Dear members of the Mount Lilydale Mercy College community,

During the course of the last week, I came across a lovely story about vaccination that I would like to share with you:

The father of modern vaccines

One night in 1963, a little girl named Jeryl Lynn cried out for her father. She felt very sick with a sore throat. Her father felt her neck and discovered she had swollen glands. He took her temperature which showed she had a fever. What was wrong with her? Some of you may have guessed: Jeryl Lynn had mumps. Some of you might have had mumps. You can get a mild dose and not suffer very much but some children get very sick. They can go deaf or their brain is damaged. Sometimes children have died from mumps.

Fortunately, Jeryl Lynn’s father was a scientist and he took swabs so that he could preserve the virus. Those swabs became the Jeryl Lynn strain of the mumps vaccine, still used today. Many of you will have had the MMR vaccine to protect you against mumps and measles.

Jeryl Lynn’s father was Maurice Hilleman. He and his team developed over 40 vaccines that are estimated to save nearly eight million lives every year. He is one of the greatest vaccinologists of all time. Some of his vaccines you may know about and have been inoculated with — measles, mumps, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, chickenpox, meningitis, pneumonia and even the flu.

In 1957 there was an outbreak of influenza in Hong Kong that threatened to become a huge pandemic. Maurice found that it was a new strain of flu that could kill millions and created a vaccine. In 1968, there was another serious Hong Kong flu pandemic. Again, Maurice and his team helped develop a vaccine. Every year new strains of flu appear and every year a new vaccine is produced to protect us.

It is because of scientists like Maurice Hilleman that you probably have never heard of diseases like polio, smallpox, diphtheria, tetanus or scarlet fever. In some parts of the world, millions of children die every year from diseases like these, but now, because every year many more millions of children are vaccinated, some of those diseases have almost disappeared from countries like ours. Mothers and fathers no longer have to watch their children die from terrible diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. Children no longer suffer all their lives from the dreadful lasting effects of a childhood illness.

If you have never had mumps, it is thanks to Jeryl Lynn Hilleman, her father Maurice and a wonderful team of scientists. He truly was the father of modern vaccines. And there are many, many scientists still working hard today, developing vaccines for diseases like COVID-19.

We all live safer, healthier, longer lives because of the lifesaving vaccines they have made for us.
Source: Principal’s Digest, Vol 27, no. 22

Vaccination is a very topical discussion point in our world at the moment. Our news services are full of stories about the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines. There are stories about the devastation of the COVID-19 virus throughout the world and not for one minute do I wish to downplay the seriousness of the situation nor the tragedy of the worldwide deaths as the grief caused by the virus is very real. I am sure this piece was written to support the vaccination process and to highlight the importance of it also.

The story does also highlight another very important idea and it is one that we often talk about. Maurice Hilleman was born to a poor farming community in Montana, USA, one of eight children with his mother sadly passing when he was two days old. He was raised by an uncle and eventually he attended university on a scholarship and he went on to gain a PhD with an award-winning dissertation on chlamydia. Instead of choosing academia, he went to work in the pharmaceutical industry.

Maurice Hillman is a fantastic example of a person who used his skillset in service. He is a fantastic example of the concept of ‘Be Your Best, Give Your Best’. I am sure he lived a good life and earned a comfortable living too but, importantly, he chose a life of service.

The concept of service by our students has been highlighted to me over the past few weeks.

Firstly, because we were unable to have an Open Day or Taste of MLMC this year and because we are being inundated with requests for tours, the College is running two to three extra tours each week, some after school and some on weekends. Tour sizes have also been increased to accommodate more numbers. In taking the tours, student leaders and members of the Year 10 Peer Support group regularly attend to offer support, answer questions and help to keep the tour groups together. They often give the tour groups a small talk about their experience at MLMC. This is a great example of service. During last night’s tour I was particularly impressed with three of our Year 12 cohort: on a Thursday evening, these three Year 12 students stayed at the College to lead a tour between 4.00pm and 6.00pm. Amidst all that is happening in their busy lives, with the Year 12 Debutante Balls scheduled this weekend, with the pressure of study and the fast approaching end of semester, these students chose to stay and help. They chose to give back to the community of which they are part. Without naming them, I thank them and am proud of their service and the example they lead.

In the same way, over the last two weeks I have joined other staff and Year 12 students in setting up Catherine’s Cafe in the streets of Lilydale to serve those in need. This, too, is a fantastic example of our students using their talents to be of service. The van is a great concept. Run as a business through VCAL, the students operate the mobile cafe to make money. Their profit funds the cafe to provide hot drinks, toasties and snacks to those in need in the streets of Lilydale each Tuesday night. This is a great project of which we can all be proud. It is a community effort and has been successful because of the great work of a number of people. Also this week, I witnessed Year 9 students making biscuits as a part of the Compass program, some of which went to Catherine’s Cafe and some to other local charities.

In this year of 2021, this year of our 125 Year celebrations, this year in which we celebrate and thank all those who came before in service and Mercy, I am proud to witness these Mercy values in action in our College. It is important for us all to all to work to better ourselves and use our skill set to be of service. This too is a highlight of our College tours, of which I am proud.

“Be Your Best, Give Your Best.”

In the spirit of Catherine, may you all be blessed.

God bless

Philip A Morison
Principal

She speaks with wisdom … and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
— Proverbs 31:26

A Prayer for Mothers

Lord, thank you for all mothers.
For the new ones, who endure sleepless nights with infants in arms.
For the busy ones, who juggle the pressures of home and family life.
For the steadfast ones, who nurture and care for our special vulnerable children.
For the patient ones, who always seek to forgive and engage with their pre-teens.
For the persistent ones, who cleverly find new ways to connect with their mini-adults.
For the mother aunts, who step in to cradle and care for nieces and nephews.
For all grandmas, who love and support their precious grandchildren.
For the foster mums that are called to gather and cover the fragile ones.
For the Sunday mums who care for our children and lead them in faith.
For the mums who give far beyond their own resources, who overcome disability to cherish and love.
Thank you Lord for all our beautiful mothers and for all who are like mothers to us.
For the mothers who are no longer on earth with us and for all the beautiful memories they have left behind.
May you bless them now on this their special day.
Amen.

Dates and reminders

• Business Breakfast: the Old Collegians’ Association is hosting a Business Breakfast next week, on Tuesday 11 May. Click HERE for more information
• Student free days: the Friday before the Queen’s birthday long weekend (Friday 11 June) has been designated a student free day. The Monday (14 June) is a public holiday. The final two days of Term 2 (Thursday 24 June and Friday 25 June) are also student free (Staff Professional Development).
• End of term: Term 2 will end on Friday 25 June (last day for students is Wednesday 23 June).

Enrolments for 2023

Mrs Marilyn Ryan
Registrar — Students

Parents and guardians are reminded that applications for Year 7 in 2023 are now due. Applications can be made via the ‘Year 7 Enrolment’ page on our website or click HERE.

The Mercy value of Service is the College’s focus for 2021 and our new community van provides us with a great opportunity to put this into practice. “As much as we can talk about our Catholic Identity and our Mercy Heritage, we need to connect with this through our head, heart and hands,” Deputy Principal — Mission Ms Elizabeth Keogh said.

On Tuesday 27 May the MLMC community van (Mercy — Catherine’s Cafe) was taken out into the community and for the first time we were able to use it for its intended purpose, which is provide an opportunity for our students to walk the talk — to live out the Mercy value of service by reaching out to the most vulnerable people in our community.

The College Captains and Vice Captains were the first students to take part, along with the College’s Executive team.

The van was set up in Lilydale near the entrance to the football oval and the public toilets — in the same place as Holy Fools set up their service on a Thursday. We were there to serve food and drinks from 5.15pm to 7.45pm. We had an encouraging turnout for our first outing and two clients Alannah and Cassandra said they would help us get the word out on the street about our van.

Students run the van — they prepare and serve the food and drinks. We had a range of toasted sandwiches, which the students made after school (pictured), as well as snacks including fruit, muesli bars and biscuits which our Year 9 students made.

Students are on a roster to go out into the community, with up to four students in the van at a time. Our VCAL students have received barista training so they are responsible for hot drinks. 

“We are really pleased with how the first session went. After 18 months of planning we were finally able to get the van out into the community for its main purpose,” Deputy Principal — Pastoral Care Mr John Rodgers said.

(1) Senior EISM Grand Finals

On Wednesday 28 April, five of our Senior EISM teams competed in Grand Finals against Emmaus, Mt Scopus and Aquinas colleges. After our boys’ cricket team were defeated by Aquinas in a close match last term, our senior girls’ ultimate frisbee team played a tough game against the same opponent and MLMC was able to come back in the last quarter to get the win. Our senior girls’ soccer team fell to Aquinas in the Grand Final, after being undefeated all season. The boys’ tennis team played a tough Emmaus side, and fell short by a couple of sets. The Senior boys’ frisbee team played a great team game against Mt Scopus, securing the win quite easily, while the girls’ softball team produced a nail-biter against Emmaus, coming from behind to win by one home run.

(2) Senior girls’ softball team

Thanks to their close win in the EISM Grand Final, the MLMC softball girls qualified for the SSAV School Premiers Softball Competition. This allowed the girls to compete against some of the best school softball teams in Victoria. The first match against Wesley College, who brought a strong, well drilled team, unfortunately ended in a loss. The second game against Saint Margaret’s also ended in a loss, but a much closer game. The girls remained positive all day and we can’t wait to see next year's Senior softball team as most of this year’s team were only in Year 10.

(3) EISM Division 1 Athletics

Following our House Athletics Carnival, the College’s athletics team (after a couple weeks of training) headed to Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park to compete in the Division 1 EISM Carnival against the likes of Luther, Aquinas, Emmaus, and other schools. The students were able to compete against some of the best athletes in the EISM in the usual track and field events, with discus being an added event this year. MLMC had many athletes finish with top three ribbons, and special congratulations to Cheyenne Moore (Year 11 Blue) who achieved another shot put record with a huge distance of 12.43m. Thanks to all the students and staff who attended, it was a great day.

The EISM Champions Carnival will be held on Monday 10 May at Lakeside Stadium. Congratulations to the more than 50 MLMC students who have qualified for this event and good luck.

(4) Student Achievements

Stephen Cameron (Year 10 Bronze)
Congratulations to Stephen who competed in the Australian Open Karate titles in Sydney recently where he won two gold medals in the Open division and Under 63kg division.

Paddy Vanstan (Year 10 Blue)
Congratulations to Paddy for competing in the ACC Gravity Enduro mountain bike race in Bright recently. He finished 11th in a very competitive field. Well done.

Bailey O’Neil and Sam Green (both Year 12 Green)
Congratulations to both Bailey and Sam who have recently umpired their first senior football matches in the Eastern league — great achievements for 17 and 18 year olds. These Year 12 students are in charge of 36 grown men playing a highly competitive game of football. Well done, boys.

Sienna O'Toole (Year 8 Red)
Congratulations to Sienna and her dad, Matt, who won the Shepparton Easter Tennis Tournament recently.

Cody Anderson (Year 10 Purple)
Congratulations to Cody Anderson who debuted for the Healesville senior team recently — a huge achievement for a 15 year old.

Cody McKellar (Class of 2016)
Cody set an Under-25 12-hour running record at the Coburg 24-hour Championships on 17 April. He covered 112.1km. The previous record was 103km.

Kelly Whitchell (Year 12 Orange)
Congratulations to Sport Prefect Kelly Whitchell (Year 12 Orange) who completed a 66km ultramarathon at Wilsons Promontory on 1 May. She completed the hilly and technical course in 10.5 hours. An amazing achievement for an 18 year old!

If you have any student achievements, please email them to dwebb@mlmc.vic.edu.au

(5) EISM reminders

With the Winter seasons of Year 8, 9 and Senior EISM Sport all about to begin, students are asked to please remember the following:

• Check the Sport plans — up on the Doyle Centre window at the beginning of every week and on the College’s Instagram story
• If you are unable to play in your team in a particular week, you need to let your coach know as early as possible
• Please be on time to the Doyle Centre on your sport day. All EISM teams need to leave at the start of lunch (occasionally earlier) to get to venues to play
• Their uniform needs to be 100% correct to ensure no forfeited games — hockey, soccer and football players must wear long navy socks (available at the Doyle Centre) and mouthguards must be worn for hockey. NO CORRECT UNIFORM, NO GAME.

Fixtures

Live fixtures for EISM matches can be found online at eism.org. Click on ‘Weekly sport’, then ‘Fixtures and results’ then ‘Junior’ (Year 8 and 9) or ‘Senior’ (Senior).

Senior Results (21 April - SEMI FINALS)

Year 8 Results (27 April)

Senior Results (28 April - GRAND FINALS)

Year 9 Results (29 April)

Year 8 Results (4 May)

Year 9 Results (6 May)

College Captains Melinda Virgona and Sam Green and Vice Captains Eliza Russell and William Geeves along with 26 members of the College Choir were honoured to take part in the ANZAC Day dawn service at the Lilydale cenotaph on Sunday 25 April.

It was a fully-ticketed event due to COVID-19 restrictions but students from our College Choir and junior a capella ensemble were rugged up and ready with a sound check at 5.15am in the morning. Our Choir sang The Recessional, which was written by Rudyard Kipling for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897. They also sang the Australian national anthem Advance Australia Fair and the New Zealand national anthem God Defend New Zealand (both in English and te reo Māori).

The College Captains were invited to lay a wreath (pictured) to honour our Australian servicemen and women and as a community we give thanks, we pray and we remember them.

On Friday 23 April, staff and students across all year levels learnt about the story of the ANZACs before observing a minute’s silence. Humanities Faculty Learning Leader Mr John Ryan, Humanities Prefect Amy Wahrenberger and Year 12 student Emma Di Paolo (pictured in the gallery below) presented a 20-minute reflection which included the story of the invasion of Gallipoli, a prayer, a short video and The Ode, taken from The Fallen — a poem by English poet and writer Laurence Binyon.

“They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

On Tuesday 29 April the Year 7 students were given the opportunity to invite someone special to the College. We began the morning with an assembly in Centennial Hall where the Principal, Mr Philip Morison, welcomed these important people in the lives of our youngest students, along with myself and Ms Elizabeth Keogh, Deputy Principal — Mission.

The Year 7 students then walked their special person around the College grounds, showing them the areas of their school that have become an important part of their everyday College life. This included the Mansfield building, the Chapel, the Harley building, the McAuley Library and, of course, the canteen.

The morning ended with a cup of tea or coffee in McAuley Hall where the students and their special person could mingle with other members of our community. Our Year 7 students loved showing family and friends around their school and wrote them beautiful thank you letters in Pastoral Care later that day.

Thank you to all the individuals who came to this special day and helped our students understand how important and valued they are.

On Thursday 29 April our Year 7 and 8 Class Captains participated in a full-day leadership seminar called ‘Maximising the Badge’. This seminar was run by the Ylead organisation and centred around their philosophy of ‘leadership is more than a badge, it’s about the action that makes the world you touch a better place’.

Throughout the day, students explored leadership, developed their confidence, enhanced their skills and worked together to develop group cohesion, unity and a shared vision.

Here are some reflections from our Class Captains:

The Leadership Program was really enjoyable and we all had a great time. It was a great way to get to know everyone and learn how to be good leaders and work out what we wanted to get out of the year as Class Captains. This program made us look at being a leader from a totally different perspective. We completed what we thought were games but then we realised that it was teaching us that as a leader you sometimes have to take that step back, like we did when we stood on a tarp with squares all over it trying to find that correct path. Sometimes you have to stay in sync with your peers or you might fall over, like we did in the 22-legged race. Being a Class Captain is not just wearing the badge but getting others involved and sharing your ideas and this is what we took from the program.
— Sienna El-Zain (Year 8 Orange) and Mackenzie Strachan (Year 8 White)

The incursion was a great day for the Year 7 and 8 students. It taught us as leaders the value of being a leader, what it means to be a leader and, most importantly, it showed us who we are as leaders. For me, I have always been a natural leader because I am organised and take initiative. But this incursion taught me that as a leader there are certain responsibilities and certain things you have to be willing to do. For example, you might have to give up lunchtime or use your personal time to plan a class/school event. The incursion taught me and everyone else so much, it was very beneficial and I thank the school for running it. We all loved it. I will adapt as a leader to someone who can read how people are feeling and to be someone who can make decisions that benefit everyone.
— Blake Schelfhout (Year 7 Purple)

The Ylead team gave us heaps of games and activities to get us through the day but my favourite part of the day was probably the public speaking game. It was where the leader (Amy) gave us a number and a topic and if she called that number you had to stand up and say a whole speech about that topic right off the top of your head. All of the things we did helped us reach our inner leader and learn new things about how to become a leader or be a better leader. We played several games about leading and helping others around you. In one game there were 25 squares on a blue tarp and you had to make it across in a certain time limit and not touch the tape. I think the Ylead team have made my leadership skills better than before and I feel better as a leader.
— Katherine Hobson (Year 8 Silver)

We participated in many different activities that would help us think differently and show better leadership qualities. A few of the activities that stood out to me was an activity where we had to get a tennis ball to travel as fast as we could through the whole group in the quickest time possible. This helped us to think outside the box. Another activity that I really enjoyed was when we had to stand up in front of our group of four and speak about a random topic. This really helped us improve our public speaking. After the day I felt I had learned some really helpful leadership skills that I will definitely use in the future.
— Isabella Maurici (Year 7 Green)

The Year 7 students have been wearing their winter uniform, including their tie, for three weeks now and they are each beginning to master the skill of tying their own tie. To encourage this, the Year 7 Homeroom teachers hosted a tie-tying relay. For the past two weeks, students have been training for this momentous occasion and three participants were chosen to represent each homeroom.

It was an enjoyable event, full of competition and good spirit which saw Year 7 Gold take out the victory. Congratulations to the representatives of Year 7 Gold Mahalia Chandler, Matilda Brewster and Noah Burrow (pictured above).

On Friday 30 April, the Year 11 cohort went in a convoy of five buses to the VCE and Careers Expo at Caulfield Racecourse. This was a really exciting day as it was the first excursion many had been on in the post-lockdown world and they were looking forward to going with their friends on a bus to somewhere new.

In Period 1 they attended a presentation at the College which involved looking at the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) website and the exhibitors who would be at the expo and then planning which exhibits they would like to see.

The group spent two hours at the Expo, which was attended by all of Victoria's universities, TAFEs and private colleges and major employers like the Australian Defence Force, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and many more. The students then returned to the College and to their homerooms to reflect on the day and then begin working on their Career Action Plans.

For many students, this was the first time they had been to an Expo such as this and it was a great opportunity for them to gain some exposure to post-school options, be it further study, employment or an organised gap year. Many students were surprised at how many different pathways there are to their dream course or job and it was pleasing to see how engaged they were on the day.

Year 11 students are reminded that they can follow up with the Careers team if they need further assistance or information in their future planning, and to also keep an eye on the Barak Careers Portal and MLMC Careers Website for information about upcoming Open Days so that they can visit the institutions.

On Friday 23 April we were thrilled to welcome back the Class of 2020 to a special gathering in Centennial Hall. The purpose of the night was to offer an occasion where families and their graduates could come together and reflect on 13 years of education.

Last year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, we had a virtual Graduation and there was a sense of loss of connection within the Year 12 cohort. In acknowledging this, we began planning for a reunion in 2021 which would allow them to gather with their families. Generally, after Graduation, there is a supper and time for families to chat, reconnect with other families and say farewells (until we meet again). The event last Friday night allowed this to happen.

We were so pleased with the response from the students and their families. Centennial Hall was abuzz with over 250 guests and 30 staff, with conversation focused on future plans and aspirations and staying connected with each other and the College. We congratulate this resilient group of young men and women who, despite the many challenges presented to them by COVID-19 during their final year of schooling, are embracing their futures in 2021 with confidence and optimism.

The MLMC Old Collegians' Association is inviting members of our community to join us for our annual Business Breakfast on Tuesday 11 May. Members of the community will gather to enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by our wonderful VCAL students and be inspired by our two guest speakers. Bookings close today (Friday 7 May).

This year’s guest speakers are Old Collegians Amanda Scardamaglia (Class of 2000) and John Van Gastel (Class of 1985) (pictured).

Amanda is an Associate Professor and Department Chair at Swinburne Law School. Her area of focus is intellectual property law with a special focus on empirical and historical studies in trade mark law, branding, advertising and the consumer. She is also the author of two books: Colonial Australian Trade Mark Law and Printed on Stone: The Lithographs of Charles Troedel, which was awarded the Premier’s History Award in 2020.

John has had an illustrious career as a costumier, working on films Charlotte’s Web, Romulus My Father and The Dressmaker as well as television series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Underbelly and Squizzy, musical theatre, dance productions and the arranging of many exhibitions. His credits include creating and producing the costumes for Melbourne Theatre Company’s Shakespeare In Love in 2019. He was an inductee of MLMC’s Mercy Honour Roll in 2015.

Old Collegian Savanna Fanfulla (Class of 2014) will also return to provide entertainment.

Date: Tuesday 11 May 2021
Time: 7.00am to 9.00am
Venue: McAuley Hall at MLMC
Cost: $35 per person
Bookings close: 3.00pm today (Friday 7 May)
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/BPI...

We hope you can join us. If you have any queries please don't hesitate to get in contact me via sshallcross@mlmc.vic.edu.au

This past week Miss Ava Brown (Youth Ministry Officer), Amelia Jerin (Mercy and Justice Prefect), Stephanie Martinez (Faith and Ministry Prefect) and I participated in a virtual immersion with Caritas Australia to continue our connection and to review the recent Project Compassion campaign. This provided a great opportunity to reflect on our achievements as a school community and to share ideas for future growth.

Caritas thanked us for the pro-active work carried out during Lent, not just with fundraising but also the level of awareness raising. The College raised $2197.90 for Project Compassion this year.

“I really enjoyed having the opportunity to connect on a personal basis with someone from Caritas and it was rewarding to see that the work we do in our school helps broader communities that need it more. It was a great insight into the work of Caritas,” Amelia said.

“This experience enabled us to see behind the scenes and the amount of work that goes into the preparation of resources for schools,” Stephanie said. “It reinforced for me how privileged I feel to hold my position of leadership at the College but also the responsibility to work with future leaders to build on what we have learnt.”

Last year our students captured the lockdown experience by taking photos of their world for the MLMC Photography Competition. This year the College is calling on all students to get creative and get involved in our 2021 MLMC Art Competition.

And it is not just about photography in 2021. Students can submit works in any medium —a drawing, a painting, sculpture, digital art, collage ... ANYTHING to do with this year’s theme ‘Our MLMC community’, to coincide with MLMC celebrating its 125th year. Catholic Education is also celebrating 200 years of education.

This year there are double the prizes on offer, donated by both the Visual Arts and Religious Education faculties, with JB HIFI vouchers up for grabs with awards for Junior (Year 7-9) and Senior (Year 10-12) students. Staff are also encouraged to participate.

There is plenty of time for students to create or plan their work as entries are due by Friday 10 September 2021 for display on Mercy Day (Friday 17 September). Works are to be no larger than A2 size for display. Each student entering a work will receive a College commendation.

There is so much beauty within our College community and we look forward to seeing MLMC through the eyes of our students and staff and also to celebrate MLMC’s history. For all inquiries and for the submission of entries please contact either myself or Mrs Ruth Warr.

In the College’s inaugural Active April program we had over 160 participants who together logged over 4480 hours of physical activity. O'Neill House, who had close to double the number of participants than any other House, had a commanding lead for the entire month and finished on top with a huge number of physical activity hours.

The types of physical activities undertaken by participants were varied. The top recorded activities were walking, AFL, basketball, cycling, running, soccer and dance. Students could log the activities they participated in during the school holidays or any extra curricular activities after school. They also had the opportunity to take part in lunchtime activities at the College, including dodgeball (pictured in the gallery below).

The Active April campaign began with a Staff versus Students volleyball game at the end of Term 1 and concluded with a Ride/Walk to School breakfast on Friday 30 April followed by a Staff versus Students ultimate frisbee match. Despite a strong start by the staff, the students were too good and clinched an easy win.

It was a fun month that has reminded some of us, and reinforced for others, the important role that physical activity has in our life.

The College this year introduced a new leadership role of House Coordinator to foster student leadership and in particular to support the six House Prefects in their leadership and the provision of House-based activities across the College.

An initiative to foster and promote House spirit this year is a House Celebration lunch, with Maguire House holding the first of these celebrations on Friday 23 April. Maguire Prefect Samara Brauman (pictured above, right) hosted the celebration.

“The Maguire House Celebration barbecue turned out really well considering it was the first event of its kind. It was great to see our members participating and enjoying the House spirit created and the sausage sizzle, of course,” Samara said.

At the House Celebration lunch in the Lecture Theatre Samara introduced the Maguire House members to a presentation about their founding name and history of the House. The students also took part in a prayerful response, with Ruby Rock (pictured with Samara), leading the prayer and then everyone celebrated with a sausage sizzle courtesy of the Parents and Friends’ Association volunteers.

These are the dates for the upcoming House Celebrations:

• Carr House: 28 May
• Ryan House: 30 July
• Terry Dunn House: 13 August
• O’Neill House: 10 September
• Frayne House: 8 October.

Congratulations to the 16 riders who competed at the Tintern Interschool Horse Trials on 24 and 25 April. After the cancellation of the event in 2020, it was great to see so many riders back competing this year at Wandin Park.

MLMC had some fantastic results across the weekend including Jasmine Dillon, Mia Wright, Lily Callaway and Imogen Bergin who won the overall teams event. Audrey Lyons and Lily Callaway also won their individual categories.

Well done to all our riders, especially our Year 12s who competed in their final Tintern event — thank you for your contribution to the College’s equestrian program.

As the first of the 2021 MLMC Debutante Balls take place this weekend, let us look back at the first Debutante Ball that took place in 1966 at the College. Although the sentiment of being ‘introduced to society’ has changed, one aspect that has not changed is the students' excitement of getting dressed up. Whether it was in 1966 or now in 2021, the girls, in particular, see it as a wonderful event to wear a beautiful gown. Integral to the boys looking their best is Old Collegian Mr Peter Ruscitti (Class of 1976).

2018 — Debutante Balls

In 2018, for the first time a number of Year 11 boys from MLMC joined with Worawa College in Healesville to partner young female students there in the Worawa Dreaming Ball — a Debutante Ball where the young women were presented to the elders after having completed their Pathways to Womenhood program.

As far back as the 1950s, our students have been involved with local Debutante Balls, but it wasn’t until 1966 that Mount Lilydale College held its first event. Originally seen as a moment where a young woman was ‘introduced to society’, the Debutante Balls have evolved into a glamorous occasion where a young person has the opportunity to dress up and present themselves as a young adult in front of their families and friends.

In recent decades this event has occurred annually for Year 11 students and the balls have taken place off-site, at places like the Heidelberg Town Hall. The Parents and Friends’ Association has a Debutante Ball Committee, which organises each event.

Former student and former President of the Old Collegians’ Association, Peter Ruscitti (Class of 1976), has had a long association with the Debutante Balls through his Lilydale business, Trevor Dudley’s Menswear, where he has outfitted thousands of young men.

Mr Ruscitti (pictured in the gallery) wrote recently: “I have worked with terrific committee members, great students and wonderful parents over the years and have always enjoyed outfitting the partners. Styles change but style doesn’t. For example, 1975 featured sky blue suits with navy brocade on the lapel edges, sky blue evening shirts with full ruffle front and navy velvet bow ties.”