Rector's Report

Greetings to you all! 

As I write to you, we have celebrated our Night of Excellence (Monday October 27) in Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University. During the evening, we recognised the outstanding achievements of our students during this academic year. As well as this event there have been many other activities making for a hectic couple of weeks. We farewelled our 2025 Year 12 cohort by celebrating their graduation Mass, Dinner and final college assembly. The graduation class then began their time of revision for their final exams with their first exam being English held last Tuesday morning. We have celebrated musical recitals, commenced our primary school visitations for students joining us in 2026, the Parents and Friends gathered for their final meeting of the year which included a tour of the new Food Technology Centre. The Annual Visual Arts Exhibition was also a great success show casing our students’ creativity.  

All Saints and All Souls

In the Catholic tradition, November is the month of remembrance of the dead. The month will commence with the Solemnity of All Saints on November 1 which commemorates all the saints in heaven and the example they offer us. This could be an opportunity to recall the name of the saint you chose for your Confirmation and asking yourself how you are continuing to imitate their life. The following day, November 2, we celebrate All Souls when we especially remember all our deceased loved ones. 

This month offers three other opportunities. Firstly, you could visit the grave/s of your deceased loved ones and offer a prayer of thanksgiving for them. Secondly, I invite you to take the opportunity to join the college community at our morning Eucharist at 8.10am as we pray together for all our deceased loves ones. Names of your deceased loved ones can be placed in the container at the front of the altar in the college chapel and they will be prayed for each day during our college Eucharist. Invite your son to bring them along for you and to join us un prayer. Thirdly, I invite you to join us on Friday November 7 at 7.00pm in the college chapel when we will pause, pray, and remember the deceased old boys of our college. 

207th Anniversary - First Oblation in Congregation

November 1, 1818, is an important date for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate as it is the day when our Founder, St. Eugene, and his first companion on this new missionary journey, Father Henry Tempier, made and professed their first oblation (vows).

Mazenod Alumni Awards Dinner

The inaugural Mazenod Alumni Awards Dinner was held on Friday October 24 at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club. The evening was an outstanding success as we recognized nominated past students, members of our college community and Oblates who received the ‘Leave to Serve’ or ‘Burning Flame’ Awards for outstanding achievements during and post Mazenod College days. 

Pictured above with Fr Dominic and Fr Harry is Gary Pinto from the class 1992. Gary collaborated with Guy Sebastian to write the theme song “Receive the Power” for World Youth Day in 2008. Also pictured are members from our Mazenod Parents and Friends. 

It was great to catch up with Gerard Whately class of 1992. I was the celebrant for the wedding of Gerard and Claire about 30 years ago when I was assistant priest at St John Vianney parish, Springvale North.  

National Oblate Youth Encounter

The annual National Oblate Youth Encounter will be held from January 4-7, 2026. The gathering will take place at the new St Eugene’s Centre for Mission in Newborough, in the Latrobe Valley. This gathering brings together young people from around Australia who wish to share their Catholic faith in the spirit of the Charism of St Eugene de Mazenod. It is designed for young people (those entering Year 12 in 2026 through to age 30) to grow in and reflect on their faith, as well as to share plenty of fun and community time with one another.

The theme for NOYE 2026 will be “On the Road”, inspired by St Eugene’s call to form young people into humans, Christians, and saints. I invite parents to encourage their young people to consider attending this encounter. Further information can be found at: www.oblateyouth.com.au 

Student Immersion Experience

Didier Savrimoutou graduated from Mazenod College in 2024. He graduated with the highest study score in Chinese Culture and Society. During his graduation year he was discerning a volunteer immersion experience with the Oblates in Hong Kong. Didier has now been in Hong Kong for a few months and goes to the four Oblate schools in Kowloon:  Oblate Primary School - St Eugene Oblate Primary School - Po Yan Oblate Primary School - Notre Dame College. On Friday evenings Didier helps with the distribution of food and clothing which is a similar mission to our Melbourne Rosies assisting the more vulnerable people. This is a great witness of one of our former students still living one of our college mottos – ‘Enter to Learn Leave to Serve’.

Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate

Fr Harry Dyer OMI