As I sit here typing up the words to describe my experience at Liston, I can’t help but think back to the memories made between 2009 and 2012. Between the ages of 12-15, Liston was my second home as it would be for many other boys my age then. The boys being my friends less, more like my brothers; many of whom I try and keep in contact with till today, the teachers being my mentors and at times a third parent, giving me the much-needed advice, a boy needs at that age. 

I may not have graduated from Liston, but I still like to think of myself as a Listonian, an Old Boy. The few years I did spend there would play an important role in making me the man I am today. During my time at Liston, I always dreamt of becoming a prefect, perhaps even the Head Boy. The idea of being a leader to my peers, a role model to my fellow brothers was always a driver in what I did, to try and lead by example, and although I didn’t get the opportunity to do this at Liston, I did end up becoming the equivalent of Head boy at the school I moved to here in Melbourne, Australia. I don’t think this would have been possible had it not been for the values and life lessons I picked up at Liston. It was there I learnt the importance of discipline in life, what it means to be there for your friends and family and that small acts of kindness go a long way. 

People tell you high school years are some of the best years of your life, they indeed are, and what makes them so great is the ability to see your friends on a daily basis, to know everyone around you by name, to come across teachers who genuinely care about your learning and development; who go out of their way to ensure you are well equipped for the future ahead of you. During the early years of university, you really realise the void left in your life once you leave high school when the faces around you become more foreign, the frequency of catchups with friends become dependent on your schedules aligning, and it doesn’t get much better after university either unfortunately. So if you’re still in school and reading this, make the most of your time, enjoy the small moments, live, love and laugh because life is too short and the memories you make will stick with you for the rest of your life.

I have since graduated from university with a bachelor’s in biomedical engineering and currently working for a pharmaceutical company here in Melbourne Australia. I have volunteered for a few different Not for Profit organisations, met with the Minister for education, have conquered the highest point in Australia: Mt Kosciusko, and most importantly, have made countless lifelong friends, some who have become family. I look back at my time at Liston with fond memories. The good times bring a smile to my face and the bad bring a teardrop to my eyes. I am so grateful for having the opportunity to be part of the Liston community, to know that wherever I may be in the world, there will always be a place like home, a family I can lean on in Liston College and its people. 

A wise man once said, you can take the Listonian out of Liston, but you can’t take Liston out of the Listonian. Once a Listonian, always a Listonian.