TOBA

T BA President’s Report

I write this report in what most of us consider to be one of the strangest periods in our lifetime.

On 24 March, TOBA held its AGM in the College Staff Room and, for the first time in my two decades of involvement with TOBA, we actively encouraged members not to attend the meeting due to COVID-19. That said, we had eight members attend the meeting and our Treasurer linked in via phone. After completing his maximum six-year term as President, Peter Torre (‘89), presented his final President’s Report and duly stood down. To recognise his remarkable tenure of service and dedication as our President, a motion was passed – and unanimously carried – that Peter be given the honour of TOBA Life Membership. As incoming President, I recognise Peter’s contribution to TOBA and pay tribute to the amazing job he did at TOBA during his tenure – a truly outstanding President. The committee also farewelled Luke Cruskall (‘95) and Rob Foti (‘92) and I thank them for their service. A special thank you goes to Rob Foti for his long service and particularly his fundraising efforts with the Sportsmen’s Lunch. We welcome Phil Hinton (‘84) and Jude Celedin (‘91) as new committee members and thank Gianni Redolatti (‘91) for his second stint with the committee. I am pleased to welcome our new committee of 14 Old Boys ranging in year groups from 1958 (John Hansen) to 2001 (George Rebeiro) – a varied group ready to represent our 14,000 members. The full committee is listed below: John Hansen (’58), Vice President Terry Jones (’70), Vice President David Foti (’89), Treasurer Adrian Di Carlo (’89), Secretary Brendan Molony (’65) Phil Hinton (’84) Richard Mackiewicz (’87) David Tobin (’87) Jude Celedin (’91) Gianni Redolatti (’91) Mike Alford (’92) Christopher Jones (’97) George Rebeiro (’01) For now, unfortunately, our scheduled events and reunions are on hold but when the current restrictions are lifted we plan to catch up with our old classmates and relive past glories (even if those memories have been slightly embellished over the years). Some good news is that through the efforts of our Executive Officer, Di Millar, we were able to honour our Anzac veterans in a small way. I was privileged to take my sons, Harry, Ted and Bill, to visit Graham Edwards (‘64) to chat and give him a small token of recognition of his service and sacrifice with the Australian Defence Force. Several other parcels were delivered to our Old Boy veterans by members of the TOBA Committee. Our TOBA Patron is Principal, Mr Darren O’Neill, who has now had one year leading the College. Our new Committee looks forward to fresh horizons with Mr O’Neill, the College leadership team and staff. We look forward to continuing our support of Trinity College in its pursuit of excellence. I look forward to the world returning to normal so we can all enjoy the reunions, Golden Heritage Club events and sports days throughout the year, to catch up and have a chat with Old Boys across all year groups and getting to know even more of you. If you want to get involved with TOBA for a reunion, an event, as a committee member, or to help fundraise – or just with a great idea – you are always welcome. Please contact Di Millar, a committee member or me … and we will never let you go! I look forward to the future for TOBA and TC. Keep the blue flag flying. Dion Smith (’87) President Trinity-Terrace Old Boys’ Association

Head of the River in 2018

It is with a touch of sadness that we now farewell an exceptional TOBA President. It is widely recognised that Peter Torre (’89) has done an outstanding job in his six years as President and he has been a shining example of a Man for Others. The TOBA members join to sincerely thank him – a man who has given his all to TOBA and the Trinity community.

Peter’s TC journey began as a Year 4 student in 1981. He was very soon recognised as ‘leadership material’ when, in Year 7, he became a Junior School Prefect and Captain of Campion House. There must have been a hidden musical talent there, because from 1986 to 1989 he was a member of the senior Trinity College Pipes & Drums band, with four of those years as Drum Sergeant and Lead Stroke. He showed sporting prowess as a member of the winning TC Athletic team in 1989, a member of the 1989 1st XV rugby team and Vice-captain of Boats and stroke of the 1st VIII crew in that same year. As a student, Peter was showing a strong commitment to ‘service’ as a member of the Christian Student Council and, in his final year of school, as a Prefect. His first year as an Old Boy was 1990 and he was active from the start. Peter completed a commerce degree, then undertook further study and became a chartered accountant and chartered secretary. He soon took up the mantle of honorary auditor of TOBA for some years. He was a member of the TOBA committee before standing as VicePresident and then President in 2014, where he was instrumental in the progression of TOBA and its motto, ‘Keeping the Spirit Alive’. Currently, Peter is President of the Trinity College Rowing Club and has recently been appointed to the College’s Advisory Board where, no doubt, will make a significant contribution to the TC way of life. Peter’s Junior School TOBA assemblies were unforgettable. Here, he had a platform to share his passion and vast knowledge of the rich history of the College. He also seized these opportunities to widen the learning of these young students by arranging visits from such groups as the Pipes & Drums and rowing’s 1st VIII crew. He’s been known to belt out a decent TC war cry or two and was instrumental in instigating the ‘Rumble Cup’, where students from each House compete by performing their most passionate TC war cry – a sight and sound to stir the emotions.

He regularly reminded students of many things, but especially: • the special gift of a Trinity education that their parents have provided for them – a gift not just financial, but also of the many hours being involved in supporting them in that education and wellbeing • the special bond that will always exist amongst their specific year group • maintaining their pride in their

College and themselves • to give everything they have, to whatever they do in their lives and live every day to the fullest • and, most importantly, to cherish

God’s blessing of life itself. Peter is a true Man for Others who genuinely wants to see all TC students and Old Boys be the best version of themselves. He holds a great respect and love for the ‘older’ Old Boys and at many Golden Heritage events, he would often be seen absorbed in their many stories from their past. His style and passion for all things TC and TOBA are undeniable to anyone who meets him. He is an incredibly proud TC Old Boy and enthusiastic member of the strong 1989-year group – Peter would argue, the strongest year group of all! Through his own energy and enthusiasm, he ignites the minds of students to explore the many opportunities on offer at Trinity College and to find their individual passion. His impact on Old Boys, students, staff and the entire TC community is immeasurable. Of course, Peter could not have committed himself, no matter how willingly, without the wonderful support of his family: his wife Katalin, daughter Olivia and son Carlos (11.1) who is following his father’s footsteps, so far, pretty much to the letter!

MANY TC COMMUNITY PEOPLE HAVE SENT THEIR WISHES AND MEMORIES. HERE ARE A FEW:

Thanks to Peter Torre – a stand up bloke that brought strength and vigour to the task. Rob Jurjevich (’90) As Bursar I have appreciated the way that Peter has always looked for ways that TOBA and Trinity could work together for the benefit of the students. Peter was at all community events and his professional friendly demeanour has encouraged Old Boys to be more involved with their school and younger boys to be part of the Trinity College community. Michael Burgess, Trinity College Bursar Peter was extremely 'community orientated' – he ensured that the aims of TOBA aligned exactly with the aims of the College. It truly was a symbiotic relationship and it was through Peter's easy and welcoming manner that so many students wanted to join TOBA when they left the College. College Headmaster Pete is another remarkable product of the Class of ‘89. TOBA and the College have benefited from his time as President and he has succeeded in strengthening the bond between the two. The history and passion that he has passed onto the Junior School kids at the TOBA assemblies helps build the culture and spirit that Trinity is renowned for in the community. He is a true example of a Man for Others and it is reassuring that the Trinity community will continue to benefit from his continued association with the school. David Foti (’89), TOBA Treasurer The boys in the Junior School saw Peter Torre as a rock star and the TOBA assemblies were always a highlight. Peter would speak to the boys with such passion and eloquence. I believe Peter played a major role in building community and the TC Spirit whilst engaging the boys with his talents as a storyteller, drummer or in leading the many war cry sessions. Martin Tucker (’87), Head of Trinity College Junior School As a new Principal commencing at Trinity College, I was struck by Peter’s deep love of Trinity and his determination to share all that is the TC Spirit. Peter is determined, passionate and unwavering in his respect of Trinity – past, present and future. Darren O’Neill, Trinity College Principal On behalf of the surviving octogenarians from the Classes of the 1940s, we thank Peter Torre for the excellent job he has done as President of TOBA over the past six years. We know this has entailed an unenviable workload, in sometimes testing times for an already busy man, but Peter always found time to unite Old Boys and, in conjunction with Di Millar, to keep us involved with current students. We wish him a happy ‘retirement’ and best wishes to his successor. John O’Connell (’49) Peter has been a wonderful ambassador for Trinity College during his tenure as President

Ivan Banks, former Trinity of the Trinity-Terrace Old Boys’ Association. His dedication to the Old Boys, passion for ‘all things Trinity’ and commitment to the values, traditions and heritage of the College has been reflected in all he has accomplished during his six years as President. Mrs Robyn Jennison, Trinity-Terrace Archives Peter Torre made a successful and greatly valued contribution to his old College over many years. A notable feature of Peter’s years as President has been his welcoming, courteous presence at so many TOBA and College functions. As President, Peter maintained a close association with the College leadership. He has been and remains an outstanding role model for all students. The function organised at Optus Stadium in 2019 by the TOBA and College team, under his leadership, to mark 125 years since the foundation of the College, was simply brilliant – a class act. May God continue to bless Peter and his family – and the Trinity-Terrace Old Boys’ Association. Br John Carrigg, former Trinity College Headmaster Trinity Old Boys’ Association was certainly fortunate to have Peter accept the Presidency of the Association in 2014. A loyal and educated Old Boy he is a steady, enthusiastic, dynamic personality who proves to be gifted with all the skills that make him master of his job. He has a unique talent for friendly relations and business organisation. Peter was at Trinity while I was there. His six years as President were progressive ones for the association. He successfully managed its events and ensured their desired professionalism. With his committee he undertook the planning and management of the Christian Brothers 125 years celebrations. The march from the College of some 600 men across the Matagarup Bridge, lit up in the school colours, led by the Pipes & Drums to Optus Stadium made the occasion very memorable. Peter will be remembered as a President of outstanding leadership and generous service. Br JA Kelly, former CBC Headmaster and Trinity College Headmaster

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1) With Olympic rower Rhys Grant ('04) at the 2016 TC Rowathon 2) At the 2017 Sportsmen's Lunch with Justin Lawrence ('16) 3) Preparing for a Junior School Assembly with son Carlos in 2015 4) With Br JA Kelly in 2014

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Past TOBA Presidents and Past Principals in 2016

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Welcoming Br John Carrigg at the Golden Heritage Club-Year12 Mass in 2020

Peter's final Junior School Assembly as TOBA President in 2020 with daughter Olivia, wife Katalin and son Carlos

ALISDAIR MCLAREN – PIPE MAJOR OF WA POLICE PIPE BAND

After twelve years in Scotland fine-tuning his skills with the pipe instrument, Alisdair McLaren (’96) returns to Perth to take up the reins as Pipe Major of the WA Police Pipe Band.

This is not the first time he has held that position. At the age of 27 – and having been a member of the band since 1997 – Alisdair rose to lead the band as Pipe Major in 2006. During that time, he also became the first fly-in guest player for the world-renowned Strathclyde Police Pipe Band. His love of piping began when he first took up the instrument at 13 years of age at Trinity College. He also received tuition from local pipers, June Corcoran, John MacMurchie and Malcolm Brown. His love and natural flair for the instrument led him to be Pipe Major of the College’s Pipes & Drums in his final year at school.

To further his piping, in 2007 he uprooted from Perth and moved across the world to Glasgow. In those twelve years in Scotland, Alisdair was part of many highly acclaimed pipe bands and collected more titles than any Australian piper has ever achieved. Aside from the competition arena, he has been a mentor and played a vital role in the development of the next generation of aspiring pipers and drummers in Scotland when he was Director of The National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland. Alisdair is pleased that he will still maintain a connection with Scotland by continuing in the role of Pipe Major of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s house pipe band, The Pipers Trail. Recently, Alisdair said, “I am very proud and honoured to be appointed to the position of Pipe Major of The Western Australia Police Pipe Band. As a young piper growing up in Perth and a student at Trinity College, WAPOL played a key role in my development, setting the strong foundations that helped me achieve the many amazing things that I was able to do in Scotland. To now lead such an important and iconic band is a great responsibility and privilege. I am extremely excited to be back home and looking forward to working with the team, being a part of the next chapter for the band and hopefully passing on my experience to the next generation of pipers and drummers in WA”. Alisdair, we congratulate you wholeheartedly. You are a fine example of an Old Boy following his dream – a dream that began when you picked up the pipes for the first time as a 14-year-old. You have worked hard, conquered adversities, mentored and nurtured aspiring musicians – you are keeping the spirit alive!

Nine-year-old Ji Richardson stepped through the Trinity College gates this year, on his very first day of his Trinity education, as though he had walked that path before.

In a way, he had. The baton had been passed to him from the three generations of Richardson men before him: his father Russell from the Class of 1988; his grandfather Peter from the Class of 1966 and his great-grandfather Ernest is from the Class of 1941. Ji, who is in 4G class and will be from the Class of 2028, entered those school gates under the much-loved eyes of the three Richardson Old Boys who went before him. Ji’s great-grandfather, Ernest Thomas Richardson (’41) went to St Pat’s before transferring to CBC Terrace in 1938. Like a lot of CBC Old Boys, handball featured prominently in his memories and he played handball at most recess and lunch breaks. “With only one handball court, the boys would try and be the first to throw their named ball from the second floor to the ground floor. The ball that landed on the court first decided who played the first game – and the race was on, he said”. That tradition has been passed on to his great grandson, Ji, who also enjoys the game. The 95-year-old Ernest remembers that the Brothers ran a very tight and strict ship and both Brother Power and Brother Dixon made a huge beneficial impact on his life. Other fond memories for Ernest was catching the tram to school along St George’s Terrace, playing lots of football and athletics and the annual sport day carnival – a big event in those days. During his school days, Ernest created lifelong friendships with Bill Andrew (’41) and John Brophy (’41) and has been a long-time supporter, committee member and former President of TOBA – being bestowed the honour of Life Member. Ernest’s son and Ji’s grandfather, Peter Ernest Richardson (’66), started his journey at CBC Terrace in 1958 in Year 4 and then, in 1962, moved to the current Trinity campus – with the rest of the students – to start his Trinity secondary school journey in Year 8. In Year 9, Peter joined the Air Cadets which culminated in his rank of CUO (Cadet Under Officer) in Year 12 and being awarded a Flying Scholarship. Peter really enjoyed Year 12 where he was made a Prefect and Chanel House Captain – the winning House that year. He was always involved in sport and represented the College in tennis, athletics, football, the cadet rifle team and any Prefects’ Dance he was able to wangle an invitation to! He recalls a time when he was in Year 10, Brother Seaman decided that the 50 boys in the class needed ‘tuning up’. Peter tells the story, “Brother Seaman said that we were showing little academic ability so if we were going to amount to anything we must attend school every Saturday morning! I can truthfully say that no-one missed a Saturday class – for the entire year! Brother Seaman probably smiled when, at the end of that year, all 50 boys passed their Junior exams and 24 of the boys were awarded government scholarships!” Brother Seaman had a profound impact on Peter’s Trinity journey. Peter always looks forward to his class reunions and any other Trinity or CBC occasion. As a parent, he reconnected with Trinity when his son, Russell, started in Year 4 in 1980. Peter recalls many great times at the Year 6 Kalbarri camp, numerous hockey camps in Toodyay and cooking breakfasts for the rowing crews in 1987 and 1988. Ji’s dad, Russell Peter Richardson (’88) also walked through the Trinity gates to start at the Junior School in Year 4 in 1980 with Mr McConnell and finished in Year 12 with Mr Robertson as his Home Room and Economics teacher. He recalls his early preparation for Trinity in the late 1970s, “I was lucky enough to study up on my father’s copy of Gentleman Junior: a Junior Book of Politeness, published in the 1960s! Then it was a big day out shopping in Aherns in the city for a uniform – the store which fitted out a young gentleman for his new adventure.” Russell shares his early awareness of his Trinity life: The school ground was incomparable in size to any other complex I knew. To me it seemed that Gibney Hall could have swallowed the arrival hall of Perth Airport! The Junior School Quad uncoiled in every direction, from the Brothers quarters in the west to the Senior School in the east – who knew what occupied the grounds passed the pool – all of which was strictly out of bounds.

Every student needed to enter and exit the College from this area, got food by travelling through this point, went to Mass and to assemblies. It was ‘ground zero’, the place to set your roots. The Year 4 classes positioned on the edge of the Quad was where the seed would get planted, every year the seedling would grow, the roots becoming stronger as the fresh shoots spread outward and upward. After a couple of years, we reached the first floor, spreading to the second, then outward to the Senior School. Your classmates were the core of the tree, with any new arrivals the nutrients to grow bigger and stronger. I was introduced to Roman numerals whilst trying to fathom what sport to play. Rugby seemed a good choice as only 20 people signed up for the 15 positions, compared to football with 40 competing for 18 positions. I liked all sports and had a go at football, soccer, hockey, tennis, cricket, basketball, rowing and back to rugby. Dance lessons at Gilkison’s Dance Studio were fun mastering the Pride of Erin for our Year 10 dance – alas, failing to make it due to a bout of glandular fever. I sang in the choir, but, sadly, didn’t make the final cut of the cast of Oklahoma and played a musical instrument or two and was in the concert band – “sorry, Mr Braham.” When I started at Trinity, I was aware that my father and grandfather were excited, but it wasn’t until 2020, when my own son, Ji, became a Trinity student that I can really understand what they felt and I am excited for him. Ji’s parents, Russell and Nerissa, are excited for their son’s future, “he is an active and inquisitive boy with endless enthusiasm. He stepped through the school gates, on his very first day, with his chest held high and smiling from ear to ear and has not missed a beat since. With his easy-going nature and a passion for sport and music we are already thoroughly enjoying his development into a young Man for Others. Though his journey has only just commenced, we are immensely proud and honoured that he is following the family’s learning tradition at Trinity.” … and so starts another Richardson man’s journey along the same path laid down by the generations that went before him – from 1938 to 2020 – and onwards.

VOLUNTEERING IS THE BEST THING I EVER DID

Nick Sas and Josh Sims ('02)

Nick (centre) with MDI coordinators Lemach and Dickson in Papua New Guinea

How a year in the Solomon Islands changed the direction of Nick’s career, and his views on what’s important in life.

Nick Sas (’02) started at Trinity in Year 8 in 1998, following his father, Zlad, from the Class of 1969. Nick says what he loved about Trinity was the camaraderie with mates from all sorts of backgrounds and parts of WA. He built strong relationships with his Trinity schoolmates. “My best friends from school are my best friends today”, he says. Sport played an important role and helped him develop important relationships and being in a team. Trinity’s Men for Others motto came more strongly into his thinking once he had left school and realised the strength of such a way of living. Nick further adds, “that ideal has always stuck with me – try to think of others, be accountable and push yourself to be a better person – which is probably why I chose to volunteer. Trinity taught me to respect everyone and be accountable and I try to live by those ideals every day.” Nick recalls that it was probably a Year 10 English project ‘Make Your Own Magazine’ that sparked his interest in journalism, so after Year 12 he was accepted into Curtin University to study Journalism and Politics. Nick was working as a technology and business reporter at The West Australian newspaper when he signed up to volunteer at the Solomon Islands’ national broadcaster (SIBC). Here is his story … I had been at ‘The West’ for a while and was reaching a point where I needed a new challenge. I’d heard of the Australian Volunteers Program through a friend. When she came back to work after volunteering I was intrigued by her stories and experiences. It stuck with me. When this role as a digital media trainer come up, it seemed like a really good fit for me, so I applied. All the training you get before you go is great, but nothing can prepare you for when you are in country. There were times in my first week in Honiara where I thought, ‘I don’t know if I can do this’. It was a big culture shock. But you just learn to roll with the punches and eventually you get there. My main objective was to train and develop the journalists and program makers in digital media. When I got there, the SIBC had a Facebook page and a website, but the sites weren’t being fully utilised and there was an opportunity to build the audience for these platforms and eventually generate revenue from advertising. The best advice, which I received as part of my pre-departure training, was to try to develop relationships for the first three months. I put aside that Western-style thinking of needing to achieve and learnt that, in those first few months, it was more important to develop trust by talking to the staff and getting to know them. With my colleagues, we ran organisational-wide training sessions, developed digital strategies and offered content no-one else had, like short videos and photo galleries. The analytics showed that it worked! We saw a 20-fold increase in traffic to the website. When I started, we had 3,000 followers on Facebook and when I left there were about 15,000. I was able to help shift the journalists’ philosophies on what was newsworthy. It’s easy for them to forget how amazing a community’s cultural stories are, but I was able to talk to the staff about how these cultural stories can be just as important as a hard-news or political story. Volunteering was a learning process for me the whole time. Definitely, there were challenges. Solomon Islands is a long way away culturally, as well as physically, from Perth and that was difficult at times. Electricity was spasmodic and sometimes you’d go to five different places to get stuff for dinner but I learnt so much from the people I worked with. It’s hard to define in a word or a sentence, but I think humility and appreciating what you’ve got, is the best way to sum it up.

I was really proud at my farewell dinner. As a surprise, one-by-one my colleagues made a little speech about what we’d done and what it had meant to them. I was really emotional. You hope that you are actually making an impact, but sometimes it’s hard to quantify. When I came back to Perth, there was a bit of reverse cultural shock; it was difficult in the first two or three months to readjust. I spent some time freelancing before being offered a job at the ABC in Sydney. Volunteering has changed my values and priorities and I now feel more aligned to the ABC charter. It’s given me the opportunity to get involved in the PACMAS program and the ABC’s Media Development Initiative (MDI), which runs shortterm training courses with media professionals in Pacific countries. It’s been really rewarding for me to be able to continue to do what I did in Honiara. I now apply the skills and values I learnt while volunteering to my work – in terms of building relationships and being patient. That was one of the major takeaways for me – learning that sometimes it’s important to take a deep breath and relax. Volunteering in Solomon Islands is the best thing I ever did, full-stop. I developed a lot of skills that I never would have been able to get without doing a volunteer assignment. To other people out there working in the media industry, if you’re thinking about a volunteer assignment, I’d definitely say “just do it!” The original story on Nick’s time in the Solomon Islands can be found here: https://www.australianvolunteers. com/stories/volunteering-in-solomonislands-is-the-best-thing-i-ever-did

Anzac Day 2020 will go down as the one when Australia remembered a little differently – as one, but in isolation.

TOBA was delighted to hand deliver a number of Anzac parcels to its veteran members, including Graham Edwards (’64). Graham is a former State President of the WA Branch of The Returned & Services League WA. It was planned that he would deliver the address at Trinity’s Anzac Remembrance Service this year, which was going to be a big event, with a large contingent of Old Boys and Old Boy Veterans attending.

TOBA Committee Members, George Rebeiro ('01) and Chris Jones ('97) with Veteran Peter Manucci ('64) Dion Smith (’87) who is the President of the Trinity-Terrace Old Boys’ Association (TOBA), said, “our Alumni has always been strong and very much engaged with the whole Trinity community. We are all disappointed that our Old Boys, especially our Old Boy Veterans, cannot unite as a group to remember their mates with Trinity students, as planned”. TOBA’s motto – Keeping the Spirit Alive – could not have been more timely during the time of strict self-isolation and reminds us that even though this year’s plans went on hold, they will be resurrected for a bigger and better 2021 Remembrance Service.

Graham Edwards ('64) explaining his medals to the Smith boys

TOBA Committee Members, Chris Jones ('97) and George Rebeiro ('01) with Veteran Gerard O'Neill ('64)