27 November 2025
Dear Parents, Council Members, and Friends of St Leo’s,
Somehow, we’ve gone from “Welcome to St Leo’s!” to “Where did the year go?!” in what feels like the time it takes to boil a kettle.
The months have tumbled past like pages in a novel you can’t quite put down. Each chapter crammed with laughter, late-night debates, spontaneous adventures, and the occasional existential crisis over a group assignment. Now, standing at the edge of 2026, the air feels charged with that curious blend of nostalgia and possibility that arrives only at year’s end.
This is always a bittersweet moment for the College, as we prepare to farewell our non-returning Leonians and ready ourselves to welcome both new and returning residents in the new year.
I’ll admit I have a soft spot for our current Third Year residents. I stepped into my role just months after they first arrived, and since then I’ve had the privilege of watching their story unfold. Sometimes quietly, sometimes with the delightful unpredictability that keeps St Leo’s humming with life. Their growth has been a joy to witness. As some of your sons depart St Leo’s for the final time, it feels a bit like watching a flock you’ve grown fond of lift off into bright, unruly skies… exactly as they were meant to.
Valete Luncheon: The 2025 St Leo’s Third Year Cohort
On Saturday, 25 October, we welcomed parents, partners and friends of our Third Year residents to this year’s Valete Luncheon. It was a wonderful chance to gather and celebrate the growth, achievements, and spirit these Leonians have brought to the College throughout their three years with us.
A highlight of the afternoon was recognising four members of the cohort for their outstanding contributions. This year’s award recipients were:
- Noah Fahey – College Involvement Award
- Alex Stahl – Hon. R.C. Bob Katter Award
- Solomon Falzon – St Leo’s Old Boys’ Award
- Jack Kirwan – Ignatian Award
Valete Luncheon: Sou McPhail presenting the main awards to (L-R) Noah Fahey, Alex Stahl, Solomon Falzon, Jack Kirwan
We were also grateful to hear from our guest speaker, Michael Molloy, father of Students’ Club President Tom Molloy, who offered heartfelt reflections as a Leonian dad on the milestone our Third Years have reached.
Sports & Cultural Awards: (L-R) Noah Fahey, Michael Malone, Jackson Waldon
Further acknowledgements followed on Thursday, 30 October, at our annual Sports & Cultural Awards. Held after the conclusion of the Inter-College Competition (ICC), this event celebrates excellence and contribution across all areas of College life. The major awards went to:
- Michael Malone – First Year Sportsman of the Year
- Jackson Waldon – Sportsman of the Year (tied)
- Noah Fahey – Sportsman of the Year (tied)
- Darcy Bouwman – Cultural Contribution of the Year
Sports & Cultural Awards: (L-R) Ethan Payne, Josh Mann, Mackenzie Watt, Seb Lee, Darcy Bouwman
With ICC now wrapped up, we are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm, teamwork and resilience shown by our Leonians throughout the year. Our sporting teams demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, securing an impressive 4th overall.
In the Cultural competition, our young men shone just as brightly, showcasing creativity and spirit to earn 7th overall. Congratulations to all involved for representing St Leo’s with pride.
ICC Touch Team: Front Row – Lachy Manning, Isaac McAuliffe, Samuel Young, Jock Menzies, Tom Molloy, Jeremy Green. Back Row – Lane Maunder Ryan McDonnell, Eamon Malone, Isaac Green, Jackson Waldon, Jack Bower
More congratulations are due to 2nd Year Resident, Anish Vivekananthan, who in early October claimed victory at the 2025 Queensland State Chess Championship after a gruelling four-day tournament. And congratulations to 2nd Year Resident, Ethan Brigstock, for being the recipient of the 2025 GradReady Principal’s Scholarship.
Looking ahead, the College’s resident numbers for 2026 are strong. Between returning and new Leonians, we are well on track for a full house. Our Registrar, Heidi, even has a growing wait list (an outcome that thrills us more than words can express).
I am also delighted to announce the 2026 St Leo’s Students’ Leadership Team. Please join me in congratulating:
Students’ Club Elect
President – Fletcher Lloyd
Vice-President – Mitch Dowling
Secretary – Mitchel Waldon
Treasurer – Riley De Brincat
Social Convenor – Julien Mezieres
Sports Convenor – Tom Davies
Cultural Convenor – Ethan Payne
ICC Representative – TBC
Sergeant at Arms – Sam Adams
Shed – Cooper Bell
Merchandise Convenor – Thomas Sanfilippo
Culinary Convenor – Ryan McDonnell
The Phantom – Lincoln Fisher
Community Representative – Tex Hussey
Students’ Club Executive AGM – Tom Molloy announcing Fletcher Lloyd as the 2026 Students’ Club President
Residential Assistant (RA) Team
Kiel Keryk (Senior RA)
Lachlan Killen
Alexander Demopoulos
Jack Mundey
Benjamin Stroebel
Alexzander Zamparutti
Gabriel Kelly
Sebastian Lee
Darcy Smith
Myles Wilson
While we welcome our incoming leaders, I want to express sincere thanks to our 2025 Leadership Team. I acknowledge Tom Molloy and Senior RA, Alex Stahl, for their dedication and commitment to College life throughout the year.
UQ Giving Day – Mitchell Dowling, Noah Fahey and Will Pascoe spreading the cheer
In my last newsletter, I shared that St Leo’s College would be participating in UQ Giving Day on Wednesday, 15 October. I’m delighted to report that, thanks to the generosity of our community, we raised $17,840 in support of the St Leo’s College Residential Scholarship Fund. These funds will open doors for deserving students who may otherwise be unable to access the opportunities our College provides.
For any of you wishing to support our scholarships, gifts can be made here any time. All contributions over $2 are tax-deductible and make a meaningful difference for future Leonians.
Over the Christmas break, the College will undertake several projects to enhance our facilities. In Blocks D and E, several bathrooms will be renovated. As part of the UQ Wi-Fi transition, the College will undergo re-cabling and the installation of new wireless access points, with the full transition scheduled for early January 2026. Entrances to Blocks E, F, G, and H will receive new floor tiles, and resident rooms will be refreshed with new paint for walls, ceilings, and doors. Work on the Chapel/Sacred Space is also continuing and is expected to be completed in December. These improvements reflect our ongoing commitment to ensuring St Leo’s remains comfortable, modern, and welcoming.
St Leo’s Council will have a new chair next year with the appointment of Ms Pam Betts, after Madonna King completes her 10-year term, including the last two as chair, on December 31.
Pam comes to the role with a strong background having previously served as the executive director of Catholic Education Brisbane, and as executive director of the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited.
In addition, she has held many board roles, including chair of Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited and as a director for Catholic Schools Diocese of Lismore Limited.
Madonna said Pam’s appointment, along with the new management team of CEO Dan McMahon and deputy Sou McPhail, ensured St Leo’s would remain competitive into the future.
“St Leo’s has never been just a place to live, while studying. It’s where many residents will find friends and networks for life. It’s where they can grow those values that come from giving back. And it’s where they can hone their academic passions and skills.
“I feel privileged to have been – at a distance – part of their journey, and look forward to reading stories of their societal contributions for many years to come.’’
Madonna also thanked her deputy Professor Justin Cooper-White and councillors for their commitment, time and expertise which has seen – in 2025 – St Leo’s set up a foundation to raise money for scholarships, an alumni association which boasts former residents aged between 20 and 89, and a new leadership team, to take St Leo’s into the future. A new strategic plan is also well underway, after widespread consultation with stakeholders.
Philip Byrnes will also end his term on council also on December 31. Megan Kavanagh, a partner at Colin Biggers & Paisley, will join council in 2026.
As we prepare to welcome Dan McMahon, I would also like to acknowledge Sou McPhail for her leadership this year as Acting Head of College. Sou joined us as Deputy Head in January and generously stepped into the acting role with gusto and grace.
And as we welcome one new staff member, we farewell another. Jocelyn Forsyth, our Accommodation Services Manager, has resigned. Since joining us in April 2013, Jocelyn has contributed more than a decade of dedicated service, bringing care, professionalism, and a strong work ethic to our conference operations, guest experience, and the daily support of our residents. On behalf of the College, I sincerely thank Jocelyn for all she has done. Jocelyn’s last day will be Monday, 15 December 2025.
And on that note, from all the staff here at St Leo’s, I wish each of you a happy and safe holiday. Enjoy this time with your loved ones, and I hope to see you all in the New Year.
Best,
Peter Arena
Marketing, Communications & Advancement Manager
