SUCCESS STORIES

ROSIE O’BRIEN & SOPHIE KAY

The Australian Youth Volleyball Championships held recently in Perth yielded some great results for several McKinnon students.

In news to hand, Rosie O’Brien (Year 11) and Sophie Kay (Year 10), ended a remarkable season in the U17 division, being undefeated throughout the tournament, then winning gold in the Grand Final, defeating NSW in straight sets.

We extend our congratulations to Rosie and Sophie on their impressive win.

VM McKINNON STUDENT SUCCESS

On Tuesday 14 October the Bayside Glen Eira Kingston Local Learning & Employment Network (BGKLLEN) hosted an awards night at St Leonard's College to recognise outstanding achievement of students in VET, VCE VM and VPC in our network.

Congratulations to these McKinnon students who were nominated in the following categories:

Stella Peacock (Year 11):  Achievement in Applied Learning

Zade Baker-Hill (Year 12):  Excellence in Applied Learning

Benjamin Maltezos (Year 12):  VET Student of the year

Conor Martin (Year 12):  VPC Student of the year

JESUS CAMACHO MEZA

Jesus Camacho Meza of Year 11 has been selected to represent Australia as part of the Baseball Victoria team in the upcoming International Baseball Tournament in Taiwan. The event will feature 21 teams, including 5 international and 16 domestic teams. 

This is an incredible opportunity for Jesus to represent both his school and his country at an international level.

Jesus began playing baseball at the age of 3 in Venezuela, where his passion for the sport quickly became evident. After moving to Australia, Jesus joined the Baseball Victoria system with the Coburg North Rebels, later playing with the Preston Pirates, Sandringham Royals, and currently, the Waverley Baseball Club. 

Jesus plays mainly in the infield, covering second base, shortstop, and third base positions with great skill and consistency.

We look forward to hearing the results of this exciting chapter for Jesus and wish him all the best for the tournament. 

ILAYDA COL

Ilayda Col of Year 7 is emerging as a very talented artist.

Her entry in the Hellenic Museum’s Golden Fleece Art Competition was awarded first place in the Year 7–8 category. She attended the museum to receive her prize - a very proud moment for her.

Ilayda also had the exciting opportunity to be interviewed on the radio at the museum about her artwork, which made the day even more special.

Pictured here is Ilayda with her winning artwork. 

DHRUVI MALU

Congratulations are extended to Dhruvi Malu of Year 7 who has been selected to represent McKinnon Secondary College for the upcoming School Sport Victoria (SSV) Cricket, 12 Years and Under Girls team at the School Sport Australia Championships.

The competition is being held in Ballarat from 25 to 31 October 2025.

Dhruvi has been playing cricket for three years for Mackie Cricket Club in Bentleigh East.

She has also participated twice in REP cricket for the All-Girls Cricket Competition.

We wish Dhruvi every success for the tournament ahead.

ELLIE ZALCMAN

At the recent 2025 Weightlifting Nationals, Bribie Island in Queensland was set alight with the best U15 and U17 weightlifters Australia has to offer. 

Ellie Zalcman of Year 10 had a very successful competition. A 63kg Snatch combined with a 76kg Clean and Jerk and a 139kg total saw Ellie dominate her weight category.

It was enough to earn Ellie best all-round female U15 lifter of the entire competition and the title of Australia’s strongest U15 female lifter.

Ellie set three U15 Victorian records, three U17 Victorian records, three U15 Australian records and the U17 Australian snatch record.

She will now head to the Australia Junior and Senior weightlifting championships in Melbourne as the only U15 lifter to qualify for the senior part of the Australian championships.  An exceptional result Ellie – congratulations. 

Kelly Payne

Publicity