SIONIANS
From the College Captains Contents
Sionians: Beyond the Cherry Red Gates is produced by Our Lady of Sion College, 1065 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill, Victoria 3128.
© Copyright reserved
Licensed under NEALS. The NEALS licence permits Australian schools and educational bodies to reproduce print and digital materials for educational use in schools free of charge.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to those who contributed to the articles and photographs in this issue.
Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Our Lady of Sion College. The editor reserves the right to amend or reject any item submitted for publication.
Correspondence is welcomed to: Tina Apostolopoulos, Principal, Our Lady of Sion College PO Box 254 Kerrimuir, VIC 3129
E: principal@sion.catholic.edu.
au paststudents@sion.catholic.edu.
au
T: +61 3 9890 9097
W: sion.catholic.edu.au
Front cover image
Chris Rajakulenthiran - past student
Teghan and Liz, 2024 College Captains 3
Our Lady of Sion College embraces and encourages all members of the College, students, staff and families to listen, share and get involved in Social Justice acts that can help our community and the world. The College theme for 2024 ‘Hear the call of Jerusalem: widen your horizons’ allows all to look beyond the cherry red gates of the College and give our all to others who are in need.
The theme is represented by three powerful words, ‘Justice’, ‘Peace’ and ‘Love’. Justice refers to the ability to have equity in our world. Allowing all of us no matter our differences to be united and supported by one another. Peace calls us to look for and to work for harmony in our world. To be by each other’s sides and to celebrate others’ achievements. Love means to be there for each other in tough times and joyful times.
Sion encourages all members to be loving and caring to a friend or a stranger. The College continues to strengthen these qualities through Social Justice events, such as Sion Day, Social Justice House Day, supporting Project Compassion, Vinnies, Ozanam House and volunteer programs.
Our Lady of Sion College, not only promotes the help of others but also the planet. This year each House had its own charity to donate to. Through our recycling efforts, the funds raised goes towards that House’s charity. Sion truly embraces Social Justice and teaches us to be compassionate and commited to help others whenever we can.
From the Desk of the Principal
An aspect of our Sionian magazine that I always look forward to, is reading about the journey our past students have taken since leaving the College. This edition is no different. While they represent different times at the College, the reflections shared by Joanne Rock (Class of 1983), Christolyn Rajakulenthrian (Class of 1996), sisters Siena (Class of 2015) and Tiane (Class of 2019) Gavilucci, and Naquita Barry (Class of 2023) are underscored by some common attributes.
They speak of the faith others had in them and the importance of not listening to the inner voice which can sometimes undermine our ambitions. They also shared the sense of purpose they have felt in working in fields where they could make a positive difference in the lives of other people and other communities both on a local or global scale. They encourage us to not be afraid of taking a path outside of our comfort zone, to aim high and never give up. Their stories are uplifting and provide real hope for the future.
Our students are encouraged to follow their passion and goals but at times and especially as teenagers, it can be difficult for them to discern what these might be. There is increasingly so much choice in our world today that it can be overwhelming especially as they may feel the pressure to make the ‘right decision’. It is often only in retrospect that one can see the milestones, experiences or encounters that helped them arrive at
the point where they are fulfilled by their work and their achievements. In this regard the journey becomes so very important in helping us reach a destination that is where we are meant to be at that time.
I think one of the hallmarks of Our Lady of Sion College is the value we place on the importance of community. Our current students often speak about being named and known by their teachers and peers, and the strong sense of belonging they enjoy. This is very evident in the reflections of our past students within this edition of our magazine. The encouragement of a parent, a teacher or a friend is all it takes for an interest or a possibility to be sparked. What a wonderful legacy we enjoy!
Tina Apostolopoulos, Principal
Mentors’ Breakfast
Our annual Mentors’ Breakfast is always a highlight on the past student calendar and current Year 12 students’ calendar. We welcomed over 20 past students who volunteered their time and returned to the College to inspire and engage with our Year 12s. The morning gives our students an insight into various careers and industries.
This year’s keynote speaker, Joanne Rock (Sellers 1983) spoke on the teaching profession, leadership and how taking any opportunity that is given to you may open up possibilities.
This event continues to give our students the opportunity to sit and ask questions about the industries they are looking to embark on and gain invaluable insights into the world of work beyond the cherry red gates. We thank our past students from a range of industries (Allied Health, Business, Law, Finance, Media and Communications, Science and Engineering, Art, and Design) for sharing their inspiring journeys since leaving Sion with our current Sionians.
Where are They Now?
Joanne Rock (Class of 1983) attended Melbourne College of Advanced Education, and completed a Bachelor of Education in 1988, majoring in Biology and History. Joanne commenced teaching in 1989, and in 2009 completed a Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies at Sydney College of Divinity, and in 2010 completed her Masters in Educational Leadership through the Australian Catholic University.
Joanne Rock is number four out of five children and had a happy childhood. She went to St Philip’s Primary school in North Blackburn, then moved on to Our Lady of Sion College in 1978. Over her 35 years in education, she has been fortunate enough to experience a wide range of school settings, has learnt something substantial at every place, and worked with some really inspirational educators.
Joanne has taught in co–ed, single sex, inner city, regional and country schools; all of which taught her that students all flourish under the same conditions – when they can build a strong relationship with their teacher, feel seen and valued.
In 2000, Joanne and her husband took their two children to Northern Ireland for a 12-month teacher exchange experience which gave them a real insight into what another country saw as important in education.
At every school, Joanne was entrusted with a position of responsibility, thereby gaining skills and expertise in all areas of educational leadership.
Joanne is currently the Principal of Santa Maria College in Northcote, and she feels privileged to lead such a wonderful college community.
What were your fondest memories of Our Lady of Sion College?
I truly loved my years at Sion and look back so fondly on the experiences I was lucky enough to have had. The teachers I had were so patient and invested in my education, and I really looked up to and admired many of them. The Sisters were still teaching in my time, and I didn’t realise then how lucky we were to still have them on staff and teaching us. I must say I loved the end of year antics the Year 12 students got up to, they were far more outrageous than what happens nowadays. Our particular year decided to do something completely different, and instead of mucking up and trashing the school, we were not there when everyone turned up for school. Looking back on that, and as an educator myself, I can imagine the leadership team would have been somewhat concerned about where the whole year level was! We turned up mid-morning in a double decker bus, dressed as commandos, and took the Principal hostage and rounded the school up to an impromptu assembly where we explained that a coup had taken place and we were rewriting the rules! We were so lucky that the Principal at the time, Mr. Michael Quinn, had a great sense of humour, and agreed to being tied up and gagged in front of the whole school.
What did your Sionian education teach you?
I was gifted the love of learning from my years at Sion. It also taught me a lot about the Jewish story and its link to Christianity. I was blessed to continue that study in 2018 at the Ecce Homo centre in Jerusalem, run by the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion. I also learnt that education is the key to opening doors, and to be grateful to have access to a good education.
What is the best advice you can give to our current students, who have aspirations and dreams about their future careers?
Dream big! Find a way to turn your passion into a career and you will never work a day in your life!
What are your plans for the future?
I plan to continue trying to make a difference in the lives of the students in my care, assist young educators on their career paths by mentoring young leaders, and volunteering in an educational setting once I retire.
My bucket list includes: writing a book, training as a Life line volunteer, possibly volunteer at the Ecce Homo Pilgrim House in Jerusalem or work in a school in a third world country, and travel, travel, travel.
4s Reunion
On Saturday 25 May, we were delighted to welcome past students from 1954, 1964, 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004, and 2014 for their 4s Reunion. Our Notre Dame Centre was filled with great excitement, laughter and chatter as alumnae reminisced about their time inside the cherry red gates.
Our alumnae had the pleasure of going on a tour of our College where their journey at Sion floated back. The slideshow of photos was a great highlight as our past students were reminded of their very special time at Our Lady of Sion College. Hearing people point out photos of themselves and others was delightful. It was heartwarming to feel the nostalgia in the air. It is events like these that are important for continuing our strong sense of community at Sion.
We thank everyone who joined us for this wonderful afternoon.
Maintaining Family Connection s
At Our Lady of Sion, we cherish when we hear that past students and their families were so fond of their time at the College that their family members return through the cherry red gates years after their children have left. Sisters, Siena (Class of 2015) and Tiane (Class of 2019) Gavillucci attended our College because their parents heard Sion was the best local school. Now their mother, Antoinette Gavillucci has joined us as our new receptionist. Both girls share their journey since leaving Sion and how they feel now that their mother has ventured through the cherry red gates.
Tiane: I graduated from Sion in 2019 and studied a Bachelor of Media and Communications majoring in Journalism and Sports Journalism at La Trobe. After graduating in 2022, I continued working two jobs in retail for 2023, and then travelled Europe. In 2024, I commenced my first full time career role as a journalist at Prime Creative Media. I currently write for the Deals on Wheels magazine and run its social media on Facebook and Twitter. I am a social person, love spending time with people and I like going out with my friends, family or boyfriend. I am active, competitive and love to play sport. I’ve been playing basketball since I was seven and have been a dancer since I was four.
Siena: I graduated from Sion in 2015 and commenced a Bachelor of Applied Science and Master of Speech Pathology at La Trobe University the following year. I have been working as a paediatric speech pathologist for three and a half years. I love keeping myself busy by spending quality time with my family, hanging out with friends, chilling with our pet bunny, Charli, and keeping active by going to the gym and for walks. I absolutely love travelling and I’ve been lucky enough to go on a few overseas trips.
What did you love about Sion?
Tiane: I loved the supportive staff who were always approachable. Sion had a lot to offer in terms of opportunities to excel academically, develop new skills, and show off your talents. There was always something exciting to do that suited everyone. I was also given the amazing opportunity to travel to Italy with my Italian class which was an experience I’ll never forget.
Siena: The opportunities I had to focus on my academics. Sion prepares you in good stead for the future, so I didn’t feel overwhelmed and unprepared
when it came to life outside of high school. At the time it seems teachers may push you and it can get overwhelming, but in the end, it all pays off.
What inspired you to be a journalist and speech pathologist?
Tiane: Since I was about nine years old I was obsessed with Tracy Grimshaw and talking in a news reporter voice. I would steal my sister’s iPod and voice record made up news stories. I also enjoyed writing my thoughts down and would express myself to my parents through writing if I was upset or angry. Media was my favourite subject at school, I did well in it and loved attending classes, so selecting the media field was an easy choice.
Siena: I wasn’t always certain what I wanted to become, but in the middle of Year 11 I discovered the role of a speech pathologist, something I had never even heard of! One thing I did know, was I had always loved helping others, so I knew I wanted to go into a career where I could do that every day. Literacy has been a personal area of strength and interest, so by working with children, I am able to support them to improve their literacy skills as well as language, speech, fluency, and social communication difficulties.
How did Sion impact your career pathway?
Tiane: My media Teacher at the time, Ms Amos, made class fun and engaging. The assignments weren’t like my other subjects, I enjoyed them much more. The people I had in my class made everything more tolerable especially during VCE. If it weren’t for Ms Amos and that class, who knows where I’d be now.
Siena: Sion allowed me to develop the knowledge and foundational skills to support and ease my transition from secondary school to university. Although I had to complete Biology, which was not an area of strength, I
was determined to do the best that I could to get into a course that I wanted, and Sion supported me through that challenge.
What advice can you give to help inspire current students?
Tiane: You may be stressed, wondering what path to take but you’ll get there, and know that it is normal. I’ve completed university now, but some of my friends are still studying or haven’t decided on what career option is best for them and I don’t blame them, there are plenty of options out there. I say choose whatever interests you the most, study that, otherwise you may lack motivation to study, or even work. And lastly, study hard, but don’t burn yourself out. Ensure you balance your time well with friends, family, sport and most importantly, you. Remember, one bad mark isn’t the end of the world.
Siena: Do not hesitate to seek support or guidance from teachers when you need, as they are always willing to help. Get involved in school events and step out of your comfort zone, as these same opportunities do not always arise again outside of school. I personally wish I got involved even more than I did! Give 100% in everything you do. Even when you feel like your chance to pursue your dreams may be jeopardised due to academic obstacles, stay positive, be persistent, and you can make anything happen. Be reassured that there are always other pathways to get you where you want to be.
What are the main qualities and values of a Sionian education that you have taken with you in your personal and professional lives?
Tiane: I think Sion has a level of professionalism and expects you to present at a certain standard. Presenting well, now in my current life whether personal or professional, through the way I dress or speak, I ensure I am presented in a way that makes a solid impression to all.
Siena: Some qualities I have taken with me include compassion to help others and empathy so that I can support my clients on a day-to-day basis. I am able to
communicate professionally in and out of the workplace. I have also been able to show gratitude for the wonderful and endless opportunities I have received in my life so far.
Now that we are fortunate to have your mother working at the College as our main receptionist, has your connection with Sion grown stronger?
Tiane: Yes, old memories of my time at Sion have flooded back to me, and although high school wasn’t all smooth sailing, it makes me reflect on the laughs and chats I shared with friends and teachers, my trip to Italy with Sion, formals, ballroom, camps, even recess and lunch. They are times you will never get back with your friends, so remember to stay present and cherish them.
Siena: It is definitely special knowing that mum is now working at Sion, a place where I got to learn, grow, and flourish. I have fond memories of the teachers I connected with at Sion who are still working there today. Now, mum can create her own memories at Sion and reconnect with the teachers that influenced where I am today.
Christolyn Rajakulenthiran
One of our past Sionians, Christolyn Rajakulenthiran (Class of 1996) has been instrumental in ensuring that healthcare can be accessed by all, setting up avenues for Indigenous people to access eye care clinics and establishing the Teddy Bear Eye Hospital for children.
I joined Sion in Year 7 as one of only two students from my primary school. My initial memories of Sion were a mix of anxiety and apprehension. Having an older sibling at Sion was helpful but like everything in life, one still has to pave their own way. Over the years my emotions turned to anticipation and excitement as I was exposed to the many facets of Sionian life. This began early in Year 7 with the mother-daughter matching system and continued with the numerous Year level camps which were nothing short of eventful, as well as countless leadership retreats, a nostalgic year as College Captain and of course our eagerly awaited Year 11 and 12 formals. Sion made learning a fun experience for me and demonstrated that being part of a community was vital to advance our learning.
Throughout my time at Sion, we were constantly reminded of our ever-changing world. I remember being offered an exclusive opportunity to be a delegate at a “mock” United Nations Symposium which gave me the opportunity to speak at a “Make Poverty History” event, and as School Captain, I organised numerous fundraising and community events. I was inspired by the great visionary Fred Hollows, so I embarked on my first degree in Optometry and then went on to pursue Medicine. Through a scholarship I received in medical school, I had the opportunity to visit remote communities in Alice Springs with the Bush Ambulance and the Royal Flying Doctors to provide much needed medical help. Even as a medical student I began to see how this timely medical assistance, could help transform a community. My volunteer work with Rotary International and AusAID emergency services expanded my horizons even further and demonstrated to me that equitable healthcare was indeed universal.
Inspired by these experiences, I went onto a career in Ophthalmology, since it was an area of medicine where I felt I could make a meaningful contribution. Almost two
R: Enjoying ‘Book Week’ in my prvate pediatric eye clinic
decades later, my work as an Ophthalmologist, helping both adults and children in public and private hospitals is really a reflection of what I was taught in my formative years as a student at Sion.
How did you implement the themes of social justice, peace and love in your work?
The longer I spend in healthcare the more I notice that the provision of heathcare services is not equal nor easy to facilitate everywhere. But one thing is for certain - every human being has an equal right to access safe, affordable and efficient medical care. When this isn’t the case, it’s often too easy to ‘blame the system’ but I prefer to be part of a solution to this.
Helping with the establishment of the Teddy Bear Eye Hospital at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, was a small way in which we could remove the stigma (which both parents and children have) in seeing an eye doctor. I was fortunate to have the already established Teddy Bear Hospital and linked in with my colleagues to form the ‘Eye Hospital’.
Today the hospital not only provides a means of interactive play with meaning for children, but also serves to pique their curiosity into the various roles in healthcare and demonstrate what ‘caring’ for another person really involves. The great thing with this service is that it crosses all cultures, religions and all types of families – inclusion is the key in healthcare and this innovative idea (not completely my own!) helps achieve it. I have since tried to implement similar ‘play therapy’ and ‘character themed days’ in my private clinics which provides everyone involved much needed relief and respite when working with sick kids.
Being part of Rotary International Volunteer medical team
A small part of the tireless RCH triage team
Working in Indigenous communities completely revolutionised the way I saw my role as a doctor. Simply having the knowledge to treat a patient was no longer the most important aspect of my job. Setting up a culturally appropriate health service, interacting with Indigenous patients in a manner where they felt respected and engaged was essential. This was easier to do as I often returned to the same remote community each time. I learnt the local language (Warlpiri), engaged with the community Elders to help educate adolescents, and worked with women to advance preventative healthcare, particularly in diabetes, one of the biggest causes of eye disease in these communities. Whilst these are specific examples, I think we can each embrace the principles of social justice in smaller ways
and I certainly have tried to do this in my philanthropic work. Currently my team at the Eye clinic is joining ‘Fred’s Big Run’ – running or walking 100km in August to raise funds to support the Fred Hollows Foundation’s international endeavours. Over the years I have been fortunate to be given opportunities including guest speaker and the keynote address at various Scientific and Public Health Conferences which have helped to educate and empower my peers and the general public on the importance of regular eye healthcare, the impact vision has on communities and how to prevent ocular complications in chronic diseases such as diabetes. And then of course there is teaching and mentoring the clinicians of the future – what better way to demonstrate social justice than passing on knowledge to the next generation.
What were the challenges you faced along the way?
I think that everyone knows being in healthcare is not easy. There are always days when you feel taken for granted, under appreciated or under valued. I believe it’s important not to take it personally and to realise that most of the time a patients’ own fears and anxieties usually have a big part to play in their behaviour.
Practising empathy is so much harder in these scenarios and is a skill that constantly needs developing. Probably the biggest challenge for myeslf and my team was during the pandemic where there was so much uncertainty surrounding healthcare. A major part of my work as an Ophthalmologist is treating patients with retinal disease including macular degeneration with eye injections. This is a vision saving procedure that needs to be continuously given. We were lucky enough after several initial failed attempts to be granted special permission by the State government to continue running these injection clinics servicing most of East
Patients line up for triage
Guest speaker at International Public health conference
Invited speaker -scientific congress
Teaching our future clinicans
My tireless surgical team - angels in the pandemic
A happy toddler after eye surgery for a cataract
The delightful kids of the remote communities
and North Eastern Victoria during the pandemic. It was a hard act to say the least, though despite staff shortages, difficulty acquiring clinical equipment and of course lots of political red tape we managed to get there.
When I reflect on this today, I am in complete disbelief that we could continue running our clinics despite the chaos going on around us! What’s my take home message here? It is, always expected that the road will be bumpy but never lose sight of your end goal.
How does it feel to have been responsible for changing the lives of people?
I never really set out to transform anyone’s life. I only saw how powerful good eye health care was and wanted to be part of this experience. However, through my career I have seen that preventing blindness in one of my patients, also helps their immediate family socially and economically, this then translates to helping their local community and in turn the larger social network. In helping one person I was helping several people at the same time though being quite oblivious to it. That is a feeling that is so empowering to me. The reward which comes with helping an entire community is so much more than helping one individual. I feel humbled to be practising this every day I come to work.
What advice would you give others who are committed and passionate about social justice?
Practising social justice is not unique to a particular personality type or career. The way I look at it, it’s really about passion and commitment to a goal. No commitment is easy, it takes perseverance, careful thought and planning and as I have experienced, several attempts to reach the desired result. When I reflect back on my education, I see that social justice was all around me – in the teachers who painstakingly
challenged us, in our fellow students who supported us when times were tough and even our enduring families who somehow muddled through our unpredictable teenage years! For me, I saw role models in society who
I wanted to be like and this too can offer very powerful inspiration. Having a mentor is useful too, having a mixed support group of friends and family is definitely helpful and then you just need experience – lots and lots of it, be patient and always keep an open mind. Take every opportunity that comes your way, never say no, even if it is a little outside of your comfort zone –embrace it! Who knows where it may take you!
Hard at work, a full day of cataract surgery
RCH Good Friday appeal
All aboard Book Week festivities
From the archives - Seven Courageous Sisters…
Olive Grove and Plaques of the Sisters’ at Our Lady of Sion College
At Our Lady of Sion College, our commitment to social justice is deeply rooted in a history of compassion, courageous action and unwavering dedication. A shining example of this legacy is found in the remarkable achievements of seven Sisters who have been honoured as “Righteous Among the Nations” by Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust.
This prestigious recognition is awarded to non-Jewish people who risked their lives to rescue Jewish individuals fleeing persecution during the Second World War, demonstrating unparalleled bravery and selflessness in the face of immense danger. Recipients are awarded a medal, and their names are inscribed on the Wall of Honor in Yad Vashem’s “Garden of the
Righteous” in Jerusalem.
The first Sister of Our Lady of Sion to receive the title in 1989 was Denise Paulin-Aguadich, (Sr. Josephine). Since then, six other Sisters of the Congregation have been posthumously bestowed with this accolade.
“Whoever saves a life, saves the whole world.”
Phrase from the Talmud quoted on the medal for Righteous Gentiles
The board above tells the story of the Sisters who received the Righteous Among the Nations award. It is in our Sisters’ house, Ecce Homo, in Jerusalem. There are usually lots of pilgrims passing through who read this to understand their story.
In 2015, the College honoured these Sisters with a special tribute in our Olive Grove,where seven olive trees have been dedicated to these seven brave women. This gesture not only commemorates their brave actions but also serves as a living reminder of their legacy. Each tree stands as a symbol of their enduring impact and the values they championed, and underscores the profound impact that individual acts of bravery and compassion can have on history.
As our community continues to engage in social justice work, we draw inspiration from their example and remain steadfast in our mission to promote equity, compassion, and respect for all individuals. Their story is a beacon of hope and a call to action for us all.
Sister Josephine
Sister Maria Mother Magda Mother Agnesa Mother Francia
Mother Marie Dora A photo of Mother Marie Augustine has not been found in our archives
Named and Known - Family connections
We are excited to introduce our new receptionist, Antoinette Gavillucci, whose daughters were students at Our Lady of Sion College, Siena (Class of 2015) and Tiane (Class of 2019). At Sion we are always very touched when we have families returning through our cherry red gates and continue being part of our Sion community.
Your two daughters were past students from our College, and now we are fortunate to have you join as our College Main Receptionist. How does it feel to be part of the Sion community from inside the cherry red gates? It feels wonderful to be part of the Sion community, especially given the positive experiences my daughters had here. Being the College Receptionist allows me to contribute to the environment that supported their growth and success. I’m looking forward to getting to know the students, staff, and families better and helping to ensure everyone has a smooth and enjoyable experience at the College.
How did your interest initiate in working at Sion?
Being familiar with the College and having my daughters attend Sion, I was able to build rapport with some of the teaching staff when my daughters were still students here. I also bumped into a lovely teacher from Sion and mentioned that I had seen the College Reception role advertised. She encouraged me to apply for it, so I did!
What is it about Sion that drew you to enrol your daughters into our College?
The College’s strong academic reputation, supportive
Mentors required
Past students of Our Lady of Sion College, Box Hill, are invited to share their experiences of further study and career pathways with our Senior students. If you are interested in taking up these opportunities as they arise, to provide support for our students as they navigate their own pathways, including participating in the Mentors’ Breakfast in 2024, please contact Mrs Brooke O’Hara, Careers and Pathways Counsellor at bohara@sion.catholic.edu.au or 03 9890 9097.
Vale
community and the range of extracurricular opportunities were key factors that drew me to enrol my daughters here. I knew it would be a nurturing and enriching environment for their education and growth.
What are some of your fondest memories from your time as a parent at the College?
Some of my fondest memories include attending and supporting my daughters when they attended the Athletics and Swimming Carnivals and Sion musicals.
What advice can you give other parents and carers who have students at the College?
I encourage parents and carers to embrace all the amazing opportunities and events that your daughters participate in at Sion and get involved when you can. The staff are very helpful and approachable, and they are here to support your daughter throughout their Sion journey.
What are your thoughts on our very strong belief that every student is ‘named and known’?
It’s important for students to feel recognised and valued as individuals, as this promotes a sense of belonging, which can significantly enhance their academic and personal development.
We remember the following people and their families in our prayers:
• Caroline Heuvink, Class of 1977
• Mara Vecci Class of 1979
Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
News
We are thrilled to share another great achievement from our former Year 12 student from Class of 2023, Niquita Barry who is competing in Victoria’s top state league with Footscray Swimming and Water Polo Club, as well as Australia’s premier water polo competition, the Australian Water Polo League, with the Victoria Phoenix.
Sion was a time that I am so grateful for. I was at the College from Years 7-12. I played 10 sports for the College, made countless finals and great friendships, one of which I played at a Rep level in water polo. I was lucky enough to be able to captain three cricket teams and a swim team in my time and in doing that, I learnt the vital leadership skills to assist me in becoming the 2023 Carmel House Captain. Even though my focus during high school was my sport, Sion was also very supportive of my academic success. In VCE I studied Biology, Chemistry, Health and Human, Physical Education, Math and English. I had the most amazing team of teachers during this time, and they always helped me balance my time between sport and school and never discouraged me from missing class if I was playing sport.
How did you get into water polo?
I got into water polo when I was eight years old, my sister and I were with our mum at her work (Noble Park Aquatic Centre) at the time and we were being the typical annoying seven and eight year old daughters so she told us to join in and try the water polo clinic and we never looked back.
What is it that you love about this sport?
I really love that it’s a different sport not many people know and I really enjoy that because it brings such an amazing sense of community to the sport. Being such a small sport it has given me the opportunity to make lifelong friendships.
Tell us about your journey of playing water polo?
I have been playing water polo for 11 years now. I started my polo journey at Nunawading Dragons and played with them until I was in Year 12 when I moved to Footscray for more opportunities and growth in the sport. My personal journey has been full of ups and downs. I am a goalkeeper and being a goalie who is only 5’5 many people told me I was too short to ever get anywhere, I was benched for some of my state competitions and told I wasn’t good enough. I used that as my motivation to better myself and prove them wrong. I have made seven state teams, one of them I was named the goalkeeper of the tournament, two Australian National Youth Competitions, one of them I captained and the other I was named MVP of my national team, I have also been named in two GSV representative water polo teams. I then went on to play my first Australian National League team, the Victorian Phoenix, on the night of my Year 12 graduation and debuted on the 16 March against Queensland Thunder.
What are you studying?
I am studying Science at Swinburne University, majoring in Biotechnology and minoring in Chemistry in the hope of becoming a Forensic Scientist.
What is the advice you can give to our current students who have sport aspirations?
Never give up. A lot of people doubted me when I chose to continue to play 10 sports for the College and chase an Australian league career, all while studying VCE but I studied in my free periods and trained early mornings and late nights and made it work. Especially when it got hard, that’s when you will want to give up, but the truth is, the higher you achieve in sport, the harder it will get and it’s the same with your study. So never give up, prove everyone wrong and use every doubt as motivation to achieve the best.
When you are not in the water, what else do you love to do?
I love walking my dog, I have a little bulldog at home, and we go on walks every day if we can. I also love music; I play the violin and sometimes I like to put on headphones and just play when it’s been a long day.
Have there been any challenges on the way? If so, what helped you to overcome them?
There have been many challenges. I was told I wasn’t good enough to wear the Victorian uniform when I was playing for the under 16 state team, I was benched for most of my under 19s state competition and my main challenge has always been myself and my own expectations. It has been many people who have had my back over the years, my first coach John Mason was the one who started my career and encouraged me to trial for my first state team and had my back the whole way until he sadly passed away in 2019. My second and number one supporter who has never missed a game is my mother. She has always suported me, told me to keep going when it got tough, hugged me when I was crying and always cheered the loudest when I made a save. It was also Rowie Webster (Australian water polo centre back and a three-time Olympian) who told me to just keep smiling when I was sitting on the bench, she told me that it’s ok to doubt your abilities as an athlete and that for her first few world championships she sat on the bench, she told me my time would come and she has never been more correct. I have built a strong support group to help me overcome these challenges and doubts and to pick me up when I fall. That is the one thing I have learnt from sport is that you don’t have to do it alone and to be your best you need people around you to help you and support you.
