Maintenance INTERVIEW

Behind an innocuous-looking door at the Cotham Road site lives a world of heavy-duty tools, constant banter, and rivalry with the gardeners – the HQ of the TGS Maintenance Team. One lunchtime, we sat down with Lachie, Dan, Harris and Tony from Maintenance to ask some questions. While Tony has been working at TGS since 2004, the other three are recent OTGs, graduating in 2019.

Dan, you’ve come back to TGS to work in the Maintenance team whilst finishing your Uni degree - how has this differed from life as a student?

Dan: When you’re a student, you see the finished product of everything: the perfectly manicured oval, the seats in the Gym for Senior School Assemblies, the fact that there aren’t any leaves on the footpaths in the morning because someone cleared them. Joining the Maintenance team has given me a realisation of the silent achievers who make our school tick.

How’s the relationship with your former teachers now that you’re on the payroll too?

Dan: It’s a very different dynamic. Now that you’re both adults, it feels as if you’re on the same level – we get along really well.

Harris: But, it still feels a little strange calling Mr Farrer “Adrian” now…

Tony: Although we might have a different break room, we’ll often head over to the Staff Room to make use of the hot chocolate machine.

Does anyone have a favourite task on the job?

Harris: My favourite task would probably be setting up for Assemblies – it’s so satisfying to perfectly align the carpet squares.

Lachie: Even events like Presentation Night – the kind of jobs where we’re all together – those are the most enjoyable.

Who’s the quiet achiever of the Maintenance Team? The Maintenance MVP… harris: We obviously have to mention John Summers. He’s an OTG, and this is his 40th year in the department. Trinity is in his blood – and well he’s in Trinity’s blood too.

Tony: Definitely. Another shoutout would be Andrew Fabris, our leader. He runs a tight ship, but a very good ship.

Dan: I would say the best thing about work every day is the people – like those two.

Lachie: Driving into work, you know you’re going to have a good time, have a laugh, and enjoy the banter.

Dan: You can’t say that about every workplace.