Desks in the English department can get very messy.

Despite the efficiencies of the digital epoch, we can’t get away from paper. We love it. We hate it. We look way too closely and for far too long at the words printed on it, and make students write an endless number of words upon it.

English is a subject that focuses on the ability to communicate and understand communications effectively. But as teachers we justify the environmental recklessness of our aforementioned relationship with paper by holding on to the idea that our subject provides something more than just communicative skills.

Everything we do in English is also infused with what might best be described as a moral bent: we aim to help students attune to the moral challenges, value clashes, and general messiness of being human in an imperfect world. The great works of literature we study help us get a start on such endeavours, but the experiences and insights of our students push us along each day.

Inspired by the pared-back graphic works of Julian Opie, students created digital portraits of their pets using Adobe Photoshop.

Interest is building in developing an OTG Athletics Club for both dedicated athletes and those who would like to be involved in a casual and social capacity.
Contact otg@trinity.vic.edu.au to express your interest.

Season ‘24/25 is well and truly underway with both OTGCC teams sitting 1-1 after two rounds.

The 1st XI was sent a reality check by Melbourne High in Round 1, but a week full of self-reflection and home truths saw the boys bounce back to open their account against Old Camberwell. If there is one thing that I learnt during my time at TGS, it is that WE DO NOT LOSE TO CAMBERWELL (picture Rohan Brown’s voice echoing through the Lower Robertson corridor). Wily veterans Hugh Krantz (OTG 2009), Matt Keys (OTG 2013) and Josh Mannix (OTG 2016) have been pivotal in righting the ship, reminding everyone that you can’t put a price on experience.

The 2nd XI will be led this season by new captain Jakob Kann (OTG 2018) following the departure of loyal servant Adrian Johnson (OTG 2014) . AJ claims this is a “lifestyle and career” move, but don’t rule out a last-ditch attempt at salvaging a semi-professional cricket career at a minor county. In all seriousness though I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Adrian for his years of service to the club – the stability and (relative) success of our 2nd XI wouldn’t have been possible without him. In his absence the team backed up an inspirational win in Round 1 (where they defended a score of 90) with an atrocious loss in Round 2 (where they were rolled for 60). Safe to say we’ve got some work to do on our batting…

We now storm towards the Christmas break hoping to get a few more wins on the board. As always, please feel free to get in touch with me (sebnicolosi15@gmail.com) or anybody else you may know at the club if you are thinking about putting the whites on again. Go Ts.

Seb Nicolosi (OTG 2012)
OTGCC President

The OTGAFC put a high level of responsibility on our actions to the community and how our people actively provide an amazing service to the Trinity and Old Trinity groups.

This is why we place so much honour when we award our Best Club Person in our Annual awards, and this year we actually had two people that demonstrated they provide an amazing effort and example to the rest of our club and community.
Ed Weatherson was the first award winner, whose grandfather basically started the football Club 70 years ago. Ed has been an amazing football player and leader, and assists the club in numerous ways.

Tom Beasley was our other award winner, who has been coaching for over eight years and has been involved in helping run the off-field coaching groups for several years too. After being the bridesmaid for the previous two seasons in the Grand Finals, this year, he got the chocolates and brought home the trophy.
These two fellows really sum up what is SERVICE to the Old Trinity community and lead by example in both their actions and ways.

I can only hope the others around them can try to emulate their deeds and help serve the Old Trinity community.

Tony Mulcahy
OTGAFC President

The Old Trinity Grammarians’ Hockey Club (OTGHC) had a good, but difficult year. Overall, it was great to see increased levels of engagement, clean hockey and a stronger social bond developed between all players.
OTGHC fielded two teams this year, with our 1st XI in VL3 North West and our 2nd XI in Metro 2 East.

After a disappointing but well-fought finals run last season, our 1s found themselves promoted to VL3 North West. Experiencing a new level of hockey, the 1s fought hard and managed a mid-table finish. Best and Fairest and Top Goal Scorer were awarded to Matthew Hunter-Scott (OTG 2018) and Thomas Carroll (OTG 2018) respectively.

Our 2s saw some fresh and some familiar faces this season. With a team consisting of novices and veterans, the 2s produced solid results including beating rival team Camberwell 5-0. Best and Fairest and Top Goal Scorers were awarded to Timothy Hannan (OTG 2017) and joint Alex Thomson (OTG 2016) and William Middlemiss (OTG 2016), respectively.

OTGHC held an increased number of social events this year including a formal Best and Fairest night at the East Room in the Peter Crawley
Centre for the Arts. This was a great opportunity for many members of the club to return to the school campus again.

Alexander Sarria was given the ‘Clubman’ award; an award which OTGHC hands out each year to the player who best demonstrates the values we hold at the club and the school. Alexander demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the club, high levels of sportsmanship and was a positive role model for younger players.

A special mention goes out to Thomas Carroll (OTG 2018), who stepped up as player coach this season for both teams. His service and contribution to the club was invaluable.

OTGHC looks forward to the 2025 season with optimism and an aim to embody the ‘Trinity’ style of hockey which many players grew up playing.

As always, we are looking for new members and hockey experience is not required. Reach out to Tom Cohen, Vice President on 0487 346 042 or via otghockey@gmail.com.

Tom Cohen (OTG 2018)
OTGHC Committee Member

The 2024 season has come to a close for the Old Trinity Grammarians’ Soccer Club, and we can say with confidence that this year was a thoroughly enjoyable year, despite not achieving a podium finish at the end of the season.

At the conclusion of the season, our Reserves team ended in 4th place, whilst our Seniors team ended 7th on the ladder – whilst this was not quite what the club wanted to achieve on the field, it was great to welcome many new Trinity faces. The club would like to extend a thank you to our Head Coach Renato Collaiani, who truly inspired the players and contributed a lot of his time to the teams. We are looking forward to having Renato with us again next year to assist us in achieving our on-field goals.

In mid-September the club celebrated its 2024 Presentation Night, where both new and old faces were able to enjoy an evening of games and awards. This year the awards were presented to the following players: Reserves Coaches’ Award (George Anderson), Reserves Best & Fairest (Carlo Costa), Seniors Coaches’ Award (Nic Collaiani), Seniors Best & Fairest (Aaron Ovens) and Clubman of the Year (Daniel Sekulovski). The club would like to thank all members of the social committee who assisted in preparing the evening, and to the school for allowing us to use their facilities for the event.

The club will be commencing preseason in mid-November, training every Tuesday and Thursday until 19 December from 6.00pm-8.00pm.

We will then be continuing our preseason in early 2025, with more details to come. If you are interested in joining our playing squad, or becoming a part of the club in a different capacity, please contact Jeremy Neylon or Lino Salzano (Co-Presidents) by email (jeremyneylon1@gmail.com or
linosalzano4@gmail.com).

Jeremy Neylon (OTG 2013) & Lino Salzano (OTG 2018)
OTGASC Co-Presidents

The OTG Water Polo Club has had an immensely successful 2024 with the ‘Otters’ team winning its second consecutive Victorian State Summer League Premiership at the end of last summer. During spring, the club started a new season with the ‘Otters’ moving up to State League 2 and acquainting themselves well to a new higher level of competition. The ‘Pups’ team (State League 6) have put in some fierce performances, leaving them top of the table and looking promising for the flag.

The club has seen once again record numbers of OTGs and schoolboys at training and playing in games, proving it has unlocked a winning formula of a social culture and improvement in the skills of the game. It owes a great deal of this to the Trinity values of compassion, respect and friendship.
If you are interested in joining, please send Ed an email at ecasmith1998@gmail.com.

Ed Smith (OTG 2017)
OTGA Otters President

For generations, Trinity graduates have bookended their Trinity journey in St Paul’s Cathedral with one Final Assembly service.

At the lectern, every member of the graduating class reflects on their time at the school before being formally inducted into the Old Trinity community with the presentation of an OTGA tie.

This building holds a special place for me. Not only is it where I book-end my high school years, but it is also where I have spent the last eight years singing in the choir; one of the many wonderful opportunities Trinity
has granted to me.

As a young chorister here sitting through particularly boring sermons, I used to count all the arches – the big supporting structures holding up this vast building. I think I usually totaled around 100.

But looking around today, I see many more; I see an amazing cohort of students, a team of incredible teachers, Mr Bolzonello and Ms Fewster two extraordinary and dedicated Heads of Years, and of course mum and
dad. You are all my arches. Your support, mentorship and love have helped prop me and all my classmates up throughout the year, and for that I will be forever grateful.

Class of 2024 – it’s been an absolute privilege and pleasure to get to know and work with you all, and I wish all of you the best of luck for whatever the future holds.

In two weeks, it will be a year since the morning of my Maths Methods exam.

That morning, I think my dad could tell I was pretty nervous, so he read me a poem. And in that poem, Whitman calls life a ‘powerful play’. I think moments like these make us realise that, though what Whitman never mentions, and what I’ve come to learn over the past 12 years, is that one’s life is only ever as powerful as the beautiful and incredible people we have to colour and crowd our stage.

And over the past 12 years I’ve been fortunate enough to have such amazing people crowd my stage. I have my father. Some boys are lucky enough to call their father their hero, and it never gets lost on me how lucky I am to get to call him my best friend. I have my mother. For the past 17 years I’ve fallen asleep each night to the distant sound of her keyboard clicking away. She has taught me that what is received in life is always earnt. She has taught me to work hard and has done so while remaining the most well – rounded and caring person I’ve ever known.

I have my brother. Through ever y mistake he’s made and his many successes, he has taught me that there is nothing more brave than being human. That making a mistake is okay and how we learn from them makes us the people we are.

I’ve had my teachers, so many of whom deserve a mention. Dr Levey, your ability to understand people and, your capacity for compassion is inspiring. Mr Hong, you have what Fitzgerald calls a ‘ heightened sensitivity to the promises of life’. For someone who carries themselves in such an insouciant way, you have a unique ability to see the best in people, and what’s more you help them achieve it, and that’s really special. Mrs Fewster – the godmother of hockey – your endless selflessness. Mrs Magee – your ability to care for people and make me smile. Mrs Dillon – your inimitable wisdom and intelligence. Mrs Papaleo -your ability to both support me and keep me grounded. Mr Garas – the way you navigated me through a truly difficult time last year and did so while making me feel proud of myself. Each of you are incredible.

Finally, my friends. Over the past few years you have made my life so much better and have done so much more than was ever asked of you. Thank you. I love you. And so, as the powerful play of life marches on and my verse unfolds, I’ll be forever grateful to have you all in it.

Then as now, the role of school captain involves representing and leading the student body and liaising closely with staff. With a reduced study load, a second-year school captain such as Colin, had many opportunities to contribute to the school. Typical of all school captains of this era, Colin also held several other leadership positions including: Prefect, Captain of Football, Captain of Cricket, Vice-Captain of Tennis, Captain of Athletics, Captain of Arnold House and Editor of the Mitre.

The asterisk. At the bottom of the board is an asterisk with the words ‘Left 1st Term.’ This refers to 1942, the only year in which the school had two captains. John Miles left in mid-March to take up a place at university and Doug Beer served as School Captain for the remainder of the year. All school captains accounted for – mystery solved!

Colin McCutcheon School Captain 1931-1932

Meet David and his best friend, and Trinity Therapy Dog, Fergus. David is Trinity’s Director of Junior School Sport and Cocurricular Activities and has been a wonderful teacher to the many students who have passed through the Junior School.

Fergus, who is training to be an accredited Therapy Dog for Trinity, can also be found with either of his trained handlers, Leeann Bruzek or Lucy Truesdale, supporting students with their school work in the classroom and honing their creativity in the Art Room.

I was first employed at Trinity in 1988, however there have been a few stints away from the school over the years. These have included an 18-month teacher exchange at a school in West Sussex in the UK (who had Pippa the golden retriever as their school dog!), and some time at other schools, including teaching in a remote Indigenous school north of Broome in the Kimberly from 2007 to 2009.

During my years at Trinity, I have worked in a range of roles and am currently the Physical Education teacher for Year 4 to Year 6 students, while also coordinating the internal and external Junior School sports program and cocurricular activities.

Being involved in a broad range of school programs has given me many opportunities to work with a variety of people and more importantly, school students.

Our family has always had golden retrievers. Fergus is related to Trinity’s previous Therapy Dog, Harvey Peanut (who is his nephew!). Fergus has been the third golden retriever in our family, and we just couldn’t imagine a life without them.

The training regimen for Fergus involves attending Saturday obedience sessions with Therapy Animals Australia, who is responsible for training Fergus. Brad Rundle (OTG 1993 and past staff) from Therapy Animals Australia also attends school on a fortnightly basis, working with Fergus and his handlers in the school environment and classrooms.

Fergus brings our family great enjoyment and we love to see the work and enjoyment he has been able to bring to the Trinity community.

I love coming to school three days a week as Trinity’s Therapy Dog.

On Friday mornings, the highlight of my week is to greet the Prep and Year 1 students when they arrive at Roberts House, or farewell students when I am on duty at the Charles Street Gate.

I am very proud of the tricks I have learnt so far: sitting in one spot, shaking hands and walking well on the lead without pulling – when I’m not distracted!

Outside of school, I play with a range of special dog toys that cannot be destroyed, and I love going for long walks with my family at the beach in Point Lonsdale.

When I’m not sniffing some leftover lunch snacks, I enjoy dry dog food. But most of all, my favourite treat is carrots!

Trinity student and 2025 Captain of Faith and Outreach

Harambee. When I read the prompt, it was the very first thing that came to mind. Harambee is Trinity’s very own outreach group that supports several causes worldwide, from funding schools in the Philippines to empowering
single mothers in Kenya. Closer to home, we support local foundations in educating migrant children and providing hampers for the vulnerable in our community.

Harambee has connected me directly to people’s stories. I was even lucky enough to visit some of the communities we support in the Philippines, truly deepening my gratitude and my sense of responsibility to create change.

But I think that best part of Harambee is that you can support all these great causes while having fun with mates. Whether it be working together at our many barbecues, or bonding during a trip overseas, Harambee is a fantastic way to make a difference and enjoy yourself along the way. I encourage everyone to get involved, by donating or volunteering.

Together, we can make a world of difference

Trinity alumnus, OTGCC and OTGAFC player and volunteer

Fostering a sense of community through my association the Old Trinity Grammarians’ Cricket Club and the Old Trinity Grammarians’ Amateur Football Club has been a huge part of my life as an OTG.

With 10+ years of involvement, I take great pride in building and connecting with my teammates. With cricket season up and running (and forever chasing that elusive semi-final victory!), I find it very special that every Sunday I get to spend my time playing cricket with some of my closest friends from my time at Trinity.

In many ways, your experience is what you are willing to make of it. For me, I want to help create inclusive and enjoyable environments through fun initiatives like interviewing incoming Under-19s players at the club on Thursday nights after training and sharing live social media updates on gamedays.

These clubs are such important pillars of structure and friendships for all of us as we navigate through life, and I’ll never take for granted how these clubs have been such key places for me.

Trinity parent, Class Representative and member of School Council

I’ve been a Class Representative for the past three years since my son began in the Early Learning Centre (ELC). It’s been a fulfilling and rewarding experience, liaising between parents and school through organising events, coordinating parent involvement, and helping build a strong, supportive school community. I look forward to continuing to support my son’s school journey and the wider Trinity community.

I’m also passionate about raising awareness and encouraging others to get involved. My involvement with World Vision has shown me the incredible challenges many children face in accessing quality education. I am dedicated to making a meaningful change in the lives of underprivileged communities in developing countries, and one of the ways that I’ve chosen to do this is by sponsoring children through World Vision.

My hope is to inspire a collective effort to ensure that every child, no matter their background, has the opportunity to receive a quality education to achieve their full potential.

Trinity staff, Director of Outreach, Chaplain and Economics teacher

My passion in life has always been empowering others to make an impact on our world, especially for the most vulnerable in our community. From a young age I was inspired by my mother to see the whole human family as my neighbour and to help anyone in need. I believe that the highest purpose in life is to live in service and this is the pathway to living a fulfilling and meaningful life.

I have been privileged at Trinity to serve the school in the role of Director of Outreach. The calling of this ministry is to offer school programs that encourage students to open their hearts and souls to others. Our service programs encourage our students to be a voice for those who are marginalised, discriminated against and to help bring about a more just world.

A special blessing for me is to have led over 25 immersion groups to East Africa, the Philippines and Arnhem Land. By helping our students extend their radius of care to the whole world, it enables our Trinity community to experience a shared humanity and be more motivated to take action.

My passion in life for all of us is to see the whole human family as one.