Events GRADUATION BREAKFAST

The Trinity-Terrace Old Boys’ Association (TOBA) welcomed the Class of 2022 into its community on the morning of Thursday 20 October.

The day commenced with an informal breakfast held on Centenary Park where Year 12 students, their families and loved ones gathered to celebrate this significant milestone. Following breakfast, formalities took place in the Sports Centre. TOBA President, Dion Smith (’87) officially welcomed the Class of 2022 to the TOBA community and, as is tradition, asked graduating students to stand and face their parents before he said these words on their behalf:

Mum and Dad – thank you for every parent involvement of my schooling journey, every early morning drop off, late night pickup, making recess and lunches that sometimes didn’t get eaten, constantly paying and replacing lost uniforms and sporting items, helping with homework until Year 11 (when the content got a little too hard for you), for watching me at weekend sport, for your financial sacrifices for school fees and various interstate and overseas trips and your unconditional love and support.

Graduating students and all in attendance applauded these very special parents.

Dion spoke about how they now join 14,500 other Old Boys who have worn the same uniform, competed against the same sporting rivals, sung the same war cries and had hundreds of other shared experiences. It is our hope to see them remain involved and connected to this incredible community and the many ways to achieve this.

Dion then introduced guest speaker, Nic Martin, from the Class of 2018.

Nic’s teachers describe him as determined, disciplined and humble. Everyone that knows Nic speaks highly of his work ethic, resilience, never giving up on his dreams, his fight and determination and asking for constructive feedback and embracing that feedback and going to work!

Nic’s history and achievements in football are impressive with far too many to list in this article but this year alone, he debuted with Essendon in round one, playing against Geelong, kicking five goals, gathering 27 disposal and ten marks – achieving the NAB AFL rising star nomination. He’s just completed his first year in the AFL playing 21 games and kicking 19 goals.

Nic addressed graduating students and their families:

It’s an absolute honour and a privilege to be invited here today as a guest speaker on a truly special day. When I was in Year 12, the Class of 2022 would have been in Year 8 which, quite frankly makes me feel quite old. I remember when Old Boys used to come in and speak to my year, I always used to think here we go again, so I’ll keep this short and sharp.

I was asked to do this speech about two months ago, and as I sat down last night thinking what am I going to say, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own Graduation Day. The first thought I had was the fact that I went through all of high school not knowing how to do a tie until the morning of my Graduation Day. I thought there was something quite symbolic about me tying my own TOBA tie, so I learnt that morning.

Second thought was after graduation I told my parents I was going to the library to study, instead I went and got a kebab with my mates. Funnily enough, it is one of the fondest memories I have. In Year 12 it is quite hard to really appreciate a milestone; however, during this moment we took the time to reflect and appreciate our high school journey and share some stories of our time at Trinity over a kebab. I do understand exams are coming up and it is a very stressful time –teachers and parents block your ears, but students – go get that kebab.

The friendships you have made right here will last a lifetime; it is such a special bond you create. A proud and special memory I have is when it was announced I was making my AFL debut. I messaged the group chat and without hesitation they all replied saying they will make the trip over. Two of them had a stopover in Brisbane to get to Melbourne – they didn’t sleep for two days. To share such a special moment in my life with my best friends, it truly took me back and just reinforces the bond we have created through Trinity that will last a lifetime.

One of the best pieces of advice I have ever received was just before my AFL debut and it was as simple as ‘just be present and soak it all up’. Walking onto the MCG can be daunting; however, embracing the challenge helped me be the best version of myself. I believe you can take this advice anywhere you go. Whether special moments or big events, really take it in and practise being present., especially on a day like today it is a perfect opportunity to practise it. With plenty of distractions around such as exams in the back of your mind it may be hard to appreciate today; however, this day will be one of the proudest memories you will have.

Today you become an Old Boy of Trinity. To be an Old Boy at Trinity you get a sense of lifelong belonging. Old Boys, we look after each other. I have two older brothers; one who graduated in 2005 and the other in 2016 who preach the same message. This is a lifelong bond we all develop with each other as we enter the world as men.

As you leave this chapter of your life, continue to be yourself and jump into whatever challenge that awaits you. Good luck with all future endeavours and all the best and please look after each other in the Rumble!

A huge thank you goes to the Trinity College Auxiliary for their efforts in providing a wonderful breakfast for families.

Thank you also to everyone who assisted on the day: Dayne Whalan and the grounds and maintenance team and TOBA Executive Committee members; Chris Jones (‘97), Gianni for cooking up a storm.

A special mention goes to Ms Amanda Marocchi for her outstanding contribution, commitment and dedication and care of the graduating Class of 2022 and their journey.

CLASS OF 2022 –SAVE THE DATE

On Friday, 17 November 2023 we invite the Class of 2022 to meet at The Shoe Bar in Yagan Square (owned by Paul Higgins, Class of 1982). This will be your first anniversary reunion, so look for the TOBA flag at the bar and the first round will be on TOBA.

Paul Wood Receives Outstanding Mentor Award

Professor Paul Wood

AO FTSE (Class of 1972) wins the prestigious 2022 Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers.

In a ceremony in Sydney in August at the Australian Museum, Professor Wood received this award for his vision and leadership in establishing the Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS). The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes honour research and innovation, leadership, science engagement and school science and are presented annually.

Professor Wood has been a research scientist throughout his career, including at universities, the CSIRO, CSL Ltd and Pfizer. He now helps academic groups work with industry and has already received several awards, including the CSIRO Medal and the Clunies Ross Award.

“This award recognises me and my co-founders of IMNIS and is also a tribute to the hundreds of mentors across Australia who volunteer in the programme,” Prof Wood said.

IMNIS is the premier Australian mentoring programme for PhD and early career postdocs in STEM with over 400 individuals being mentored each year by industry professionals. Over 20 universities and research organisations participate in IMNIS and there are 1700 alumni who have completed the programme.

IMNIS continues to expand and is now a highprofile programme within the Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering (ATSE) and part of the new Elevate programme, which recently received $41 million in funding from the Federal Government to boost women in STEM.

The success of IMNIS is a credit to Prof Wood’s vision, leadership and tenacity to bring together a small team to design and implement a mentoring programme that could be scaled across Australia to make a real impact on the future careers of thousands of young researchers.

Four WA universities (UWA, Curtain, Edith Cowan, Murdoch) participated in the IMNIS pilot programme in 2015/16 with support from Engineers Australia and AusBiotech and continue to be strong supporters.

First Premiership Win In 1972 Forms An Unbreakable Bond

Fifty years ago, the Trinity Old Boys (TOBA) Football Club, now known as Trinity-Aquinas (TAs) won their first premiership in the Western Australian Amateur Football Association (now the State Amateur League).

Players from the team, including Geoff Clifford (’67), Brian Bradley (’64), Brian Hair (’67), Mike McDonnell (’67) and Rob Daniel (’64) have been catching up for 50 years to relive the momentous moment.

Opposed to TOBA in their ground-breaking grand final win was a team representing CBC Fremantle Old Boys.

The match, played at Fremantle Oval on 9 September 1972 resulted in a resounding 57-point win for the two blues of TOBA. Final scores were TOBA 14.16 (100) to CBC Fremantle 5.13 (43).

Trinity finished the first quarter with a slender lead. A dominant second quarter saw them outscore the opposition by 33 points to set up a match-winning lead and was not seriously challenged for the remainder of the match.

Goal scorers on the day were: Br Brian Clery – 3, Neil Waters (’71) – 2, Brian Hair (’67) – 2, Randall Foote (’70) – 2, Peter Messer (’68) – 2, Br Basil Hickey (’52) – 1, Rob Daniel (’64) – 1 and Bruce Watt (’69) – 1.

The strong running game of Geoff Meyer (’69) was a key to the win. The strength of Neil Hawtin (’65) (dec) and Br Mark Sweeney (dec) in the packs and the aerial work of Richard Pawluk (’69) was a standout in what was described as a well-balanced team effort.

In the early days of the history of the club, the Christian Brothers lent their support in many ways with several them being important members of the playing group.

On Grand Final day, Br Clery, at full forward, was opposed by his younger brother representing CBC Fremantle playing at full back. This resulted in the large Clery family contingent march from one end of Fremantle Oval to the other at the start of each quarter in support of each of the opposing brothers. This TOBA team lined up as follows:

Backs: Kerry Monaghan (’66), Richard Pawluk (’69), Br Mark Sweeney

Half Backs: Mark Beeson (’69), Dirk Van Kessell (’63), Mike McDonnell (’67)

Centre: Geoff Clifford (’67), Geoff Meyer (’69), Garry O’Connell (’70)

Half Forwards: Br Basil Hickey (’52), Brian Hair (’67), Peter Messer (’68)

Forwards: Neil Waters (’71), Br Brian Clery, Randall Foote (’70)

Rucks: Rob Daniel (’64), Neil Hawtin (’65) and Bruce Watt (’69)

Reserves: Philip Carney (’61), Leon Flanagan

Emergency: Brian Bradley (’64)