly mention among many admirable characteristics his balanced approach, unflappability, infectious good humour, and genuine humanity, not to mention outstanding pedagogy. As a former Rector it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the not infrequent times he saved me from myself!

May I at this time thank his wife Cathie for her great generosity and understanding in the many demands we made on herself and the family, more especially during the very demanding years of the Principalship. The success of the role was in many aspects, a great team effort.

Fr Patrick Moroney OMI Rector: 1984 - 1988 & 2002 - 2009

When Tony Coghlan applied for a teaching position at Mazenod College during Fr Kevin Davine’s time as Rector, I phoned a friend of mine, Fr Noel Kierce at Whitefriars College for some information. After all, Tony Coghlan was a past student of Whitefriars College, and having graduated from university had taken up a position at his old College. Fr Noel’s advice was ‘offer him the position. He is first class and needs to have experiences beyond his old College.’

Tony has indeed proved himself first class. As a teacher, coordinator, Deputy Principal and currently, as Principal, he has excelled as a professional in all these roles. I would just make the following points:

• As a person of faith, he treated all members of the community, both staff and students, with justice and charity. • He has become a person of the spirit of St Eugene. I remember an incident when he had been challenged by a difficult parent. In explaining his handling of the situation he said, ‘this is how we Oblates do this.’ • I found that when Tony was handling situations with students, that he had the gift of getting to the heart of the problem, and that if punishment was a consequence, he maintained the respect of the person involved. • In recent years during Tony’s time as Principal, I have had the privilege of being on the College Executive

Team. He is a listener. He is a man of vision and action. He is a leader of a team, but also a genuine member of the team. • There would be many members of staff who could share memories of Tony’s care for them in the difficult times in their lives. • Tony will be remembered for the many great contributions he has made to the Mazenod community. However, what stands out for me is his genuine humility and his ability to laugh at himself if he has made a mistake.

Fr John P Sherman OMI Rector: 1996 - 2001 It is with a profound sense of gratitude that I share with you all my appreciation at the support and guidance that I was shown by Mr Tony Coghlan from the time I arrived at Mazenod in 2002, but more specifically during 2010-2015 when I was Rector of Mazenod.

From the outset Tony has always been loyal, supportive, trustworthy and a person of great integrity whenever it was needed. His wise counsel helped me make fewer mistakes than I otherwise would have made and he was certainly one of the people who could provide timely and accurate feedback. Tony shared his many talents and character with a wide range of people and was a consistent and steady influence on many of the ideas and projects that were initiated during that time.

I would often come with many, many ideas and Tony would listen patiently and then gently steer me in the direction that he thought best and I always believed that he had both the College and the Oblates’ interests at his heart. His support and care of students during my years at Mazenod was exemplary and he handled very complex and delicate issues with sensitivity and goodness.

I give thanks to Tony and his family for the years of dedicated service to Mazenod and its wider community. His heart certainly beats true for the black, white and blue and our College community is stronger for it.

I believe that Tony will continue to thrive in these next chapters of his life and thank God for continuing to work through Tony in many wonderful ways.

Take care and God Bless.

Fr Michael Twigg OMI Rector: 2010 - 2015