Geography

In 2008 we have been blessed with one of the most enthusiastic groups of VCE Geographers on record. While the class was relatively small, the students made up for this with their boundless interest in and concern for our natural and human environments. Many topics were covered, such as Resource Use, Water Management in the Murray-Darling Basin, Patterns in Global Population Change and Global Tourism. More specific topics which were considered at some length were dendrochronology, isostatic rebound, population transition and the development of management strategies.One highlight for the year was the field trip to Cape Schanck. While the teacher was enthralled by the geology and geomorphology of the site, and the efficient way the students completed their tasks, the highlight for most students was the 1.2 metre tiger snake which blocked their path on one of the walking tracks. By the time the tale of this encounter filtered back to school the snake had grown to about 5 metres in length and was capable of swallowing an adult whole! In spite of this diversion much excellent fieldwork was completed along with the ensuing Field Reports. Incidentally, no dendrochronology or isostatic rebound was spotted at Cape Schanck. Likewise, the Year 10 Geographers this year were keenly interested in and aware of their environment. The course focused on the processes which shape our landscapes, ranging from plate tectonics to stream erosion. Again, the highlight of Semester One was the fieldtrip to Bacchus Marsh and the Brisbane Ranges National Park conducted on a day of magnificent weather which we reserve for Geography fieldwork. Here, the students saw how tectonic movement of the Earth’s crust, volcanic activity and streams combined to shape the land we see today. It is always good to take the classroom out into the real world so that students can appreciate what they have studied. These days geographical issues seem to be everyday news items. Climate change, global warming, rising sea levels, the drought and resulting water shortages, refugee movements, endangered species, land degradation, urban population growth, transport problems, to name a few are discussed at length in the media. There is little doubt about the relevance of Geography to our day to day existence. Humans are inextricably linked to the physical world since it is our home. The Geographers of De La Salle in 2008 certainly appreciate this, and are well aware of the need for humans to care for the environment and to manage it in a sustainable manner.

12 Solomon

Back Row: Andrew Sanders, Alastair Moroney, Paul Millar, Timothy Allan, James Stevens, Thomas Donaghey, Richard Naylor, Joshua Tyrer Second Row: Samuel Howieson, Jake Semmel, Zachary Attard, Kale Pryor, Tom Cotter, Nicholas Hogan, Daniel Mercuri, Thomas Dobson, Christopher Windley Seated: Daniel CampbellTennant, Joseph La Delfa, Michael De Corrado, David Bliss, Benedict Farrell, Matthew Manning, Shane Griffin, Justin Calache Absent: Damien Hale Ms Courtney Sanders Back Row: Michael Hogan, Joshua Porozny, Mark Breda, Richard Spillane, Ryan Foenander, Kieran Burke Second Row: Thomas Smith, Xavier Pattison, Cameron Watts, Christopher Kaul, Mitchell Wheeler Seated: Nicholas Kyriazis, Stefano Crocilla, Tomas Paturzo-Polson, Matthew Ellis, Ben Fricke, Jack Sullivan, Luke Sutton Absent: Kieran Grant Mr Samuel Devenish

Back Row: Thomas Keegan, Adam Schultz, Xavier O’Shannessy, Geoffrey Davey, Thomas Williams, Stephen Muller, Vaughan Stedman, Matthew Warr Second Row: Thomas Forbes, John Greene, John Palombi, Michael Pierce, James Corkill, Nicolas Fyfield, Redmond Casey Seated: Kamal Riman, Xavier Harkins, Steven Nakos, Michal Williams, Benjamin Hausler, Adrian Cannizzaro, Andrew Yarde Ms Kerry Martin

Year 12 2008

2008 saw the Year 12s adopt the motto ‘Together we succeed’. It was a dictate that saw them have a highly successful and enjoyable year. This group of young men have been true Lasallians in the way they have approached their studies, extra-curricular activities and inter-personal relationships with the entire De La Salle community. They lived up to the premise of their motto by working together to achieve a great deal as leaders of the College. Together they raised in excess of $12,000 for Mission Action Day; together they set exemplary standards of behaviour for the years to follow; they calmly dealt with the inconvenience of a building program and led in campus in dealing with this; they cajoled and entertained the younger students, and they strived for excellence in their studies. Through all of this they supported and assisted each other, living as true men for others. As a staff we often find that when the Year 12s leave it is a time tinged with sadness. However, we recognize that their leaving is an important rite of passage in their life journey. We are proud to have been a part of that journey. We were proud of the boys they were and prouder still of the young men they have become. We are truly grateful to the graduating class of 2008 for the positive impact they have had on the De La Salle community and we wish them great joy and future happiness as they continue their journey in the wider community as De La Boys. It has been both a pleasure and a privilege working with such a talented and diverse group of young men, I pray that you remain men of “perfect integrity”, that don’t ever have to “depend on the kindness of strangers” and that you need never suffer in isolation. Remain true to what you have become as members of a Lasallian community and take your gifts into the wider world, remembering that ‘Together you succeeded’.

Anthony Boghdadi Anthony Boghdadi James Bough Chemistry Physics Music

Hugh Brophy

Literature James Chaplin Economics David De Fazio (Year 10) Accounting Jake Evans General Mathematics (Methods) Nero Georges Information Technology

Damien Gould Media

Ken Hendarto (Year 10) Jeremy Heng-Carter Jeremy Karitzis Jeremy Karitzis Jeremy Karitzis Andrew Lombardo Roger Madafferi Stephen McConnell Kieran McInerney Darcy O’Brien Michael Osekowski Thomas Parsons Hamish Rix Industry & Entreprise Studio Arts History Legal Studies LOTE Italian Physical Education General Mathematics (Specialist) English Philosophy General Mathematics (Further) Business Management Art LOTE French

James Salanitri Foundation Mathematics

Alejandro Silva Jake Stewart Jake Stewart Jake Stewart

Biology English Psychology Theatre Studies Daniel Stow Politics Eugene Twomey (Year 10) Mathematics Methods James Van Der Wolde Biology Thomas Wakefield Outdoor Education & Environmental Studies Guy Willans Charlie Wolstenholme Victor Wong Systems Visual Communication & Design Visual Communication & Design

Short Story — “Cold Realities”

The environment of wildlife faced with starvation as their world changes beyond their ability to understand it. The harsh wind wears me down as I struggle to lift my feet. Each step feels as though it sinks deeper as I become more and more engulfed in the sea of white. A tingling pain spreads through my body. Numbness cannot be far away. My legs collapse as the land underneath me gives way, sinking to the solid ground hidden under the powder. My eyes shut and the thought of rest creeps over me like a sharp, tightening pain. The wind holds me down. What happened to change our lives? Can we survive? I feel a strong force grab my neck and pull me to my feet. I stagger from the push of encouragement from my brother behind me. Sheltering behind the pack, I weave through the trail they create. A shelter lies ahead and another sleepless night, haunted by neve-ending hunger. I wake to the sound of my mother’s stomach grumbling and gaze beyond the mouth of the cave into the abyss of white. Something in the air catches my attention. I look to my mother. She is also awake and tilts her head skyward, sniffing the frosty morning air. A familiar look creeps across her face, one I have not seen in days! Her instincts are always good! Food is close! I rush to my brother nudging him enthusiastically. He doesn’t move. I creep closer, driven by curiosity, searching for any sign that he is alive. I nudge him again. Nothing. I tilt my head down and rest it on his paw. Silence fills the cave. I stand and, as I move towards my mother, something strong hits me from behind, topples me to the ground and pins me. My brother stands over me, paws hard against my chest and we become interlocked and roll out of the cave into the fresh snow. It has been a long time since we played together. The last time was just before we had to move from our home. I was only months old, but I remember the seals on the ice blocks. Food was easy to come by then and we could hibernate without worry. Yet it didn’t last for long and as the ice begun to vanish, so our search for a new home began. We walk all day without finding food. Night closes in and we look to find a shelter. The morning hope turned to bitterness, but my mother continues to follow the scent. Suddenly, her stride quickens, her nose twitches as an object appears in the distance. Food must lie ahead. Maybe a seal, or even a baby whale! We run, driven by our hunger, knowing that a meal lies within our reach. My brother breaks away, racing ahead, pouncing. Yet just as quickly he staggers backwards. Cautiously I approach, my mother close behind. One of our own lies still in front of us, stiff and hard as the ice upon which we stand, the cold from its body running through me. Luckily a shelter lies close. Luckily! I shudder and turn to follow my mother. The night turns the day to blackness. As the chill fills the cave, I remembered the others who are no longer with us; the bears who died along the way. Will we survive? Miles Guggenheimer Year 11