Where are they now?

Ren Inei (SJOC 1985)

I grew up in Belmont and went to Oberon Primary School as a child. In 1980 I started Year 7 at St Joseph’s College. This was a huge change for me as my primary years were in a much smaller school community where all of the students lived locally. Adjusting to a huge all boys school and having to wear a uniform took a little while to get used to but I made a heap of great friends very quickly. I have so many memories of my times at St Joseph’s and can rattle off story after story if given a chance. I still really enjoy bumping into past students and reminiscing about all of the adventures and misadventures of our times together in high school. These were formative years for me and I think they have contributed hugely towards me becoming the person I am today.

After leaving St Joseph’s College I had a fantastic year at the Gordon TAFE completing a tertiary orientation program (T.O.P) in art and design. This was a really strong course that set me up for university. Next step was a Bachelor of Arts (Applied Arts) completed at Deakin University from 1987-1990 at their Warrnambool campus. These were an exceptional few years. Lifelong friendships and memories were made in Warrnambool. I was very fortunate to meet an exceptional person also studying fine arts with me. We got married in 1993 and now have four wonderful children with the youngest a current student at St Joseph’s. University was a great time of my life but once finished I struggled to find any consistency in my arts practice outside of its supportive environment, structures and discipline. I drifted from job to job and ended up working as a painter and decorator. This was fine for a while but I did feel like I was not capitalising on all of the studying and qualifications I had achieved. This led me to head back to university completing a Bachelor of Education (Post Graduate) at Deakin University, Geelong from 19961997.

My first year of teaching was actually at St Joseph’s and this was a very surreal experience. I was now teaching alongside some of my former teachers and having to run classes in some of my old class rooms. It was a great experience though and it was excellent being a part of a vibrant arts faculty. I then went on to teach for two years at Catholic Regional College now St Ignatius College and a further twelve years at Belmont High School as a specialist art and visual communication teacher.

Working as a teacher was very fulfilling on so many levels but I always felt I was only able to express my own creativity to a certain point within the classroom. I purposely set about trying to determine what it actually was that I wanted to pursue in my life. An open day which included a guided tour of a mostly disused industrial heritage building in Geelong become the catalyst for the current direction in my life. Visiting this building triggered the idea of opening a commercial art gallery. Things moved quickly from this point. I invited a close friend to join me and we found a great old building that we thought would suit our dreams and goals beautifully. The R.S. & S. Woollen Mill located down the river end of Pakington Street, Newtown is now the home of Boom Gallery.

We opened as a small gallery and coffee bar in 2011 and since then we have found many opportunities to grow our business in Rutland Street. Over the years the gallery has expanded in size and now incorporates a café, three exhibition galleries, design gallery and an extensive stockroom. We also have been able to provide lots of opportunities through other buildings like Factory 21 and Boom Makers an opportunity for artists, makers, designers and other creative professionals to find a place to work and make. Rutland Street in Newtown has now become a hive of activity. Each day I am able to go to work and am blessed, encouraged and inspired by all of the exceptional people that have chosen to be a part of the Rutland Street Arts Precinct.

I think it is important to pursue your dreams and to try and do something meaningful with your life. Something that not only benefits yourself but also contributes significantly to others and to the community to which you belong. I think my time at St Joseph’s College and the motto of the school ‘Ad Alta Virtute’, ‘To Strive for the Highest’ has been foundational in my life. I want to thank the school for every opportunity they gave me to learn and grow in my teenage years and I wish all past and current students and staff the very best life going forward.

Ren Inei

Nick Maxwell (SJOC 2001)

At the beginning of this year, the College welcomed back past student Nick Maxwell as our special guest speaker at our Senior Awards. Nick gave an inspiring speech to our current students about the importance of setting yourself goals and continuing to work towards them even when you may suffer some knockbacks. He spoke fondly of his friend Michael Carmody (dec SJOC 2001) who tragically passed away in 2007 just as he was pursuing his passion for teaching. Nick still is a big part of supporting the Carmody Foundation which holds an event at our College each year. Nick reflected on the talents of other past students and how being a man of good character sets you in good stead to pursue your goals. Fantastic advice.

Nick is recognised for his excellent leadership capabilities, becoming a successful Leadership coach with the Melbourne Storm, GWS Giants and an advisor to Leaders in business. He is currently working at Collingwood Football Club where he is the Leadership and Culture manager for the club, working with the AFL, AFLW, Netball and Administration.