MAZENODIAN A PUBLICATION FOR THE COMMUNITY AND FRIENDS OF MAZENOD COLLEGE ISSUE 2 • VOLUME 31 • DECEMBER 2020
ALUMNI OFFICE
It’s been difficult to run with all our usual events this year but if there is one the Mazenod Old Boys Association must push on with, it is the Old Boys Memorial Mass. It is the charter of the Mazenod Old Boys Association all in one afternoon, support, coming together and celebration of the Eucharist. 45 families represented their deceased loved one and we had our regulars plus the new families who thought they would attend. For us organisers the strength and grace these families show is humbling. The first Saturday of November is locked in for all future ceremonies of remembrance. The association also runs the highly popular Old Boys v Students football match, Golf Day and three Year 12 barbeques. Well done to the new President, Mr John Keogh (04), and the committee for making the Class of 2020’s final year a highlight of their time at Mazenod, especially against the challenges this year has delivered. To all our Old Boys around the world (Fr Gerard Conlan OMI in Kenya comes to mind), we hope you stay safe. Australia truly is a lucky country!
Jeremy Logan (87) Old Boys Liaison Officer
PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH We welcome all former students, parents, friends and staff to renew their association with the College and update their contact details. Let us know where you are these days and what you are doing in your family and working lives. Please email info@mobwa.com.au or if you are an Old Boy and would like to become a member of the MOB go online to www.mobwa.com.au and download the membership form. Alternatively, you can telephone Jeremy Logan on (08) 9291 1500. Email addresses are very important to us, as most communication is via this method.
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE 2020 is drawing to its end and we look forward to publishing the College Annual 2020 in late January. Since our last publication of the Mazenodian, there have been many examples of living ‘Personal Excellence’, our 2020 College value focus by our students, staff and old boys. As this publication goes to print we have received news of successes by our Class of 2020 in receiving places at WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts) and Christian Vincencio who successfully launched his own fashion label in early December, with an emphasis on the importance of wellbeing. Current student Flynn Throssell (Year 10) has been invited to perform with the Western Australian Youth Orchestra Flute Choir while Ms Beth Murphy, Coordinator of Learning Support was nominated for a Commonwealth Bank Educator Award and Ms Jess Hewitt and Jess Kift were key presenters at the English Teachers Association of Western Australia
where they outlined key strategies for learning improvement. As a College we have been excited by the work of our Dean of Students, Mr Michael Anderson and his Pastoral Leadership Team who have developed the Character Strengths program for implementation with the students in 2021. The final pages of this publication carry stories of our old boys who continue to pursue their personal excellence in various careers and pathways. These are just a few of the examples from 2021 where our community members have embraced the challenge of pursuing personal excellence. We are all very proud of our Mazenod community members who continue to live by their very best across such a wide-range of activities and pursuits. I hope you enjoy reading the latest edition of the Mazenodian. Every blessing for a safe and joyful Christmas and a happy new year.
VALE FR DON HUGHES OMI In July it was with great sadness that the Provincial, Fr Christian Fini OMI announced to our Mazenod community the passing of our first Rector, Fr Don Hughes OMI. Fr Hughes was rector from 19661971 and, along with fellow Oblates and the Hills community, he set the strong foundations of our College. COVID-19 restrictions did not deter the very strong and respectful celebration of Fr Hughes’ life and commitment as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate. His Funeral Mass was celebrated at St Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle, the significant Oblate parish in which Fr Hughes had served as Rector. The Mass was celebrated by Emeritus Archbishop Hickey with the Homily by Fr Michael McMahon OMI and the Hughes’ family Eulogy speaking strongly of a faith-filled man who was prepared to serve wherever the need was seen within the Oblate ministries and Church. Following Mass, a large guard of honour of Mazenod, CBC and St Brigid’s students paid respects to Fr Hughes as the hearse made its way along Adelaide Street and then to the Fremantle Cemetery where Father was laid to rest with his fellow Oblate brothers. A message from the Provincial Fr Fini can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=SC3UAeuIiQY&feature=youtu.be
An Article re-printed from The Record that was written to celebrate Fr Don Hughes OMI’s 60th anniversary as an Oblate in 2017. By Natashya Fernandez Fr Hughes was born in Fremantle in 1932 and baptised at then St Patrick’s Church in Fremantle, now St Patrick’s Basilica. Growing up near the church and coming from a staunch Catholic family played an integral part in him joining the priesthood. “We took part in everything that happened in our Parish. The Church was run by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), a religious congregation of priests and brothers in the Catholic Church under the patronage of Our Lady. They are essentially missionaries who work in many countries and are available for apostolic work. It was the Oblates first foundation in Australia.” “I grew up knowing many of the priests there and was involved in the Church as an altar boy and helped out with all the activities,” he said. When Archbishop Launcelot Goody, who was Archdiocesan Vocations Director at the time, came
around and spoke at his school, Fr Hughes said that this was the turning point for him wanting to become a priest. “I went to St Charles Seminary at Guildford and was there for four years of secondary schooling and did three years of philosophy.” However, after seven years, Fr Hughes left St Charles Seminary to join the Oblates. Little did he know at the time that he would return to St Charles Seminary in 2004 as the Seminary Rector.
His first role was as Assistant Parish Priest in Sorrento, Victoria, and he later held various positions of Rector, Parish Priest and teacher in various Oblate foundations. In 1966, under the guidance of the Oblate Provincial Fr Cagney OMI and Fr D McCarthy OMI, Fr Hughes became the founding father and the first Rector of Mazenod College, a college for Boys that was established in the Perth Hills.
“Being brought up with the Oblate priests in Fremantle, the order appealed to me a lot and it was one of the reasons why I wanted to join them.” Fr Hughes had to travel to Ireland as there wasn’t an Oblate Seminary in Australia at that time. He joined the Seminary and lived there for four years, studying Theology.
Reminiscing about his 25, 50 and 60th anniversaries, Fr Hughes said that he is blessed to have had a wonderful life. “My 60th celebrations took place last week on Friday, the 15th. We celebrated it with Mass with many of the priests from the Oblates and my family. The Mass was celebrated at St Patrick’s Basilica in Fremantle. And, even though he is retired, Fr Hughes still gets called out to celebrate Mass, visit the sick and take part in various appointments.
Ordained in 1957 and returning to Australia a few years later, Fr Hughes recalled travelling around Australia and New Zealand serving in the community and the parishes. Staying true to the principals of the Oblates, he carried himself with the dignity of one consecrated to the life of service to Christ and his people.
“It’s been an extraordinary 60 years. It’s gone so quickly. During these 60 years I have been blessed. It’s been a wonderful life, I have good health and I am happy to undertake various tasks for as long as I live,” he concluded.
CLASS OF 2020
MAZENOD MISSION DAY On Friday 28 October 2020, the College ran Mazenod Mission Day (MMD), a whole school, half day, fundraising event that embodies the values of St Eugene De Mazenod. The event aims to spark a passion amongst students to reflect on the work done by the Oblate Missions and to foster a sense of giving back to the community that has provided them with their educational opportunities. Mazenod Mission Day was a big success with the whole school partaking in 29 stalls, offering a range of gastronomic treats and activities. Food stalls included the famous pulled pork rolls, homemade Spanish churros, nachos, hot chips and so many more yummy treats. Boys were also enticed to part with their cash by the ever popular staff dunk tank, choc toss and a range of other exciting activities. Well done to the whole Mazenod community for rallying behind MMD. The funds raised will go to the
Indian Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate to help them with their on-going work with the poor, particularly during the pandemic. It cannot be emphasised enough how it was so important to run this event, despite the delay caused by COVID-19. The staff and students exhibited a wonderful College spirit both leading up to the day, with their preparations and on the day itself through their enthusiastic participation. They continued to live out the key values of St Eugene De Mazenod of being committed to the Missionary and Prophetic Church’, and by ‘leaving nothing undared for the sake of the Kingdom”, by their passionate and robust participation in 2020’s Mazenod Mission Day. Mr Damian Wallis Director of Faith and Mission
CHARACTER STRENGTHS AT MAZENOD Each year the College develops and delivers a protective behaviours program to all students. This program is designed to equip students with age appropriate information and skills to act respectfully with others and be safe across all aspects of life, including online and in relationships, through their Mazenod journey and into life beyond. A key component of this program is designed around providing proactive skills and wellbeing practices to ensure students are as mentally healthy as possible. This year, Mazenod has developed, coordinated and implemented a Character Strength approach with a series of pastoral lessons and activities that the students completed in Term Four. Character Strengths is an approach that was born out of positive education, drawing on positive psychology’s emphasis on individual strengths and personal motivation to promote learning. We help students identify their own existing strengths so that they can use these to grow other personal strengths and engage positively with others as they face challenges. It is intrinsically linked to learning too, as students who feel well and confident may learn
more effectively and see the challenges they face in education as enriching opportunities. By focusing on one’s strengths we do not disregard challenges or negative experiences but develop an awareness, and grow a personal capacity, to face them in the future with our own unique personality and strengths. This year has been the first time we have coordinated the use of this approach across all years. We did so with a series of activities designed for students to understand the concept of Character Strengths, identify their own, and begin to understand how they could be intentionally used as a wellbeing practice. We have laid the foundation for the work to come next year that will include ongoing Year and Form workshops and whole school activities. Our intention is that, with awareness and practice, Character Strengths will move well beyond our protective behaviours program into our culture, vernacular and the lives of our community for the better. Mr Michael Anderson Dean of Students
THE RITE JOURNEY In 2020, Year 9 students at Mazenod College continue The Rite Journey as part of the Year 9 Pastoral Care Program. The program is in its sixth year at the College and continues to grow and develop to ensure that the Year 9 students are supported through what is a difficult year of physical and mental change. The Rite Journey is a unique life skills program and is designed to support the development of self-aware, responsible and resilient young men. Throughout The Rite Journey students explore and discover consciousness, connection, communication, challenge and celebration. Each of these areas are explored within term length topics including: • Relationship with • Relationship with others? • Relationship with more? • Relationship with purpose?
Self – Who am I really? Others - How do I get on with Spirit – Is there something the World – What is my
The Rite Journey also aims to celebrate the physical, social, emotional and spiritual growth of the students throughout the year whilst under the guidance of a male teacher to promote a passage towards and an example of responsible, respectful adulthood. Year 9 students participate in The Rite Journey in the usual pastoral care times during scheduled Year assemblies, Friday morning Form period and two classes per 10 day cycle. These classes accommodate smaller group sizes and provide an
environment where the boys can develop strong relationships. Half of these classes are taken by the Head of Year 9, with the other half being taken by one of five teachers. The students actively participate in group activities and discussions designed to allow them to set goals for the year, reflect on their childhood and make the first steps to young adulthood. A key component of The Rite Journey is the act of celebration and ceremony. The boys are given several challenges throughout the year in order to assist them into young adulthood. The first significant ceremony is ‘The Calling and The Departure’ held at Lesmurdie Falls each year. At this ceremony, the boys will be ‘called’ to consider the behaviours, thoughts and actions they wish to change so that they may start their journey towards healthy and respectful manhood. The boys then ‘depart’ on this journey, that involves weekly Rite Journey sessions and regular challenges. The final ceremony for the year is the Abyss camp. The purpose of the camp is to enable the young men to reflect on the progress they have made in Year 9 and to set goals for the rest of their time at Mazenod College. Since the program was introduced feedback from students and parents has been incredibly positive. Anecdotally, teachers have seen improved maturity and accountability in a year that was often called the ‘hardest to teach’. As such, the College is committed to The Rite Journey and we look forward to delivering it to next year’s cohort of Year 9 students.
SPORTSMAN’S DINNER On Friday 30 October, we celebrated the year of sport at Mazenod with the annual Sportsman’s Dinner. Our special guests were Hockeyroo player, Georgia Wilson, and Perth Glory player, Neil Kilkenny. Both spoke to the attendees about their careers in sport and the challenges that they have faced as elite athletes, whilst providing our students with a great message about balancing life with sport, family and education. Thank you to the HPE Team and all the wonderful members of the Mazenod College staff who helped with the organisation and running of the event. Mazenod College is a proud partner of Act Belong Commit. Act Belong Commit is about keeping mentally healthy by keeping active, keeping up friendships and connections with others, and engaging in activities that provide meaning and purpose in life. Our rich sporting culture provides the participants an opportunity to connect with others in purposeful and challenging activities that contribute positively to physical and mental healthiness. This year, Year 10 student Toby Boyd-Ratcliff, was awarded the Sportsman of the Year Award. It is the first time a Year 10 has won the prestigious award since Paul Hasleby in 1996. Year 12 graduating student, Paul Stervaggi, was presented with ACC Letters by ACC Director of Sport, Mr Kyle March. Congratulations to all award recipients. Mr Tim Grabski Head of Physical Education
OLD BOYS’ STORIES
ANGELO VALLIS (07) One my earliest memories of Mazenod was as a 10 year old when my Dad, David Vallis, brought me along to the Mazenod College Gala Day. This used to be one of the College annual fundraisers and I always remember the bottle store and trying to win as many as possible. These Gala Days represented a huge sense of community that I wanted to be a part of. Being at Mazenod for the first time also was a great opportunity to see the school where my uncle Rocco Guzzomi went to in the 80’s, and so many of my older Vinci cousins in the 90’s. My next main memory would be of Year 7 Orientation Day in 2002. I was at St Brigid’s up the road and most of my mates came with me. I remember this day very fondly and in particular remember making an acrylic key tag, which was quite fitting considering I now work in the Design & Technology (D&T) department. I just couldn’t wait to get to Mazenod and start making things in the workshop. I started Year 8 in February 2003 with many of my St B’s classmates. By coincidence, the following day Dad started working at Mazenod doing the earthworks for the new Science block. I had Mr Neil Bright as my Form 8A teacher, Physical Education, Religious Education and Science teacher. He was a great man and welcomed us with open arms. I made many new friends, including a lot of boarders, and straight away knew I was at a great school. Having said that it was also lucky a few of my mates had older brothers in Year 12, so they looked after us and showed us the ropes, but I do remember being careful not to walk in front of them or get in their way at the canteen. Speaking of the canteen, $5.00 would get you a 600ml Pepsi and a hot chilli chicken roll with change for an ice cream, weren’t they the days!
As Year 8s we used to have Year assembly in the bottom part of the quadrangle, just up from the Chapel and the Year 9s would have theirs in the top part. As my Head of Year (HOY) Mr Bruno Pilleggi was speaking to us at assembly, we could always hear Mr Mal Johnson, who was the Head of Year 9, barking out orders to the Year 9s. We knew our next year would be very interesting. Sport in Year 8 was also huge, and I remember being picked in the Year 8/9 football team and going to the finals, where we played Esperance. Yes, that’s the Esperance 675km down south. It was a long bus trip but a great Mazenod memory, just like when Mr Jeff Ronan took my mobile phone off me, but that’s another story… Year 9 was a great year. We won the 2004 Under 14’s football premiership against a star-studded Midvale team that had a number of players who would later go on to be drafted into the AFL. We were 15 points down at three quarter time but managed to win the game by three points. This was undoubtably one of my greatest moments in high school, and I got to share it with my best mates! In Year 9, I started to hit my straps schooling wise, by winning the Design and Technology (D&T) prize awarded to the best overall student in the D&T area. I always loved this area and obviously still do. Year 9 camp is always a classic memory, going down to Fairbridge camp site in Pinjarra. This was one of the best camps during school, I remember having to run laps around the oval at night for talking and standing by a pole on the verandah for hours because we tried to sneak out. We weren’t naughty, just adventurous and interested in the outdoors…
In Year 10, we were no longer considered the kids of the College and a lot of my friend’s younger brothers had now entered the Mazenod system. One of my biggest sporting memories in Year 10 and even across my time at Mazenod, was playing in the International Rules curtain raiser before Australia played Ireland, which still gets talk about to this day. The team selected by Mr Tom Floyd played against Willetton Senior High School on Subiaco Oval. I remember playing and at one point looking over to see North Melbourne AFL player Brent Harvey watching on. It was an amazing experience that we all cherished. Oh, and did I mention I took out the D&T prize once again? In 2006, we entered Year 11 and the start of our senior schooling. We had Mr Simon Lumbus as HOY and we really did have a ball. I did TEE but it would come as no surprise that I also did general subjects Woodwork and Metalwork. There was no way I was not doing these subjects, and not having Mr Michael Scarfone and Mr Mike Buselich teach me. They were, and still are ripping blokes. Academically it was a challenging year with a good step up in content, but the teachers were so supportive and always helped us out. This year I also had the opportunity to take the pilgrimage to Melbourne on the Oblate Football Tour. Playing against Mazenod Victoria, I remember being 15 and a half years old and playing off the half back flank that day. It ended up being a pretty busy one down back as we went down to Victorians. In 2007, Year 12, our final year of school. Mr Jeremy Logan was our HOY and a man that we feared at the time. He growled at us for telling him he looked
like Gary Lyon, but we soon found out that he was a legend of a bloke and a fantastic leader. I was the Gavin House Captain that year, a leadership role I enjoyed and respected. We also enjoyed all the usual celebrations that went with the year including the Year 12 Ball, Valedictory Dinner, Graduation Assembly, Speech Night and the Sportsman’s Dinner, where I was one of six nominated to win Sportsman of the Year. We also really enjoyed just doing things for the last time as a year group, like athletics carnivals, Jog for Java, swimming carnivals, triathlons and of course the end of Term One tug-a-war. I really did value my time at Mazenod. In 2008, my Dad, David Vallis started working full time at Mazenod as the Manager of Grounds. I went to Curtin University to study a Bachelor of Science in Applied Geology. Towards the middle of the year, I started working beside Dad at Mazenod as a parttime groundsman and I really loved it. The variety of hands-on work and all the different roles I got to do, like support driver on Outdoor Education camps, help build the I&E community project and run the bar at College events, were all great. Dad’s role continued to increase as Manager of Grounds, as the school grew. He did a lot of work with the Mazenod Old Boys as well and in 2012 he became an Associate Member of the Mazenod Old Boys Association, only the third one at the time. In 2012, I had finally completed my degree, and was working up North in the mines as a Geologist. In my swings off, I would still help Dad out with work at Mazenod when he needed. It was about this time when Mr Mal Johnson saw me one day and suggested I should think about doing a Diploma in Education to become a teacher. In 2014, I had enrolled at Curtin
University to do my Dip Ed, while continuing to work as a Mazenod groundsman and Boarding House supervisor on the weekends. In 2015, I had graduated as a high school teacher. In this year I worked grounds, boarding and started relief teaching at both Mazenod and Trinity College. Relief teaching was a great way to start my teaching career and I really enjoyed it.
and continues to keep the Mazenod values and traditions within the College. His memory of the old days, past students and teachers of both Mazenod and St Brigid’s is unbelievable, and his stories are something to be cherished.
In 2015 I landed my first full time teaching job here at Mazenod and I couldn’t have been happier. In my teaching debut year, I taught D&T, Science and Outdoor Education. After completing a Graduate Certificate in Design & Technology, I now only teach D&T. From 2019, I took on the role of Year 10 Industry & Enterprise Team leader, alongside full-time teaching Design & Technology classes for all year groups. I really enjoy my job and love the sense of community and working along some of my favourite teachers who taught me.
I have been very lucky to have some unreal experiences as a teacher at Mazenod. Co-coaching the Oblate Cricket Team to victory in 2018, running the Industry and Enterprise program, being a part of the move and having the opportunity to teach in a brand new Provence Centre for Design & Technology, coaching the Year 7 football team to conference wins, camps to Yallingup, Dunsborough, Dwellingup, Cervantes, and Rottnest, hiking the Bib track, playing in the Old Boys footy matches, celebrating Mr Chan’s birthday (students have known about this for generations… LOL) and of course coming to work in an amazing environment full of great values and traditions. I’m so glad that I took Mal’s advice to pursue a teaching career.
It is such a unique experience that I also get to share my workplace with my Dad, who has been in the Manager of Grounds for the past 13 years. I feel very fortunate to see him every day and watch the care and pride he takes in the College. I also have the joy of working at a school that four of my cousins currently attend, Luke Guzzomi (Year 11), Pascal Guzzomi (Year 9), Filippo Vinci (Year 11), and Alessandro Vinci (Year 9). This sense of family resonates through my friendships too. I am still best friends with over a dozen guys I went to Mazenod with, 13 years on – how incredible is that!
Reflecting on why I came back to Mazenod, well I suppose I never left in a way. I think I just love the community, its traditions and its values. I’ve had a lot of relatives and mates come through the College and we are all proud to say we went to Mazenod. I believe that is something of real value to the school’s culture. Sometimes I think unless you have been involved in it, it is extremely hard to say why it’s so great, but if you have been involved you just know. It might also explain why so many Old Boys are working here currently, or pursued teaching as a career.
I also love the Oblate traditions and have a great respect for Fr Michael McMahon OMI, who I have known for many years. Fr McMahon has conducted many masses at our Pickering Brook Parish, including many of my relatives’ weddings and children’s baptisms and he will also preside over my wedding next year! He has continued to support our family
I do have to thank my parents for sending me here all those years ago, my teachers along the journey, and of course the Oblates who founded and provided the foundations to our great College and values. I am truly blessed to be a part of this amazing community and love being able to call myself a Mazza Man!
LAWRENCE SILVESTRIN (76) After five fruitful and fulfilling years at Mazenod College, I attended the WA Institute of Technology (now Curtin University) where I discovered my enduring passion for filmmaking. For the past forty years, I’ve worked as a picture and sound editor and post production supervisor on four feature films, seven feature documentaries, 25 television dramas and series, 58 television documentaries and 17 short dramas. Every one of these films has been meaningful to me and has taught me something and they all remain with me. I learned a long time ago, that as filmmakers we have an immense responsibility for the stories we tell. Often those stories don’t belong to us. They’re stories that others entrust us to tell on their behalf, to bear witness for them. Over the years I’ve been privileged to help tell the stories of war veterans reliving the horrors of battle, of indigenous people struggling to hold on to their culture and their country, of survivors of terrorist attacks, of children suffering illness and disease, of refugees seeking asylum; the stories of artists and architects, scientists and scholars and even the stories of a bush kangaroo (Skippy) and a talking pig (Babe). There have been many highlights but one that’s hard to top is the feature film Whiteley about Australian artist Brett Whiteley. The critics gave it five stars and it scooped the pool at the 2017 AACTA Awards. The photo shows the team receiving our Awards from the designer of the statuette, WA sculptor Ron Gomboc.
From right to left: James Bogle (Best Direction), me (Best Editing and Best Sound), Ric Curtin (Best Sound), Ash Gibson Greig (Best Composer) and Ron Gomboc (Great Sculptor). For any student contemplating a career as a storyteller, I’d encourage them to seek out stories that have meaning for them and value to their communities; stories that have the potential to illuminate and inspire, to entertain and inform and to bring about positive change. Having mentored many young filmmakers over the years, I know they all have a lot to say and their own way of saying it. So be confident, be brave, don’t be afraid to experiment, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes, it’s all part of learning the craft of storytelling. One thing I feel deeply about filmmaking is a strong sense of community with the people with whom I work. That comes from the shared experience of striving to create something worthwhile. It’s not always easy and can sometimes be frustrating and stressful. But a deep sense of shared purpose and a strong work ethic usually overcomes anything. That work ethic and sense of community began with my family and was nurtured growing up in the Italian community and the Catholic Church and it was reinforced at Mazenod. The bonds made in high school during those formative years remain strong even as we travel our separate paths through life. I’m happy to say that the Class of ’76 meets every year to reminisce and to share new stories and to just enjoy each other’s company.
OLD BOYS’ STORIES
MATT BROCKMANN (05) My name is Matt Brockman, class of 2005. I currently live in Hong Kong and work as an airline pilot for Cathay Pacific Airways. Upon graduating from Mazenod, I spent the next five years working part-time and completing a Bachelor of Science, Commercial Pilots Licence and Flight Instructor Rating. From here finding work was challenging, as the aviation industry is highly competitive. My first job in aviation was shark spotting and I wasn’t even flying the plane or paid for it. I eventually landed a job teaching aviation theory to China Southern Airline cadets, which then led to a flying role with the college. I had to move to Merredin WA, where the college owns the town airport. My three years there are my most cherished memories working as a pilot so far. While working in Merredin I heard about a job at Cathay Pacific Airways. I applied and was asked to attend two interviews, one in Melbourne, the other in Hong Kong and participate in two weeks of flight grading in Adelaide. This was one of the most challenging experiences I’ve been through. Testing included a maths exam (I hope I made Barbara Heelan proud), aviation theory, abstract reasoning, team work assessments, a psychology test, motor skill tests, and panel interviews with head pilots and managers, and a medical exam. I was shocked when they offered me a job at the end of it. I immediately resigned from China Southern to pack my life up to move to Hong Kong. Unfortunately, my timing was less than perfect
as Hong Kong proposed restrictions on hiring expats and I found myself back in Perth unemployed I managed to find work at the Royal Aero Club of Western Australia for the next two years. The work was varied and exciting. A day could consist of sending someone on their first solo flight, to an aerobatics joyride before lunch, and taking a student on a navigation exercise in the afternoon. I really enjoyed it, but it wasn’t going to lead to a career with an airline. So, in an attempt to make myself more employable I spent half my life savings paying for more licence additions and a twin engine endorsement. Then I spent the other half of my savings to rent a small twin engine plane for three weeks to fly around Australia with a large stack of resumes. My aim was to try and find work while building up some more flying hours at the same time. The trip was an amazing personal experience. My highlights included doing orbits around Uluru and navigating the Great Victoria Dessert. Unfortunately, after all that time and money spent, I wasn’t able to land a job. I considered giving up on a career in aviation. Then at the end of 2014 Cathay Pacific called me back. I jumped at the opportunity and moved to Hong Kong in 2015. It was both daunting and stressful but so exciting. I was assigned the Boeing 777 as my fleet and I had to keep pinching myself the first few flights. It all seemed surreal. We fly throughout Australia, North America,
Europe, South Africa and Asia. I’ve really enjoyed spending time on layovers exploring the cities. Living in Hong Kong has been great so far, but there is a large disparity between rich and poor and I felt an urge to start giving back to the local community. After volunteering at a large local food bank, I noticed they were struggling with rice donations. So, a friend and I started a charity called Riceaid. This year we reached out to Mazenod for help and it was lovely to get support for the cause from my old community. To the current Mazenod students. You are incredibly lucky because the community you are part of is something that exists not just for your time in school, but will be there for you as an Old Boy. It almost feels like coming home whenever I visit the College now. I got married in 2018 and when we were discussing where to get married and by who, the choice seemed obvious, Fr McMahon. My wife and I went to Mazenod for pre-marriage counselling and the advice he gave us was so valuable, we continue to use it today. On the topic of his good advice, I remember sitting in a class with him in Year 12 unsure whether to pursue music, aviation, or commerce after leaving Mazenod. The point of his class was to not give up on dreams, because you may regret it later in life and that was the moment, I made the definitive decision to pursue aviation as a career.
I started at Mazenod in Year 9 when my family moved back to Perth after spending years in the USA. After attending public school in the United States, I remember being quite apprehensive about starting at Mazenod. I thought I wouldn’t fit in at a Catholic all boys’ school and the first day I put on the uniform I felt very uncomfortable, but boy was I wrong. Mazenod was some of the best years of my life, and my closest friends today are still my best friends from school. Many of the values I learned at Mazenod about hard work, integrity and trying your best relate directly to how I approached challenges in my life. When I became a Flight Instructor, I drew from many of my old Mazenod teachers for inspiration on effective teaching styles, particularly Paul McCarthy (music). He was like a mentor by the end of school. I found myself trying my hardest not just because I wanted to, but also because I didn’t want to let my teachers down either. I’ve tried to create the same environment with my students. My advice to current students is be resilient but try your hardest at whatever you do. If you have a dream or passion, turn it into a career or hobby, but most importantly never let it go. I feel very lucky to have gone to Mazenod, it might be small, but it packs a punch.
OLD BOYS’ STORIES
TOM OLIVER (18) What is your current job and what does it involve? Currently, I work as a Law Clerk for the City of Fremantle and Albert Wolff Chambers. In the former, we assist domestic violence victims. In the latter, I am mentored by the highly regarded Barrister-at-Law, Simon Watters, where we defend alleged murderers and alleged perpetrators of other heinous crimes. My role involves legal research, where I am tasked with finding suitable precedent cases where mitigating or aggravating factors were considered. I also draft submissions, assist with cross examinations, opening and closing statements, and I attend the WA Supreme Court regularly. I continue to maintain the running of my tennis coaching business, wherein I have a loyal client-base, some of whom I have had for some seven years. Furthermore, I work as a consultant and I’m on the Advisory Council at Autism West, where I consult on a variety of projects with various CEO’s of other non-for-profit organisations, as well as performing legal research on ad hoc matters and subsequently presenting papers to the Board of Directors. Recently, I have been appointed to the position of Chairman at Autism West. Is there any other personal news you would like to share? As soon as I graduated from Mazenod, I moved out of my parent’s joint, to live in a unit of my own near the centre of Fremantle, where I still reside. I live conveniently within riding distance of Notre Dame University, where I am in my 2nd year of my Law/ Biomedical Science double degree.
(https://www.watoday.com.au/national/westernaustralia/the-stigma-contaminates-the-workplaceperth-man-s-personal-mission-to-help-others-withautism-20200814-p55ltd.html Since my story was published in WAtoday and republished nationwide in The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Brisbane Times, inter alia, I have been appointed to advise the Australian Senate Select Committee on Autism. Further, I have been appointed to become the youngest Chairman in history at Autism West, a not-for-profit organization which advocates for the rights (employment, housing etc.) for those with autism in WA. I have also been approached to apply for the upcoming TEDx Perth event, by curators thereof (which I have done). In the two years I have spent at university, I have secured internships at Australia’s top international corporate law firms, including: Allens Linklaters, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, and recently King and Wood Mallesons. Pertaining to my tennis, I have moved up to the men’s state league division, which is much better competition. My goals at this point in my life are to do my Master of Laws at Harvard Law School, I then plan to become a managing director of my own criminal law firm, standing up for people’s rights and defending vulnerable people in our society. Subsequently, I hope to become a judge. Can you reflect on your time as a student at Mazenod and share one thing that you learnt that has had an influence in your life and/or career?
I have become cognizant of the rewards that eventuate from merely surrounding one’s self with good, likeminded, and ambitious people. You become who you surround yourself with, so to speak. Is there something you could share with the current students that may help them on their journey through secondary school? Never be afraid to ask questions. No question is a stupid question with the right intentions. Limits are that which one bestows upon himself, not that which is inherent or pre-existing. Further, Mazenod has excellent mentors and so do not hesitate to reach out to some of these legends.
Is there is anything else you would like to include? I am incredibly grateful to Liam Mallon for his unwavering support since Year 7. He is an excellent mentor for the boys and someone for whom I have great respect. Other mentors have included Geoff Stallard, Matt Perrin, Peter Douthie, Chris Bolton, Lauren Nelson and Kent Hodgson. These people gave me the confidence to follow my passions and immerse myself in society. A distinct memory of mine is listening to Mr Chan’s wisdom, and his classic impromptu lectures thereof, one of which pertained to the distinction between doctors/ lawyers and that of rubbish collectors – many of you will know the one… pure comedy!
CALVIN SQUIRE (08) Former Mazenod student and current West Australian grain farmer Calvin Squire has begun blending his barley and wheat with native ingredients to create a distinctively flavoured beer as part of a bold vision to reverse regional population decline. At Mukinbudin, in the heart of the WA wheatbelt, fourth generation farmer Calvin Squire has created a ‘nano brewery’ in a small shed on his family farm, adding value to the businesses. What is your current job title and what does it involve? I am a Farm Hand working on my family’s broad acre farm. This involves operating and maintaining heavy machinery as well as fencing and working with sheep. In my spare time, I am building a nanobrewery, which will supply beer to local pubs. It’s very important that we think about where our beer comes from, at our local pub the beer is brewed interstate by a corporation that’s based in Japan. It’s not a local beer. I think it’s important that if we grow the ingredients such as barley and wheat for beer then we should probably be brewing beer here. It’s a bit silly we don’t. The mantra out here for a long time has just been expand, expand, expand to keep the farm business viable. I think this gives you another avenue where you don’t have to make your farm bigger. You can actually look at doing something with what you produce. Any other personal news you would like to share? I am living in Mukinbudin, married, my eldest
daughter is 2.5 years old and our second child is due in March. I used to play footy for the Mukinbudin Football Club but retired in 2017 due to injury. Highlights include winning the flag in 2015 after losing the 2014 grand final and being named co-captain in 2017. Can you reflect back at your time as a student at Mazenod and share one thing that you learnt, that has had an influence in your life and/or career? One thing I learnt during my time at Mazenod was the importance of asking for help when you need it. You never know when someone will explain something you are struggling to comprehend in a way that makes perfect sense. Thinking about your time at Mazenod College, is there something you could share with the currents students that may help them on their journey through secondary school. For current students, I would say hang in there. It may feel like high school is never ending but you only have to do it once and it’s important for your future. For those of you who are uncertain about going to university I encourage you to go for it. My university degree has helped me travel and work interstate and overseas.
MOB SUMMARY
MAZENOD OLD BOYS PRESIDENT’S REPORT Welcome to the last edition of the Mazenodian for 2020. I hope this Mazenodian finds you well as we enter the last few weeks of 2020 – a year we are all sure to remember. As you are aware, 2020 was planned to be a year of celebration for the Mazenod Old Boys Association, as we celebrated 10 years as an official association. While we did have our fair share of interruptions, we still managed to have an enjoyable and purposeful year. In the following pages, you will see the results of our Old Boys Golf Day, the Students Vs Old Boys mental health footy match and various other activities and news on what some of our Old Boys have been up to lately. There are some very inspirational stories and great examples of people giving back and being involved in their communities – something which Mazza has always been about and what we love hearing about Old Boys doing. Over the course of 2020, there has (rightly) been an increased awareness and concern to address mental health issues in our various communities. COVID-19 has taught us the values of solidarity, community and the importance of connectedness and support for one another. It has been very moving to see
the various ways Old Boys themselves have been mindful of others. A special mention to those Old Boys involved in things like: Beyond Blue, Breast Cancer and the Blue Tree Project during the last six months. (see: https://beyond-blue-in-memoriam. everydayhero.com/au/iron-man-for-edan, https:// fundraise.breastcancertrials.org.au/fundraisers/ KubotaRacingHarleyHaber, https://www.mycause. com.au/page/235166/dreads-4-dosh-blue-treeproject). Congratulations to Liam Hindle (17) who received funding from the “MOB” to help him complete a strength and conditioning course – skills which he is now sharing with current cricket students at Mazenod. Congratulations also to Christian Vicencio (20) who received support to help him get his fashion label presentation off the ground. Recently we held our annual Old Boys Memorial Mass for deceased Old Boys. This Mass is always a very special and moving experience for all. Thank you to Fr McMahon for celebrating this Mass and to all who helped in the coordination. At the time of writing, we still have our AGM and Sunday Session at the Kalamunda Hotel to hold.
Front Row: Basil Conti (83), Leo Conti (82), Bob Huston - Secretary(78), John Keogh - President (04), Sean Cameron - Treasurer (82), Jeremy Logan (87). Second Row: Adrian Conti (87), Liam Mallon (06), Iggy Moro (87), Sebastian Fiolo (89), Chris Mason (01), Chris Lowry (83). Absent: Liam Staltari – Vice-President (12) Sean Marriot (83)
Although there is still a degree of uncertainty for 2021, we are thankful for the way 2020 overall has turned out. We remain optimistic for our formal dinner to celebrate 10 years as an association to be held some time around the middle of next year, as well as some other events we have in the early development stages. As always – please ‘like’ or ‘follow’ our Facebook or Instagram pages for updates, or update your email address by emailing our School Liaison Officer – Mr Jeremy Logan (87). To our newest members, the class of 2020 – Congratulations – “Welcome to the club’. I wish you all the very best in your future endeavours and hope you achieve what you set out to do. If you are unsure of what that is – do not worry – you are not alone. I hope and pray that you will keep in mind that you are indeed not alone and keep in touch with one another and the Old Boys community. I look forward to seeing you at some of our events or taking part in the newly created ‘13th Year’ for 2021. All the best guys – you deserve it. I thank the 2020 MOB committee for their work
over the course of the year and wish to extend a special thanks to the following committee members who are stepping down after many years of service: Basil Conti (83), Sebastian Fiolo (86), Adrian Conti (87) and Pep Caltanisetta (89). Well done and congratulations on your service to the MOB over the years. It has been a pleasure to work with you all, and I am sure we will see you at our future events. Finally thank you to all the MOB members, supporters, College and people in this fantastic Mazenod community that have been involved with the MOB throughout 2020. While we have had our challenges, I think we have shown great community spirit. Thank you. I extend to you all a warm and holy Christmas and a restful and enjoyable break with family and friends. I look forward to seeing you at a future MOB event in 2021. John E Keogh (04) President Mazenod Old Boys
LIAM HINDLE (17) Earlier on in the year Liam approached the Mazenod Old Boys Association for financial support to complete an Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) Level 1 Course. As Liam explained in his application: “The ASCA is the peak national body for strength & conditioning professionals in Australia. They are internationally recognised as one of, if not the most elite S&C body in the world, and their coaching programs are delivered nationally and internationally. The purpose of the course I attended is to provide participants with a fundamental level of knowledge and skills to understand, apply and design training programs [at Mazenod] to improve the performance of club to regional level athletes.”
thought I’d do. I played cricket for six months in Darwin, I spent a season coaching soccer (I sport I’d never played) and am a co-host on a podcast for my beloved Willetton District Cricket Club. Career highlights would have to be winning the Oblate Cup as captain, then as coach. And more recently, making my first 50 for the Dragons after 10 seasons of trying. Can you reflect back at your time as a student at Mazenod and share one thing that you learnt that has had an influence in your life and/or career?
Liam has helped coach and guide the 1st XI Mazenod Cricket students for the past three seasons since finishing Mazenod College, giving up numerous afternoons and mornings in training sessions.
I think the biggest thing that has influenced me from my time at Mazenod, is the genuine care people at the school have for you. The teachers and staff truly care about you and go out of their way to help you be a better student and person. I think this has influenced me to work and being successful in coaching and leadership roles.
The Mazenod Old Boys were proud to support Liam in his endeavour to complete this course and awarded him funding. We recently spoke to Liam and asked him these questions.
Thinking about your time at Mazenod College, is there something you could share with the currents students that may help them on their journey through secondary school?
What is your current job title and what does it involve? If studying, what are you currently studying towards
In my last couple of years at Mazenod, I struggled a lot with working out what I wanted to do after school. I had no idea, all I wanted to do was play cricket and I found it really hard to motivate myself to do any study. So, what I’d say to anyone who’s in a similar situation is to have a crack at doing anything you think you might like to do, see if you like it, then move on to the next thing. It wasn’t until I started coming down and coaching cricket at Mazenod, that I worked out how much I love coaching and helping people to get better. I never would have worked this out until I got out of my comfort zone and had a crack at it.
I am studying Exercise and Sport Science at Curtin University. For work, I’m doing various roles in sports, including coaching cricket and strength and conditioning at Mazenod. Are there any other personal news you would like to share or what you have been up to? Since I left school, I’ve done a few things I never
MOB EVENTS
MEMORIAL MASS For many, this is considered the most important event on our Old Boys calendar year is the Memorial Mass. The Mass is held every year on the first Saturday in November, which is significant because in the Church’s liturgical calendar the month of November is traditionally dedicated to remembering those who have passed. The Mass is a very moving and special experience. This year, it was pleasing to see our largest gathering to date of families, friends and in particular, Old Boys. It was a great display of our Mazenod community spirit. Thanks to Fr McMahon for celebrating the Mass, he always does a wonderful job. Also thank you to the Old Boys Committee, Mr Andrew Watson, the Year 11 student leaders, the family members and friends of those who we dedicate this Mass for. OLD BOYS V STUDENTS RU OK FOOTBALL MATCH As per tradition a minute’s silence was observed before the start of the game and this hasn’t changed for the 18th MOB v Students Match. We remembered all Old Boys who have passed but we especially remembered Matthew Sala-Tenna and Fr Don Hughes OMI. Good weather, a big crowd and good football will mean this will go down as one of the best matches in the history of the initiative. The atmosphere for the post-game sausage sizzle and drinks was full of energy and laughs!
Thanks to all involved (there are too many to mention) for their work to make this such a success. FINAL SCORE: Old Boys 11.8(74) def Year 12 students 9.5(59) Goalkickers Year 12s: Mitchell Massam 3, Jordan Raschella 2 Old Boys: Brandon Truss 3, Julian Direnzo, Daniel Brescacin 2 Best Players Year 12s: Mitchell Massam, Braeden McKeown, Levi Gelmi, Jordan Raschella, Cooper Parker, Toby De Nardi, Ethan McGrath, Jack Giancono, Oliver Adriano, Samuel McGuinness Old Boys: Daniel Brescacin, Ryan Steers, Brandon Truss , Not Chris Hannan. MEMORABILIA As the Old Boys are celebrating 10 years as an association, we gladly remind members of our Mazenod community that the College and Old Boys are always on the lookout for clothes, photos, items, etc that can help us in preserving our long and colourful history. If you have anything you wish to donate to the school, we would be very appreciative. We are happy to copy photographs and return them if you do not wish to part with them. If you are able to donate something, please add as much information and detail as possible. Thank you for your help in preserving our history. For enquiries/questions, please email worthington.penny@mazenod.wa.edu.au or logan. jeremy@mazenod.wa.edu.au
55 Gladys Rd, LESMURDIE WA 6076 T: (08) 9291 1500 F: (08) 9291 6711 E: oblate@mazenod.wa.edu.au www.mazenod.wa.edu.au