8 minute read
TOBA
It is with pleasure that I provide my first report for the College Annual as President of the Trinity College & CBC Perth Old Boys’ Association (TOBA).
It has been a significant year of change for TOBA. Not in the manner in which TOBA went about its business, but a change in leadership. I use the word ‘significant’ as it is the appropriate adjective to describe the contribution of Mr Darren Taggart (’83) as previous President of TOBA.
Previously, I have placed on record, and I will do so again, the significant contribution to TOBA that Darren made during his tenure as the longest-serving TOBA president. Ever present at the forefront of Darren’s mind were TOBA’s two main objectives: to foster and inculcate the true sprint of alma mater within the association’s members, (or as we like to say ‘Keeping the Spirit Alive’), and secondly to assist the advancement of Trinity College in any way possible. There have been few presidents who have met these objectives more so than Darren.
At the TOBA Annual General Meeting held in May, the members of the association awarded Darren with an Honorary Life Membership for work of special merit on behalf of TOBA – a well-deserved honour. There was a changing of the guard at the Annual General Meeting of TOBA with Darren handing over the reins to me. I personally thank Darren for his support and guidance leading up to my appointment and ongoing counsel on relevant matters on which he has significant knowledge.
At the same meeting, new committee members were voted in and the TOBA committee is now the largest in its history. It is encouraging that so many Old Boys are stepping forward to contribute to such a wonderful association.
In August 2014, the newly elected committee held a planning session at the College. The committee recapped on the progress of TOBA over recent years, and what is evident is that the foundations laid by Darren and those before him, including all committee members, will underpin all our future endeavours.
Once again, TOBA’s calendar was fully booked! There was the full suite of milestone reunions throughout the year along with ad-hoc gatherings for other year groups including an interstate reunion in Melbourne which was well attended. The reports back from each indicated that all were successful and well enjoyed by the Old Boys.
Winners of the 2014 TOBA Golf Day Left to Right: Timothy Miocevich (‘89), Walter Bennetti, Damian Ellis (’89) and Simon Ellis (’91) Members of the Golden Heritage Club at the College production of 12 Angry Men
My leaving Class of 1989 celebrated its 25 year reunion during the year and it provided an opportunity to reflect on the benefits we all received from having attended Trinity College. The general consensus amongst most Old Boys I interact with is that the benefits didn’t necessarily come from the traditional form of ‘education’ such as Maths, English and Science. Without a doubt, these are the primary concerns for any education; however, the social, spiritual, cultural and sporting aspects are always the areas where most Old Boys point to as being the most important and memorable aspects of their time at Trinity College or the Terrace.
The graduating Class of 2014 was welcomed into our ranks towards the end of the year. It was my first opportunity to address a graduating class and I welcomed the opportunity to speak to many young men with such bright futures ahead of them.
We welcomed another batch of Old Boys into the Golden Heritage Club (Old Boys who graduated fifty or more years ago). Entrance into the Golden Heritage Club has become a milestone that many Old Boys look forward to. Members are always well-represented at TOBA events. The current students at the College welcome the opportunity to meet and speak with Golden Heritage members and it’s pleasing to see the boys taking a keen interest in the stories and history provided by these Old Boys.
The TOBA Sportsmen’s Lunch held in May at the Duxton Hotel was a great success. There was a groundswell in numbers with very positive feedback received on the event. Special guests on the day included dual premiership and Norm Smith medallist; Glenn Archer, former Essendon Football Club Coach, Kevin Sheedy; Federal politician The Hon Christian Porter MP and our own former Socceroo Shaun Murphy (‘87), (not to mention the presence of TOBA’s own Norm Smith medallist, Andrew Embly (‘98), who was also in attendance).
The Winter and Summer Sports Days continue to be a success. Old Boys love to relive their youth by playing the senior teams across all codes. The trend of TOBA taking out the overall points at the Winter Sports Day and the current students winning back victory at the Summer Sports Day continues. The good sportsmanship of TOBA must play in the minds of the Old Boys at the Summer Sports Day!
TOBA always endeavours to increase its presence and contribution at the College. We do our part in instilling the TC Spirit from the beginning, starting with the boys in Junior School. It is one of my greatest pleasures in the role as president to present the TOBA President’s Award each month to the Junior School student who has best demonstrated the TC Spirit. At each award presentation, TOBA takes the opportunity to speak to the young gentlemen about the College’s history, teaches them war cries and provides examples of what it is to demonstrate the TC Spirit.
The Junior School students are full of enthusiasm and ever-keen to launch into a war cry at the end of assembly. At the end of Term 2 assembly, the boys were given a history lesson on each of the College crests going back to 1894, including their House crests, the mottos of which help define what it is to be a Trinity College student.
We would like to thank the Head of Junior School, Mr Martin Tucker (’87) for allowing us to make presentations to the boys and congratulate him on a wonderful start to his tenure in his new role.
There have been various times throughout the year where TOBA has provided support to and stood by members in their time of need. Two very important TOBA objectives are to assist in the spiritual welfare of its members and to assist members in time of adversity. The College mantra of ‘Men for Others’ continues with its Old Boys and we rally around anyone of us that needs support.
As reported in the November Trinity News, I am always amazed at the level of service to others provided by the boys and Old Boys from Trinity. It seems to expand each year as the groundswell of love and commitment to our fellow men and women becomes infectious. Many of the occurrences go unnoticed, which is the TC way, to serve others without the necessity for recognition or kudos.
Class of 2010 honour fellow classmate Jarryd Higgins at the Sportsmen’s Lunch Brendan Ryan (’91) presents the College with a portrait of CBC The Terrace at a special Morning Tea
As always, Old Boys can remain up-to-date with all TOBA reunions and events by logging onto the TOBA website at www.toba.net.au. The website is regularly updated with news, events and photos and is a great way to stay in touch. TOBA also actively participates in all social media including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram.
TOBA receives a relative amount of freedom in and around the College to proceed with our business. We are always very appreciative of this and we are indebted to Headmaster, Mr Ivan Banks, and his staff for the many opportunities granted and support provided to the association throughout the year. As always, we endeavour to ensure this is reciprocated in many ways by contribution as much as possible to all matters TC.
I would like to thank the many individuals that have assisted TOBA throughout the year. This extends to year group representatives, volunteers at our events, students and teachers of the College, parents, ground staff and anyone who has contributed in some way. One of the greatest aspects of the Trinity College community is the willingness of everyone to chip in and assist. This extends to TOBA as well and we are appreciative of our place with this community.
I personally thank the TOBA Executive Committee, including those that departed this year, for their dedication and contribution to the association.
In particular, the work of the Executive Officer, Ms Diane Millar, always requires special recognition and the association is ever-grateful for her presence and efforts. Di genuinely cares about the welfare of our Old Boys, particularly the Golden Heritage men, and is energetic in driving TOBA to maintain the success that it has achieved. As stated earlier, the TOBA calendar is fully booked, but we always try to do more and invariably the increased workload falls back on Di, and her assistant Miss Aimee Pavlenko. Anything ‘TOBA’ is managed by and has Diane’s input. On behalf of the Executive Committee and membership base, I sincerely thank her.
I look forward to another wonderful year in 2015.
Mr Peter Torre (’89) President, Trinity College & CBC Perth Old Boys’ Association
Headmaster Mr Banks congratulates Darren Taggart (’83) on a job well done as TOBA President
Head Shave for Finn Allen (10.3)
Head Shave for Finn Allen (10.3)
