SNAP

Salesian College, Chadstone

At a recent gathering after a wedding of a Salesian past pupil most of the people in the room heard a surprised voice exclaim, “Gawd, I haven’t seen you in years!”

And a hardy handshake accompanied the beginning of a spirited conversation. This, and many similar incidents shows how past pupils of Salesian College remain bonded over the years by a common spirit. While life’s journey takes them along diverse paths after leaving Salesian College, there is a character, a recognised common spirit, that very quickly re-surfaces when past pupils meet. This is especially evident at reunions, but it is also a strong connecting current when surprise encounters occur around the country or even overseas.

I thought he said "storeman with Angus and Robertson", which seemed a little lowly for a high-flying twenty-year-old nearing the end of a degree in Music at the Melbourne Conservatorium, "majoring in performance" (he insisted I got that right, at least). He's off today conducting a local band and would like, if the truth be known, to conduct major orchestras around the world - a well-nurtured hope that shows every promise of being realised, along with a vocation to be a Salesian Cooperator. He didn't say 'storeman' at all; he said he was a 'story man'. And you've got to believe it. He might sell books to earn a quid to fulfill his dreams, but he believes in The Story, and whatever else he does, it will be but a character in the larger Story. He talked about it.