Dave O'Neill returned recently to inspire our Year 9 Journalism Elective students with his unconventional career journey. From Accounting Graduate to overseas Journalist, Editor of Vegetables Australia, AFL comms and even children's book author of "The Seagull who Soared" and "Santa Skis the Murray", Dave has done it all.

He shared insights on the ever-changing media landscape, crafting catchy headlines and what it really takes to be a journalist. Fun fact: his love of writing started at High School, where he was once laughed at for his poetry—now, people plead with him to write in rhyme!

We even found one of his Year 12 pieces from The Arch archives...

Farewell to my friends, it's goodbye to you I bid,

A heavy heart is weeping, for this young man's just a kid.

Six years of growing up, it's hard to walk away,

An honour to share it with you, thank you is all I'll say.

For a million times you've winked at me in the hallways as we pass,

And somehow we seemed to talk away, every single class.

You've always kept me humble, with never too much praise,

You've made me laugh countless times as we lived the good old days.

From Marshall in the production, to red nut on the field,

For every ambitious character who proudly wore the shield.

For Troy and Kirra, and a fight just to fill in time,

For a daily Lucas prank and Beaties annual climb.

A thousand toastie sangas, a kicked back lunch to say the least,

From the boys and parking closer, to Rennies massive feast.

With thanks to Mrs D, and the time she had for us,

To Ronnie Lloyd, and wise advice with never any fuss.

For the girls who kept us smiling, my attention never lacking,

For a roaring Mooney speech, that got the ducksa quacking.

For you all have been the characters in the tales that will be told,

You'll be the thought that brings a smile when I'm old.

But in the words that go unspoken, it's often the unnamed that mean the most,

For those who always had your back, it's you that I now toast.

And though it's hard to find the words, to tell you exactly how I feel,

My heart will never forget you. These tears are very real.

And at the ending of a chapter, the turning of a page,

The story is well and truly worth a read.

I wish you all the best in whatever you do, I pray that you succeed.

And one day soon we'll gather again to share a story or two,

When the best things to say is the simplest, sincerely I thank you.

A big thank you to Dave for sharing his insights with our students and for continuing to give back to his former school. If you’re keen to be a part of the Alumni Program, please reach out to alumni@ballaraths.net.

Eliza Hopkinson

Alumni & Marketing Co-ordinator

Lost Property