Four community members reflect on “connection”

Each Grammarian, we ask four members of the community to reflect and respond to a prompt.

This edition, we asked them to tell us about a connection that is particularly special to them.

GIFS created by Year 11 Media student Jason Xu 

My bloodline connects to Saibai and Bamaga in the Torres Strait. Growing up off country in Melbourne was a challenge for me to access my cultural heritage. My Mum, or Ama in our language of Kalaw Kawaw Ya, has been able to help with my understanding of culture, facilitating my off-country connection to my people.

As a documentary maker my Ama would frequently travel up to the Straits to talk with our elders, to assist in keeping our stories alive.  Ama always made sure to include me in those conversations, to be around it, and take it in.  As a young boy it helped me develop my sense of belonging to people, land, sea and sky.

My upbringing has been formative in the development of my cultural identity as a Torres Strait Islander, something that I am eternally grateful to my Ama for facilitating in me. Through this I have connected with Senior Knowledge custodians such as two of my grandfather Popu Jeffa Aniba-Waia and Popu Walter Waia. Who have imparted to me the complexity of Bami (Knowledge).

My Ama’s legacy for me is to keep learning and developing my connection to culture, continuing to proudly share my story as a Torres Strait Islander man born and raised on the mainland.

One connection that is particularly special to me in my ongoing relationship with Trinity Grammar School is my son. I attended Trinity myself, as Class of 1993, and now I have the joy of seeing my son, Zachariya, who began his journey at Trinity in ELC 3 and now thriving in Year 7. Witnessing his growth and development, across his academic, sporting and music achievements within the nurturing environment of Trinity has been nothing short of an enriching experience.

Additionally, my nephew Zayd is currently in Year 11 at the school. This enduring connection has enriched our family, creating a shared legacy of education, values and community. It’s a profound experience to witness the school’s positive impact on my son and nephew, just as it once did for me.

I am immensely grateful for the role Trinity has played in enriching the lives of my son and nephew, and I look forward to seeing the continued growth and success that this cherished connection will undoubtedly bring in the years to come.

At 17, in 1987, I completed Year 12, and soon began my career as a first-year apprentice chef at Society Restaurant in Melbourne.

This pathway, though demanding, was something I had always aspired to.

The long, challenging days, split shifts, and low pay made me question my choice at times, but my driving force was a single word: passion.

Passion is essential in life, and I found my passion in the world of Hospitality, something that I have been involved with for 36 years.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with exceptionally talented individuals. The thrill of preparing meals for 300 guests in one night is unparalleled, requiring teamwork, dedication, trust and communication. And, of course, passion remains at the heart of it all. Having held over 15 jobs in the hospitality industry, I found my place at Trinity in 2013.

My passion for all things hospitality still remains as strong as ever, and within the school it can mean working with the Year 9s to make pasta, the ELC students having a kitchen tour and cooking demonstration, or the Year 11s learning how to make espresso coffee.

Whether it’s working in the industry or teaching Year 9s, food has the power to unite people, creating shared experiences and fostering connections. It brings joy and brings people together around a table, creating memories that last a lifetime.

Being involved in the rugby community at Trinity has been a deeply rewarding experience.

Rugby, a sport that is not native to Melbourne, has a unique way of bringing people together, and my involvement with the Trinity Rugby Supporters’ Group has allowed me to form lasting friendships with parents across all year levels.

As a member of this community, I have witnessed the difference we make. We are not just supporting rugby; we are nurturing the growth of our boys, teaching them the importance of sportsmanship, discipline and unity.

The bonds I have formed with other parents are strengthened by our collective efforts to provide a supportive environment for our boys.

Trinity rugby is more than just a group of individuals cheering from the sidelines; it is a family. We celebrate victories together, provide comfort during defeats, and work together to ensure that rugby thrives. Through my involvement, I’ve learned that it’s not just about rugby; it’s about the people and the relationships forged in the process. The rugby community has given me a sense of purpose and has shown me that together, we can make a significant impact, supporting a sport that brings out the best in everyone involved.