Welcome to Fr Harry

Senior Prefect Report

Welcome Fr Harry Dyer OMI

On the 18th of January, Fr Harry Dyer OMI, a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate, arrived as the 10th Rector of Mazenod College. Fr Harry was born in Yallourn Hospital, Latrobe Valley, Gippsland, about 120 kilometres East of Melbourne. His education was at St Mary’s Primary School, Newborough and then St Paul’s Marist Brothers College, now Lavalla College, Traralgon. Fr Harry’s parents, Harry and May, are both deceased. He has two younger sisters, three nephews, two nieces, eight great nephews and three great nieces.

After school he commenced work with the Victorian Public Service in 1972 with State Insurance before transferring back to his home area after securing a transfer with the Housing Commission to Morwell. In 1984, after 10 years in the Victorian Public Service, he entered the Oblate Seminary. He was ordained a priest on July 13, 1990 in his home parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Newborough.

Fr Harry has been entrusted with a variety of appointments for the Oblates. His main ministry has been a rewarding and enjoyable involvement with God’s people in parish life in New Zealand, Victoria, and Queensland. Fr Harry has also been appointed as Director of Rosies—an outreach to the homeless and street kids on the Gold Coast and Director of the Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate (MAMI). Between 2007 and 2013, Fr Harry served as the Oblate Provincial for the Australian Oblate Province and China Delegation. Whilst at St Kieran’s, Moe from 2014 to 2021, Fr Harry was a volunteer Victorian Police Chaplain for the Latrobe Police Service Area. He was also invited by the Bishop of Sale to be an inaugural Director on the Board of the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Ltd and on the Bishop’s Board of Consultors.

Fr Harry’s interests are family, friends, Collingwood Football Club and he is a Life Member of the Latrobe Valley Umpires Association.

This year Fr Harry Dyer became a part of our Mazenod College community by taking on the role of Rector. As a Year 12 student, it has been inspiring to see the positivity and humour Fr Harry has brought to the faithful and friendly culture at our College. His sermons and addresses are always relatable and I believe they have helped make faith more accessible to all students at Mazenod. He has become a great role model for all students, especially through his passionate support of the Collingwood Football Club. Overall, I feel that our community is lucky to have such a devoted and caring person to help guide us through life’s struggles. James Russell (Year 12)

Being assigned Rector of Mazenod College is no small task, but Fr Harry has embraced this new role with a smile on his face. He has redefined what it means to be a Rector through his interesting, diverse, and, above all, hilarious weekly newsletter articles. Alongside being an avid Pies supporter, Fr Harry has never ceased to bring a smile to our faces during the ups and downs of this year. Irrespective of whether it is remote learning or face-toface, Fr Harry has sought to maintain connections with the students, through daily visits into classes during school, and encouraging participation in online Masses. Jacob Luu (Year 11)

Fr Harry Dyer, the newest Rector at our College for 2021, has taken over from Fr Fini after being named the Oblate Provincial responsible for all the Oblate congregations in Australia and Hong Kong. During the year we have been extremely lucky to have his bright, bubbly personality in our classrooms and hallways. Whether it is popping his head into our classrooms or having a good conversation in the corridor about what subjects you have been doing or the recent Collingwood game. Fr Harry has been an amazing addition to our Mazenod community by his outgoing and approachable nature, this has been a much needed addition in light of the most recent lockdown. Overall, we thank Fr Harry for his first year at the College and we look forward to seeing him again in the hallways when we get back to school. Terron King (Year 10)

Fr Harry, a die-hard Magpie fan, joined Mazenod College as our new Rector. As a Year 9 cohort, it was good to see Father making himself known to the students as they introduced themselves to him and had chats. He was very approachable as he would usually be walking around the school, dropping into classes and sporting fields to watch the ACC teams versus other schools. Fr Harry’s efforts did not go unnoticed as they made impacts across the Year 9 cohort which helped students. Fr Harry was easy to talk to and always would have a cheerful smile on his face which would make up someone’s day. Each and every day, as he walked through the Year 9 corridor, he always brought a smile. Thanks Fr Harry for bringing laughter and a smile to our faces. We look forward to many years ahead with your leadership and support. Antony Thabesan (Year 9)

The impact Fr Harry has had not only on me, but my year level and the whole school has been so important. As our new Rector, Fr Harry has certainly done an amazing job making the Oblate presence felt throughout the College, always making us laugh every time we see him. Fr Harry will make time to visit our online Homeroom through Mr Riley to say hello to us, as well as run the Masses every morning, which goes to show just how much he does even before Period 1. Back when we were at school, Fr Harry would always make us laugh at assembly with his Collingwood jokes. I know everyone in our Year 8 cohort appreciates Fr Harry and what he does for us at Mazenod! Patrick Klonis (Year 8)

Fr Harry is a wonderful priest and an amazing person. He is nice, polite and funny! Fr Harry has made lockdown a fun and joyful experience with all the effort he puts in the assemblies. Fr Harry is generally that type of person who cares about everyone at Mazenod and he’s been a great inspiration to many of the students. He takes the time to come and see us during class and is just such a caring person. On behalf of the Year 7 students, thank you for making our first year at Mazenod fascinating. Joshua Morin (Year 7)