Trinity Old Boys’ Association TOBA
I
would like to commence by thanking members of the Executive Committee, the numerous old boys and members of the Trinity community who contributed to a successful year for the Association.
We had a very successful major Reunion late last year attended by over six hundred old boys. Those who attended enjoyed a warm and friendly atmosphere. Thanks to the Sub-Committee headed by Darren Taggart. A number of new initiatives were presented on the evening such as the new Association logo, a plaque commemorating the original location of the CBC College at 1 St George’s Terrace and planning of a major upgrade of the pavilion at the Waterford playing fields. Les Conceicao TOBA President
2003 is the first year that the Association has used its new logo that has been also incorporated into a new Trinity Old Boys’ Association flag. The logo was designed to include elements of the CBC and Trinity crests and reflects the history of Trinity back to 1894. The College daily flies the new flag alongside the Australian and Trinity flags. The Association’s Golf Day (coordinated by Chris Flamer) was again very successful and was enjoyed by all those who attended. We celebrated the Trinity Sunday Mass at the College Chapel on Trinity Sunday in June. We are pleased with the increasing numbers of people from all sections of the Trinity College community attending this Mass over the past few years. One of the key initiatives of the Association has been the planning and funding of a major upgrade of the Waterford playing fields by building a second story Function Centre on the existing pavilion. This will be glass and verandahs on three sides with undercover viewing areas available of the football, rugby, hockey and soccer fields. The Association has committed to raise the estimated $850,000 to build this facility and I am pleased that we are over half way to meeting our funding requirements. I would like to thank all of those old boys who have already donated and the efforts of the Fundraising Sub-Committee headed by Nick De Lello. Sports reunions were new initiatives held as part of the fundraising efforts. The largest reunion was the Football Reunion held in July. Over two hundred old boys attended as well as former coaches and staff.
We announced an “All Time Best CBC/Trinity First XVIII” on the night with a large number of great AFL/WAFL players of the past (and present) included in the team. This function was successful due to the hard work of Geoff Hendriks and his committee members. TOBA held a successful Hockey Sports Reunion in August at the State Hockey Stadium at which a large number of old boys who were former Australian Olympic representatives were present. Thanks to Julian Pearce and his committee. In July, the Brendan Ryan Cup contested between teams of old boys and current students in all winter sports, with some outstanding performances by groups. The students were successful for a second year in a row and I would like to thank all of the participants and coordinators that again made this day’s activities such a success. I would also like to thank Brendan Ryan himself whose presence and dignity again provided all of those present with a focus of what true courage is all about. Another new event on the Trinity calendar was the Inaugural Trinity College Art Exhibition held in November. I would like to thank Terry Flynn and the Class of 1961 for this initiative as their key effort in raising funds towards the Waterford Redevelopment. This was a very successful event with over two hundred artists exhibiting over five hundred and fifty paintings and sculptures. One of the spin-offs of all this activity has been the alliances the association has built with numerous businesses. Old boys who make a special effort to assist the Association operate these businesses. We would like to thank all these businesses and in particular, the efforts of Loaded Studios operated by Trinity old boys Paul Abrahams and Heath Properjohn. Finally, I would like to conclude with sincere thanks to Tony Curtis, retiring Principal of Trinity College, on behalf of the Trinity Old Boys’ Association and its members. Tony has worked closely with the Executive over the years he has been Principal of the College to enable the Association to achieve many of its objectives as well as benefiting the College and students. Best wishes to Tony and his wife Elizabeth in Tony’s well-deserved retirement. Les Conceicao President
21
