Old Boys' Weekend 2024
On Saturday 24 August and Sunday 25 August, the traditional Old Boys' Reunion activities took place. It was great to have over 450 people at the College take part in the festivities including milestone year level reunions, the Old Boys' Memorial Mass and the Senior Old Boys' Luncheon.
The Old Boys’ Weekend culminated on Tuesday 27 August with our Old Boys’ Assembly where we were able to acknowledge Old Boys who have reached great heights and achieved considerable feats.
Every two years, in conjunction with the Old Boys’ Association, a nomination process is undertaken to induct Old Boys into our Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame officially opened in 2013 and has over 82 pictures of Old Boys on the walls. Each of these gentlemen have achieved excellence in their field. Be it in academics, service to the community, sport or the Arts, these men have made a positive contribution to society.
On Tuesday, we added three more Old Boys to this prestigious group; Mr Geoffrey Dickie, Mr Peter O’Meara and Dr Michael Wagels.
Mr Geoffrey Dickie
Geoff commenced his Lauries Journey in Grade 5 and enjoyed an array of Co-Curricular activities including Debating, Rugby, Cricket and the Air Training Corps. He graduated in 1961 as College Captain and Dux of the College. In University, he studied Geology which led him to live in Canada for over 20 years, working in remote locations on exploration projects. Upon returning to Australia, Geoff continued his work in the private sector before moving into Government roles. During his time in the Department of Resources, Geoff played an integral role in ensuring native rights were acknowledged and negotiated benefits for the traditional owners of the land. This was truly impactful at a time when new and controversial processes were established within the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments. In 2004, Geoff moved into the role of Deputy-Coordinator General, Infrastructure and Economics and worked closely on projects such as the Clem 7 and Airport Link tunnels before retirement in 2017.
Mr Peter O’Meara
Mr Peter O’Meara from the Class of 1973 joined the College in Year 4, 1965. Peter wholeheartedly committed himself to developing his skills, interests and lifelong friendships. He also found a love of Rugby Union. While professionally, Peter worked in banking, his passion for Rugby continued to evolve, leading him to roles such as a member of the New South Wales Waratahs Board and in 2005, being appointed as the CEO of the Western Force in Perth. During his three-year tenure, Peter secured the biggest sponsorship portfolio and membership base of any Australian Super 14 team at the time, plus introduced the Force’s ‘away’ colours of black and gold as a nod to his time at Lauries.
Peter’s next professional step saw his appointment as CEO of Sydney’s Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria where he led the charge to stop the de-privatisation of Catholic Cemetries. Peter also established ‘Bringing them Home’, an initiative that ensures people without means for a funeral have an appropriate, dignified send-off. This dedication to the Catholic mission saw Peter Knighted by the Church with the Order of St Gregory in March 2023.
Unfortunately, Peter’s life was cruelly cut short by Motor Neurone Disease in June last year. Today, he is survived by his wife Christine, children Liam and Caitlin and grandson Thomas. On Peter’s behalf, his son and Class of 2003 Old Boy Mr Liam O’Meara accepted his father’s award.
Dr Michael Wagels
Dr Michael Wagels from the Class of 1992 started his Laurie Journey in Year 5 not knowing anyone here. This quickly changed, with Michael happily trying new things including Music and Tennis, which he later was the captain of in 1991 and 1992.
Following graduation, Michael studied an undergraduate degree in Medicine before travelling and working overseas. Michael’s interest in reconstruction surgery grew and, following many years of research and training, Michael was awarded his Fellow of the Royal College of Australasian Surgeons.
Michael’s research for his PhD led to amazing opportunities to share his insights with surgeons around the world. He has continued his research into the use of 3D printing in transplants and as an implant alternative. An example of this was in 2017 when Michael successfully transplanted a 3D-printed shinbone into the leg of a patient who faced amputation after sustaining a serious bone infection.
As Clinical Director of the Herston Biofabrication Institution, he and his team are now working towards manufacturing body parts based around a person’s cells to create the necessary organs for transplanting. They are also revolutionising the breast implant landscape by creating 3D printed bioresorbable scaffolds to replace traditional silicone implants, which can in some cases have devastating health implications.
Young Alumni Award
This year, the College, with the support of the Old Boys’ Association, introduced the Young Alumni Award. This annual award recognises Lauries alumni (30 years and younger) who achievements since graduation have demonstrated excellence in their chosen pathway, leadership, innovation and/or service to the wider community.
In its inaugural year, three Old Boys have been selected for this award; Mr Samuel Piper, Dr Calvin Xu and Mr Rowan Crothers OAM
Mr Samuel Piper
Samuel Piper from the Class of 2010 was acknowledged for his success singing Opera. Since leaving Lauries, Sam has completed a Bachelor of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium, performed with Opera Australia, Victorian Opera, Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Pinchgut Opera. He has also travelled to Italy to learn under master teachers and this all may not have happened if not for Dr Anthony Young and Ms Irene Utley who discovered and fostered this pathway through school.
Dr Calvin Xu
Class of 2014 Old Boy Dr Calvin Xu started as an International student in Year 10 at Lauries and he soon immersed himself in everything he could. His positive and studious attitude saw Calvin elected Prefect in 2014, selected in the First V Basketball team and Dux of Chemistry and the College.
Upon graduation, Calvin has continued his studies with a Bachelor of Medicine and Doctor of Medicine at Griffith University. He is currently a Medical Registrar at Northern Hospital Melbourne and hopes to specialise in gastroenterology with a mixture of public, private and academic work.
In addition to this, Calvin is a proud international student ambassador, returning to speak to Lauries students only recently.
Rowan Crothers
Class of 2015 Old Boy and Paralympic Gold Medallist Mr Rowan Crothers OAM commenced at the College in Year 11 and immediately felt at home. Outside of school, Rowan had discovered his passion for swimming, which was recommended by his therapy team who supported him with his Cerebral Palsy.
Fast forward to today and Rowan is a decorated athlete having attended dozens of international competitions including the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympics where he won two gold and one silver medal.
Outside of the pool, Rowan is a public speaker, board advisory member and a fierce advocate for inclusion in sport and recognising athletes with invisible disabilities like his. This dedication saw Rowan awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2022.
Unfortunately Rowan wasn’t present on the day as he was in Paris, awaiting the commencement of the 2024 Paralympic Games. Rowan recorded a message before his departure and his father, Mr Robert Crothers, was able to accept the award on his behalf.
St Laurence’s College Old Boys’ Association and Old Boys’ Foundation
During the Assembly, we also heard from representatives of both The St Laurence’s College Old Boys’ Association and Old Boys’ Foundation.
Class of 1996 Old Boy Mr Steve Leszczynski, on behalf of the Old Boys’ Association, was presented with the Paul ‘Woody’ Forrester Cup. This year, students and Old Boys competed in 10 sports, with the Old Boys eventually victorious 6 to 4.
The St Laurence’s Old Boys’ Foundation play a crucial part in supporting financially disadvantaged students to receive a Lauries education. Class of 1971 Old Boy and Chairman of the Old Boys’ Foundation, Professor Allan Layton presented the College with an unprecedented $110,000 Annual Gift.
We thank the St Laurence’s College Old Boys’ Association and Old Boys’ Foundation for their unwavering support of the College.