365501 Marcellin Life 2 December 2025

MARCELLIN LIFE S T A Y I N G

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ANNIVERSARY EDITION

1 DECEMBER 2025 EDITION 75th Anniversary Music Gala Coming Home Sean Millis The Relentless Run John Meagher From the Bray to the Big Stage Greg Madigan

CONTENTS

In Memory

Welcome

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2025 College Vice Captains

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We remember those who have passed and always keep them in our thoughts.

Champagnat Day

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Hall of Fame Inductee

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Where Are They Now?

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Around The College

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75th Anniversary Music Gala Concert

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Coming Home: A Gala Nigh that Brought it all Full Circle Sean Millis 14 Faith in Action

Bernard Bruggeman Class of 1956 Peter O'Rourke Class of 1959 John Torpey Class of 1962 Michael Spain Class of 1970

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

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Welcome to our December 2025 edition of Marcellin Life, a celebration of a remarkable year in which Marcellin College proudly marked 75 years of learning, community and Marist spirit.

The Relentless Run The Making of a 25-Year Culture John Meagher 18 From the Bray to the Big Stage Greg Madigan

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Staff Profiles Liana Colaluca Nicole Webster

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Event Gallery

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Sport Reports MOCFCC Report Marcellin College Report

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St Marcellin Champagnat Bursary Fund

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College Building Upgrades and Updates

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2025 Alumni Reunion Evening

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Save the Date!

Past Collegians Luncheon

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From the Archives

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The Final Word

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Editorial Team Jack Buckingham Richard Liistro Design and Layout Teresa Orsini Printing by Eastern Press Front cover image 75th Anniversary Music Gala Concert, 2025 © 2025 Marcellin College This document has been produced to international environmental management standard ISO14001 by a certified printing company using recycled paper.

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As we close out this milestone year, we look back on the many moments that made 2025 unforgettable. This edition brings together stories that capture the energy and heart of our College from student achievements and community initiatives to the events and celebrations that brought us together.

To honour our anniversary, we revisit the chapters of our history, tracing the path from our early days in Camberwell to the vibrant Bulleen campus we call home today. Alongside this journey, you’ll hear from alumni who reflect on the friendships, experiences and values that have continued to shape their lives long after leaving the College.

We also take time to remember members of our community who passed away this year, acknowledging their contributions and the impact they have had on generations of Marcellin students and families.

Two major highlights feature prominently in this edition: our 75th Anniversary Music Gala Concert, an inspiring celebration of the arts and our 2025 Alumni Reunion, where six decades of graduates gathered to reconnect and celebrate this shared milestone.

You’ll also find student stories, community highlights and our much-loved Where Are They Now? section, showcasing the diverse paths taken by our recent graduates.

Thank you for joining us in celebrating this landmark year. The sense of community, tradition and connection that defines Marcellin College has never been stronger and we are delighted to share these moments with you.

We hope you enjoy the read.

Richard Liistro

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which this school stands, the Wurundjeri-Baluk clan of the Woiwurrung people in the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

WELCOME College Principal As we bring 2025 to a close, it is a pleasure to welcome you to this edition of Marcellin Life - an opportunity to reflect on, and celebrate, the people, stories and gatherings that have shaped the second half of this milestone year.

From June through to today, our 75th Anniversary has continued to serve as a unifying thread across College life. It has been a year marked not only by celebration, but by deep connection to one another, to our shared story and to the Marist spirit that continues to guide us.

One of the standout moments of the year was our 75th Anniversary Music Gala Concert in October. Featuring current students alongside returning alumni, the evening was a powerful blend of talent, nostalgia and pride. Performances drawn from the musical history of the College created a strong sense of continuity across generations, reminding us that while times change, the heart of Marcellin College endures.

Our Memorial Mass for the Deceased offered a similarly profound moment of reflection. As a community, we paused to honour those who have gone before us, holding their memory with reverence and gratitude. In true Marist fashion, it was a reminder that relationship sits at the centre of who we are: that we carry one another, across time, in both joy and loss.

Marco with alumnus Daniel Perera at the 75th Anniversary Music Gala Concert

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In November, our 2025 Alumni Reunion Evening saw past students return to campus in great numbers. Whether reconnecting with classmates, revisiting familiar spaces, or sharing stories with former teachers, the evening was marked by warmth, laughter and genuine joy. Once again, it affirmed what we know to be true: the Marcellin experience stays with our young men long after they leave the College gates.

Across all these moments, one theme has continued to shine - the strength of our connection to former students and families. This connection is grounded in what we call the Marist HEART: Humility, Excellence, Acceptance, Resilience and Trust. These are not simply words, but values we strive to live each day: forming young men who are confident yet grounded, courageous yet compassionate, and prepared to be 10% braver in their learning, relationships and contribution to the world.

Marco with the 2025 & 2026 Student Leadership teams

Throughout 2025, we have continued to see these values come to life across the College in classrooms, on ovals and courts, in liturgy and service, and in the everyday interactions that quietly shape culture. Our alumni community remains a vital part of this story, and this year has reminded us just how powerful and enduring those relationships are.

In this edition of Marcellin Life, you will find stories that capture the spirit, achievements and evolving landscape of the College as we bring our 75th Anniversary year to a close.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the life of Marcellin across these past months. May these pages offer a moment of pride, connection and inspiration - as we celebrate all that has been and look with confidence and hope to all that is still to come.

Marco attending the MSA Mass & Dinner

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CALLUM GRACE Year 7

2025 COLLEGE VICE CAPTAIN

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO PURSUE THE ROLE OF COLLEGE VICE-CAPTAIN AT MARCELLIN COLLEGE?

Year 12

WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR HIGHLIGHTS THIS YEAR?

Over my time at the College, I have always looked up to the College Captains as pillars of leadership and figures of inspiration as they led by example. Each year I pictured myself in their shoes, hoping one day I could inspire another student and positively impact their high school experience.

This motivated me to pursue the role because I wanted to contribute to the culture, spirit and growth of the school that has shaped me. I aimed to make changes that would better those around me and felt a responsibility to give back to a community that has supported me so well.

A key highlight was working with different people to achieve the goals we set at the beginning of the year. With our student leadership coordinator, Ms Webster, we were proud to have plans approved to place a table and chairs set in the newly renovated quadrangle on behalf of the graduating class of 2025. This space will be used for years to come and reflects our goal of enhancing student engagement and strengthening community. Another highlight was working with House Captains and Year 12 students on the 2025 formal video.

It was a completely different experience but equally rewarding, emphasising the value of teamwork and relationships.

HAS THE ROLE MET YOUR EXPECTATIONS?

WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR 2025 AND BEYOND?

The role mostly met my expectations and was similar to what I anticipated. I understood the work required to help improve the College and support the culture and wellbeing of the student body. However, the role also exceeded my expectations. I feel privileged to have attended leadership camps, worked with students from around Victoria and formed genuine friendships with my fellow College Captains, which showed me that leadership is far more than a title.

WHAT WAS YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE IN THIS ROLE AND HOW DID YOU ADDRESS IT?

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My greatest challenge was learning to balance leadership with academic responsibilities and personal commitments. Year 12 is demanding and the added load of leadership heightened this, especially when missing classes for meetings and events.

It pushed me to manage my time more effectively and become more organised and disciplined.

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MARCELLIN LIFE Marcellin LIFE

Now that the year has come to a close, I hope to receive an ATAR that allows me to study commerce at Melbourne University.

I am looking forward to majoring in actuarial studies and working towards a career in this field.

JACK ALLEN

Year 7

2025 COLLEGE VICE CAPTAIN

Year 12

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO PURSUE THE ROLE OF COLLEGE VICE-CAPTAIN AT MARCELLIN COLLEGE? During my life at the College, I’ve always looked up to leaders of the school and how they conduct themselves.

From Joshua McCraith to Connor Whyte and everyone who has stepped foot in the role since, it’s these types of people that motivated me to be in the position to make a difference at the school.

HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE AS COLLEGE VICE CAPTAIN DIFFERED FROM YOUR INITIAL EXPECTATIONS? As the last year can get stressful at times, the amount of effort and energy the three of us can give can vary, but I guess that’s the best part of the team of three. At any one point, one of us could do the heavier lifting and our communication regarding that was different from what we thought. Although we had different friendship groups, the respect we had for each other that stemmed from being in the same position in Year 9 was key to how we organised ourselves. Getting along across friendship groups in the cohort was reflected in this and is something I’m proud to have led alongside Daniel and Callum.

WHAT WAS YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE IN THIS ROLE AND HOW DID YOU ADDRESS IT?

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The year wasn’t without its challenges, as is the theme of a last year at school. Decisions that impacted Year 12 jumpers were obviously not received well among some, however, for our leadership group to be able to negotiate that and come to an agreement was a success and highlight of the year. Some of the biggest challenges this year were down to communication and organisation, most evidently in producing the Marcellin Formal video. I say this because scheduling meetings at lunch with ten to fifteen other eighteen-year-old boys who would probably rather do something else than sit down and work during their lunch was hard. Finding times when we were available to film scenes and get staff involved was difficult in itself, but it was a credit to everyone who was involved.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR 2025 AND BEYOND? My hopes for the future are to study engineering at university and continue to play as much cricket and football as I can, whilst continuing to be involved in the College through various ways. I look forward to seeing my past teachers and peers who helped me along the way in the next year and hopefully for a long time.

S TAY I N G C O N N E C T E D TO O U R PA S T, P R E S E NSUMMER T & F U T U2023 RE

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2025 ALUMNI REUNION

Champagnat Day 9 SEPTEMBER 2025

On September 9, Champagnat Day brought our community together in a vibrant celebration that felt especially meaningful in our 75th year. The day began with Mass led by Fr Mark Reynolds, who encouraged the boys to follow St Marcellin’s example by approaching the world with hope and compassion. We also presented the 2025 Champagnat Medals and welcomed Hall of Fame inductee Daniel Carison through a special video message.

The energy lifted as the Connor Whyte Memorial Walkathon begun and the campus came alive with food trucks and games. The ovals were buzzing with favourites like “footy in the bin” and the dunk tank, where brave teachers (and a few reluctant volunteers) took a chilly splash to the delight of the students.

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The celebrations wrapped up in St Marcellin’s Hall with the launch of House Theatre Sports. It was a lively mix of trivia, quick-fire challenges and crowd-pleasing moments, capped off by a surprise staff-student performance of Superstition. It was a brilliant finish to a day that captured the spirit, tradition and camaraderie that define Marcellin College.

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M ARCELLIN COLLEGE

CHAMPAGNAT

Medal

2025 RECIPIENTS YEAR 7

Darragh Finn

Isaac Ferraro

YEAR 9

Xavier Ferraro

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Dominic Zuccala

YEAR 11

Benjamin Bodycoat

Brian Nguyen St Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist Brothers, encouraged his Marist followers to live their lives

YEAR 8

Finn Reynolds

Toby Stewart

YEAR 10

Xavier Baldwin

Charles Wearn-Jarvis

YEAR 12

Charles Gamble

Cooper Ogden

STAFF

“doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”

In honour of St Marcellin, the Champagnat Medal is bestowed on staff and students who have demonstrated the very qualities of St Marcellin himself.

Emily Andrews

Natalie Carter

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HALL OF FAME Inductee

DANIEL CARISON CLASS OF 2011

MARCELLIN COLLEGE IS PROUD TO RECOGNISE DANIEL CARISON AS THE 2025 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE. Celebrated by critics as a baritone who “surpasses everyone when it comes to seduction,” Daniel has become one of Australia’s most compelling young operatic voices. His path from the music rooms at Marcellin College to major European stages reflects a rare blend of talent, discipline and belief in his craft.

After graduating in 2011, Daniel studied a Bachelor of Music at the University of Melbourne, where he discovered a deep affinity for the German language and its musical traditions. That passion would ultimately take him to Germany, where he has lived and performed for the past seven years.

From 2015 to 2017, Daniel was awarded three consecutive scholarships through

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the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust, giving him opportunities to refine his artistry while performing across Australia and Asia. During this time, he collaborated with current Marcellin College staff member and pianist Geoffrey Urquhart, creating a celebrated German song program that strengthened his growing connection to European repertoire.

Daniel’s move to Europe began in 2018 when he received the German-Australian Opera Grant. He joined the ensemble of the Hessisches Staatstheater in Wiesbaden, performing more than fourteen roles in his first year alone. He later became principal baritone at the Landestheater Coburg, where his repertoire has expanded to more than forty major roles, including Papageno, Don Giovanni, Figaro and Escamillo.

Beyond opera, Daniel is an accomplished performer of modern music and Oratorio.

He won the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Aria Competition in 2014 and continues to push creative boundaries through projects such as The Second Golden Age with pianist Rhodri Britton. In 2022 he was awarded the Sir Robert William Askin Operatic Scholarship in recognition of his continued excellence.

Reflecting on his journey, Daniel shared a message with current students encouraging them to “stay the course and be courageous” in pursuing what inspires them.

Daniel Carison embodies the spirit of Marcellin College, he has ambition shaped by humility and the courage to follow one’s calling with conviction.

Notable ALUMNI

At last year’s Champagnat Day Mass, we were proud to announce the induction of Professor Peter MacDonald into the Marcellin College Hall of Fame. A distinguished heart surgeon and former student, Professor MacDonald has made groundbreaking contributions to cardiac medicine through his work on the revolutionary ‘heart in a box’ technology, an innovation that has saved countless lives.

As we continue to honour members of our community who have made a lasting impact, we invite you to consider:

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MARCELLIN LIFE

Do you know someone who deserves to be recognised?

If there’s a former student whose achievements, service or leadership you believe should be celebrated, we encourage you to submit a nomination.

Scan THE QR CODE TO COMPLETE A NOMINATION FORM. Let’s continue to honour those who strive for the highest.

Where ARE THEY NOW? PA S T C O L L E G I A N S

JONATHAN FLETCHER CLASS OF 2011

AGSV 1st Soccer, 2010

Year 12, 2011

Career and Achievements Post-College After graduating from Marcellin College, Jonathan studied Biochemistry at Merrimack College in Massachusetts on a soccer scholarship, completing his degree in 2016 before settling in New Zealand. In 2017, he began his professional career as a Research Scientist with a New Zealand pharmaceutical company, before moving into the corporate sector in 2019 when he joined Ernst & Young in Auckland. In February 2024, he was married in Russell, New Zealand and later that year, in May, he and his wife relocated to Berlin, Germany, where he is currently based and continues his work with Ernst & Young (EY).

Impact of College Experiences Marcellin had a profound impact on my life beyond college, shaping it with countless lasting memories. When I look back, I think of good times with friends, moments of success on the sporting field and the privilege of learning from passionate teachers who truly cared about their subjects.

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Jonathan celebrates a goal with his Northland FC teammates

Fondest Sporting Memory My fondest sporting memory at college was winning the AGSV Soccer title in 2011. A close second would be the soccer tour to Italy and Singapore earlier that same year, an unforgettable experience both on and off the field.

Maintaining College Connections I’ve been fortunate to stay connected with a number of friends from my college days and those relationships have been an important part of my life since. Living outside Melbourne from the moment I left Marcellin has made it challenging, but we’ve kept the friendships going. I’ve returned to Melbourne to visit friends over the years, hosted them in New Zealand, welcomed them to my wedding and even travelled to Oslo, Norway, to reconnect with a former classmate.

It’s always special to reminisce about college memories, but even more rewarding to witness these friends grow, meet their partners and see them start families of their own.

AGSV 1st Soccer, 2010

Advice for Current Students Get involved! Throughout both college and life after, I’ve found that rewards come from all kinds of experiences and the best way to unlock those opportunities is by saying yes. This might mean joining sports teams or extracurricular activities, but it also includes engaging in the classroom and socially. Put yourself out there, take chances and embrace both success and failure, because each experience will help you grow.

Married in Russell, New Zealand.

February, 2024

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AROUND the COLLEGE OUR COLLEGE THEME GROW, LEARN, LEAD: BECOMING WHO YOU WERE MEANT TO BE.

INTO THE WOODS JR. Our 2025 M2 Theatre Junior Production Into the Woods Jr. brought plenty of excitement to the College as students from Marcellin College and Our Lady of Mercy College Heidelberg stepped into the spotlight for three lively performances. After months of rehearsals and costume changes the cast delivered a spectacular take on the classic musical.

Auditions earlier in the year drew a strong response from Years 7 – 9, including many first-time performers who soon found their feet. Their enthusiasm carried through every rehearsal and it was clear how much they had grown by the time the curtain went up.

Thank you to the performers, crew, staff and families who helped shape such a rewarding experience. The production was a reminder of what young people can achieve when they throw themselves into something new and give it their all.

10 CREATE 25 Create25 once again highlighted the imagination and talent of our students across Art, Design and Technology.

The exhibition celebrated not only the finished pieces on display but the curiosity, problem-solving and persistence behind them. It was a clear reminder that creativity runs through many areas of learning at Marcellin College and plays a vital role in helping students think deeply and express their ideas with confidence.

Thank you to Ms Marina Sipos and Ms Annie McNamara for their leadership and for bringing together such a thoughtful celebration of student work.

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MARCELLIN LIFE

Artist in Residence: SkunkControl As part of Design Week, 12 students took part in this year’s Artist in Residence Program with SkunkControl, spending two days experimenting with light, colour and laser-cut design. Guided by the team, they created intricate butterfly wings using optical filters and Illustrator, resulting in kinetic works that will be showcased in our new flyover gallery next year.

VALEDICTORY AWARD

Winners

YEAR 12 VALEDICTORY There was a genuine sense of pride across the College as we gathered to honour the Class of 2025 at their Valedictory Mass and Dinner. It was a moment to pause and take in just how far this group has come and to acknowledge the friendships and milestones that have shaped their years at Marcellin College. The evening carried a quiet confidence as families and staff watched our Year 12 students step into the final stretch of their school journey, ready for the challenges ahead.

Their hard work, resilience and good humour have left a lasting impression, and we send them forward with our encouragement and belief in what comes next.

We wish every student from the Class of 2025 all the very best for the path ahead.

AWARD FOR THE ARTS

in honour of Danny Price

Luke Budge

SPORTING AWARD

in honour of Terrence Cleary

Aaron Piaia

FAITH IN ACTION AWARD

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in honour of Stuart Hendrie

Emil Sprajc

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD Callum Grace

OVERALL EXCELLENCE & CONTRIBUTION AWARD in honour of J.J. Boyd

Cooper Ogden

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ITALIAN IMMERSION TOUR Over the Term 3 break, 30 students and four staff members travelled through Italy on an immersion tour that blended learning the language with art, history and culture. The group began in Milan before making their way through Venice, Florence, Pisa, Sorrento and Rome, experiencing the country’s beauty and character from bustling city centres to quiet coastal towns.

CHINESE EXCHANGE TRIP During the Term 3 break, a group of our students returned from a memorable 10-day exchange program in Shanghai, where they were immersed in Chinese language, culture and everyday life.

From their first morning in the classroom to their final farewell with host families, the boys embraced every opportunity.

The boys visited landmarks such as Il Duomo, Lake Como, St Mark’s Square, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Vatican and Colosseum and so much more. Between guided tours, cooking classes and opportunities to practise Italian with locals, each day offered something new.

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During their stay, students attended lessons at a local school, practised their Mandarin in real settings and built genuine friendships with their hosts.

Beyond the classroom, they wandered through historic sites, navigated Shanghai’s vibrant streets and experienced traditions that helped bring their studies to life.

Shared meals, family activities and cultural exchanges made the trip especially meaningful.

The boys spoke often about the warmth and generosity they experienced and many returned with a deeper appreciation for Chinese culture and the relationships they formed along the way.

This exchange offered a rich blend of learning and personal growth, giving students confidence, independence and a global perspective that will stay with them well into the future.

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Students returned with memories they’ll carry long after the tour. Massimo (Year 10) shared that “seeing places like the Vatican and Pompeii in person opened my eyes to a world beyond what I’ve ever known.” Patrick (Year 10) described the Florence cooking class as “a great way to see how simple ingredients can become incredible dishes.”

Max (Year 10) loved discovering the variety across each city, saying “every place had its own story, and the food set a new standard for what Italian should taste like.”

The tour offered a rewarding mix of cultural immersion, personal growth and shared experiences, giving students a stronger appreciation for the language and the country that inspires it.

PARENT & SON COOKING CLASSES Our Parent & Son Cooking Classes hosted by our Parents & Friends Group were hit, with families joining chef Paul De Noury to cook and share meals together. The series began with vibrant Spanish sessions, followed by popular Japanese classes where participants made everything from miso soup to sushi and tempura.

These evenings continue to be a simple and enjoyable way for parents and sons to spend time together while picking up new skills in the kitchen. A big thank you to all the families who took part and helped make each session such a warm and memorable experience. We look forward to welcoming more families into the kitchen next year.

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MARCELLIN LIVE FM ON AIR Our Year 12 VCE VM and VPC Literacy students recently stepped into the world of radio through a four-day incursion with Ralph Barba from Making Media Live FM. They learnt how to host, interview and manage a live broadcast while building confidence in oral communication and applied literacy.

Across the sessions, students interviewed staff, ABC commentator Ryan Hoffman and Australian actor and former Marcellin student Stephen Curry. They also produced a thoughtful segment with former army veteran Ben Owens, whose reflections on resilience and independence left a strong impact on the group. A warm thank you to all our guests who contributed to such a valuable learning experience for our students.

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Celebrating A LEGACY Meet THE FACES

SHAPED

BY GENERATIONS OF MARCELLIN COLLEGE

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n Sunday 12 October, The Centre Ivanhoe became a meeting place for seven decades of Marcellin College’s musical life. The Marcellin College 75th Anniversary Music Gala brought seven decades of musical life together in one unforgettable night. Held at The Centre Ivanhoe, the event drew nearly 300 guests who were treated to a vibrant journey through the College’s history.

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Each decade was introduced with a video montage that set the mood before performers stepped in to bring the era to life.

The 1950s segment opened the evening, led by a group made up of alumni from across multiple decades who came together to revisit the original Marcellin song. Seeing performers from different eras share the stage offered a powerful snapshot of our musical story. It reminded everyone that our performing arts program didn’t just develop over time, it grew through people, with each generation adding something that strengthened the next.

Throughout the night, former students returned to the stage with the same enthusiasm they once brought to rehearsals in their school years. Their performances sat comfortably alongside current students, creating a mix of nostalgia and fresh energy. Seeing Old Collegians step back into the spotlight was one of the evening’s great highlights and many spoke afterwards about how meaningful it was to be part of a milestone event that honoured the journey they helped shape.

SCAN QR CODE TO VIEW

LIVE STREAM OF THE GALA https://youtu.be/sd-hfcobjKQ

More than 100 performers contributed to the celebration, including guest alumni such as Andrew Broadbent, Lucas Dejong and Sean Millis. What made the night truly special was not just the quality of the performances, but the way the room felt throughout the night. Alumni clustered around old friends, families shared stories between items and current students stood alongside the generations who came before them. It was a celebration of music, yes, but also of the people who have carried it through the College for 75 years.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed, our Music Department, staff, students, families and the many alumni who returned to perform or support the event. This milestone reminded us just how deeply music runs through the story of Marcellin College. As we look ahead, it’s clear the legacy is in very good hands.

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MARCELLIN LIFE

SCAN QR CODE TO VIEW

75 YEARS OF MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS VIDEO https://youtu.be/gdnkSD-NOq0

15 CELEBRATE 75 YEARS OF MARCELLIN COLLEGE

ORDER YOUR LIMITED EDITION Commemorative BOOK – $90

Our beautifully crafted 75th Anniversary Commemorative Book is now available. A stunning, large-format edition that captures the story of Marcellin College through rare photographs, personal reflections, key milestones and a fold-out historical timeline. It’s a keepsake designed for anyone who has played a part in the life of the College.

Order now and be part of the story.

Email community@marcellin.vic.edu.au or scan the QR code

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Sean on The Voice, Channel 7

COMING HOME:

AGala Night

THAT BROUGHT IT ALL FULL CIRCLE WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

Throughout his schooling, Sean quietly managed something most people never knew. He was suffering Hunters Syndrome.

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“I go to hospital once a week. It’s routine now, but when I was younger it meant missing a lot of school.”

He also couldn’t play contact sport, something that distanced him from the footy mates he spent so much time with.

“It made me feel a bit out of it. I loved AFL, but I couldn’t play.

So I threw myself into singing and acting. That became my thing.”

Sean still remembers his first choir rehearsal at Marcellin.

Nervous. Unsure. Surrounded by older students he admired.

“I looked up to all the boys in the choir… the leads in the musicals. I just thought what they were doing was really cool.”

Sean with Matthew Thomas & Alexander Di Paola, 2018

When actor and singer Sean Millis (alumnus 2018) walked on stage at Marcellin College’s 75th Anniversary Music Gala, he felt a rush he wasn’t prepared for. The lights, the choir, the familiar faces, it all came flooding back, but the emotions were overwhelming .. taking him back to when he first start at the College.

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t didn’t feel like any time had passed,” he says. “Talking to the boys I used to sing with every week, seeing Mr Thomas again, I was smiling the whole night. It felt like being home.”

For Sean, the Music Gala wasn’t just a performance; it was a reunion with the place that shaped him. The place where a Year 7 boy who loved sport slipped into the choir room one lunchtime, not realising he was about to discover the thing that would change his life.

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Seven productions later – Babe, Guys and Dolls, Blood Brothers, The Crucible, Legally Blonde – he had become one of those role models. The stage wasn’t just a place he stepped onto; it became where he felt most himself.

“I didn’t care what part I got. I just wanted to be amongst it.

The warm-ups before the shows were the best. It felt like a footy game… sometimes I enjoyed the warm-ups more than going on stage.”

Behind the laughter sits something profound: Marcellin gave him belonging and confidence.

MAD MAX, COLDPLAY AND THE UNPLANNED RISE Fresh out of university, with a small performance profile online, Sean auditioned for Mad Max: Furiosa, a self-tape filmed in his room, sent off with no expectations.

Months later, George Miller was on a video call telling him he had a role.

Even then, it was meant to be small.

“I didn’t sleep the night before. My first scene was with Chris Hemsworth, just me and him talking, with hundreds of bikers roaring up a hill behind us.”

Champagnat Chapel Choir, 2018 Sean performing Imagine with Emmanuel Kelly at Marvel Stadium

Sean with his Drama class attending Carmilla at La Mama Courthouse, 2017

Sean starring in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Sean with Chris Hemsworth on set of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Standing on the rocky slopes of Broken Hill, freezing, surrounded by dust and adrenaline, a 19-year-old alumnus from Bulleen suddenly found himself in the middle of one of Australia’s most iconic film franchises.

His original song Waiting on a Miracle went viral soon after, topping charts in the UK and sending him into days of interviews.

“It was surreal. Everything I’d learned, all the years at Marcellin, I trusted it. And then the part just kept growing.”

The Gala performance at The Centre Ivanhoe gave him something he didn’t expect: a reminder of why he started.

There were sand dunes near Sydney, elaborate sets and friendships with industry giants.

“Being with the choir again, singing those songs … Power of Your Love, all the classics. Everyone standing up at the end, I felt everything come back. It made me excited to sing again.”

“I was doing Zoom interviews in the car between things. It was hectic but exciting.”

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“At the world premiere, Chris just said, ‘Don’t worry about the trolls. Focus on the people who matter.’ We still keep in touch.”

Another unexpected moment arrived via Coldplay. Singer Emmanuel Kelly found Sean’s number on IMDB, called him out of the blue and asked him to perform Imagine with him at Marvel Stadium before Coldplay.

“I thought it was a scam. Then I got a voicemail … and realised it was real.”

Three days later, Sean was standing in front of tens of thousands.

“It was the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen. I just tried to take it in. And I remember thinking, don’t forget the words…”

THE VOICE, A RARE DISEASE AND THE POWER OF BEING SEEN In 2023, Sean auditioned for The Voice, a dream he’d had since Year 7. His family drove from Melbourne to Sydney after getting the flights wrong.

“They were so committed. I thought, I better sing well after all that.”

He chose Jessica Mauboy as his coach, helped by his mum mouthing “Jess!” from backstage.

Sharing his rare disease publicly was emotional and liberating.

“I almost cried. My sister bawled her eyes out. I still get messages from families all over the world … parents, kids, people living with rare diseases. It’s overwhelming but beautiful.”

RETURNING HOME

He still auditions constantly, still juggles life and creativity and is honest about how tough the industry can be.

“You hear a lot more ‘nos’ than ‘yeses’. But when a yes comes?

You soak it in. And be grateful. And work hard.”

What would he say to a Year 7 boy walking into choir for the first time?

“Stop overthinking. If you enjoy it, go for it. Take things at your own pace. And don’t worry about mistakes.”

And to students who are too shy to start?

“Just begin. You can’t predict what might happen. I never planned to be in Mad Max. I just kept doing what I loved.

You never know what might come your way.”

STILL RISING

Today, Sean is auditioning for new roles, writing music in the background and hoping to land his next major project. But above all, he’s following the same instinct that carried him from the choir room to the sand dunes of a Hollywood blockbuster.

Somewhere in all of that, the boy who once sang in the St Patrick’s Cathedral choir is still there, still smiling, still determined, still taking up space on whatever stage he steps onto next.

Images courtesy of Channel 7 and Warner Bros. Pictures.

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BLESSING OF THE CHAMPAGNAT CHAPEL, CHIRAT LEARNING CENTRE AND PLACIDUS LIBRARY In a milestone moment for Marcellin College during our 75th anniversary year, the community gathered on Wednesday, 13 August to celebrate the blessing and official opening of three beautifully renewed spaces at the heart of our campus: the Champagnat Chapel, Placidus Library and Chirat Learning Centre. Bishop Thinh Nguyen led the blessing, joined by priests, students, staff and invited guests who came together in gratitude, pride and hope for the years ahead.

openness create an atmosphere that encourages prayer and stillness. At its centre, the altar and ambo stand as reminders of the grounding presence of the Gospel in the life of the College. The surrounding artwork, crafted with thoughtful symbolism, helps connect worshippers to themes of creation, hope and the enduring presence of God in everyday life.

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The celebration marked the culmination of years of visioning, planning and renewal. These newly reimagined spaces now sit at the centre of College life, offering places where faith, study and community come together in meaningful ways. Their opening also reflects the College’s commitment to shaping an environment that supports the spiritual, academic and personal growth of every young person entrusted to our care.

The Champagnat Chapel is the spiritual heart of this renewal.

Its design invites quiet reflection, drawing people into a space that feels deeply connected to both the land and our Marist identity. Natural light, gentle textures and a sense of

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MARCELLIN LIFE

A unique feature of the Chapel is the Marist HEART installation, which holds the names of all students and staff. It stands as a visible expression of the five values that guide our community - Humility, Excellence, Acceptance, Resilience and Trust - and places the entire College in the care of Mary in the spirit of St Marcellin Champagnat. This simple yet powerful inclusion ensures that each person is woven into the story of the space from the moment they enter.

Adjacent to the Chapel, the updated Placidus Library and Chirat Learning Centre bring new energy to the academic life of the College. The library offers bright, flexible spaces for study and collaboration, while the learning centre supports students through modernised facilities designed for curiosity, connection and growth.

FAITH IN ACTION

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2025 has seen our Game Changers and Faith-in-Action initiatives flourish, with students across all year levels embracing opportunities for service and leadership. Game Changers has continued to expand across all year levels, demonstrating how strongly our community embraces faith, service and social justice as guiding principles for making a positive difference both within the College and in the wider world.

We began the year with our Servant Leadership Faith Gathering, which brought together an ever-growing group of passionate students. Having so many young people united in this space highlighted their commitment to living out the Marist values of faith, compassion and justice, while also giving them the chance to build connections, form new friendships and enjoy the sense of community these events create.

Throughout 2025, students continued to strengthen their understanding of these values by engaging in a variety of Marist Youth Ministry experiences. Senior students participated in Connect Nights, while Years 7–9 attended Regional Retreat Days, providing opportunities to meet and learn alongside peers from other Marist schools across Victoria. Our Year 10 students again took part in the Lavalla Camp, a memorable experience centred on leadership, faith and solidarity. Many students named this camp as a highlight of their year, particularly because of the relationships formed with young Marists from across Australia.

Our Christian Service efforts expanded this year, with students and staff volunteering through ongoing partnerships in the community. Service activities included visits to St Mary’s House of Welcome to cook pancakes for morning tea, working at the Mont Albert Vinnies store, supporting the Exodus Community Bread Run and assisting at St Pius X Primary School. We had our first Year 9 Immersion experience with the Exodus community. It was especially encouraging to see more students outside the Game Changers program stepping forward to participate, generously giving their time to support these outreach opportunities.

Fundraising in 2025 was exceptional, with whole-school contributions growing and student participation at an all-time high. The generosity of the Marcellin College community, together with the leadership of the Game Changers students and their mentors, allowed us to support Caritas, the Vinnies Winter Sleepout, Australian Marist Solidarity and St Mary’s House of Welcome, among others. Fundraising activities included our Easter raffle, Shrove Tuesday pancakes, egg and bacon roll BBQs and our first ever Pop Up café serving ice creams. The students really shine during these events, working together and having fun.

The dedication of our students, families, staff and wider community has once again been inspiring, reflecting a shared commitment to service, solidarity and the Marist way.

Anna Bell - Faith in Action Coordinator

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THE

Relentless

RUN

John Meagher with students celebrating their 2004 Cross Country Premiership

THE MAKING OF A 25-YEAR CULTURE If you want to understand the soul of Marcellin College’s Cross Country Program, you start with the man who built it. Not quietly, not quickly and certainly not easily, but one training run, one student, one year at a time.

Cross country at Marcellin is not a casual lunchtime club. It is, as John describes, an addiction.

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F

or more than 36 years, Coach and mentor John Meagher has been the unshakable force behind one of the most extraordinary success stories in school sport: a 25-year winning streak in the AGSV competition, something he dryly describes as “a pretty big record.”

But the streak didn’t begin with trophies, scholarship runners or a ready-made squad. It began with a single boy, one bulletin and a run to the front gate.

“I put a note in the bulletin saying cross country training was starting,” John recalls. “One kid turned up. His name was John Gregory. We ran out the front gate and he was blowing like a steam train, completely cooked. He could barely get back.”

John pauses, smiling.

“By Year 12, he won the AGSV comp.”

John is the first to admit the foundation years were far from glamorous.

“We were finishing second last every year. The only team we could beat was Assumption College,” he laughs.

So he attacked the problem differently. Instead of chasing a star runner, he went after something far more important: depth.

“We don’t have scholarship kids. Other schools could bring in a boy who’d win the race, fine. But what happens at the back end? That’s where comps are won. We needed five runners scoring. So I worked on our depth.”

The strategy worked. Once Marcellin broke through for that first title, something switched.

“Momentum is real,” John says. “Once you win one, the boys want to win again … and again … and again.”

And they did, for a quarter of a century.

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A PROGRAM BUILT ON GRIT

MARCELLIN LIFE

“For me personally, running is an addiction,” he says. “For the boys, improvement becomes the addiction. Once they see themselves getting better, they’re hooked.”

The squad trains all year round and at 62, John still runs every session.

“I can’t keep up with the Year 10, 11 or 12 students anymore, they’re too quick. But I run midfield with them. I need to feel the session. The wind, the heat, the conditions. I won’t stand on the sideline. I get out there with them. They need to see me doing it.”

It’s the kind of leadership that breeds results.

This year alone, four Marcellin boys qualified for Nationals, including a podium finish and a remarkable sixth place in what John calls “the toughest age group in Australia.” Behind those results is a coach who understands the demands of elite competition.

John’s own running background is extraordinary. He still holds a world record in the 10km for his age group (60+) and he uses that experience to coach with the mindset of an international competitor.

“I teach the boys that not all races are equal. We have C races, B races, A races and A+ races. Worlds. Nationals. State titles.

You can’t go full throttle every week. You pick your moments.

That’s a life lesson too.”

He’s taken Marcellin teams to World Championships four times, finishing third twice and coaching individual world-level runners like the electric Kyle Martin, who ran the secondfastest U16 1500m in Australian history.

And it all begins long before the start line, often with the simplest moment: finding the boys who don’t yet know they belong in this story.

John doesn’t wait for students to volunteer, he goes out and finds them.

“No one signs up for cross country,” he says, laughing. “So I go into every Year 7 class at the start of the year. If a kid in the front row says, ‘Yeah, I can run,’ bang. I’m on the phone to Mum that night.”

That first phone call is the beginning of a partnership with families who throw themselves into the life of the squad, from WhatsApp chats to early-morning drives, Sydney trips, Falls Creek camps and everything in between.

“We have the most amazing parent group on the planet,” John says.

Many are alumni families whose names John has seen move through the ranks for years and together they form the scaffolding that keeps the program steady through tight finishes, injuries and even COVID-disrupted seasons.

WHY CROSS COUNTRY BUILDS SOMETHING GREATER THAN FITNESS

“Cross country is honest,” John says simply. “There’s nowhere to hide. The gun goes off and it’s just you getting yourself over that line. You can’t rely on someone else.”

He believes that honesty is what builds resilience that lasts far beyond sport.

“Bad days aren’t rare”, he tells his runners. “They’re inevitable.

The question is whether you can look yourself in the eye afterwards and work out how to be better tomorrow.”

That mindset, he insists, becomes a way of approaching everything else in life.

But even with the individual nature of the race, he’s firm on the team’s importance. “We make it team-orientated here.

Everyone has a role. Every place matters. If one boy is 20 spots behind where he should be, that can cost the whole year. They know that. They care about that.”

That blend of personal accountability and collective responsibility creates a very particular kind of student.

They learn quickly that effort isn’t optional, that improvement takes consistency and that their choices affect more than just their own result. Many arrive with no running background at all, but the culture pulls them in and shapes them. Cross country teaches them how to commit to long-term goals, to handle pressure, to stay disciplined during the months when no one is watching and to support teammates.

It’s no surprise, then, that the squad’s success is never confined to the track. At awards nights, John notes that “I don’t think there’s one kid in my team that doesn’t get an award.” They turn into students who lead in the classroom, who organise themselves, who embrace big challenges because they’ve already lived the habit of getting up the next day and trying again. Many go on to achieve at the highest levels, in athletics, yes, but just as often in entirely different fields, because they carry with them the discipline, resilience and self-belief that years of honest running have carved into them.

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Cross Country Premiership, 2024

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Cross Country Prem

iers, 1998

Cross Country, 1969

Cross Country, 1995

Cross Country, 2002

Cross Country, 1981

Kyle Martin claims victory at the World Titles in the Czech Republic, 2010

Cross Country Prem

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Cross Country, 2017

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MARCELLIN LIFE

iers, 2004

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th

premiership victory

Cross Country Premiers, 2025

The squad’s latest victory marks the program’s 25th consecutive AGSV premiership, a milestone that lands in the same year our College celebrates its 75th anniversary. John doesn’t frame the achievement as a single crowning moment.

For him, the 25 years are the product of all the seasons that came before, the early decade spent trying to lift a squad out of second-last place, the boys who showed up in the rain, the parents who drove carpools to Falls Creek, the volunteers who stepped in so he could take runners off campus and the countless students who bought into an approach that demanded honesty and gave back confidence.

THE LEGACY THAT WILL OUTRUN ALL OF US

Some old boys have become pillars of the program in their own right.

Steve Kelly, for example, one of Marcellin’s finest. He went on to run for Australia, finishing 50th in the world at World Cross Country, one of the toughest races on the planet. Today, he is a major figure at Box Hill Athletic Club.

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That quarter-century has included close calls, seasons rescued by one more race when COVID threatened to wipe out the calendar, years when schools like Mentone and Camberwell pushed Marcellin to the edge and days decided by the fifth runner in the scoring team.

It means this season isn’t just another win. It’s a chapter that connects the first boy John coached, struggling to reach the front gate, to a program that now sends runners to nationals and world trials. It shows what can grow when a community commits itself to something year after year, long beyond when anyone might reasonably expect the streak to survive.

And it marks a moment where the history of Marcellin College and the history of its cross country program cross paths, both celebrating endurance and both still looking forward.

Then there’s Scott McKenzie, who recently returned after finishing his time in the college system. He now works with John to identify promising young runners and help give them opportunities beyond school. He’s part of the alumnidriven network that continues to propel the program forward.

Others return informally, jumping into Sunday long runs, sharing stories, encouraging the next crop of boys on the Bray Oval. The program’s success has never belonged to a single era. It’s a living chain, each year level tightening it for the next.

John wants to get to 30 straight AGSV titles. After that, he says, he'll step back.

Maybe the momentum will fade. But the alumni suggest otherwise.

They keep showing up. They keep calling out “Johnny Ma!” across parks and pathways. They keep tying their shoes, years after graduating and choosing to run.

The legacy isn’t the streak.

It isn’t the medals.

It isn’t even the world-class athletes.

It’s the community, the alumni, the families, the boys who became men and never quite let the program go.

It started with one boy who couldn’t make it to the front gate.

And now, 36 years later, Marcellin College has thousands who can.

Because legacies like this aren’t built by chance.

They’re built one run at a time.

And one old boy at a time.

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FROM THE BRAY to the BIG STAGE Sean on The Voice, Channel 7

GREG MADIGAN (CLASS OF 1987) – CEO, AFL VICTORIA

THERE’S SOMETHING TIMELESS ABOUT THE PHOTO.

A

young Greg Madigan, rising above a muddy pack on Bray Oval, eyes fixed on the ball, the backdrop a blur of maroon and gold. It’s a moment frozen in time, boots caked in mud, guernsey streaked, pure determination in flight.

“I remember it clearly,” Greg laughs. “It was against Essendon Grammar and the centre of the oval was a quagmire. You don’t see that anymore. The ball was still somewhere above my head when the photo was taken, but I held onto it, kicked the goal and we went on and won the game.”

That single image, one that still circulates among old teammates and staff, captures the essence of Marcellin football in the 1980s. Tough, spirited and muddy.

For Greg, it also captures where it all began.

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GROWING UP MARCELLIN

Greg grew up just around the corner, on Kenneth Street in Bulleen. “Marcellin was always part of the plan,” he says. “I went to St Clement of Rome Primary School and pretty much everyone from there came here. It wasn’t even a question.”

He started at Marcellin in 1981, spending two years at the junior campus in Camberwell before moving to Bulleen. Football was the heartbeat of school life.

“You’d play at lunchtime, play after school, then play again on the weekend,” he recalls. By the time he reached Year 12, Greg was vice-captain of the First XVIII, playing alongside classmates like Justin Abbott and Dean Bromage. “We had a great team. I still catch up with a core group of six of those guys all the time, we’ve been best men at each other’s weddings and godfathers to each other’s kids. That’s the kind of friendships this place gives you.”

FROM BULLEEN TO THE BIG LEAGUE

Greg’s journey to AFL football started, as many great stories do, by chance. At the time, Fitzroy held the rights to players from the Bulleen area, but Greg wasn’t on their list.

“Dad actually ran into Leigh Matthews at a pub,” he says, grinning. “Leigh was coaching Collingwood then, but he gave Dad the name of Hawthorn’s footy manager, John Hook.

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MARCELLIN LIFE

Greg takes a mark against PEGS on the Bray Oval, 1987

We made a phone call, went out to play a practice match that Sunday and I signed with Hawthorn that night. It all happened so quickly.”

He joined Hawthorn’s under-17 squad and quickly rose through the ranks. By 1991, he had made his senior debut and, in a fairytale twist, played in a premiership in his first season.

“I grew up barracking for Hawthorn, so to win a premiership with them was unbelievable,” he says. “I played six games that year, had my jaw broken, missed four, came back for one, got dropped again and then the Grand Final came around.”

Hawthorn had gone straight through after the second semifinal, earning a two-week break and when Peter Schwab was suspended there was suddenly a spot available. “I didn’t think I’d get in,” Greg recalls. “I was just training and happy to be part of it.” The moment finally came on the Thursday night, not through a phone call, but over the radio. “I didn’t even get the call. I heard it on the radio,” he laughs. “It was amazing.

To find out that way and to then run out for a Grand Final with the team I grew up supporting, it was surreal.”

A NEW CHALLENGE OUT WEST

After several seasons at Hawthorn, Greg joined Fremantle in 1995, the club’s inaugural year in the AFL. “I was 25 and it just felt like the right time for a change,” he says.

He spent four years in Perth before returning to Melbourne in 1998, transitioning from the field to the workforce.

1st XVIII Football team, 1987

Greg holds Premiership Cup, 1989

A job with Lion Nathan in the beer industry turned into a 16-year career. Then came the opportunity that brought him back to football, this time from the administration side. “I reached out to an old colleague from Lion who was at the AFL. I just said, ‘If anything ever comes up, let me know.’”

A few days later, the phone rang. Someone had resigned and Greg was invited to interview. “It was pure timing, a bit like everything else in my life,” he laughs. “I was lucky, but I’d also worked hard for a long time and the connection to footy had always been there.”

LEADING THE GAME IN VICTORIA

Now, as Chief Executive Officer of AFL Victoria, Greg leads the body responsible for growing and supporting the game across 85 leagues and more than 1,000 clubs across the state.

He’s particularly passionate about making the game more accessible and inclusive. “Footy is such a powerful connector,” he explains. “We’re finding new ways for people to play, like AFL 9s, where there’s no tackling and it’s mixed gender. It means older players, women and newcomers to the sport can all take part. The more versions of the game we have, the more people we reach.”

For Greg, the sense of community he found at Marcellin has shaped how he leads today. “Footy clubs are the same as schools, they bring people together. When you go to a country game and the whole town’s there, kids, parents, grandparents, it reminds you how special that connection is.”

STAYING TRUE TO HIS ROOTS

Despite a life in football, Greg has never forgotten where it started. He still speaks fondly of his days on the Bray Oval, his teachers and the friendships that have lasted decades.

He’s also quick to champion the Marcellin Old Collegians Football Club. “I’d love to see more students play for the Old Boys after they graduate,” he says. “You don’t play footy for the money, you play for the mateship and the memories.

Helping the club climb back up to A Grade would be huge for the community.”

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“Our main role is to drive participation and make sure grassroots footy is thriving,” he says. “We don’t run the leagues, we support them. We help with governance, umpiring, coaching and getting kids involved through Auskick and school programs.”

Allan Jeans holds the cup as Greg (second from right) and teammates celebrate Hawthorn’s 1989 premiership

Greg’s story is a reminder of how the spirit of Marcellin endures well beyond the classroom. From a muddy mark on Bray Oval to a premiership medal at the MCG, from corporate boardrooms to the leadership of AFL Victoria, his journey reflects the values that continue to shape the College.

And through it all, one thing remains the same, that unmistakable sense of belonging that began in Bulleen, with a football, a few mates and a shared love of the game.

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Meet THE FACES

OF MARCELLIN COLLEGE

Liana travelling the globe. L–R: Tasmania & Rome

LIANA COLALUCA

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When did you start at Marcellin College?

I started at the beginning of the 2024 school year.

Can you describe your role at Marcellin College?

I began my time at Marcellin as the Redden House Leader, where I was responsible for the academic and wellbeing needs of all students in Redden House. Next year, I am moving into an acting position as Humanities Learning Leader, where I will oversee the Humanities Department. I also teach VCE Legal Studies, VCE Vocational Major (VM), Religion and Humanities subjects.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

What I find most rewarding is the opportunities I have had to see students grow and develop. Although my time at the College has been short, I have had the privilege of working closely with students who have navigated through various challenges. Seeing them show up for themselves, trust in their networks and grow as young men is truly rewarding. It is often the little moments of growth or a conversation that sparks that proud feeling. I love being in the classroom and seeing young people have the “I get it” moment and push themselves out of their comfort zone.

What hobbies or interests do you pursue outside of work?

I am a very social person, so I enjoy catching up with friends or family on the weekends and travelling with my partner.

However, with all of the energy needed for school, I do need down time and so I love spending time outside, walking, reading a good book or attending to my plants and herb garden.

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MARCELLIN LIFE

I absolutely love cooking and I find it to be very mindful and relaxing, so any chance I can to explore a new recipe or cook something I will take it!

What’s your favourite memory from your time at Marcellin College so far?

One of my fondest memories so far has been the Year 12 Retreat. The time on retreat this year was special and rewarding thanks to wonderful colleagues, but mostly, due to the openness and engagement from the students. It has probably been close to the best retreat experience I have had.

What advice would you give to new staff joining Marcellin College?

Observe, listen and seek support. There are wonderful and experienced educators in our community who all have something to share and give. Learn as much as you can from them and ask questions, as nothing is too big or too small.

Liana with staff at Year 12 Formal

Family House at Phillip Island

NICOLE WEBSTER

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When did you start at Marcellin College?

I returned to teaching at Marcellin College at the beginning of 2025, but my journey with the College actually began back in 2012, when I first joined the staff. This marks my third chapter teaching at Marcellin, with a few long maternity leaves in between. I promise, no more breaks this time; three children is a blessing but plenty!

Can you describe your role at Marcellin College?

I teach classes but also hold the position of leadership called Student Leadership Co-ordinator. I work closely with all student leaders across years 7-12. I help create a culture of student agency, responsibility and engagement. Through our Leadership program at Marcellin we aim to develop students as a whole person, creating confident, communityminded individuals.

What hobbies or interests do you pursue outside of work?

I love to travel with my family when I can. My love of reading runs deep and l am always up for a chat about what people are reading. Also, my random hobby is that I am an Apiarist; a bee keeper. I have been doing it now for two years and find bees fascinating, albeit a bit intimidating. I recently harvested my first lot of honey!

What advice would you give to new staff joining Marcellin College?

Starting at a new school, especially one as large and dynamic as Marcellin College can feel overwhelming at first. But you are not alone. One of the greatest strengths of this community is its people. You will find that your colleagues are genuinely warm, generous with their time, and always willing to help.

All you have to do is ask.

Trip to Thailand with family this year

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EVENTS GALLERY

FATHER’S DAY BREAKFAST | 9 SEPTEMBER This year’s Father’s Day Breakfast brought a full room and a great sense of connection as fathers and sons gathered in the Functions Room to share the morning together.

example they set each day. A highlight once again was the collection of heartfelt video messages from students, which never fail to add something special to the occasion.

The morning also offered a chance to pause and acknowledge the role fathers and carers play in the lives of our young people, not only through the support they give, but through the

Thank you to all who joined us and helped make the breakfast another memorable moment in our calendar.

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VOLUNTEER THANK YOU DINNER | 24 NOVEMBER The annual Volunteer Thank You Dinner was a warm opportunity to express our appreciation to the many people who generously support life at the College. It was wonderful to come together, share a meal and recognise the time and commitment given by our 2025 volunteers across a wide range of areas. As we look ahead to 2026, we are inviting new volunteers to get involved and continue this important work within our community.

If you’re interested in learning more or registering your interest, PLEASE SCAN THE QR CODE

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MARCELLIN LIFE

PAST AND PRESENT MUMS MASS & LUNCHEON 14 AUGUST

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This year’s Past and Present Mums Mass & Luncheon had a warm atmosphere from the moment guests arrived.

Mums from across the decades came together in our newly renovated Champagnat Chapel and Functions Room, catching up, sharing stories and enjoying the chance to reconnect.

What began years ago with the Ladies Auxiliary has grown into a deeply valued tradition.

The raffle added excitement to the afternoon, with a generous selection of prizes donated by our community. It was great having our 2025 student leaders join us for lunch and even

better watching them sit with the mums and hear firsthand what the Marcellin experience has meant to families through the years.

Justin Abbott also stopped by and took a photo with his mum, Judy, who is a much-loved regular at the luncheon. It was a simple moment that captured the spirit of the day perfectly.

It was a relaxed and memorable gathering and we’re grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make it such an enjoyable occasion.

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In April 2024 we had just four members a true “heart-in-mouth” moment when you’re building the plane mid-flight. By June, we had grown to 21. This year, membership has reached 31 and 2026 is shaping up to be another big year of growth. It’s remarkable to think the Coterie is still only 18 months old.

MARCELLIN

Old Collegians FOOTBALL CLUB

COTERIE

How A Social Movement Is Revitalising Our Old Collegians Footy Club Picture this: a proud Old Collegians football club with a rich history, one that has played at the highest level of amateur football alongside countless State and All-Australian representatives suddenly finding itself in C-Grade, dodging relegation like a car weaving around potholes on a country road. That was the reality facing the Marcellin Old Collegians Football Club at the start of 2024.

We knew we needed to aim higher than a new game plan. In late 2023, the idea of a Marcellin Coterie was born and launched in April 2024, bringing together a committed group who provide vital financial support to the College’s sporting programs and the Old Collegians football club, while strengthening connections through regular social gatherings.

The Game Plan: Building a Pathway from the College After consulting with College leaders and the football club, the Coterie identified its first priority as establishing a clear pathway from the College football program to the Old Collegians club. This aims to support young men as they continue playing with their peers, develop their skills and connect with Marcellin alumni who share the College’s values and can offer guidance, networks and support.

The Pathway: Now Under Construction Since its inception, the Coterie has contributed more than $60,000 directly and indirectly to building this pathway. This includes:

MCC Dinner

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• Strengthening engagement by funding a Sherrin Matchday football at every College game from Year 9 upwards, awarded to the player who best represents the College’s Marist HEART values, with expansion to Years 7 and 8 in 2026.

• Supporting facilities upgrades by contributing funds to the College’s changeroom renovations and weights room redevelopment.

Backing the growth of all sporting programs, including: i. Performance testing to assess key performance and injury-risk indicators ii. Strength and Conditioning coaching iii. Biomechanical testing iv. SCAT5 concussion assessments to establish baseline profiles for all students

Phil Toohey interviewing Peter MacDonald at MCC Dinner

• Initiating and funding an Athletics Excellence Program across October and November for students of all sports, delivered under the guidance of AFL High Performance coach Andrew Russell.

We’re thrilled that several 2025 graduates have already committed to joining the Old Collegians football club and we warmly welcome other students and families who may be interested. If so, please contact Pat Benson through the College.

Looking Ahead Our ambition is clear: for the Coterie to provide leadership, expertise and financial support to help build a healthy, vibrant and sustainable Old Collegians football club across both the Men’s and Women’s programs. From there, we aim to lift our eyes to new alumni opportunities, including business networking, mentoring, career guidance and professional pathways.

If you are a College parent or alumnus and would like to learn more about the Coterie, please don’t hesitate to contact Michael Boyce by phone: 0477 378 892 or email: michaelboyce01@gmail.com.

MCC Dinner

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MARCELLIN LIFE

Michael Boyce

SPORT REPORT

MARCELLIN COLLEGE

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Charlie Cleary 2025 SPORT CAPTAIN Being Sport Captain at Marcellin College was not only an honour, but also one of the highlights of my high school experience.

I loved helping create an environment where everyone felt encouraged to take part and give their best. Across school carnivals and AGSV competitions, I made it a priority to maintain a positive attitude and ensure all students felt supported, regardless of results. Working closely with staff and fellow student leaders also played a big role in my development and I am grateful for their guidance and support throughout the year.

The Sport Department enjoyed an outstanding year in 2025, reflecting the hard work, resilience and team culture that underpin sport at Marcellin College. Across a wide range of activities, students committed themselves to early mornings, after-school training and representing the College with pride.

Coaches, support staff and supporters all played a vital role in creating an environment where teams could perform with confidence and unity.

What made the role especially meaningful was seeing the impact sport can have beyond competition. Supporting younger students to become involved, celebrating team achievements and helping build a strong sense of belonging within our sporting community were incredibly rewarding.

Through the role, I’ve grown significantly as a leader, particularly in communication, organisation and working collaboratively off the field.

I am proud of what we achieved together as a sporting community this year. The friendships, lessons and memories formed through sport at Marcellin College are something I will carry with me well beyond school.

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MAKE AN IMPACT on a YOUNG PERSON’S LIFE ST MARCELLIN CHAMPAGNAT BURSARY FUND MARCELLIN COLLEGE

CARNIE Award

The College acknowledges that most parents and carers make sacrifices to provide their sons with a Marist education. We are very conscious that families do not encounter financial distress to meet the cost of sending their sons to Marcellin College.

More recently, the Carnie Award was also established as a more comprehensive bursary for a limited number of students to overcome barriers to achievement created by social and economic disadvantage with a nominal contribution from their family. These recipients must be endorsed by their primary school principal, parish priest, or through the Edmund Rice Network as part of the enrolment application process. The first recipient of the Carnie Award was in 2023.

The disbursement and governance of these funds is overseen by the Foundation Board of Directors who assess the need and feasibility of each applicant. We are so pleased to be able to contribute to and support these very worthwhile individuals to establish their path to an education at Marcellin College.

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A number of years ago, a bursary program was established to support families who may be impacted by financial distress.

This program is based upon meeting qualifying criteria that the College had made an annual budget allocation to assist a targeted number of families who were judged to have a need.

We want to assure you that the process and assessment are confidential between the family and the College Finance department, ensuring the privacy of your financial situation.

The Marcellin College Foundation together with the St Marcellin Champagnat Bursary Fund was subsequently established to accept tax deductible donations to provide funding for the bursary program.

The College is proud of these vitally important bursary programs to ensure that no child is left behind in having access to a Marist education at Marcellin College. We welcome the donations from our College community to the bursary fund and importantly applications from families who may qualify for assistance.

Further information about how you can support a family visit marcellin.vic.edu.au

Your

IMPACT

To date, more than $600,418 has been distributed in support to families through the program to provide invaluable assistance.

Whilst College funded bursaries date back many years, since 2021 some 86 families have been supported with a successful bursary application and obtaining a concession to reduce their tuition fees.

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MARCELLIN LIFE

$600,418

86 FAMILIES

Champagnat Chapel

Architect render of new flyover, quadrangle

Flyover construction, Champagnat Court

Champagnat Chapel

Marian Wall installation, Champagnat Court

COLLEGE BUILDING

Upgrades AND Updates 2025 has been a year of major transformation across the College, with several key building projects progressing and new initiatives beginning to shape the campus our students will inherit in the years ahead.

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2025 has been a year of major transformation across the College, with several key building projects progressing and new initiatives beginning to shape the campus our students will inherit in the years ahead.

Placidus Centre Library

DONATE TODAY Scan the QR codes or visit us online to contribute BURSARY FUND

https://www.marcellin. vic.edu.au/community/ giving-programs BUILDING FUND

https://www.marcellin. vic.edu.au/community/ building-fund Further Information: Richard Liistro Director of College & Community Engagement +61 3 9851 1589 community@marcellin.vic.edu.au

Following the success of the Placidus Centre Library and the renewed Champagnat Chapel earlier this year, attention has now shifted to the next wave of improvements.

The construction of the Gallery Flyover is well underway, bringing a bold architectural link between Ardmara and the Hermitage Buildings. Once complete, it will create a seamless connection across the heart of the College and serve as a striking new feature of our daily landscape.

Preparations have also begun for the redevelopment of Champagnat Court.

This central outdoor space will be reimagined as a place for gathering and reflection, offering students and staff a welcoming environment that supports community life. The newly installed Marian Wall has already added a distinctive touch, setting the tone for what this renewed precinct will become.

Our sporting precinct continues to benefit from targeted upgrades. The lighting installations on Bray Oval and Gartner Fields have expanded opportunities for training and competition, ensuring that after-school sport can thrive even during the shorter daylight months. These enhancements will support both student programs and the broader community who share these facilities and with construction of the new Bray Oval grandstand expected set to begin in 2027, the next stage of our sporting development is already taking shape.

Across classrooms, the introduction of Vivi wireless presentation technology is steadily increasing interactivity and flexibility in teaching. The upgraded Weights Room is also proving popular, supporting students involved in fitness, highperformance sport and co-curricular programs.

Each of these projects reflects a broader commitment to building a campus that supports learning, wellbeing and belonging. As we continue to develop spaces that inspire curiosity, connection and growth, we remain focused on creating an environment that allows every student to flourish.

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2025 ALUMNI REUNION

A look back at the graduating

CLASSES OF 1965, 1975, 1985, 1995, 2005 & 2015 28 NOVEMBER 2025 On 28 November, Marcellin College welcomed alumni from the Classes of 1965, 1975, 1985, 1995, 2005 and 2015 for the 2025 Alumni Reunion Evening, including many who travelled from interstate. The atmosphere settled quickly into something familiar as old classmates found one another, swapped stories and wandered through the places that shaped their school years.

of Marcellin Life were also laid out and it wasn’t long before groups gathered around them, pointing out names and moments they hadn’t thought about in years. Instant Blues also returned after their performance at this year’s Music Gala and brought the same energy that made them a favourite.

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Tours ran early in the night and proved popular, with graduates moving between new learning spaces and the landmarks they remembered. The archive pinboards were a real draw, photos, programs and standout moments spread across the displays. Past Ad Altissima yearbooks and archived editions

We are truly grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make the night so memorable. Events like this show how strong the Marcellin College community remains and how valuable these reunions are.

Next year, we look forward to welcoming the Classes of 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006 and 2016. To ensure you receive an invitation, please update your details using the QR code.

Is your reunion approaching? Don’t miss out on your invitation!

SCAN THE QR CODE TO UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION

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MARCELLIN LIFE

Save the Date!

PAST COLLEGIANS

LUNCHEON

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We are very pleased to share that the Marcellin College Past Collegians Luncheon will return in 2026!

DATE: Thursday, 9 April 2026 While we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming many of you to our 75th anniversary events throughout this year, the luncheon itself took a pause while those celebrations took centre stage.

We’re looking forward to bringing this valued tradition back in 2025 and gathering again for Mass, lunch and time shared in good company.

More information and formal invitations will follow early next year, but for now, please mark the date in your calendar.

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FROM the ARCHIVES

A LOOK BACK AT THE MOMENTS AND DETAILS THAT SHAPED 75 YEARS OF MARCELLIN COLLEGE

Junior scholars,

1955

Ardmara Camberwell, 1950

Opening Day, 1950

50 First Pupils, 19

The College Opens

Classroom, 1950 Br Nilus Kenny

On 7 February 1950, Marcellin College opened its doors for the first time. The foundation enrolment of 170 boys came from 19 surrounding parishes, gathering at Ardmara on Canterbury Road. Under the leadership of Brother Nilus Kenny, supported by Brother Placidus and Brother Austin, lessons began in the three available classrooms. It was the quiet start of what would become a thriving community.

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College Regulations, 1969

School Group, 1950 Alexanders Advert

Uniform

Suit monogram, 1951

From its earliest days, Marcellin College set clear expectations for how students presented themselves. In the 1969 College Regulations handbook, the first rule stated that boys were to wear full uniform to and from school and at all public occasions.

In a 1950 photograph, our foundation students can be seen standing in their blazers, ties, knee-high socks and the distinctive maroon cap. The uniform was more than clothing – it reflected discipline, identity and pride in being part of the College.

A selection of original uniform pieces is now displayed in Marist House, offering a glimpse into how styles have changed while the sense of belonging has remained constant.

Cricket Cap & Blazer, 1950's

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MARCELLIN LIFE

First Edition of Ad Altissima In May 1956, Marcellin College published the first edition of Ad Altissima, named for the College motto meaning “Strive for the Highest with Virtue and Courage”. Released in the same year that Saint Marcellin Champagnat was beatified, the publication reflected on the College’s first five years and celebrated the shared work of students, staff and families in shaping its direction.

St Patricks Day March, 1956

St Patricks Day March, 1956

The inaugural edition also acknowledged the pioneering leadership of Brother Nilus, whose vision and character helped form the foundations of College life. The original volume is now displayed in our newly refurbished Library.

Original edition on display

Ad Altissima, 1963

Congregation at Opening

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Opening of Bu

lleen Campu

s

Opening of the Bulleen Campus

On 31 March 1963, around 1,500 people gathered for the blessing and opening of Marcellin College’s new Bulleen campus. The modern buildings, set high above nearly forty acres of grounds and playing fields, signalled a bold step into the future.

Archbishop J. D. Simonds praised the new campus, noting the quality of its facilities and the educational

Administration Building, 1963

opportunities it promised. In the Ad Altissima, the Bulleen campus was later described as the fulfilment of “many years’ hopes and dreams”, admired for both its setting and its purpose.

What began as a single elevated building has since grown into the entire home of Marcellin College, a place where generations of students have strived for the highest.

Production Posters

First M2 Production

7 Beauty and the Beast, 200

Cast, Rock of Ages, 2024

In 2006, the Performing Arts program entered a new era with the introduction of The Man of La Mancha, the first musical staged by the M2 Theatre Company.

Formed in partnership with Our Lady of Mercy College, M2 combined the creative strengths of both schools, giving senior students a shared platform to perform, design and produce.

School of Rock, 2019

The production told the story of Cervantes and Don Quixote, supported by a full cast, orchestra and an enthusiastic community of staff, parents and alumni. It set the tone for the collaborative productions that continue to flourish today.

Ad Altissima, 1990

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Students walk to class through the quadrangle during the opening year of the Marcellin College Bulleen campus, 1963

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MARCELLIN LIFE

The FINAL WORD WHERE ARE YOU NOW? We love hearing from our graduates about what they have been up to since leaving the College. Share your memories and photos from your time at Marcellin College and your journey to the present day. Email community@marcellin.vic.edu.au to submit your story and photos to be featured in the next edition of Marcellin Life.

Marco with alumnus Daniel Perera at the 75th Anniversary Music Gala Concert

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TELL US WHAT YOU THINK We love to hear your feedback on this edition of Marcellin Life, celebrating our past, present and future. Thanks to your help we can make this publication even better. Email us your thoughts at community@marcellin.vic.edu.au.

DETAILS CHANGED? Email us at community@marcellin.vic.edu.au stating your full name and leaving year and year level (e.g. left Year 12 in 1975).

MISSED YOUR COPY OF MARCELLIN LIFE?

MARCELLIN LIFE S T A Y I N G

C O N N E C T E D

T O

O U R

P A S T ,

P R E S E N T

Special 7 5

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F U T U R E

ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Marco with the 2025 & 2026 Student Leadership teams

Our publications will continue to be available online via marcellin.vic.edu.au.

If you would like a physical copy, you can request one by emailing community@marcellin.vic.edu.au with your full name, postal address and graduating year.

DECEMBER 2025 EDITION 75th Anniversary Music Gala Coming Home Sean Millis The Relentless Run John Meagher Madigan From the Bray to the Big Stage Greg

17/12/2025 5:39 PM 2025_MLife2_FrontCover_D1.indd

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Marco attending the MSA Mass & Dinner

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40 The Way Home artwork by Luca Mikus, Year 10

MARCELLIN COLLEGE 160 Bulleen Road, Bulleen VIC 3105 +61 3 9851 1589 | community@marcellin.vic.edu.au marcellin.vic.edu.au