ANDREW MACFARLANE 2022 College Captain Graduation Address

Good Evening Mr Zavone, staff, parents and guests and of course the Year 12 cohort of 2022. This year I have had the honour of being your College Captain and it’s one that I have thoroughly enjoyed and have worn with great pride.

To put into words the lifetime of experiences and opportunities at St Edmund’s College would be too difficult a task, but I’ll do my best.

Memories of Junior School include the first day of Year 4 where we had 80 odd boys crammed into Mr Di Fronzo’s classroom where Mr Di Fronzo tried to convince us his arm was bitten off by a shark; our beloved Ethan Phengrasmy getting the infamous nickname of Bobby and Andre Jugovac successful recalling to Year 4 students the plot line to all of the Rocky films. And of course, Ms Patricia Doyle standing in front of us much to our fear. Junior School continued fast for most of us singing our times tables in Mr Bell’s classroom and the famous camps to Tuross. Who could forget the chicken and gravy rolls and the fun had up there? A thank you must go to all the Junior School staff that kicked off our journey at st Edmunds and left us with a good impression leading into high school.

Our time in high school started in 2017 and this is where our brotherhood began to grow. Everyone uses the word brotherhood but to me it’s more like a family - the friends I have gained, lifelong friends. The lessons we have all learned can only be put down to the excellence of staff we have here at the College. When somebody asks me what makes Eddies different to the rest, I say the brotherhood, the opportunity and I also say without hesitation we have the best teachers who not only care about our learning but our wellbeing. So on behalf of the Year 12 students, we owe all the teachers a massive thank you. On a personal note I would like to thank Miss Tanisha Elliott, my four Heads of House over my time, Ms Monica Day, Mr Pat Langtry and Mr Trent Masters for the support they have given me and the lessons they have taught me to grow into my role as College Captain this year. I would also like to thank the vice-captains Josh Hobbs, Matt McGrath and Henry Alsworth as well as all the House Captains for making my job the easiest and most rewarding.

I don’t think it is an understatement to say that almost every student here tonight has had the best moment ever at St Edmund’s or around the boys at St Edmund’s, whether it be the standing ovation after the school musical, the lunchtime shenanigans with the boys, winning a grand final or having the honour of receiving an award in front of the whole school. The feeling of pride that you have for the 30 seconds to a minute after those experiences is immeasurable, and if you could bottle that feeling up and sell it you’d be a billionaire. You know what I’m talking about. That feeling would not be possible without St Edmund’s College.

I have saved the last two things to speak about to the end for a reason. I would like to give the biggest thank you to all our parents for the early morning knock on the doors, the scramble to get to the bus on time, the trainings, the functions, the many “be careful or don’t be home too late”. Without our parents we would not be standing here as the young men we are today, so thank you. And thank you for making the best decision to send us through St Edmund’s. To my parents Ian and Lisa, I know at times it has been hard with the ridiculous number of training, the long trek in and having a son who failed his driving test three times, so I couldn’t even help you out. The debt I owe you is massive, thank you very much and so much love to you.

Lastly, to the Year 12 cohort … whatever you decide to do with your lives I’d like to leave you all with a final message. The final as your College Captain, so signing off for the final time here we go:

Dear Year 12, many of you will never put on the school uniform again, never walk through the halls or onto the fields and look into the stands and feel a whole school/community behind you. I know it hurts. Through injury, adversity and even family tragedy, you always made that choice. To never let your brothers down. For me that’s the definition of character and character is all that a man has in his life. When you are handed your certificates and hand in your time at Eddies, know that your life as part of this school is not over… it’s only beginning, because you will never hand in the lessons you’ve learned, the respect you’ve earned and the family you’ve created. You will wear that for the rest of your life. Forever an Eddie’s boy. I love you boys.

Edmunds to the fore.