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Inspired by his son, Old Boy Mick Caughey ('87) has decided to put together a music festival. Showcasing local West Australian talent (including some Old Boys represented), the festival is set to be a great night out for all.

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Olympic Games veteran Tom Hoad entertained fellow Old Boys and their partners with Olympic stories at the annual Senior Old Boys Day at Aquinas College on August 25.

Tom (LC 1957), who was one of three Aquinians in the 1960 Rome team, represented Australia in water polo at every game up to 1988, either as a player – including a stint as captain - or coach.

He spoke with pride at the lunch in the Hughes Dining Room of how he watched fellow Aquinian Herb Elliott (LC 1955) win his famous 1500 metre gold medal in world record time in Rome. And guests were delighted that the college’s third representative at those games, oarsman Max Cunningham (LC 1954), also attended the lunch.

The Olympic theme was linked with the success of younger Old Boys, hockey co-captain Aran Zalewski (silver medal) and swimmer Zac Incerti (two swimming relay bronze medals) who performed at the recent Tokyo Gamers with distinction.

Other Senior Old Boys who spoke at the lunch of their time at the college and subsequent careers included Bill de Gruchy (LC 1947), Mike Erickson and Rob Kilderry (both LC 1958) and Chris Back (LC 1966).

The popular event included a welcoming complimentary coffee served from the college’s Holy Ground Coffee van, followed by a special assembly which showcased the impressive array of extra-curricular activities now being offered at the college. An excerpt from the recent Lion King production was a highlight.

Father Rodrigo da Costa Ponte celebrated Mass in the St Thomas Aquinas Chapel, delivering a brief but pertinent homily.

Special thanks for another most enjoyable Seniors Day must go to Nichole Rowson, the Events and Alumni Administrator, and Brother Max McAppion who helped organise the Mass before returning to classroom duties.

The original reunion date was postponed due to COVID in 2020. Rescheduled to Saturday the 15^th May 2021, the 1990 group enjoyed a tour of the College, hosted by Mike Dempsey (Head of Middle School) and Nichole Rowson (Events Coordinator). After the walk down memory lane, the tour moved to the Camfield where they were met by some more of the contingent for a good old catch up - one that lasted into the late hours of the night.

Thank you to the following Old Aquinians who have chosen to sponsor subject prizes for students who have demonstrated academic excellence in Year 12 in the Class of 2021.

Quentin Lau (Class of 1992)

Quentin attended Aquinas College from 1985 to 1992. In 1997, he graduated with a degree in architecture and returned to Hong Kong to commence his career. He now specialises in and provides consultancy advice on residential property development at the Summit Homes Group. Quentin is known to be one of the most experienced development architects within Perth. Married with children, Quentin's eldest daughter attends Santa Maria College while his son attends Aquinas College. Quentin has kindly sponsored a monetary prize for the Year 12 Subject Dux for Economics ATAR as well as Human Biology ATAR.

Hilary Lau (Class of 1993)

Hilary studied at Aquinas from Year 5 until his graduation in Year 12. He went on to study for a double degree in Law and Commerce at the University of Western Australia. Currently, Hilary is a partner at leading international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills. Hilary’s practice is focused on the energy and resource sector and he has earned the position of Head of the Energy Practice, Asia within his firm. Ranked as one of the best energy lawyers in Asia, Hilary is married with a son. Hilary has kindly sponsored a monetary prize for the Year 12 Subject Dux for Politics & Law ATAR as well as Marine & Maritime Science General.

On Saturday, 28 November, members of the Class of ‘85 got together at Ascot for an informal 35-year reunion.

The combination of COVID and harvesting impacted the numbers but there was still a good turnout with the group suggesting that the Mackinnon Stakes at Ascot every year would be a good yearly catch up - so Class of ‘85 members keep 6th November 2021 in mind.

Class of 1991

The Wyatt name has become synonymous with indigenous affairs at the state and federal level. Ben Sana Wyatt, son of Cedric and Janine Wyatt, was born in Wewak, Papua New Guinea and grew up in the goldfields of Laverton and Kalgoorlie. He studied at Aquinas College from the age of 14 and finished with the Staff Award for General Excellence in 1991. He was a very well-known and popular student who threw himself into all aspects of college life from the cadets to the annual drama production.

Ben read law at the University of Western Australia and went on to graduate from Duntroon Military College. At university, he found politics as “a young aboriginal man trying to be normal” and wanting to establish his own credentials independent of originality. His parents were politically active and he was drawn to it after spending five or so years in practice at Phillips Fox. Ben served as counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions. He continued his study and holds a Master’s Degree with distinction from the London School of Economics.

But politics was calling and when he stood in 2006 for Victoria Park in a by-election triggered by the resignation of former Premier Geoff Gallop, it was his moment. Ben was elected to the Legislative Assembly and has served WA for more than a decade in an area he lived in for more than twenty years.

Ben was appointed Australia’s first Indigenous Australian Treasurer in March 2017 and also held the position of Minister for Finance, Aboriginal Affairs and Lands. He was largely credited with being well on the way to turning the finances of WA around in the two years following the victory over Colin Barnett’s government. This also meant that the portfolio of Aboriginal Affairs was held by Wyatts at both state and federal level: Ben’s father being a cousin of Ken Wyatt AM MP, Federal Member for Hasluck.

Someone who remembers Ben well from Aquinas describes him as “quite self-assured and centred, confident but not brash and very humble. He was very happy to be part of the crowd and not wishing to attract attention to himself.”

In standing down from WA politics in 2021 Ben cited the need to spend more time with his wife and young daughters, Ben said that being Treasurer of Western Australia was: “something I never would have imagined when I was at school.” Covid 19 forced him to rethink and fortunately for WA he has decided to remain in the role of Treasurer. Premier McGowan says of Ben: “He has done an exceptional job as Treasurer. It’s a marvellous story and something that all West Australians should be very proud of”.