Bill Murray

Reflections on my time at MGSC 

Leaving at the end of the school year for 2021 after arriving in January 1993, what a journey, what an experience. I feel very grateful that I could spend a major part of my career working in the special environment that envelopes our wonderful college

1993

We had 10-15 minute form groups at the start of every day. The students and teachers sent most of that time organising the raffle tickets that we all sold to finance the Gymnasium and we made it after three or four years. It was a fantastic effort by the whole school community to achieve the result and have the Gymnasium built.

Later developments brought the performing arts and music centre, the visual arts technology centre and the Nina Carr Hall into existence. The Science centre revamp and the Food Technology revamp also helped create the school we have today.

I started my reflections on the Physical aspects of the College however it is the environment and the ethos of the college that created indelible impressions in my mind.

The resilience of the students, the drive to be successful. This has been demonstrated again and again over the years and is illustrated by the many successful careers attained by so many of the students. Many others have come back to the school over time to keep in touch with their former teachers and each other.

The collegiality of the teachers and their willingness to go above and beyond to support the student cohort whenever necessary.

The special moments for me: 

Football

The Seniors’ reaching the State Final in 1996 and losing to an opponent that had Victoria’s start striker. I know because I coached her in the Victorian under 16 team). I was overseas when the Final was played but Mr Santos assured me that the team did us proud.

The 2007, 2008 and 2009 Finals when the school won 3 of the four finals in 2007, all four finals in 2008 and three out of four finals in 2009. Mr Santos was a prime leader in that effort and it was a pleasure to work with him.

We also put together a team to play in the 2009 (I think) all-schools final for under 16s. We played St Monica’s College which was a State football centre and the team had a great number Victorian reps in their side. We gathered together a team of our best players. I consisted of one year 7, five year 8, five year 9s and six year 10 students who had never played each other. We played under enormous pressure for the whole game and were behind 1-0 with 5 minutes to go. We equalised and won 3-1 after extra time. It was a monumental effort by the students and I am sure they all remember that game.

Academic - 1999 Tournament of Minds

The girls won the regional final with an outstanding project that really astounded the judges.We then won the State Final and I remember the only ones present for us were the seven girls, myself and a few parents. The Latrobe University hall was packed. When we were called up we were so thrilled.

The girls went to Adelaide for the National final and were placed second to South Australia. I could not attend as I was in Sydney that weekend with the Senior State women’s soccer team. Mr Santos and Ms Hopper accompanied the girls and they achieved an outstanding result.

The staff have always been friendly, helpful and determined to do their best for the students and I will always be grateful to the Mathematics staff who have helped and supported me during my time here. I have many fond memories of my time spent with so many teachers that it would be unwise to try to mention all of them.

Finally I must mention the students. My whole reason for coming to the school was to be a good teacher who could help our students by relating learning to practical experiences from my working life as an engineer, coach and teacher. The students have whole- heartedly supported me in that endeavour. I have always been impressed with their desire to improve their subject knowledge and their willingness to make an effort. The girls have also impressed with their honesty about how they feel in the school environment whether they were travelling well or not.

The school has been able to use this positive environment to develop many initiatives to assist the students in their learning.

Finally I would like to thank all of the Principals of the school for enabling me to work effectively in the school environment, especially Ms Lehner and Ms Brown. 

Similarly the maths domain leaders: Ms Brown, Mr Fraser, Ms Perks, Mr Santos, Ms Hutchins, Ms Breidis and Mr Hughes who have all enabled me to be an individual while working in a strong team environment.

When I look at all of that holistically I think it will be easy to understand why I say that it has been a joy to work at MGSC and that the school, its teachers and students will always mean a great deal to me.

Mr Bill Murray

In May 2019, Bill shared some of his professional journey in a school newsletter highlighting career pathways.

Maltzin' Matildas and Maths

On the eve of the Matildas seventh successive Women's World Cup appearance, long-term staff member, Bill Murray, attended the launch of the Encyclopedia of the Matildas a history of 239 women who have played soccer for Australia. He came away with a copy signed by former players grateful for his contribution to them representing their nation at the highest level. This honour, and Bill's Scottish accent, confirms that he hasdan interesting and inspiring career pathway.

I coached in the Australian Men’s A League from 1985 to 1987 and with various state league teams from 1978 to 1994. When I started teaching at MGSC, I volunteered to coach the Victorian Women's teams long before it became fashionable. I coached the Victorian Under 16 Girls team to the National Final in 1995. In 1999, I coached the Victorian Women's team to the National title and in 2000 the Victorian Under 19 team to the finals. Though the Under 19 girls had been the only undefeated team during the season, they missed out on the finals. 

Bill's teaching career story is just as intriguing. Bill was a teacher at Noble Park Tech when it closed and amalgamated with the local high school. He was asked to apply for a position at MGSC. 

The rest is history. I had found my home for the rest of my career. After being a toolmaker apprentice, a toolmaker, a technical sales engineer, a project engineer, a production control manager, a soccer player and a soccer coach I became what I always was - a teacher. The best decision I ever made career wise.

Congratulations Bill Murray on your contribution to women's sport and education.