PRESIDENT'S REPORT

The Thistlelonian Committee is delighted to present our 2022 Magazine in its new format of a newsletter which we are aiming to publish biannually. We hope you enjoy it.

We have been unable to publish since 2020 with Covid impacting everyone’s normal routines but with the guidance of the College Media Team consisting of Andrew Krause and Chelsea Stanley, this new format will allow a more flexible and simpler publishing cycle.

So much has evolved at McKinnon over the past two years and you will be amazed at the continued growth and development of facilities and achievements at your school.

The two major building projects are now completed. The new East Campus on the old Virginia Park site, was a State Government funded project and is now the Year 8 and 9 campus with Michael Kan now being Campus Principal. It is a one of a kind, purpose-built facility and I hope you will view the video links in this edition. 

The new gym/basketball stadium located at the bottom of the oval at the Main Campus and is a School Council funded building. This is a fabulous addition to the Main Campus site. Many of you kindly donated named bricks which decorate the exterior. 

Both of these facilities are also being used for local community-based sporting activities.

We have continued to provide our Thistlelonian Awards to several Year 9 students and I thank those who have contributed to make these possible. Some notable winners include Melbourne Premiership captain Max Gawn,

Class of 2009 and current staff member, Sarah Ridout - Class of 2014.

We will be recommencing our Grand Reunion this year having missed the past two years due to Covid. We are excited to welcome you back to reconnect with your classmates on Saturday 22nd October 2022 in the hall. Grand Reunion details can be found in this edition on page number 8.

A bittersweet occasion will be the impending retirement of Principal Pitsa Binnion, who has been heavily involved with Thistlelonians and has joined with your committee in encompassing Alumni into the College community. 

The ongoing academic growth, the welfare and cultural inclusion of staff and students and the amazing facilities that the school now has will be a wonderful testament to her 25 years at McKinnon with 15 as Principal. 

We wish her a very happy retirement and I’m sure we will enjoy seeing her join with many of the former students at future reunions.

A special mention to all our volunteers and friends without whom we couldn’t exist. Also to the College staff for their engagement with Thistlelonians and we thank them all for their involvement and enthusiasm in our activities.

A huge thanks to our Thistlelonians Administrator, Melanie Lynch, also Pitsa’s PA, who is always working to provide answers and ideas on how we can streamline our operations and cheerfully handle your alumni queries. 

Your committee is working hard to continue the close liaison with the College and alumni and I wish to thank them for their continued work and ideas as we look to be part of the continued growth of McKinnon Secondary College /McKinnon High School.

A special thanks to Ian Jackson who has stepped down as Treasurer.

Geoff Woolnough

Thistlelonians President