CelVal 2021 and Student Awards
On Wednesday 8 December, we hosted ‘CeVal’, the second iteration of our combined Celebration Night and Valedictory Dinner event. Our Valedictorians for 2021 clearly voiced their opinions when we started to discuss what this important event would look like this year. The students wanted an event that they could all attend and they wanted to be able to celebrate in person with their parents and guardians; they didn’t want another Zoom celebration. So, the wheels were set in motion and the graduating class of 2021, with their parents/guardians, gathered on the Woodend Campus oval to celebrate together. The weather was not as kind as it could have been, with the outside temperatures at times in single figures and periods of passing rain (sometimes horizontal). But given that the event was conducted like a drive-in cinema, with sound beamed to families’ cars via 100.0 FM, the weather conditions were an inconvenience, rather than a showstopper.
The evening commenced with Celebration Night awards. These awards would have traditionally been awarded at our annual Celebration Night event, but due to COVID-19 it was unfortunately cancelled again. But at CelVal, the awards were presented to these young people, in front of an audience, who showed their appreciation and celebrated by flashing lights and beeping horns.
The complete listing of the awardees is available here. It is appropriate to recognise Maurice Nind, the recipient of the Dame Elizabeth Murdoch Award. Maurice received the award from Mr Paul Handbury, grandson of Dame Elisabeth, and regular attendee at our awards evening.
Following a short intermission, a musical item was magnificently performed by some graduating Collegians and staff before the Valedictory component of the night took place. Following three speeches by members of the 2021 cohort, each graduating Valedictorian was welcomed to stage and acknowledged by the crowd.
The evening concluded in sunny, albeit chilly, conditions with a stirring rendition of the College song. It is worthwhile to reflect that a sung version of the song has not been performed by a mass group of students for two years. The words returned easily to the cohort and they celebrated with the friends the completion of the their VCE journey.
Our thanks to Jacki and Vanessa from Connect Entertainment, Graham Glasson and his team from ProElec Electrical Services, and the many members of staff who worked tirelessly to make the event a memorable one for these graduating students.