2019 student leader Ben Dowdle is no stranger to the spotlight. A keen musician, Ben has played in a variety of Nayland bands over the years and was vocalist for highly acclaimed The Recliners.

The Recliners came first in 2018's regional Smokefree Rockquest and went on to submit a video for selection for nationals. Following on in the tradition of comfortable lounge furniture, Ben’s current band is called The Lazyboys. As well as vocals, Ben plays guitar, drums and piano. “Essentially anything I can get my hands on and figure out,” he said. 

He’s also in both the boys’ and mixed choirs and was part of the highly successful trip to Melbourne last year. However, it’s the tuba that lends itself to his unique party trick. “I can beatbox and play the tuba at the same time!”

Life as a student leader means finding opportunities to play music wherever he can. “Nowadays I'm on a pretty tightly packed schedule and I like it that way, but it doesn’t always allow a lot of time to sit down and practice. But you can guarantee that I'm singing and tapping beats away on desks everyday and if I can have a jam with a guitar or something then that's a massive bonus!”

Ben put himself forward as student leader out of a desire to make a difference at Nayland College. “[I wanted] to have more of a presence in the school, and also to improve the school for others.” 

He was impressed with how one of his first engagements of the year as student leader - House Day 2019 - went a few weeks ago. “[It was the] best House Day I’ve been to. There were so many people involved which made it so much fun, lots of house spirit and everyone wanted their house to win.”

Now in his last year at Nayland, Ben says there are many things he values about being here and not just his free periods. He appreciates the input of the teaching staff. “The teachers, how enthusiastic they are, how lenient they can be. I think a big part of school is the atmosphere that you have, that’s what makes you want to be at school.”

Victoria University is Ben’s planned destination for next year where he intends to study music. Ideally, travel will also feature in his future and he has a definite idea of one place he’d particularly like to visit. “Greece, because of the souvlaki, the great sunsets and the souvlaki!”

Ben was interviewed by student reporter Josh Carter.