Staff Farewells

Alan McAlister In 1960, Robert Bolt penned his masterpiece A Man for all Seasons, telling of Thomas More whose behaviour and contingency is appropriate to every occasion. But what does More, a man of integrity standing up to the demands of King Henry XIII, have to do with Alan? Let me start at the beginning!

Alan joined Mazenod in 1989 after working successfully in the financial world. He was brought up in Gippsland with country town values. A sense of community, love of sport, positive social interaction, dedication to helping your neighbour, an appreciation of hard work and the rewards that honest toil can bring – all attributes that drew him to a vocation helping young men find their way.

Alan has taught many subjects in 34 years, instructing in the principles of Accounting, Economics and Business Management. He has lectured at the School for Excellence and assisted the VCAA in their assessment of student work. Alan was an innovative and visionary Commerce Coordinator and the faculty numbers grew substantially.

One of his great initiatives was Business Week, giving Year 11 students the welcome opportunity to explore the corporate world. In groups, students nominated Chief Executive Officers, Advertising Directors, salesmen, spruikers and manufacturers of delicious food. Alan tapped into the Old Boy network to invite international chefs, Nike executives, managers of vehicle chains and the like, to share the secrets of corporate success. Students competed enthusiastically, strategising how to convey their message, studying the share market and scheduling trade days, with profits going to Oblate missions. There was enormous pedagogical value, long before cross-curriculum teaching became an educational trend.

Alan moved from the administrivia of curriculum, embarking upon the challenges of student wellbeing. He was appointed Year 12 Assistant and then later Coordinator, promoting an atmosphere of trust and collective responsibility. Alan valued knowing his students and scheduled weekly morning teas to listen to stories and concerns. The range of dietary options surprised students, being tempted with tomatoes and in season produce from his veggie garden! Alan had exacting standards, demanding respect and returning respect with excellent communication, often consulting with families and medical professionals, ensuring the optimal environment to thrive. He immersed himself in students’ academic, cultural, and sporting lives. He attended debates, drama nights, art shows and musical performances; in awe of diverse abilities and always looking for an opportunity for affirmation.

The highlight of Year 12 camp was always the Trivia Night – not your usual trivia night, but one where students created paper planes, blew bubble gum, lip synced to obscure heavy metal bands and named Teletubbies! He ensured that high standards were maintained for the Year 12 formal and that the Valedictory dinner was a fitting occasion so that the entire community could celebrate the magnificent achievements of their final year.

Alan has been a generous contributor to the social fabric of the staff. He was a hard-working member of the Social Club, coordinating the footy tipping, Supercoach, bike riding, coffee mornings, wine tasting, trivia and the end of term restaurant outings. His care however goes deeper than that – those that know Alan are aware that he has had some challenging encounters with cancer. He has always been positive when faced with these trials and this has enabled him to walk empathetically with other staff facing the same condition. I, for one, am grateful for the care and support he has afforded me as I battled a cancer journey several years ago.

Alan can be well pleased with his legacy and we wish he and his lovely wife Deb good health in the next stage of their lives. May Alan enjoy the extra grandparent time, improve his golf game and see his beloved Bombers rise to become a force again. I think you can agree that Alan is certainly a man for all seasons!

Alan, may God continue to bless you and your family. Mark Rolfe

Aylene Robinson Aylene’s loyalty to the College has been extraordinary. During the routine activities of College life, her sense of humour and amazing work ethic provided extraordinary support and energy. During complex moments Aylene’s eye for detail, directness and clarity, provided incredible support to leadership and most importantly, to families and staff. Thank you for your generosity, sense of fun and friendship. Tony Coghlan

As someone who lives through his diary, I was fortunate to have Aylene’s experience, wisdom and precise coordination to guide me. I admire Aylene’s hard work and dedication and amongst the seriousness of our roles, there was always time for a laugh, often at my expense, generally regarding a mess I had created. This was exemplified one stressful morning, when I found a missing folder and yelled with joy, “I found it mum!”. While this was embarrassing, it was a spontaneous reflection on Aylene’s care and her great sense of loyalty and kindness. Fr Christian Fini OMI

Aylene’s wise counsel and ability to guide with goodwill, integrity, confidentiality and honesty are my clearest recollections, bringing reassurance and support. If left to my own devices, I would triple or even quadruple book myself, so managing my diary was no mean feat. I am indebted to her wise counsel on some of my email communications, offering a tempered and considered response. This was deeply appreciated as I could always trust her care, honesty and kindness. I give thanks for the role that Aylene played, she is a genuine treasure of the community. Fr Michael Twigg OMI

of a wise decision made in the past! There are not too many such moments of grace in my life, but I am happy to think that my hiring of Aylene was one such event. I must acknowledge that her generosity, forbearance, efficiency, and natural good humour were the essential characteristics that epitomised her years as an essential part of the College’s administration. I am deeply appreciative of her dedication to both staff and students. Aylene faced the challenge of being the Rector Assistant, but also the challenging vagaries of working with quite different personalities. Thank you for all you generously contributed to the life of Mazenod, much of which must be left unsaid.

On behalf of all the Principals and Rectors of Mazenod, good luck with your transition to retirement. Enjoy all your plans and projects and while you will certainly be missed in these changing times, you go with our best wishes that you and Tim have a blessed retirement. Thank you. Fr Patrick Moroney OMI

Daniel Kelly Daniel is an Old Collegian (1995) and prior to teaching at Mazenod he entered the Pre-novitiate with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, discerning a call to the priesthood. While he was with them he returned to Mazenod in 2001 for pastoral work, before returning as a teacher in 2006. Daniel’s involvement in the life of the school also included fifteen years with the Mazenod Old Collegians Football Club. Believe it or not, his actual connection to the College is thirty-two years and growing!

Daniel was involved in a staggering seven different faculties. In Religious Education, Daniel taught practically every class, from Year 7 all the way to Religion and Society Units 3 and 4. Daniel’s skills extended to stints in Humanities, Mathematics, English, Commerce, VCAL and even Junior PE. Daniel also shared his dedication to the school in practical leadership as Assistant Year 8 Coordinator and Year 7 Co-Coordinator. He regularly shared his passion for sport by coaching footy, cricket, basketball, table tennis, athletics, and table tennis teams.

Daniel’s contributions went far beyond the classroom as part of the organising committee for the International Oblate Youth Encounter, welcoming 800 pilgrims to an Oblate Youth event, before escorting fifty students to Sydney to participate in World Youth Day. Daniel also led an immersion experience in China, taking students to experience the mission of the Oblates in Beijing. Daniel was instrumental in partnering with local specialist schools, as well as residents at Monash Gardens in the community service projects at Year 10.

Daniel will be sorely missed as he remains committed to his family, his faith, his parish, and his service to the Church, all qualities we hope to inspire in every student who comes to Mazenod College. May God bless him and his family for many years to come Kyle Hoad

Camilla Elliott Camilla Elliott started at the College in 2010 after many years working In Mildura and Lilydale. She took on the role of Head of Library and Head of e-Learning with enthusiasm. Camilla has led the Library team through many changes over the years – always with the goal of creating great outcomes and opportunities for students.

Camilla has overseen a major renovation which saw the opening up of a small dark room to a bright and welcoming space where students could read, study, play chess and socialise, it is truly a flexible and userfriendly Learning Commons.

Camilla has always encouraged innovation in students and staff – she established what was then known as the iSupport team, to support students in furthering their confidence and skills in Information Technology. This group has always been very popular and Camilla has nurtured a fabulous rapport with these students.

Camilla has always been an advocate for learning, both for staff and students. She loves a good event, organising many Election and Budget breakfasts over the years, as well as instituting the Mazenod Literature Festival, when we celebrate the reading culture of the College.

We will remember fondly her great coffee, her attention to detail, her compassion, and her dedication to empowering us all to be the best that we can be. Jessica Neville Michael MacNeill It is with great sadness we farewell Michael MacNeill from Mazenod College after 12 years of service. Michael’s journey at Mazenod started as a student and continued as an elite and passionate educator. Michael always displayed inspirational educator and leader qualities. He was committed to improving educational and school systems. He was passionate about enabling Mazenod to become a better place for students to learn and for teachers to work. He was a transformational leader and challenged students and staff to work at the optimum. He has a gift of innovative thinking, a visionary, and the articulacy required to successfully lead meaningful educational reform, particularly in his teaching fields, Mathematics and Physics.

Michael has decided to undertake a role at the VCAA as “Mathematics Curriculum Manager for Victoria”. He will be applying his curriculum expertise and leadership in the review, development, and implementation of Mathematics curricula. We wish Michael the very best in his new role. George Stoforidis

Rob Mann As a proud Old Boy (2007), Rob was recruited to re-join the College as a graduate teacher in 2013, making a significant contribution to the College. In the classroom, Rob has played a central role in the Humanities faculty’s VCE successes. Working alongside his mentor, Joe Moore, Rob has taken the VCE History Revolutions baton and run with it, with consistently high VCE results. I am sure his many classes will never forget the hoax he orchestrated with Alan McAlister whereby he led them to believe their formal was cancelled so as to enable them to better empathise with the plight of American colonists.

It was a pleasure to share many an Outdoor Education camp with Rob, where he gave generously of his time and earned a reputation for his handling of stick-shift buses! As a passionate Nodder, Rob fulfilled a lifelong ambition of coaching the College First XVIII to some famous victories. Indeed, he has a deep knowledge of balls of all shapes and sizes, as he also coached teams to a plethora of ACC Table Tennis and Tennis titles.

Off the footy oval, Rob’s calm and personable manner has led to him being an outstanding leader of young men. He has held several pastoral leadership roles, including Social Justice Coordinator, Year 10 Coordinator and most recently Year 12 Coordinator. He has made numerous innovations in these roles and possesses a rare thirst for new learning. Indeed, Rob has subsequently carved out quite the reputation as an expert on the use of data in schools, not something commonly associated with historians! Rob is also renowned for his gregarious nature, which was visible in his role as President of the Staff Association; he certainly led from the front at all celebrations!

Rob will be much missed as a generous, humble (being a longsuffering supporter of North Melbourne will have helped with this!) and valued colleague by staff, and as a warm, compassionate, and gifted educator by his students. We wish him every success as he continues his leadership journey at Melbourne Grammar School, and with his upcoming nuptials. Nicholas Young

Sharon O’Shannassy Sharon commenced her tenure at Mazenod College nine years ago as a Literacy Support teacher. Her career in education includes 30 years with the Education Department, including 12 years in a specialist unit, as well as several appointments in Catholic schools.

Sharon exemplifies energy, enthusiasm and dedication to her work. She has a wonderful sense of humour and has developed strong relationships in all areas of her work. Sharon has been an open and honest Learning Diversity team member, supporting students with additional needs and her input has been appreciated.

Sharon’s family have recently welcomed a darling granddaughter Elsie, to enrich their lives, with plenty of grandmother time. Plus more time to fully focus on planning new travel adventures with family and friends. Sharon will be missed. We wish her every blessing in this new phase of her story. We are grateful to have been part of her journey. “There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in our hearts.” Mahatma Gandhi Anne Johnson

Ben Benke Ben has been a passionate and enthusiastic member of our community since he commenced teaching at Mazenod in 2016. Pastoral, intelligent, witty and engaging, his genuine love for his faith and for sharing it with his students really shone through. Ben, in his dedication to his students, his witness amongst his colleagues and through his warm presence has left an indelible mark on the College.

Thank you Ben for your collegiality, friendship and for the positive difference you left in the lives of all the students in your care. You will be dearly missed. We ask God to continue to bless you and we wish Ben, Laura and their growing family all the very best in this new and exciting chapter of their lives. Joanne Caird and Cristiano Grosso

Merline Carmelus Merline worked at Mazenod College as a data analyst from 2018 to 2022, the first data analyst that the school employed. With a background in business IT and analytics, she worked closely with the IT team to create solutions that bridged the gap between the data the school had and the teachers and leadership staff who needed that information.

Initially, her expertise was assisting the school in migrating the Student Information System (SIS) from Maze to Synergetic. This was a timely change as it led to the implementation of the school’s new Learning Management System. In 2021 and 2022 Merline joined the specialist data team and was instrumental in implementing the school’s academic data platform TrackOne, which allowed for consistent student monitoring across multiple years. Her efforts in establishing and maintaining TrackOne have meant that school leaders can use systems like these in their progress interviews, scholarship applications, and subject reviews. Meline expertly managed data in subject selections, awards, reporting for Accelerus, and enhancement programs.

Merline even helped out remotely to cover the gaps before a new data analyst could be found when she moved back to Chennai, to be close to family. We wish her all the best. Kyle Hoad

Michelle Symss Michelle commenced her employment at Mazenod in 2020, right amid the pandemic. To her credit, Michelle threw herself into the Development Manager role, ensuring that the Mazenod brand was at the forefront in every event. Her contributions can be seen in the updated staff uniforms, giving those in administration a fresh, modern look. She also ensured that the Mazenod crest was present at all events through the creation of Mazenod media boards.

Michelle, through her experience as a mother of a Mazenod student, invested in the College and her pride in every achievement was obvious on the variety of social media platforms to which Mazenod subscribes. Michelle worked tirelessly to ensure that the ‘Mazenod look’ was one that was contemporary and corporate.

As a staff member, Michelle was the life of the party. Her happy disposition, her ability to make others laugh and the class that she brought to everything that she did, was always appreciated. She was, and is, the consummate professional.

Michelle has been lured back to the corporate world and Forest Hill Chase’s gain is certainly Mazenod’s loss. Michelle will always be welcome back to Mazenod, she has certainly established many friendships here, both on staff, and within the parents’ groups that she coordinated. We wish Michelle all the best for her future. Tony Rolfe

Noel McGarry Noel McGarry joined us in the midst of the 2020 lockdown teaching Religion and History. His passionate and witty approach to his teaching quickly won students over and all of his efforts have been greatly appreciated by the Mazenod community. We wish him and his family all the best back home in Ireland and hopefully his golf game can continue improving. Liam Coulter

staff photos