Staff departures Murray Fanning, Catering Manager 27 YEARS Murray Fanning retired as Catering Manager at the end of Term 1 after 27 years in the role. So many of our Ad Astra readership will have been catered for by Murray and his team over the years - whether as Old Collegians, Boarders, day students or parents. At his farewell event, held in Cloister’s Murray recalled his interview in 1994 with the then Principal, Paul Sheahan. ‘I didn’t mind if I got the job or not. It was just a thrill to sit and chat with such a sporting great!,’ Murray said. However, the interview was a success and Murray was offered the job. Moving into the role, he recalls his early days as ‘a baptism of fire’. He had not cooked meals of this kind for eight years. As the school year began in 1995, he suddenly found himself responsible for feeding 125 hungry Boarders in what was then quite an antiquated kitchen. ‘My previous role was in the Aged Care system, so I was used to specialising in needs (pureed foods and gels). It was a sharp contrast to protein requirements and teenagers’ appetites!’ he said. Managing the catering at a school proved to be a far busier role than any function centre Murray had managed previously.
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The entirety of the year’s school calendar was crammed full of events of all sizes, needs and locations. This is a trend that continues today. Event locations have ranged from the Boatshed, Mokboree, Wayaperree, Freeman House, Cloisters, the Keith Humble Centre and Cape Otway. Murray has catered for the School Carnival, Parent Associations’ events, Old Geelong Collegians’ events, milestone celebrations (150th anniversary), weddings and funerals. He only needed a christening to gain the trifecta!! During his time at College, Murray has seen many staff come and go. ‘I’ve worked with four Principals, four Business Managers, five Heads of Mossgiel, and four Heads of Mackie,’ he said. He has experienced many celebrations, but also his share of challenges. One of the most recent being COVID-19. ‘There were no events, and very few Boarders left on campus. I, and most of my team, were redeployed into other areas of the school,’ he recalls. Murray, himself, assisted at the Junior School by supervising the children during on-site remote learning, an experience which he (nor the students!) will likely forget!
When he was not tucked away behind the doors of the kitchen, preparing gourmet delights, he was free to indulge in his other passions. A very competitive tennis player, Murray is also a keen St Kilda supporter, enjoys horse racing and wine. A past parent himself, he speaks passionately about his son, Guy. Murray also has a close relationship with his mother and his sisters. Murray, we will miss your jokes, dry sense of humour, early morning gym sessions and tips for your beloved horse ‘Drop the Mic’. We hope you enjoy your move to South Australia, and enjoy a life of relaxation, wine trips and running your Airbnb. I’m sure you will all join me in wishing him the very best of luck and we hope to see you around when you come back to Victoria. Shannyn Leach – Director of Business Operations
