Connections Magazine - Winter 2023

Welcome from the Principal

Dear members of the extended Mount Lilydale Mercy College community

The intended audience of Connections: all those who are connected in some way to our College whether that be past student or parent, current parent or student, future parent or student, or someone who just shares an interest in this great community atop our hill, Rourke’s Hill, which has housed us for 127 years.

Welcome to our first edition of Connections for 2023 and I hope you read with interest and passion the great diversity of events that fill these pages and highlight our College.

The theme chosen to guide our College through this year is centred on the Mercy value of Courage, with a focus on 1 Corinthians 16:13 ‘Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous’.

This a great theme for us as we focus on three phrases within it: • keep alert • stand firm

• be courageous.

In discussing these three phrases we come to understand that in being courageous we must always be on our toes and while committed to the tasks at hand, we must be more than that. We must be committed to the concept of being courageous and if we do not remain focused then failure might result.

For Catherine McAuley, courage is a gift from God who gives us the strength to face the demands of our mission, to counter injustice, to work tirelessly and to endure hardship.

So, to be courageous is about standing firm and always being in the habit of mindfulness about it. It is about when failure seems imminent, having the positivity to rise and rise again and keep trying.

Nelson Mandela can help us focus on this concept when he said: “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

So, in focusing on Courage for 2023, let us hope that we all come to understand that fear is natural, but overcoming it and choosing to act to always do what we know is right is the challenge. In effect, we must practice being courageous. This is a great focus for 2023 and I hope you find evidence of it in these pages.

In the spirit of Catherine, May each and everyone one of you be blessed.

God bless

Philip A Morison, Principal

Let us hope that we all come to understand that fear is natural, but overcoming it and choosing to act to always do what we know is right is the challenge.

Aspiring and Achieving

In accepting their awards at the Top Achievers’ Assembly on 7 February, our 2022 Dux Jack Drummond and 2022 Catherine McAuley Award recipient Danielle Gazzola each spoke of the many ways they were inspired through the Mercy education values and how being involved in the College helped them explore and engage in things that they now have strong passions for.

Like those who have gone before them, the Class of 2022 top achievers achieved academic excellence by simply ‘doing their best’ and ‘giving their best’. Both Jack and Danielle were among our top 10 achievers and terrific servants in our College community.

Jack achieved an ATAR score of 99.3, putting him in the top 1% of achievers in the state. He is this year studying a double degree of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Bachelor of Science at Monash University.

“The most repeated and cliche piece of advice is also the one that I have come to realise is the most important; to try your very best,” Jack told the student body in his Dux speech. He said it was okay to have moments of not giving our all but highlighted the value of perseverance. “Never give up on achieving your potential. Of course, achieving your best academically may not be everyone’s aim. And that is totally okay. Put your all into what you are passionate about. Only you can decide what that thing you are passionate about is.”

Reflecting on the reasons behind his success, Jack said having a good circle of friends, a supportive family, staying focused and “trying to find things to enjoy in every subject” helped him. “I had hopes of scoring a 95 so to get a score of 99, I was really surprised. I’m really happy with that.”

Jack studied English Language, Specialist Mathematics, Maths Methods, Physics and Chemistry in 2022, having already studied Units 3 and 4 of VCE Music Performance while in Year 11. He was one of the College Vice Captains and also took part in the College Musical and the Kool Skools music recording project. He said he was grateful to have enjoyed “the full Year 12 experience” after two years impacted by COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns.

In her speech, Danielle reflected on what an eye-opening experience volunteering in the Catherine’s Cafe community van had been for her.

“In 2017 I began my journey at Mount Lilydale unaware that I was in a protected bubble, sheltered from the real-life hardships that my privilege has blinded me from. (In 2022) most of my Tuesday nights were spent in the parking lot on Lilydale’s Main Street where — rain, hail or shine — we would serve coffee, conversation and comfort. The biggest life lesson I learnt was that sometimes the people who have

the least have the most knowledge to give. My time here has inspired me to reach out to those most vulnerable in our community.”

Danielle achieved an ATAR of 93.95 and she is now studying Bachelors of Arts and Science (majoring in Archaeology and Ecology) at La Trobe University.

The pathway aspirations for the 2022 cohort are:

• 96% of VCE/VET students who applied for a tertiary placement received a first round offer from university

• 92% of VCE students received an offer from their top four preferences

• 22% received an offer for a course through TAFE and independent colleges

• 99% of VCAL students enrolled in the VCAL Senior Certificate completed their course and will be entering the apprenticeships, traineeships and the workforce with a VET qualification.

As a College, we congratulate our top achievers for 2022 and are humble in the role we have played in their journey through learning at MLMC.

Mrs Anita Kay-Taylor, Deputy Principal — Learning and Teaching

College Dux Jack Drummond with his parents, Grant and Jo.

TOP ACHIEVERS FROM THE CLASS OF 2022

Danielle Gazzola gives the Catherine McAuley Award address.

VCAL Student of the Year Bree Taylor.

College Dux Jack Drummond.

Alannah Finger with Mr Morison.

Principal Mr Philip Morison with our 2022 top achievers.

Year 9 Students

Every March an invaluable component of the Year 9 program is the Summit Adventure Camp in Trafalgar East, where our students spend three days immersed in activities designed to extend, stretch and super stretch their beliefs in what they can actually achieve.

It is amazing to see the students be challenged and grow as individuals while at the camp. The Summit staff guide our students in making the most of every opportunity and provide infectious energy. The Summit provides everything we need as a school to ensure a highly successful camp — outstanding facilities, skillful and motivated instructors and a genuine commitment to achieving the target outcomes set by our school ethos.

This year’s cohort loved the camp that ran for three days, as they learned to look after themselves and one another while testing themselves in activities including the leap of faith, the summit window, the sky bridge and the monster night mud run. Each group created a special bond and in the end they rewarded one of their group members as their champion, who received a hot lap in the Camp’s WWI tank.

The developmental growth in our students was on display and it is our hope that they will carry this on in their daily life in our community.

Student reflections of Year 9 camp: We participated in breaking wooden boards, on one side we wrote limiting beliefs and on the other side supporting beliefs. We then broke the boards in half.

The camp tested our limits and helped us be the best person we can be. The coaches taught us about believing in ourselves and the steps to achieve the activities. The camp was about learning life lessons that we can apply in life, however it was also about teamwork. Definitely, I connected a lot more with my class throughout camp. We got to work as a team and help each other no matter the circumstance.

I had so much fun while learning to overcome my fears and doubts and to push past my limits. Activities such as the leap of faith and giant swing opened my eyes towards a new approach to obstacles/challenges in my life.

Camp was meant to be outside of your comfort zone and I did that. I am scared of heights and I still did the summit window.

Camp was something different and challenging. I found it easier to get out of my comfort zone when the whole team cheered and supported me. I went to camp with a fixed mindset, one of the things being that I wouldn’t do the leap of faith. We did a workshop that night that talked about growth mindset and how our beliefs dictate the way we think, and that helped me to reconsider the thoughts I had.

I had a great time, from swinging side to side in the air with a friend to getting dirty in the mud helping the team along the mud run.

Mr Alan Torcello, Year 9 Level Leader

Stretch Themselves

I had a great time, from swinging side to side in the air with a friend to getting dirty in the mud helping the team along the mud run.

Faith and

Service

As a Mercy school, we commit ourselves to a life-long journey of discovering the Mercy of God, which is so often found in the lives and struggles of the suffering and the poor.

Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, followed Jesus by serving people in need. She used as her inspiration the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy, guideposts that have long been part of the Christian tradition. Some of these include ‘feed the hungry’, ‘comfort the afflicted’ and ‘visit the imprisoned’.

To learn more about our Mercy heritage, in Term 1 our Year 7 students visited three sacred spaces to the Catholic tradition in Fitzroy. They were the Ursula Frayne Chapel at one of our sister Mercy schools, Academy of Mary Immaculate, the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre, to find out more about Australia’s first Catholic saint, and St Patrick’s Cathedral, to explore the side garden and inside the building itself.

This experience helped students make connections between their classroom learning about our Mercy tradition in Australia, Catholic places of worship and their own faith. “All the churches were beautiful. It was a great experience with amazing culture and sights to see,” Nathan Millington (Year 7 Blue) said.

Year 8 students also travelled to the CBD in Term 1, to visit the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and also attend Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral or St Francis Church. It helped students connect their classroom learning on the life of Jesus through art and real-life experiences by viewing religious artwork of the Medieval period and the Renaissance. Celebrating Mass with the general public also broadened their faith horizons. Members of our Year 11 cohort experienced first-hand the Mercy values of Hospitality and Service earlier in the year when they joined the meal service run by the Missionary Sisters of Charity in Fitzroy. Our students were able to chat with the marginalised who are either homeless or live in emergency crisis accommodation and have little to no money with which to feed themselves, breaking up what can be an isolating experience.

Meanwhile, in Lilydale on Tuesday nights our Year 12 students serve in Catherine’s Cafe van, helping the marginalised people in our local community by providing a listening ear along with some food.

In both cases, the students prepared the food at the College. For the Year 12 school based religious education program, students engaged in an act of service by baking chocolate chip cookies with our VET hospitality students.

We encourage students and staff to take up these opportunities when possible.

Mr Richard Wicks, Religous Education teacher and Mr Matthew Burow, Religous Education and Faith Development Faculty Learning Leader

We commit ourselves to a life-long journey of discovering the Mercy of God.

Mass Community

Over the past few years, it has been difficult for the College to host families and community members at large gatherings due to changing COVID-19 restrictions so it was with great joy that the College was able to host a Community Mass in February. The last Community Mass had been held in 2020, prior to the pandemic.

On Thursday 2 February, we had a beautiful celebration of the Eucharist in the Doyle Centre, led by our College Chaplain, Father Dean Bradbury. In his homily he spoke about the importance of community and how each of ushas a part to play. The Student Leadership Team received a special blessing and they were reminded of their call to serve.

Year 7 students were welcomed into our community and students were presented with a school badge by their homeroom teachers. The Year 12 students were given a special Year 12 badge. We also welcomed students in Years 8-11 who are new to the College this year.

Principal Mr Philip Morison spoke about our theme for the year — ‘Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous’ — and the importance of courage and standing firm in the faith. Fr Dean also blessed a number of bibles which were to be presented later to all of our new students as a personal gift. We thank everyone who attended this special event.

The following Tuesday, we celebrated our Opening College Mass. It gave us the opportunity to gather together as a full College — to pray, to worship and to grow in our faith. It was wonderful to see students from all year levels, as well as staff, involved in the various ministries and carrying out these roles with reverence and respect, while the College Choir led the music beautifully.

Ms Elizabeth Keogh, Deputy Principal — Mission

Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous.

Reconnecting with

Sister School our

MLMC students are richer for the experience of having 13 students and two staff from our sister school in Japan join us for two weeks of cultural exchange in March. This relationship, built over 28 years, helps everyone involved to build lifelong connections and foster international friendships.

Students from Horyuji High School were hosted by our students and their generous families as they joined in our classes and exchanged cultural experiences, from trying vegemite to baking Anzac biscuits, to visiting our College farm and excursions to both the Melbourne CBD and Phillip Island. Our students had the opportunity to improve their language skills as well as the ability to work with our visitors in creating origami and inkan (stamps).

The sister school relationship has paved the way for many visits between the two schools. In 2019 students from Horyuji visited us in the March while our students did a Study Tour to Japan in the September before the pandemic halted visits for a few years.

“I know that all our students had a great time thanks to the teachers, students and host families” Horyuji teacher Shoji Minekawa said. “At the beginning, we had some students who were nervous and were afraid of speaking English. However, they gained more confidence through this exchange and became a person with much more cultural awareness”.

Japanese student Naru Hirata said the group experienced several wonderful things at MLMC. “I taught Japanese to Year 7-8 students in their Japanese class and at the same time we could learn the differences between Australia and Japan. Thanks to the teachers and students at your school for kindly talking to us, we had a really good time. On the holidays, we went out with our host families and received several unforgettable memories. We are looking forward to you coming to our school!”

The relationship with our sister school is a wonderful opportunity for our students to broaden their horizons and learn about a different culture. By hosting and interacting with our guests, we gain a greater understanding and appreciation of Japanese traditions, customs, and values.

Mr John Rodgers, Deputy Principal — Pastoral Care

Class Acts Top

Our Performing Arts Prefect, Vivienne Mackenzie (Theatre Studies), was among three MLMC students invited to audition in January for the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) Season of Excellence, alongside Class of 2022 graduates Charlotte Lorbek (Drama) and Ella Preston (Theatre Studies).

Each year the Top Class season presents the best work created by VCE and VET students in design, technology, research, multimedia and cinematic, visual and performing arts through exhibitions, screenings and performances supported by education talks, forums and panel discussions, catalogues, programs and online material.

All three auditioned outstandingly well and Vivienne and Charlotte were invited to perform at the Malthouse Theatre. Charlotte performed her piece ‘The Hero/Heroine/Villain’.

Vivienne took the stage with a monologue of ‘Beverley’ from the musical comedy Come From Away

Vivienne will never forget the honour of being selected by the VCAA and shares her experience with us.

What was it like performing in the Top Class program?

It was such a great experience performing at the Malthouse Theatre. Just two weeks before the performance, I had seen another play in the Malthouse, so it was pretty surreal to move from being an audience member to performing on the Merlyn stage. The other performers that were selected were so incredible and it was a privilege to be among such talented performers, directors and designers. They were all heading to

work or university after the performance (having finished Year 12 last year), but I hopped straight back into my school uniform and headed back to the College — talk about a reality check!

Tell us about your journey — from dreaming about taking part (having watched the previous year’s Top Class on excursion), developing the performance, the audition process, and then finally the performance itself?

Last year, my Theatre Studies class went on an excursion to watch the 2021 Top Class Showcase. I was amazed by the quality of performers, directors and designers in the Class of 2021, and set what I thought was an unattainable goal — to make it into the next showcase with my monologue.

When VCAA released the nine prescribed monologues for 2022, I was immediately drawn to the character of Beverley from Come From Away — a musical by David Hein and Irene Sankoff that followed the events in Gander, Newfoundland, during the week following the September 11 attacks. I always knew I would pick a musical theatre monologue, as this is where my strengths lie and what I am most passionate about in my theatre work, but Beverley’s inspiring story of defying gender stereotypes in her career and following her dreams is what really drew me to the character.

Charlotte Lorbek performing her piece.

Vivienne Mackenzie at the Top Acts performance.

Through my work in the Theatre Studies class, I was able to develop my monologue as both an actor and director. My monologue uses many production areas such as set, props, costume, hair and makeup, so much of my time went into designing and sourcing pieces for my monologue. The bulk of my time, however, was spent rehearsing, workshopping and refining the stage direction and performance, as I felt it was incredibly important that I pay justice to this moving story and give the most raw and honest performance I could.

I received an A plus on my performance examination in October 2022, which was pretty amazing, and then later that day I received the invitation to audition for Top Class 2023 — which was beyond exciting! This meant I had to start rehearsing again. My audition was in January 2023 and went well, though I was sure I wasn’t going to make it in. However, I found out later that week that I made it into the showcase. It was truly an honour to be chosen and means a lot that my work was being recognised (I may or may not have cried in the middle of the bus bays when I read the email).

What does it mean to you to have been selected to take part in Top Class?

Getting this opportunity was such an honour. The amount of work that goes into performances like these often receives little recognition — not just for myself, but for my teachers who listened to me sing the same song countless times, my parents who drove me around with a car full of set pieces, and for my friends and peers who had to put up with me stressing out. It was such a privilege to be given another opportunity to perform this monologue; a character that I have really grown to love and be inspired by. Being chosen for Top Class was a really big deal for me, as it showed me that through hard work, dedication and the support of people around me, I am able to achieve the goals that I thought to be totally unachievable.

What are your performance goals now?

I aim to continue strengthening my skills in singing, acting, direction and dance in the hopes that I can continue pursuing my passion in the future. I would love to study Musical Theatre or Performing Arts at university, so I will be auditioning for universities across the nation later this year. Even if pursuing a professional career doesn’t end up being what the future holds for me, I know that performing will always be a major part of my life and will continue to be something very special to me.

Mr Kamahl Russell, VCE Theatre Studies teacher

Being chosen for Top Class was a really big deal for me.

Vivienne performing as Beverley at last year’s Night of Excellence.

Sports Carnivals

For the first time in many years, on 29 November 2022, MLMC held its Swimming Carnival at Croydon Memorial Pool with students in Years 7 to 11 competing. It was a shift from the Term 1 carnival at Lilydale pool where students had to be split into two events.

All coming together at one venue for one big day of action was a hit with the students and really lifted House spirit. Our Year 11 students, many of whom had only been inducted into their Prefect roles for 2023 a few weeks earlier, had a wonderful day of dressing up in amazing variations of their House colours, competing in events (often in their costumes) and encouraging younger students to get involved. Students competed in an array of swimming events as well as games in the small pool and the tug of war to earn valuable House points. Carr House scored the most points with Prefect Jayden Isbester lifting the House Cup.

2023 Sports Prefect Alice McCormick said the heated pool meant “we had swimmers from all year levels in the pool all day”. “There was also the crowd favourite event tug of war competition and many games of water polo in the small activities pool. This was a great way to get everyone involved. This was by far my favourite carnival at MLMC!”

On Monday 6 March, our House and Sports Prefects led the way as the full College gathered at Quarry Rd oval for the House Athletics Carnival. The main oval was filled with track and field activities all day, while ball games, tug of war, frisbee, chess and card games were dotted around the venue. Frayne House and its prefect Olivia Gardeniers secured the win with a record number of points indicating a high level of participation.

The Parents and Friends’ Association volunteers were kept busy on the food and drinks stand at both events, with Principal Mr Morison putting in several shifts turning sausages at Quarry Rd to help keep the students fed. Students could also make donations to have their hair coloured or face painted in House colours, with more than $600 raised for disaster relief charities.

Business

The Old Collegians’ Association continues its efforts in building the connections between alumni and the College despite the difficulties in hosting many of its regular events in recent years.

So it was with great pride that the Business Breakfast returned to the College on Wednesday 8 March, having not been held since 2021. Our guest speakers were Andrea McKellar (Class of 1984) and her husband Dean, (pictured bottom right) who created a foundation called Teacher Presence.

It was inspiring to listen to their story and learn how the foundation aims to help make a difference in the world through redirecting funds that could be spent on the optional end-of-year teacher present for a donation to a charity supported by Teacher Presence.

The event was a terrific opportunity for business networking and also to come together again as a community.

Everyone who attended enjoyed a morning full of yummy food, hot drinks and, of course, a raffle. The VET Hospitality students did a wonderful job of making and serving coffee for the guests and providing terrific service, gaining invaluable experience.

Old Collegians’ President Ms Olivia Cox did a wonderful job of being the MC and we thank everyone who attended. We hope to see more members of our community at the next Old Collegians’ event.

Miss Natalie Virgona, Old Collegians’ Association Executive Officer

It was inspiring to listen to their story and learn.

P&F Activities

At Mount Lilydale Mercy College, we pride ourselves on the wonderful Parents and Friends’ Association that has been established over many years.

The Parents and Friends’ Association (P&F) is run by volunteers, who generously donate their time to help out with school events and activities throughout the year. By becoming a volunteer at the College it gives you the opportunity to be involved, live out the Mercy value of Service, and it helps to bring together parents, friends and teaching staff.

On 1 March, a new event was hosted by the Parents and Friends’ Association — the inaugural Father Figures Bowling Night. It was a sell-out and everyone who attended had a great time. It was refreshing to see male role models participating with their children and other families while playing their games of tenpin bowling and it was wonderful to bring members of our community together.

As a volunteer, you can participate in any activities or events. It is not just about flipping sausages on a barbecue either, there are many ways to help out. An email is sent out to all volunteers when help is required, all you need to do is put your hand up. There is an application process for all individuals who would like to volunteer at the College, in line with Child Safety practices.

Come and support our community, we would love to have you. If you would like to become a volunteer at MLMC, please contact Natalie Virgona on 9739 2220 or email nvirgona@mlmc.vic.edu.au for further information.

Miss Natalie Virgona, Community Development Coordinator

Join

What I like most about being a volunteer is the gratitude and welcome that I receive from the students and the College community as a whole. The appreciation that is expressed, knowing that I am there to assist and guide them, is undeniable and I feel it is also a way to support my own children and interact with their friends and peers in their school environment.

From helping in the classroom, to large school events, there are so many benefits to volunteering that you can experience — such as providing a sense of purpose, to (believe it or not) reducing your stress levels. Most of all it is the feeling of accomplishment and pride that comes from helping students that ultimately provides a positive impact within oneself and that of the College community.

You can see first hand the schoolbased interactions. While this can initially be overwhelming, you then understand how the process works for your child and their peers with a real awareness of what the staff are trying to achieve.

As a parent or guardian, you connect the disparity between the home and school environment and help to show students, teachers and staff the foundations of what the home environment brings to school life. To have this vital input from a parent or guardian in turn provides a holistic approach to the students.

Opening

our doors

Months of planning came to fruition on Monday 27 March as we opened our doors to the community. The rain did not dampen anyone’s mood as we welcomed over 700 people to the College to see what Mount Lilydale Mercy College has to offer.

Prospective students and their families and many other guests began with registration at Centennial Hall where they were treated to drinks from our very own Catherine’s Cafe, staffed by our VCE-Vocational Major students, to warm up before exploring our hallways and classrooms.

Parents, friends and children wandered curiously through exhibits, activities and demonstrations that our staff had prepared to showcase our College, in true Mercy style. Our greatest ambassadors — our students — shone! They engaged young and old with different activities from our different faculties. Be it in Languages, where people could make a carnivale mask or carve their own Japanese inkan (name stamp), to our Performing Arts students encouraging participation with improv skits. Our Science students were kept busy pointing out something via a microscope or the Technology and Design students showed guests how to use remote control robots. There was something for everyone and our students were true advocates of their joy of learning at the College and the many opportunities that they are privy to.

The College was buzzing with lots of entertainment at various locations, from the choir and ensembles singing as guests arrived to music performances in the entertainment hub, while the sausage sizzle served up by our Parents and Friends’ Association volunteers was a popular pit-stop. There was an authentic feel of community in the air. A heartfelt thanks to everyone for putting together this event which showed our values here at MLMC, in particular, our hospitality.

Mrs Anita Kay-Taylor, Deputy Principal — Learning and Teaching

Our greatest ambassadors — our students — shone!

Old Collegians’ President’s Report

Hello to our Old Collegians community,

If you are a past student, staff member, parent or if you have a child who has started Year 7 at the College this year, then you are now a valued member of the College community and we warmly welcome you.

As I write this report we are in the final preparations for our annual Business Breakfast. This year sees a return to nibbling delights from delicious breakfast boxes while we are inspired by talks from College Alumni and members of the local business community. Read about the event on Page 16.

We have also begun to plan the Gala dinner for 2023, so if you enjoy a social evening with friends and getting all glammed up, as I do, then stay tuned for updates on when tickets go on sale. It is a College event not to be missed.

We welcome back to both the Old Collegians’ Association committee and to the College a much-cherished member of our Old Collegians community, Natalie Virgona. Natalie (Class of 2016) is a MLMC alumni who has a bright, bubbly, enthusiastic ‘can do’ attitude and was, in my opinion, the champion of all champions in terms of fundraising and organising gala raffle prizes. I am very much looking forward to working with her in her new role as Community Development Coordinator and Old Collegians’ Association Executive Officer. I also take this opportunity to thank the outgoing Executive Officer, Sarah Shallcross. We wish you every continued success in your new endeavour.

I am so excited for what this coming year shall bring. The aim of the Old Collegians is to reconnect friendships, enable the opportunity for Old Collegians’ businesses to thrive and to provide activities so that new friendships, as well as old, can flourish.

With best wishes,

Ms Olivia Cox, President Old Collegians’ Association

Make your Mark Spotlight on Alumni

BRONTE JOSEPH / Class of 2010

At MLMC I was always involved in sporting activities — you name it, I gave it a shot! I was also focused on my academic studies and thanks to Mr Steve Prosenak, Business Studies quickly became one of my favourite classes and was pivotal in my career choice.

After graduating from Monash University with a double degree in Marketing and Management, I began my corporate career. I quickly realised I wanted to combine my passion for sport and marketing and landed a role with the women’s T20 cricket World

Cup. The March 2020 final broke the record for the largest crowd at a women’s sporting event in Australia and it was incredible to be part of it.

My current role is Marketing Manager at the Geelong Football Club. As a self-confessed mad Cats fan, I couldn’t imagine a better place to work. I enjoy leading the marketing team to deliver the brand and marketing activities across the club. Seeing our brand up in lights at the Grand Final, then reaching the pinnacle of winning the 2022 AFL premiership was truly something special.

Since taking on the role, the club has experienced record membership, sales and attendance across both the AFL and AFLW programs. I’m particularly passionate about women’s sport and will continue to advocate for equity, both on and off the field.

My next big challenge is motherhood. MLMC taught me to follow your passion, to stand up for what you believe in, and the importance of friendship. I am lucky to have built a community of friends from MLMC and can’t wait to bring up my child with them by my side.

EMILY SCHNEIDER / Class of 2009

While I was at MLMC I studied a wide range of subjects and gained a wealth of knowledge from all of my teachers, but I was still unsure of what I wanted to pursue next. I was told by the people around me that I was really patient and had a natural instinct with children.

Taking this on, I worked in out-ofschool-hours care at a local primary school while studying a Certificate of Education at Monash University to become a Learning Support Officer.

Once I completed this, a job became available at MLMC and I spent 10 years at the College assisting the students with special needs to be independent and successful in their own way. The people that I met while at MLMC, the teachers that taught me and the staff who mentored me, all contributed to the person I am today.

In 2022, I began postgraduate study in Applied Behaviour Analysis with the hope of furthering my knowledge and

AARON BATSANES / Class of 2009

My late grandfather was an electrician, which naturally sparked my interest; the problem-solving aspect of electrical works appealed to me the most. I now run a successful electrical contracting company, Elec-Con Services, with one apprentice and multiple subcontractors. We predominantly service residential homes and rental properties but we complete commercial and industrial projects too.

I pursued work experience with an electrician while I was in Year 12 and began a four year electrical apprenticeship the following year where I completed a Certificate III in Electrotechnology through Box Hill Institute. Before starting my own company, I studied to become a registered electrical contractor and then completed a split air-conditioning and heat pump course.

We are continually working towards expanding our company as well as training new apprentices to become ‘all-rounders’. Investigative fault-finding and then being able to solve these issues for clients and safely re-energise their homes still brings feelings of satisfaction and achievement. The communication process and gaining a repeat client base cements confidence in how I choose to operate my business.

Career highlights include working at the Docklands film studios, the State Basketball Centre and working with Port Phillip Prison in a temporary role as a Building Services Manager.

Conducting my business ethically and in a responsible manner is attributed to learning these principles throughout my time at MLMC. Clients are appreciative and loyal to a tradesperson who has strong communication skills and acts with integrity.

skills in the field of special needs education. Leaving MLMC, my home for 16 years, I began working as a Learning Support Officer at St Peter Julian Eymard Primary School in Mooroolbark where I hope to support their senior students in their transition to high school.

I want to thank the MLMC community for giving me the courage to spread my wings and follow my passion.

I want to thank the MLMC community for giving me the courage to spread my wings.

Make your Mark Spotlight on Alumni

DANIELLE VIRGONA / Class of 2018

I always knew I wanted to work with young children, caring, supporting and educating. My Year 10 Work Experience was spent at Monash Children’s Hospital and I envisioned working as a paediatric nurse. After graduating in 2018, having been College Captain and recipient of the Catherine McAuley Award, I studied a Diploma of Nursing at Australian Catholic University.

I then began my dream job at the Queen Elizabeth Centre (QEC) — a public hospital which provides educational programs to families who may be struggling with getting their children to sleep or feed. I am now studying a Bachelor of Nursing at Charles Darwin University.

Realising that the Yarra Valley doesn’t have a centre like QEC, last year I established my small business, Yarra Valley Sleep Consultant. I draw on the knowledge and skills I have learnt to deliver a professional and compassionate service. I recently

expanded to help children with disabilities through the NDIS and aim to extend further by also educating families on more than just sleep issues.

I love everything about the work I do. I appreciate that I can make a positive

COOPER SHALEVSKI / Class of 2016

I really enjoyed my time at MLMC, especially in Year 12. It feels as if everyone comes a lot closer, including the teachers, in the final year of school as it’s the last year you are together. As my dad always said to me, ‘make sure you enjoy school because it’s the best time of your life’. I didn’t realise how good school was until I had left after Year 12, graduating in 2016.

Especially in Year 12, we were reminded to be a good role model for the younger students as we were the “leaders” of the school. I bought this value into my working career to be a good role model for my two apprentices, one of them a MLMC alumni, in my business, CoopAir Heating and Cooling. We are based in the eastern suburbs and specialise in the

installation, service and repair of split systems, ducted split systems, evaporative coolers and ducted heaters.

I have always been a hands-on person and this job is very hands-on and technical at times, which interested me. I did my four-year apprenticeship at a heating and airconditioning company in Mooroolbark which included trade school for one day a week. I then completed further courses to obtain the required licenses.

What I like about my trade is making customers very happy after fixing their airconditioner on the hot days or replacing their ducted heater on the chilly mornings.

difference in the lives of families and MLMC taught me to always endeavour to do my best while also empowering others to do the same; to be a caring and empathic individual that strives to serve and educate others.

ROSALIE DE FRANCECSO / Class of 2019

After finishing Year 12 I expanded on my floristry skills by completing a Diploma in Event Management. This allowed me to build contacts in the event industry and create floral arrangements for MLMC, Swinburne University, headspace, the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix and the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. I then worked at The Big Group, where I was able to work across three venues (The Common Collective, Myer Mural Hall and The Glasshouse) setting up high-end events.

I have always loved floristry as designing and making beautiful arrangements allows my creativity to flow through. I combine my art as well, as I am able to sell artworks from my retail floristry business, Rosie Posie Floral Designs, in Seville. I love meeting different people from all walks of life and listening to their unique stories.

My time at MLMC helped me to understand the requirements and importance of successfully working in a team, which I still carry with me today in all aspects of my work. MLMC also guided me through VCAL by teaching me life skills such as public speaking and business skills while also providing hands-on experience. The College taught me that it is my responsibility to put in the work, to find placement and to have goals and aspirations for when I have completed Year 12.

I am now part of a fantastic networking group, BNI Business By The Sea, comprising business owners from various industries. It has given me opportunities to do flowers for events, collaborate with other businesses and place my art on their products. Through BNI I can develop public speaking skills and build business relationships with potential to create floral arrangements for large high-profile events.

Interview With Mr Danny Katzen

Science teacher Mr Danny Katzen retired at the end of 2022 having been an integral member of the Science Faculty staff at MLMC since 1991. While tempted to leave after 15 years, being invited to have a say in the construction process for the Harley Science building swayed him to stay. And the College community is so much richer for his contribution.

When did you start at MLMC?

I arrived in Melbourne from South Africa with my wife and two young children during Grand Final week of 1990. Within a week of my arrival, I visited schools in the Ringwood, Croydon and Lilydale areas dropping off my CV. I was soon offered a post to teach Year 7-10 Science as well as Year 9-10 Maths at MLMC.

Why did you stay so long?

I quickly adapted to a different style of student management. Before long, I had completed 10 years at the College and thoroughly enjoyed being in a Science leadership position. During my 15th year, I applied for Science Coordinator positions at two schools but in that same week, then Principal Mr Bernard Dobson announced that our application to Mercy Education to build a new Science centre had been approved and we immediately started consultation with an architect. I was so excited that I withdrew my applications. This was an exciting time, working with colleagues like Valdy Gravis and Marilyn Doherty, visiting a number of schools and being allowed to have a say in the design process of the Harley Science Centre, ensuring that it was cutting edge and fully met the needs of our students into the future. Before long 30 rewarding years had passed.

What are some of your highlights:

• Being part of the group responsible for planning, designing and eventually constructing the Harley Science facilities (pictured with me below)

• Working with Gail Preston and David Banfield in the early 1990s to develop and run a very successful annual Biology fieldwork trip that ran for more than 20 years and eventually being asked to present a session on ‘Planning a Fieldwork Trip’ at the annual Biology Teachers’ Conference

• Being a Science leader at MLMC for more than 25 years and working with a wonderful team

• Receiving the ultimate compliment in front of hundreds of my Biology teaching peers when publicly acknowledged and praised at the 2021 Biology Teachers Conference by an ex-student, Old Collegian Dr Nicholas Veldhuis, who was the keynote speaker

• Teaching a student who received a perfect score for Biology

• Being responsible for planning our MLMC Arbor Day during the 1990s and 2000s and literally planting hundreds of native trees and shrubs all over our beautiful campus

• Being the project leader of a group made up of MLMC and our feeder schools when we participated in the federallyfunded ASISTM Project on Maths and Science Education which resulted in the showcasing of sustainability projects at MLMC and our feeder schools

• Being an inaugural member of the STELR Science project representing the only Catholic school present. We received equipment worth more than $30,000 and it is used on a regular basis during Science classes here at MLMC

What memories bring you joy?

Walking up that hill each morning and being welcomed and energised by what must be the best setting for a school here in Victoria. And being allowed to just be the person who I am and contributing to the advancement of Science education at MLMC.

“ ”

From the Archives

Recently the College Archives team was able to help with research in regards to a family member, Sister Mary Hilda Warburton. As she was a ‘local’ girl, in conducting my research I came across many students acknowledging her as a wonderful Sister.

Sr Mary Hilda was born on 8 May 1888 in Murrurundi, New South Wales, to Charles Warburton and Letitia Bell, with the name Esther Warburton. She moved to an orchard in Gruyere with her family in 1909 when she was 21. In her early years, Esther was active in the local Anglican Church where she played the organ, she trained as a nurse and she converted to Catholicism.

Christine Henderson, Sr Mary Hilda’s great niece, said the move to Gruyere had taken Esther away from the tuition she needed to complete her music studies and qualifications but, as was a common practice in rural Victoria, the teaching of music was often provided by the nuns at the Catholic convent. “Esther regularly made a seven-mile trip to Lilydale for lessons. Because the coach service from nearby Wandin to Lilydale operated only once daily, she was forced to fill in quite a bit of time around each visit and enjoyed the hospitality of the nuns. She developed an understanding and some familiarity with their life’s purpose and style. She was attracted to what she learnt; something which seemed to give her life a deeper meaning.”

In 1913 she entered the Sisters of Mercy Novitiate at Ascot Vale. Once professed Sr Mary Hilda was sent to Mount Lilydale College, where she taught music and cared for the boarders. In 1925 she was appointed to St Benedict’s Hospital (now the site of Cabrini Hospital), where she worked as a nurse for 10 years. She was then transferred to the Mercy Private Hospital, shortly after 1935 when it opened. Sr Mary Hilda then returned to our College where she helped with administrative duties and

taught music. She also was infirmarian for the Sisters, particularly the elderly Sisters, and helped teach other Sisters how to care for broader health.

Sr Mary Hilda is remembered as a gentle lady, who was both liked and respected by her music students. Her nursing colleagues, Sisters at the Mercy Hospital, spoke very warmly of Sr Mary Hilda, and judged her an excellent, kindly nurse, and a very positive contributor to community life. In 1965 Sr Mary Hilda’s health declined and she was admitted to St Joseph’s Nursing Home in Geelong and she passed away on 25 August 1973 at Holy Cross Hospital, Geelong. She is buried at the Lilydale Lawn Cemetery, along with other Sisters of Mercy.

Old Collegian Joan Jennings (nee Spence) said she remembers visiting her aunt when she was a young girl and later she attended the College from 1955-58 during her secondary years. “We visited once a month to spend time with my aunt and my father’s foster sister. Sr Mary Hilda was the infirmarian and she taught piano. My father was an orchardist and brought fruit in season which the nuns cooked and preserved. We were always given afternoon tea, homemade goodies, of course..We ate and my aunt watched as nuns were not allowed to eat in front of lay people in those days.”

Mary Kennedy (nee Dennis) was a boarder of the College from 1948-1952 and she also recalled Sr Mary Hilda very fondly. Ms Lucia Tabacchiera, College Archivist

Community News

Congratulations to Andrew Hopkins (Class of 2005) and his wife Casey Spurling on their wedding day in Coldstream on 18 February.

Shayla Anderson

We would like to congratulate Shayla Anderson (Class of 2021) on her engagement to Brent Hathaway. They celebrated their engagement on 26 January at Forges Beach in Yarrawonga.

Congratulations to Asha Masci (Class of 2016) who celebrated getting engaged to Joshua Bradstock on 19 August 2022.

Mitchell Donald and Georgia Cullen

Congratulations to Mitchell Donald (Class of 2016) and his partner Georgia Cullen (Class of 2017) who welcomed their son Tate Ryan Donald into the world on 30 January.

Shani Colombani and Jimmy Crane

We congratulate Shani Colombani and Jimmy Crane (both Class of 2018) who celebrated their engagement at the Manhattan Hotel on 11 February.

Annie-Emma Italiano and Matthew Farrugia Roberts

Annie-Emma Italiano and Matthew Farrugia-Roberts (Class of 2013) celebrated their wedding on 8 July 2022 in Queenscliff.

Asha Masci

Andrew Hopkins

What’s On

20 and 30-Year Reunions

The graduating classes of 2003 and 1993 will be celebrating their 20 and 30-year reunions on Friday 21 July at the College in Centennial Hall. It is expected to be a great evening filled with a tour of the College, canapes, photo display and a DJ, so lots of dancing and fun can be enjoyed. If you are a member of one of these graduating years, be sure to check out the Facebook event “MLMC 20 & 30 Year Reunions” for details.

2023 Alumni Gala

We extend a warm welcome to all our Old Collegians, families and friends in the community to our 2023 Gala, which will be held on Saturday 7 October at the Chirnside Park Country Club. At this event we will acknowledge and award Old Collegians who have achieved great things within our community by inducting them on to our Mercy Honour Roll. The Gala night is always lots of fun and provides a great chance to socialise and meet new people within the College community. There will be a three-course sit-down meal, entertainment, a raffle and a silent auction. We look forward to seeing you there! For further information and to purchase your tickets please contact the Community Development Coordinator Natalie Virgona on 9739 2220 or email oc@mlmc.vic.edu.au

Class of 2022 Reunion

We are excited to announce that we will be hosting a one-year reunion for the students from the Class of 2022. This event will be held at the College on Friday 13 October and it will be a great opportunity for our most recent graduates to gather together to share their lives since leaving the College.

Celebratory Mass

On Sunday 12 November, the College will be holding our annual Celebratory Mass. The service will be held in the Chapel at the College. This is a great event for all those in the community to come together to celebrate the Eucharist and remember those who have passed away.

College Musical

The 2023 College Musical will be held from 3-5 August in Centennial Hall. Put it in your calendar and make sure to save the date! We are very much looking forward to showcasing our talented students in the hit musical The Wizard of Oz.

Get Connections digitally and read it anywhere

Mount Lilydale Mercy College is committed to making environmental sustainability a high priority which ensures respect for the earth. Our aim is to become a school that embodies eco-friendly initiatives that reduce our environmental impact.

We are always looking for ways to minimise waste, save energy and water, promote biodiversity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Working towards our commitment to a greener future, we would like to gradually move our College magazine to be distributed digitally. Currently, each copy is printed and sealed in a

plastic bag and delivered to more than 7000 people. Our College community means the world to us and we don’t want to lose touch. So, if you would like to receive your issue via email instead, please scan the QR code and fill in the form. Please note that Connections will not be going digital immediately, but we hope that you will help us reduce our carbon footprint in time.

To receive your copy via email, scan the QR code and fill in the form.