June 2013 :: Issue 23

Monivae Wellbeing Centre

Monivae College Hamilton - A Catholic Co-educational Secondary Day and Boarding College in the tradition of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart MOCA Molan 30 Deserving

Merron Riddiford - Class of ‘87 MOCA Chair Not Out OAM While talking to a teacher from Merino recently, Terry Molan’s name will be forever Monivae Old Collegian, Mr Bryan I mentioned I went to Monivae. He replied that linked to Monivae. He was a student Roberts was awarded the Medal his wife, her sisters and cousins were also Old Collegians. This happens often. My father as part of the Class of ‘78 and has just (OAM) of the Order of Australia as tells stories of people he has met, particularly recently been recognised for 30 years part of the 2013 Queen’s Birthday around the Wimmera, with links to Monivae. I of service to Catholic Education. Honours List. Bryan was recognised work with a lady who had a brother boarding at for his ‘service to the community of Monivae in the early 1970s. She would travel Brighton, and to rural education.’ with her parents from her hometown to watch football at Monivae on weekends. It’s not just in my daily life that I come across Old Collegians. Many are making news as leaders in their chosen fields including the arts, business, the media and politics. As a Carlton supporter, I will tell anyone who listens that Michael Jamison is a former Monivae student. Whether they are the quiet achievers or those in the spotlight, Monivae Old Collegians are making their mark. It is really not surprising. Monivae has always evolved, striving to offer a rounded education accompanied by the best facilities. During my One of the foundation students of Monivae time at Monivae in the early 1980s, the major in 1954, Bryan’s contribution to Monivae projects were the girls’ boarding house, the pool has spanned almost six decades from his and stadium complex. Who could forget the time as a student to his continuing role pool fundraising campaign? Since then, other today as Chair of the Monivae Foundation. improvements have included the performing arts centre and the upgraded basement and Set out below is the official detail for the award. canteen. Terry was presented with a certificate by Bishop For service to the community of Brighton, and Paul Bird (above) for 30 years of dedicated The latest project will see Monivae evolve to rural education. once again with a multi-million dollar Wellbeing service to Catholic Education. Centre set to begin construction. It will equip Mayor, City of Brighton, 1986-1987; He takes on many roles at Monivae and is involved students with the best skills for learning while Councillor, North Ward, 1981-1987; Secretary, in the cadet programme and girls’ football, as at Monivae and for life beyond. It is an exciting Management Committee, Middle Brighton well as teaching five religious education classes time for the College. Baths, 1986-1998. and one health and physical education class. We are heading into reunion season and if your Parish Member, St James’ Church, Gardenvale, Terry started at Monivae in 1973 and graduated reunion is this year you will have a chance to for several decades; Choir Member, ongoing. in 1978. He left for university but it took time to see the changes at Monivae with a school Prison Visitor, ongoing. Committee Member, discover what he really wanted to do. tour. Reunions may not be for everyone, but Jumps Racing Victoria. those that attend will have a memorable night. “Well I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do Co-Founder, Australian Football Players Years may have passed, but regardless of what after Year 12, I started an accounting course in Association, 1979; Legal Representative, 1979- you have done in the meantime, you all have Melbourne first up and that wasn’t for me.” 1984. something in common. You attended Monivae “I had a brother and a sister who were teachers College and before long conversations will turn Secretary, Sudden Infant Death Research and had a chat to them and they said, ‘Well it’s to those times. Foundation, 1978-1981; Honorary Solicitor, not too late to change paths after 12 months from 1978 to the early 1990s; Secretary, of uni’ (so) I took up a teaching course.” Acknowledgments Research Advisory Committee, 1985-1990;

Trustee, since 1982; Life Member, 1982; Mr Molan was reluctant about working at Thank you to Mr Richard Beks and the Executive Committee Member, 1978-1993. Monivae, especially at his first teaching position Hamilton Spectator team for their support in Legal Adviser, Australian Federation of Air when some of his old teachers were still there. providing the stories for Terry Molan (Page 2); Pilots, during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s; Meg Dunne, Sophie Gunning and Molly Kent He aimed to stay there for about two years and Scroll of Merit, 1997. (pages 8 and 9). This support was greatly then move on, but has worked there ever since. appreciated. Board Chairman, Monivae College Board, from Many Old Collegians credit Terry wth getting the late 1990s to the early 2000s; Chairman, them through a class or Cadets and there are Monivae College Foundation, since the mid few staff who have worked at Monivae who 2000s; Founding Member, 1998; Trustee, have been as popular with the students as Terry. Monivae Bursary Fund; Foundation Student, Congratulations Terry. 1954-1960. Congratulations Mr Bryan Roberts OAM. 2MonivaeMonivae College College the Dolphin 1 The Wellbeing Challenge

Monivae, like all MSC Colleges, has Principal Mark McGinnity is very excited by of its community citizenship, the College feels it a long history and tradition of helping the project as it is an integrated project that needs to do something worthwhile and positive looks at what is important for a students to address the issues that face teenagers and students to achieve an education development and what is needed to achieve this. adolescents in the district. To that end the where one might not have been College has developed the concept of a Centre available to them. Founded on the “The project is very exciting for Monivae. What to provide a range of services for teenagers and ethos of the MSCs Heart Spirituality, people can see from these plans is that there is adolescents and their families to support their Monivae has always taken Student going to be dramatic improvement in the facilities development of a healthy sense of wellbeing. at the College. What people won’t see with these Wellbeing to heart. It is these principles plans is the years of planning that have gone into “The Centre’s programs and facilities are which drive the next big development the project in regards to student wellbeing,” he designed to address the holistic needs of the at the College. said. developing adolescent ... Mind, Spirit, Body and Heart.” Monivae has just released concept plans for The intention of the Centre is to unashamedly take the development of a centre that is focused a bold proactive stand to improve educational It is with a great deal of confidence in its own on students academic, emotional, social outcomes for students in regards to social, capacity to take innovative and proactive and spiritual wellbeing. Whilst without an emotional, physical and mental health issues that action that Monivae has the financial support official name, the term ‘Monivae Wellbeing we know are an issue for teenagers in all schools. of understanding benefactors to assist with the Centre’ has taken hold and will be the establishment of the Centre. largest undertaking at the College since the The College is very conscious of the current Performing Arts Centre was opened in 1985. state of affairs with regard to the significant wellbeing issues facing rural communities in The Centre will be developed through the refurbishment of existing facilities and through general and the Western District in particular. new capital works that will focus on the student. In typical fashion responding to the obligation

thethe Dolphin 13 The Wellbeing Challenge (cont.)

Why establish a Wellbeing Centre at 5. Increase the awareness of community leaders “We are looking long-term for the future of Monivae? and government agencies about the incremental the youth in this region, the Centre will have societal effect of poor wellbeing among young a Coordinator to oversee all aspects of the 1. To remove the barriers that prevent students adults, particularly in rural areas. There is an programs that form the core of this exciting from making the most of their educational opportunity for Monivae to make a significant project,” Principal McGinnity said. opportunities; positive contribution to the development of young people with a strong sense of wellbeing; Location 2. Address the identified need in the Hamilton 6. Changing family structures are putting more and Western District communities and the The Centre will be located in the heart of Monivae onus on the school for wellbeing development. specific wellbeing needs of the rural community; and will draw heavily on the spirit, beliefs and Research evidence and local anecdotal accounts values embedded in the MSC Charism. The show that some parents need and want support 3. Provide rural based teenagers and adolescents location for the re-development as seen in in the management of their child’s wellbeing; with the best possible chance to learn, develop a the pictures on the front page and page three career and lead a happy and fulfilled life; show that the existing Performing Arts Centre, 7. Provide an environment that will consistently Arts and Technology areas, Music Rooms and educate younger students in partnership with 4. Build on its past success in the development Stadium will all be incorporated into the project. of graduates with a healthy sense of wellbeing. Primary Schools (Grade 5 and 6) on the pitfalls associated with all of these issues and to assist in The College feels it owes it to the current and next The road that currently goes between the Arts developing a change in mindset so they are better generation of local adolescents to continue to Centre and Stadium will be diverted behind the prepared to cope with or resist these issues. improve its approach to wellbeing development Stadium between Monivae and St. Mary’s and in the future, i.e. it is timely to renew and refresh the new building works incorporating classrooms the College’s approach; and other specialist areas will be built in the old

road area.

4MonivaeMonivae College College the Dolphin 1 What is Wellbeing? “The development of these in every student edge’ programs, provide teacher training, should be the goal of every school, but for a provide an information service for students and Principal McGinnity said the School started with regional school to be looking at a program this parents and, overall, provide excellent facilities ideas and thoughts on what were the current in-depth and then committing to providing the focused on the development of healthy living barriers to learning for many students in the capacity and facilities to make it successful, it is skills. region. a ground-breaking concept,” Mr McGinnity said. The links between health, wellbeing and student engagement have long been established. “We kept coming back to those wellbeing issues The Monivae Solution The Centre will provide an extension to the and from there we started to really define what strong existing pastoral care and wellbeing we wanted to achieve, to define what wellbeing Monivae needs to take the necessary steps approach and services of the College, as well meant for a student in our area and how we could which will, over time, continue to produce as a solid research and philosophical base for really focus on the development of those things.” an effective environment for the nurturing of positive wellbeing in young people so they can the development of wellbeing at Monivae in the future. The characteristics that Monivae thought of make the most of their education. The College when it came to a person with a positive sense has the competence, the confidence and the “The ever increasing problem of teenage mental of wellbeing were identified as; compassion, underpinned by its MSC ethos, to health issues such as anxiety and depression, as • A strong sense of personal values; do this well, as it has done over many years. well as, cyber bullying, drug and alcohol abuse, • A strong sense of self, awareness and self By establishing this Centre, in stages, Monivae degrading texts and peer pressure have never confidence; can specifically address the increasing wellbeing been so great a challenge for our children and • Emotional literacy; needs of rural youth in order to ensure the their families. The Monivae Wellbeing Centre will • Resilience and a positive outlook; ongoing support of its student body and to provide the opportunity for the College to think • Capacity for self regulation; contribute significantly to the capacity of the bigger and more broadly about the educational • Being centred and sensitive; Western District as a whole to meet the needs needs and future influences on the development • Having healthy relationships; of rural youth. of young rural Australians in the Western District.” • Capacity to engage in learning; • Physical health and fitness; and Monivae will apply contemporary practice, Principal Mark McGinnity. • Living up to personal potential. engage in serious research in partnership with tertiary and other institutions, develop ‘cutting

thethe Dolphin 15 6MonivaeMonivae College College the Dolphin 1 thethe Dolphin 17 Exploring The World

The ‘Gap Year’ is a strongly debated issue in schools, amongst parents and of course by Year 12 students these days. Will it add value? Will they actually return to study? Do they need a break after Year 12? Three of our most recent Old Collegians share their ‘Gap Year’ journey so far. Meg Dunne Class of ‘12 Meg Dunne’s dream of travelling to Italy has come true. After finishing Year 12 at Monivae as part of the Class of ‘12, Meg wanted to have a break before going to study at university. Meg, originally from Port Fairy, boarded at Monivae College and said the Gap Year gave her something to look forward to during Year 12. She arrived in Italy in mid-March and became an au pair for a family in Turin, with a five-year-old daughter and six-year-old son. “They learn English at school and have had English speaking au pairs prior to me so they are able to speak near perfect English with me, while also teaching me Italian,” Meg said. “In the short time I’ve been in Italy I have been Meg said she was very fortunate to have such a Molly Kent Class of ‘12 to Milan, Valle d’Aosta, Naples, Capri, Pompeii nice family, who treated her as part of the family. and Genova; I have also been to London and A Gap Year was always the plan for “I live with the family and I have my own section Switzerland,” she said. Casterton’s Molly Kent due to a desire of the house so that I am able to have time to A typical day for Meg includes helping the to get out and explore the world. myself when I’m not working,” she said. children get dressed and have breakfast “I’ve always been itching to get out Meg has had a lot of opportunity to travel and between 7:30am and 8am and then the mother and explore the amazing places and experience different countries, as the family takes them to school. she is staying with has a number of houses adventures the world has to offer,” she “The kids return home at 5pm and I help to throughout Italy, England, Switzerland, Turkey said. bath them, we have dinner and they go to bed and France. by 8pm, after which I am free to do what I like,” After finishing Year 12 at Monivae last year, Molly Meg said. signed up to do a three month teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) and teaching The family has two house maids, so Meg is English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) not required to clean the house or prepare any course through www.australia.i-to-i.com. meals. She has the majority of the day to herself and is continuing to explore Italy. “I had to pass English teaching components and also an intense weekend practical course which “I like the culture of Italy, it has a completely was very helpful, somewhat difficult and fun!” different way of life to Australia,” she said. Molly said. Her confidence was boosted when Meg said she misses her family; however her she was told by her classmates that she would grandparents are flying to Italy in August to visit. be a great teacher. As for coming home, Meg said she would come What inspired Molly to teach English was a trip back in Feburay 2014, just in time for orientation to Bali in 2011. “I met this young Australian week at La Trobe University where she will be lady who had all these kids with her at the Zoo, studying nursing. I wondered what she was doing in charge of these gorgeous, cheery children; next thing I know she is in her classroom,” Molly said. “She then told me she had to come here to teach on a Gap Year and had never left she loved it that much and I could see why.” Molly arrived in Vietnam in April and is living with other young English teachers from all over the world.

8MonivaeMonivae College College the Dolphin 1 Exploring The World (cont.)

“They are also helping me get a job here which Sophie Gunning Class of ‘12 An average day for Sophie consists of assisting they say isn’t hard and I will be hired in at least different teachers, doing general administration a month,” she said. “These guys have been here After watching her older cousins and office work and helping out in the physical for a couple of months and know the ins and take Gap Years, Sophie Gunning education department in the afternoons. “Each outs to the good and bad schools and language of Hamilton thought it would be a of the Gap students has a timetable which centres.” focuses on their individual needs,” Sophie said. fantastic opportunity for her to see the Molly is living in Ho Chi Minh City and said it was world. “I wanted to immerse myself in After working five days a week, Sophie gets constantly buzzing, but in a comfortable way. another country’s culture,” she said. every weekend off and after every five weeks she “I’m not sure if it’s the smiles and the happiness gets holidays. “I am unbelievably lucky because they share with what they have that makes it a my school is in London so I can easily travel into comfortable and vibrant place to be part of,” she its centre every weekend,” she said. said. Sophie also lives with other Gap Year students Molly said she was looking forward to fulfilling and said they try to see different parts of London someone’s wish of speaking fluent English, “I on weekends and have travelled to Ireland and sit here in the park as the sun goes down and Turkey for holidays. students flock here to practise their English; and they want to talk to you and practise with you,” she said. With surrounding countries so close, Molly plans to visit Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Thailand as well as exploring Vietnam.

Family and friends will be missed but Molly’s Sophie finished Year 12 last year at Monivae brother is travelling to Vietnam in a few months College and decided to take a Gap Year at the to visit. “I will definitely become the motorcycling, beginning of her VCE. “I wasn’t 100 percent backpacking, beach loving and Vietnamese sure what career path I wanted to take,” she food loving tourist that enjoys all surfaces of the said. Sophie applied to two different schools in country,” she said. England and was accepted by one in August Molly plans to come back to Australia before last year. She left for England at the beginning of university starts next year. “I can’t wait to learn January to work at the prep school, Belmont, a more about what I love; I was accepted into part of the Mill Hill foundation in London. “I feel Sophie (left) with a fellow Gap Year student. psychology and forensic science at Swinburne so lucky to be situated at such a great school University of Technology in Hawthorn,” she said. where the staff and students are extremely welcoming,” she said. “We are making plans to go to the Netherlands “And well I have many plans for the future but I’m and Hungary in May and a lot more of Europe just going to enjoy this one for now.” Originally Sophie was planning to return to over the summer,” she said. Australia in April, however the student who was replacing her declined the position, so Belmont Sophie finishes in Belmont in July and will then offered Sophie a longer stay. “I simply couldn’t spend a month travelling in Spain, Greece, Italy, pass up the opportunity,” she said. Switzerland and France before heading back to Australia. The Mill Hill Foundation is made up of three schools, Grimsdell, Belmont and Mill Hill. It is “I’m still not 100 percent sure what course I will set on 120 acre parkland site just 16km from do next year but working in a school has made London’s city centre. Sophie works at Belmont me realise I really enjoy working with children,” which has children from Years 3 to 8. she said. “Being one of seven Gap students was a “But for now, I’m going to focus on the endless massive head start to making friends; we have opportunities I’ve been given here.” all become so close to one another, it’s hard to believe we only met each other in January,” Sophie said.

thethe Dolphin 19 Captain’s Innings

From being part of the Monivae “I was informed of a vacant full-time role In a summer filled with mixed results for the First XI to supporting the Australian available for the 2012-13 season. I applied Australian Team, Callum has the opportunity for and was fortunate enough to be employed as some experinces that would keep any ‘cricket- First XI, Old Collegian and College the Accreditation & Ticketing Officer. Anyone tragic’ in good stories for years to come. Captain from the Class of ’09, Callum working at international, domestic or Big Bash Kaninouk, is enjoying being part of the matches needs to be accredited to ensure they “I got some great opportunities. I filled in as a Cricket Australia TV interviewer and got to chat Australian Cricket Team. can gain access to the specific areas to carry out their duties. In the lead up to the season, my role with Michael Clarke, as well as Faf du Plessis Callum was Monivae Captain in 2009 and involved looking after the online accreditation after his famous innings at Adelaide. I sat in on upon completion of his Year 12 studied Sport system to ensure the necessary people were Ricky Ponting’s final press conference after the Management at Deakin University. accredited and had the correct level of access. Perth Test and even got to hit a few balls on the Overall, approximately 7,000 accreditation WACA after Australia cleaned up the West Indies During the three-year course, Callum undertook passes were produced for the season.” early on Day Four.” an internship with Cricket Australia for the 2011- 12 summer, spending three months working in Once the international season commenced, As with any job, Callum said there were the Media Rights department and three months Callum was required to be at every match to challenges throughout, but spending the summer in the Digital Communications team. ensure accreditation passes could be collected, travelling around the country with a great group late applicants processed and any general issues of people was something he certainly didn’t take “It was the perfect opportunity for me to gain addressed. In a summer with six Test matches, for granted. valuable experience in one of the biggest sporting 10 One-Day Internationals and three Twenty-20 organisations in the country. I was able to learn “Since the season concluded I have been able to Internationals, this meant plenty of flights and from some of the best in the business and meet secure a permanent role in the Communications taxi trips and 6am starts on match days. with great people involved with cricket.” team, I produce content for the various social “Working 14-hour shifts and dealing with needy media platforms as well as Cricket Australia Ahead of his last trimester of study, Callum journalists are generally not my cup of tea, but website. The next 12 months will be a very looked to gain another internship with Cricket working with some fantastic people and getting exciting period in Australian Cricket and Australia to further build on his experience, but to watch a few hours of cricket each day helped something I am looking forward to playing a Cricket Australia had something else in mind. ease the pain considerably.” small part in.”

Callum interviews Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene after the Hobart Test.

10MonivaeMonivae College College the Dolphin 1 From Patche to Hong Kong

Anna Tehan (nee O’Sullivan) comes Below: William, Anna, Rose and Paul. “Last year we had Mike Tyson speak and Katy from a large family, and for a time Perry perform for our party, which was pretty amazing.” Alas Anna hadn’t joined the company the O’Sullivan family was a fixture at in time to arrange the George Clooney press Monivae with all five sisters making conference the year before, but had Mike Tyson the boarding house their home. instead – “which was not quite the same for the photo album.” Anna (1986-1989), Lucia (1987-1990), Gabriel Having added a daughter Rose, now five, to her (1992-1995), Ingrid (1994-1997) and Molly son William, now eight, Anna and her family do (2000-2002), were not the only members of the not get back to Australia as often as they like family who attended boarding school, with their given their busy lives. “We get home about once four brothers, Eamon, Sam, Jonathan and Rory per year, but being from such a large family it taking the lesser path and attending St. Pat’s in doesn’t always leave a lot of time to catch up Ballarat. Also hailing from Pine Plains, their family with friends when we do get home. I was lucky property in Patchewollock, was their cousin For the past eight years Anna has been working when home at Easter to catch-up with a boarding Paddy O’Sullivan who attended Monivae as a in Hong Kong. “I had worked with Deloitte in friend, Jacqui Knapsey, and we did reminisce boarder from 1985-1986. Melbourne previously, and when the role as about our time at Monivae. Hong Kong is also During her time at Monivae Anna participated Regional Communications Director become a good place for layover, so we get occasional in the usual range of pursuits, including Cadets, vacant they gave me a call and suggested I visitors stopping over from London etc. My last Choir, Legion of Mary and the School Musical. apply, so five months later my husband Paul and Monivae visitor was Fiona Bell six months ago, Anna also played Hockey at school but felt it I moved to Hong Kong with our six month old so that was great. We chatted about Monivae was less to do with her Hockey ability (which son William. It was a terrific role which gave me of course, and the friends we had made and the she says is negligible) and more to do with her the opportunity to visit their offices around Asia values inherent in the school, as well as great organisational skills, as the eldest of her siblings, (Bangkok, Beijing, Delhi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, teachers like Mrs Trompf, Mrs Robertson, Rod to get all the players on the bus in time. Manila, Mumbai, Seoul, Singapore, Shanghai, Ginnif and fun times on the French trip with Tokyo, etc), as well as regular trips to their global Mademoiselle Elias.” Anna was very keen to begin a Clay Target Team office in New York and some other fun locations for the girls, as at that time Monivae only had like Amsterdam, Paris and Barcelona. Weekends for Anna and her family involve taking one for boys. “I pushed to start the Clay Target a break from the frenetic pace and enjoying the Shooting team, simply because there wasn’t In late 2011, after six years with Deloitte, Anna pool or beach in summer and taking it easy. “A one for girls – which was unfair! Luckily Mr Gary moved to CLSA, Asia’s leading and longest typical Sunday involves mini-rugby training in the Goodwin and Mr Leon Storer (whose wife Cathy running independent broker and investment morning, (Hong Kong is a rugby town rather than worked as the Bursar) were happy to start one; group, as its global head of communications. AFL) and lunch somewhere relaxing before the then of course I had to join.” As part of the team At CLSA Anna is enjoying not having to travel week kicks off again. Hong Kong also has some Anna attended meetings and events in many of so frequently, with only four or five trips per year, amazing beaches, so we go there a lot.” the smaller towns that surrounded Hamilton. as well as the move to banking. CLSA are very “My time at Monivae seems a long time ago, not “Oddly enough I met a fellow Aussie at dinner in well known for their big Investor Forums held sure I could abseil down the building again!” Hong Kong recently who was from Corangamite, annually in Hong Kong for the past 20 years. which I knew from driving around the district to compete at various gun clubs.” Anna remembers being part of Legion of Mary and visiting the elderly on a Sunday. “I remember one man we regularly visited who just wanted someone to watch Wide World of Sports with him. His lovely wife used our visit as an excuse to make some amazing cakes and slices – some days they had at least 10 kids from the boarding house there.” Cadets was of course a highlight and Anna enjoyed her time as Sergeant and CUO, including the freezing camps at the Grampians and a solo bivouac. After Anna completed her studies at Monivae, she went to Melbourne University to study Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Political Science. After completing her degree she then worked for six years for Roger Hallam, MLC who was the Member for Western Province and Minister for Finance – and coincidentally from Hamilton – which gave her the opportunity to visit Hamilton on and off.

thethe Dolphin 111 Fitness First

Liv (Olivia) Miller, Class of 2004 is life long friends who I’m still in touch with today, enjoying the sun after winning the Monivae really was my ‘home away from home’. I still remember Mr Molan and Mr Beks being my Northern Queensland Bodybuilding biggest supporters, encouraging me to always Championships in Townsville recently. be my best.” Even more remarkable is that this was Being active is nothing new for the 26 year-old Liv’s first competition after making a coming from a sporting family. move from the vastly different sports “I used to play netball for Laharum and we were of netball, long distance running and always a very sporting family, but I’ve been fitness modelling to bodybuilding in interested in bodybuilding for about two years,” only 12 months. she said. Following her success in Townsville, Liv then Miller’s ultimate goal is to represent Australia at went on to place 4th in the Southern Hemisphere the National Amateur Body Builders Association Bodybuilding titles against girls that had been World Championships in Italy later this year. competing at the top level for years, a great Her next step in reaching that goal is at the achievement. Queensland State Titles in September followed by the Australian National Titles in early October. A boarder at the College, originally from Laharum near Horsham, Liv came to Monivae in 2003 When asked what she liked about bodybuilding from Horsham College where she undertook her Liv said she enjoyed the intense physical and Year 11 studies on a double scholarship; athletic mental pressure of being a bodybuilder. and academic. “I guess I like that it isn’t a team sport; it is “In 2004 I completed Year 12 via correspondence solely on your shoulders. You don’t have a team whilst working and carrying out a business backing you and it’s not something where you traineeship. After Monivae I have worked my way can just turn up like at footy training on Tuesdays around Australia, spending time in Melbourne, and Thursdays and then have a pie after the Darwin, Brisbane and now Townsville. I’m game. Everything you do, everything you eat, currently working in insurance law and in the it all matters and it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever Above: Liv after winning the Northern Bodybuilding throes of kicking off my own Personal Training done physically and mentally.” Championships. and Sports Supplement business, Liv Fitt,” she Below: Competing in Northern Bodybuilding said. Liv’s long-term goal is to win the NABBA Ms Championships (centre). Australia Title. We wish Liv well in her goal and “I thoroughly enjoyed my time as a boarder if you would like to follow her progress then you at Monivae. Taking away valuable lessons on can via www.facebook.com/LivFitt independence and responsibility. I made several

12MonivaeMonivae College College the Dolphin 1 Muscle Up Spirited

The commitment required to be at “I’d always wanted to get into Personal Training the top of your chosen sport or field and I’d had enough of the work I was doing and Star enrolled to do my Cert III and Cert IV in Fitness. is immense. Ashley Tapper knows this I was given a job at the gym I worked out at, all too well as he aims to compete in Myfitness Club, five weeks after I was qualified. Tessa Lavey is no stranger to Old the Mr. Universe bodybuilding title in The gym environment up here is really unique, Europe in 2014. the advice and options available make it a great Collegians, appearing in Issue 21 of environment.” The Dolphin. Her achievements in As a member of the Class of ’04, Ashley basketball are well-known and now completed Year 10 at Monivae before making It wasn’t until 2012 that Ashley entered his his way into the family business and undertaking first bodybuilding competition, the Southern she is taking it to the top as part of the a Carpentry and Formwork apprenticeship with Hemisphere Championships where he placed Emerging Opals Australian Team. his father Charles at Tapper’s Builders. Tapper’s second in his class. Since we last spoke to Tessa, Class of ‘09, she builders are currently repairing the Study Hall “There are four classes in bodybuilding based has continued her rise to the top of women’s after the fire recently, and little sister Melissa on height and weight, and you have to win your basketball in Australia. is often in the newspaper for her table tennis class and then go on to compete against the achievements, so the family is never far from other class winners for the overall title.” Following her successful stint as part of the AIS Monivae. program and AIS team that competed in the Whilst Ashley entered the same Championships Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), An interest in working out came from spending this year and finished second in his class again, Tessa has played most recently for the Canberra time on a multi-function trainer at home and the competitor who beat him in his class by Capitals and will now be moving back to Victoria going to the gym wasn’t something that Ashley one point, went on to take out the overall title, as a member of the Bendigo Spirit in the enjoyed. making the argument that Ashley was in the top up-coming WNBL season. “I liked working out but I wasn’t really that into two for the whole event. Tessa was recently selected as one of 34 being at the gym in Hamilton, it wasn’t until I Ashley will again target the Southern Hemisphere players to take part in an Opals training camp moved to Queensland and had more options titles in 2014 before he departs for Europe to in Canberra, following which she was selected that I really did a lot in the gym.” take on the best in the world. to take part in a nine-game tour of China as part of the Emerging Opals team, with the tour taking Ashley took the well-travelled route by many “The winner of the Southern Hemisphere place from June 15 to 27. Victorians and went north seeking the sun of Championships gets an automatic invite to Mr. the Gold Coast. Being based on the Gold Coast Universe in Europe, that is my goal for 2014. Tessa is not the only player on that tour Ashley was a fly-in-fly-out worker further north There are other ways to qualify for Mr. Universe with links to Monivae College. Amy Lewis at the Sarina Coal Terminal south of Mackay for but I have my sights set on taking the Southern (Baimbridge College) from Hamilton has also many months before basing his work closer to title.” been selected as part of that team. Many home. Old Collegians would know Amy from her time in Hamilton where her parents still live.

Amy has enjoyed great success with her basketball which included time spent playing at Troy University in the USA before she was given a try-out with the Phoenix Mercury for a spot in the best women’s competition in the world, the WNBA. Amy’s links to Monivae come in the form of her fiance, Old Collegian Matthew Sommerville, who was in the Class of ‘04 but left school at the completion of Year 10 to undertake his carpentry apprenticeship. Matt and Amy make their home in Adelaide where Amy will be taking the court for her third season with the Adeliaide Lightning in the WNBL. Congratulations to Tessa and Amy on their achievements in basketball.

thethe Dolphin 131 Captains’ Corner

Chris Kearney - Class of ‘05 Ben Walker - Class of ‘10 Shahn Colliver - Class of ‘10 After completing Year 12 in 2005, I finished my studies at Monivae in 2010 After completing year 12 at Monivae in I studied biomedical science at and after a very busy and stressful year 2010, I deferred my university enrolment Melbourne University, staying at a group of us Year 12 boys decided for a year and commenced work at Newman College for two of the three that a nice quiet, relaxing trip to Victor an accountancy firm in Portland as a years. Harbour was required to reflect on receptionist. I also continued casual After graduating I entered post-graduate our time at Monivae; better known as retail work at the local hardware store. medicine at Deakin, which I was thrilled about as ‘schoolies.’ Having a Gap Year provided me with the this is what I always wanted to do. The first two Following some relaxation time in Victor Harbour opportunity to think about the university years of the course were based at the Waurn I worked in Portland over the summer and for preferences made during a busy year and I Ponds campus in Geelong. Third year was the remainder of 2011 while completing my gap decided during this time to make several changes spent in Casterton and Hamilton where I worked year. Towards the end of September 2011 I flew to the course that I was to undertake, having closely with the GPs learning the core elements to Munich, Germany for the greatest beer festival originally being enrolled in a Communication/ of medicine. This experience was fantastic as I in the world (Oktoberfest) and spent the following Social Sciences course and later, Law and Legal learnt a lot. Fourth year I moved to Warrnambool two months backpacking around Europe before Studies. which was another great learning opportunity. It finally meeting up with my family in Thailand. is a very impressive new hospital with wonderful After working full-time for over 12 months, I teachers. I was also lucky enough to do my In 2012 I started my degree at Deakin University moved to the western suburbs of Melbourne medical elective in Aberdeen, Scotland, where I Melbourne, studying a Bachelor of Exercise and in order to undertake a Bachelor of Arts learnt more and was also able to travel through Sports Science. I lived on Deakin Residence (Communication) degree. Whilst studying, I lived Europe and even attend some Olympic events! alongside another Monivae Old Collegian at the university’s student residence where I had and fellow School Leader, Caitlin Barker and a comfortable transition into university life and After seven long years of study I finally graduated absolutely loved it, so much that a second year met heaps of friends. I am currently studying the and started work as a Doctor at The Western on res was necessary in 2013. second year of my degree whilst working at the Hospital in Footscray. I will spend the year student residence as an RA and the Publications there in five different rotations including general I am playing football for Caulfield Grammarians Coordinator. Becoming a resident assistant medicine, surgery and emergency medicine. Football Club in the Premier Division of the VAFA, has enabled me to utilise skills developed from and mixed netball and indoor soccer socially as In the long term, I hope to become a GP, after being involved in a leadership role during my part of a university run competition. gaining further experience working in the hospital years at Monivae and has encouraged me to system. In 2013 I am undergoing my second year take advantage of the myriad of opportunities of my degree and as said before, living on presented to me. It hasn’t all been study though! I have travelled to Deakin Residence again. This year I was SE Asia and Europe and maintained involvement Whether it be compassion, resilience, teamwork employed for a leadership position on res in sport including hockey, netball and football or simply embracing opportunities, the skills known as a Residential Assistant (RA) and umpiring. that I have learnt over my time at Monivae have I absolutely love it. The long term plan is to become a fundamental part of how I operate. I My experience demonstrates that if you have a finish this degree and then hopefully, grades have been lucky enough to catch up with many goal, whether that is to become a doctor or a permitting, do a masters of physiotherapy. of the friends that I had made over my time teacher or whatever it is, this goal is achievable. at Monivae which, to me, speaks volumes of Don’t be disappointed if you miss out after Year Being College Captain has benefited me in the strong sense of community at Monivae - 12 - there are many ways to achieve your goal so many ways. The school embraced me as something that I value above everything else. and if you really want it, work hard and it will pay a student leader and allowed me to learn and off for you! develop invaluable leadership skills, transferrable across all aspects of life. I am absolutely loving Being school captain allowed me to further my uni and the next chapter in my life, and I can’t leadership skills as well as my communication thank Monivae enough for the incredible head skills, essential ingredients for being a doctor! start it gave me.

Above: Ben and Shahn at their Graduation Dinner in 2010.

Above: Kearney siblings; Rebecca (‘07), Chris, Josh (‘09) and Emma (‘07).

14MonivaeMonivae College College the Dolphin 1 Fire, Fire, Fire

The students and staff at the College were very happy to have practised their fire drills in recent years after a fire from a light ballast caused a blaze in the Study Hall. All staff and students were safe and the fire was put out relatively quickly. The Library is back in full operation and the students will be back in the Study Hall at the commencement of Term 3 in mid-July.

Reunions 2013

Class of ‘73 - 40 Year Reunion Class of ‘03 - 10 Year Reunion Saturday 12th October, 2013 from 6:00pm. Saturday 19th October, 2013 The Emerald Hotel, ‘Courtyard’ At Monivae College, Boarders Dining Hall 415 Clarendon St, South Melbourne. 6.00pm Tour of the College commencing from RSVP: 27th September, 2013. the Foyer. Reunion from 7.00pm.

Class of ‘83 - 30 Year Reunion RSVP: 11th October 2013 Saturday 13th July, 2013 from 7:00pm for a Class of ‘12 - 01 Year Reunion 7:30pm dinner. Friday, 15th November 2013, the night before The Quality Inn Grange Burn, 142 Ballarat Rd, the Dunkeld Races. Hamilton (opposite Monivae). At Monivae College from 7:00pm. A tour of Monivae is offered Sunday morning at 11:00am. RSVP: 8th November, 2013 RSVP: Now please. Class of ‘93 - 20 Year Reunion RSVP for all reunions to Saturday 24th August, 2013 from 7:00pm for a 7:30pm dinner. Mr Simon McKinley PO Box 423, Hamilton VIC 3300 The Quality Inn Grange Burn, 142 Ballarat Rd, (03) 5551 1251 Hamilton (opposite Monivae). [email protected] A tour of Monivae is offered Sunday morning at 11:00am followed by BBQ lunch. Didn’t get your invite? Contact Simon via the above or download direct from RSVP: 10th August 2013. www.monivae.com/alumni/

thethe Dolphin 151