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<pstyle:2 – Body Text>Last Friday evening, Orbost Community College celebrated a significant milestone with its inaugural year 12 graduation.
Held at the Orbost Golf Club, the event brought together graduates, their families and the broader school community to mark the culmination of 13 years of education.
The evening featured finger food canapés, expertly catered by The Local and a bar for refreshments, fostering a warm and festive atmosphere.
School captains Hugh Barnes and Melody Mull led the formal proceedings, delivering heartfelt speeches reflecting on the friendships that defined their school experience.
“Happiness is only real when it can be shared,” Melody shared.
“It is safe to say that school would have been so boring and draining if we went through it alone, but our friendships have made the last six years of school unforgettable.”
Taryn Farley added a personal touch to the night by presenting each graduate with a gift bag, offering insights into their unique aspirations and plans for the future.
Rob Clay, a prominent figure at the college, highlighted the exceptional role models the graduating cohort has become, particularly during the school’s transition to a P-12 structure.
In his speech, Rob encouraged the students to embrace the present.
“One of the most important parts that students can learn is that there is no perfect time, there is only the now as imperfect as it is,” he said.
“Life is about making the most of the present and not waiting for some mythical, perfect time.
“Treasure every day, make the most of each moment and remember that life is not a spectator sport. Seizing each moment is the best way to chase your dreams.
“What does success look like and how do we measure it, it is something that we think a lot about. For some of these students, it will be the ATAR score or the university that it gets them into.
“For others it will be the apprenticeship or career that they are starting out on. But you are all much more than just your job, you are certainly much more than an ATAR number.”
Rob also reflected on the concept of success, emphasising that it extends beyond academic achievements or career paths.
He introduced a perspective shared by a consultant who works with the college, focusing on students being both independent and likeable by the end of their schooling.
“By this measure, this cohort is tremendously successful,” he concluded, underscoring the graduates’ readiness to thrive in their next chapters while maintaining the relationships that have shaped them.
The evening was a heartfelt celebration of perseverance, camaraderie, and the bright futures awaiting Orbost Community College’s Class of 2024.
