Variety Concert 2015

On the evening of Friday the 18th September 2015 records were broken, history was made and the whole world stopped to watch the greatest show ever performed on this planet or any other in our universe.

Midway through Term Two a small committee of young St Thomas’ men began organising our annual Variety Concert. It was around this time that the school learned of an Old Boy who had left only last year named Thomas Ballantyne who had been diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer. It wasn’t a difficult decision to choose Tom’s Givealittle page as our charity and the preparation quickly kicked into gear with this new motivation.

Work really started on Thursday after school when an awesome team of young St Thomas’ men and staff built the stage, set out chairs, hooked up the lights, plugged in a large quantity of sound equipment and even cleaned the Hall bathrooms.

Friday morning came and it was a busy day ahead full of the promise of many acts by young St Thomas’ men and young Villa Maria women wanting to support Tom. At 7 pm as the jazzy opening song of ‘Feeling Good’ set up the night’s happy tone the crowed were ready to rumble before the MC’s - Alex, Charlie, Josh and Joss - cruised up to the stage by riding on scooters to the beat of ‘Downtown’.

The hall was packed with 500 people! All of these people needed entertainment and Dom the Magician delivered with a hilarious act of tricks before Joss and Josh took over with a blender and a power drill for some speed cooking. Other awesome acts included singing from Niko, Jordan, Tovia and of course the ladies from Villa Maria as well as a brilliant trampoline glow stick act from the Year Nine lads.

Half time came after an entertaining and energetic Year 12 act and the audience rushed to the food stall to spend even more money into the donation fund. Then the entertainment continued with more singing, some theatresports, Moresby, Te, Tovia and Delane prancing round the stage and George, Ben and William finding their inner posh.

Just before the final Year 13 act a cheque for $3,900 (highest ever total!) was presented to a grinning Tom on stage and he thanked everyone for all of their support both on the night and throughout what he had been experiencing.

However like all great stories there was a twist! Earlier that morning Mrs Gaffaney received an email from Villa Maria saying an ex-Villa pupil living in Dubai had seen the Facebook marketing campaign and was so moved that she donated $2,000 to the cause. This brought our total for the night to $5,900 with an eventual profit of over $6,000 after the mufti day money was added!

The Year 13’s celebrated this and the whole night with an amazing performance of the evolution of dance from 2009 to 2015 – the period - this year’s group have been at St Thomas’ before a loud and proud haka to finish off the show. This was by far the biggest, best and highest earning Variety Concert in St Thomas’ and Villa Maria’s history and it could not have been done without hundreds of hours of work from teachers, parents and students. Mr Gaffaney and Mr Murphy deserve a huge amount of credit for giving up a massive amount of their own time to get the technical things perfect while Mrs Guerin and Mrs Gaffaney made the night possible through their directorship and leadership. A huge thank you to the technical crew and the senior music class for making the concert run smoothly as well as of course the MC’s who put in their heart and soul to make the 2015 Variety Concert the best ever.

Alex Hansby

Dear Staff and Students of St Thomas'

Last Friday St Thomas' held the STC and Villa variety concert in which the money raised was to go towards my treatment and some to the melanoma Research fund. Mrs Gaffaney had contacted my mum a few weeks prior to the concert asking if I would accept the invitation and come along to the night, initially I didn't know what to say I felt bad accepting as if I was taking the money and would feel in debt to those that donated. However I accepted as I thought it would be a good chance to also raise awareness. This only added to the support from St Thomas as previously I had a visit from Hart, Washy, Biggs and McCombie when I was in Hospital which enabled me to get through staying in the bloody hospital with smelly old men. Then to receive a whole bunch of notes from staff and students wishing me well kept me thinking positive and made me feel proud to be a part of such a connected brotherhood.

The variety concert was the icing on the cake. I honestly was so proud and overwhelmed with the whole night seeing all the boys and Villa girls get up on stage and showcase their talent in support for me was more than anyone could ask for. Catching up with some of the boys and teachers made the night even better especially Kennedy and Newton’s Duet leaving me speechless.

Credit is due to Mrs Gaffaney, Mrs Guerin and the boys on who hosted for organizing the night as well as all those that performed and attended to make it happen. Lastly I would just like to again thank the entire School, staff and students on supporting me through this difficult time and I will forever be in debt to you. The brotherhood of St Thomas is one to be cherished and looked after as it's surprising what the voice of a school can do to encourage someone going through adversity, this goes for all aspects of life.

Yours sincerely Tom Ballantyne