Top Achievers' Assembly

On Tuesday 1 March MLMC staff and students celebrated the many wonderful God given talents of our Class of 2021 students in a broad range of areas at our Top Achievers’ Assembly. It was also a celebration of the unity between teachers, students and parents culminating in the outstanding personal achievements of each of the Class of 2021 students.

The top achieving Class of 2021 students and their families gathered in the Doyle Centre along with Year 12 students and a small number of staff, while the rest of the College viewed a live stream of the assembly in their homerooms.

Together as a College community we welcomed back the 2021 Year 12 top achievers in VCAL, VCE and VCE Baccalaureate to acknowledge their outstanding achievement in a time-honoured tradition. Each year we are reminded that success for each of these students looks very different, and it did not happen overnight.

Special guest speaker at the assembly was winter Olympian and Old Collegian Bree Walker (Class of 2010), who placed fifth in the women's monobob event at the recent winter Olympics in Beijing, China. Bree also piloted the two-person bobsleigh to 16th place.

In 2016, Bree switched from track and field to bobsledding with the goal of participating in the Olympics and it was her tenacity and commitment to this goal that led her to achieve at this elite level. She spoke to the students about perseverance and how they have gained more than they realise during the COVID-19 period.

College Dux Kimberley Fiorentino was unable to be present at the College but delivered her speech via a video, speaking to the student body about doing what they love, “work consistently, work smart and success will follow”.

Kimberley also emphasised the need to find balance and avoid burnout. “Working towards your academic, career and sporting goals is important but so too is finding time to spend with friends, family and enjoying the activities that you find relaxing and enjoyable. Wanting to succeed doesn't mean you can’t go to that party, or watch that movie. Ultimately it's about moderation and finding a balance that works for you”.

Kimberley received top subject scores in three subjects: Business Management, English and Health and Human Development on her way to an ATAR score of 97.9. She will this year begin studying Design/Urban Planning at The University of Melbourne.

The 2021 Catherine McAuley Student of the Year Award recipient, Charlotte Vranken, spoke about courage.

“Mount Lilydale has helped me to face my fears, to know that you are worthy and that you count. I was pushed outside my boundaries, to find a pathway to put all of these skills into place,” Charlotte said. “I have been honoured to have received this award in the memory of Catherine McAuley, and wish everyone here a chance to find their courage.”

The Wally Zuk Award was also presented, commemorating the life of Dr Wally Zuk who was a significant contributor to the wine program at MLMC. The award is presented to the highest achieving Agriculture and Horticulture student who intends further tertiary studies in a related field and the recipient was Selby Borg-McIlroy. He will receive a certificate and a monetary award of $1500 towards his studies in a Bachelor of Agriculture at Melbourne University.

Recipients of the VCE Baccalaureate Award for 2021 were also acknowledged — Ella Arter, Clara D’Angelo, Brianna Moore and Melinda Virgona.