- Autumn 2026
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- Stories from Bulleen… read more!
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Stories from Bulleen… read more!
More reflections and stories about Bulleen from Brendan Mahony, David Sanguinetti and Tristan Davidson
What is the first word that comes to mind when you think about Bulleen?
David: Pride. When you spend years working on the grounds, you want them at their best every Saturday. Seeing the boys run out onto the ovals and knowing the work that’s gone into them during the week, that’s something that everyone who works on the fields takes great pride in.
Tristan: Community. When you’re out there on a Saturday and there are parents on the sidelines, boys playing across different fields and old boys arriving later in the day, you really feel that sense of the Trinity community coming together.
And if I am allowed another word: scale. When you first stand out there and look across the fields, you realise just how big the place is and how much activity happens there across a single day.
Brendan: Two words: David Sanguinetti! In all seriousness I’d have to say – energy. A quiet Bulleen on a weekday is one thing, but on a Saturday morning the place just comes alive.
What is your favorite spot at Bulleen?
David: Daley Oval. When you’ve spent years preparing the turf and seeing it used week after week, you develop a real connection to it.
I’ve always also liked the view looking back across the grounds late in the afternoon when the last games are finishing. After a full day of sport there’s a moment where everything settles again and you can see the whole place.
Tristan: Probably standing up near the pavilion looking out across the grounds. You can see multiple games happening at once – football, cricket, tennis – and it really shows the scale of what happens at Bulleen.
Brendan: I like walking around between the fields on Saturday mornings. You’ll stop at one game, chat to a coach, then wander over to another field. It’s a great way to see the whole sports program in action.
Your best Bulleen day?
David: For me it’s just being there. I spent so many years working on the grounds and there was something special about seeing everything happening at once – the games being played, the boys enjoying the place and knowing all the work that went into getting the grounds ready.
Tristan: A big event day. Hosting a grand final or a big fixture like a night game or rugby finals when the whole place is full of people. When there are hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people around the grounds, you really see Bulleen at its best.
Brendan: One day that really stands out for me was the charity cricket match organised by Mark and Steve Waugh. It was about 25 degrees, sunshine, and suddenly you had all these Australian cricketers and celebrities playing on our fields. It was one of those days where you looked around Bulleen and thought this is pretty special.
Since this article was written, we have learnt of the recent passing of David Sanguinetti. As one of the school’s longest-serving staff members, he leaves a lasting legacy within our community. He will be remembered with deep appreciation. Our heartfelt condolences go to his family and loved ones.
