Memories from our College Captains

College memories from our Captains

Oscar Dowling

The Geelong College student experience is enriched by a multitude of diverse factors that cumulatively provide an unforgettable journey. Both inside the classroom and out, and indeed inside the school grounds and out, we are encouraged to travel new roads and expand our horizons. It is these opportunities that I now look back upon with immense gratitude for the role they played in shaping both the person and leader I am today. Perhaps the greatest of these experiences came early in my Geelong College journey through my selection as part of the First XI Cricket squad, touring Christchurch to compete in the annual TransTasman Quadrangular series at the end of 2018. As a Year 8 student, I was elated to merely be a part of the senior training squad, but to subsequently be selected in the final team was both a great shock and thrill. Still to this day, I’m amazed they picked me! However, as the youngest member in the team, touring overseas with boys whom I knew little of, I harboured slight trepidation as to how I would both fit in and perform. The reason that I now recall this tour with such fondness speaks to how these concerns were quickly expelled. Above all else, the week exemplified the quintessential values that members of The Geelong College community seek to demonstrate. The compassion, care and inclusivity that every senior player offered me was unanimous, genuine and incredibly reassuring. They treated me as an equal, and ensured I instantly felt a valued part of the squad. It was this comradery that no doubt helped us claim an undefeated title. Supplementary to the cricketing development the week provided me, in seven short days, with a number of incredible lessons. They weren’t intentionally taught to me but they will forever remain with me. I have since sought to emulate the manner in which my teammates acted, both during my time as a school leader this year, but also outside of school. Even now, there are individuals within that group who I base my own leadership style on. I admired them in 2018, and they now inspire me in 2022. I have been blessed to reap the benefits of many extra-curricular experiences during my time at College that I remain truly grateful for. But few have left an impact on me like this one. It taught me that it is never too difficult to include someone else. It taught me the importance of leaders using their individual power to benefit others. Above all, it showed me how to be a Geelong College member and what it truly means to be green and blue.

Emmy Bowyer

Over my ten years at College, I have had the privilege to participate in many trips and opportunities which have furthered the depth of my education. Among them - the famed Year 8 Camp, a trip to Lizard Island, venturing to Mt Gambier for the Generations in Jazz competition, City Week and journeying to the Otways in Year 11. However, my most valued experience was visiting Lilla in April of this year. Our 8-day trip through Central Australia, led by Mr Young, was one of the most fulfilling, memorable times I can recall. Flying into Alice Springs, we slept under the stars at the Earth sanctuary and learnt about renewable energy and astronomy. We spent a day discovering beautiful waterholes in the West MacDonnell Ranges, as well as visiting the Ochre Pits. We were also lucky enough to visit the Parrtjima light festival, which was a stunning display portraying stories of the oldest continuous culture on Earth. It was fascinating to hear stories that happened so long ago, and right in our own backyard. Our next stop was Lilla, where we were welcomed to country with a traditional smoking ceremony by the local Aboriginal community. There, we learnt so much about Aboriginal culture, and even got to try our hand at sand drawing, dot painting and spear throwing. In an effort to ‘give back’ to the community, we weeded, raked and mulched the veggie patches and orchards, tidied up their school and cleaned the church. It was so rewarding to see the difference we made, especially in the gardens, and to see the community’s delight at our work. Another highlight was our Kings Canyon rim walk, which showcased the amazing and diverse landscape of our country. We concluded our trip in Yulara, where we explored both Uluru and Kata Tjuta. On the Valley of the Winds walk at Kata Tjuta, we were immersed in the history of the site, learning about sacred rituals, geology and the significance of the land we stood on. At Uluru, we heard dream time stories, such as the tale of the Rainbow Serpent, and early on our final morning, we completed the 10km walk around the rock’s base. Sleeping outdoors every night, taking in incredible views, enjoying great hikes and learning so much about Indigenous culture made this a truly special trip. I feel so lucky to have learnt so much, made new friends and experienced some of the best sites Australia has to offer. Without a doubt, I will fondly remember this as one of the multitude of highlights from my College journey for years to come.