LutherLetter Edition 1 2026

Luther Letter

Sharing news of Luther College Number 1, 2026

Centre for Creativity and Innovation

Principal’s Page

I am pleased to welcome you to this edition of LutherLetter. These pages offer a glimpse into the life of the College, capturing the learning, growth and experiences that shape our community each day.

They reflect not only what our students achieve, but the way they engage with learning, supported by staff who are committed to their development.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

This verse speaks to the idea of guidance and direction, something that resonates strongly as we begin the year with clarity of purpose. Across the College, we see this in the way students approach their learning, in the professional practice of our staff, and in the partnership we share with families.

A significant moment this year has been the opening of our Centre for Creativity and Innovation. This is an important step forward in how we think about learning. At Luther College, our approach to education is grounded in the development of the whole person. We want our students to grow not only in knowledge, but in character, capability and purpose. Our Luther Learner framework speaks to qualities such as learner agency, collaboration, critical thinking and creative thinking –the kinds of capabilities that allow young people to contribute meaningfully to the world around them. The work that will take place in this building brings those aspirations to life. You will see students exploring ideas through design and technology, media and the creative arts. You will see them working together to solve problems, bringing together imagination and technical skill. You will see learning that crosses traditional subject boundaries and encourages students to think expansively about what is possible.

This approach to learning is aligned with our Lutheran tradition. At its core, our faith calls us to recognise the gifts we have been given and to use them in service of others. Creativity is one of those gifts. Innovation, when guided by wisdom and compassion, becomes a powerful way to contribute positively to community.

Our 2026 College theme, Vision, chosen by our Student Leadership Team, provides a strong frame for this work. Vision is not about what is immediately visible, but about what we notice, what we take seriously, and what we choose to act on. It is about perception, imagination and the responsibility to shape what comes next. This idea sits closely alongside our work in developing young people who have both the capability and the agency to contribute meaningfully to the world.

At Luther, it is often the everyday moments that matter most. The learning taking place in classrooms, the relationships being built, and the opportunities for students to grow through challenge and experience all contribute to a culture where young people can learn, grow, fail and succeed. This edition reflects those moments, along with the many ways our students are extending themselves across the breadth of College life.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership with the College. It is through this shared commitment that we continue to provide an environment where students are known, supported and challenged to do their best.

Jacqui Layfield Principal

Isaiah 43:19 says “Behold, I am doing a new thing… I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

From the Director of Faith and Formation

The opening of our Centre for Creativity and Innovation marks a new season of possibility, inviting fresh ideas, new partnerships, and the courage to learn as we go. Starting something new can be daunting!

We give thanks for God’s provision, remembering: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.” But the CCI is more than building materials or the rooms created; it is a space where people made in God’s image can practise, collaborate, and create work that utilises their gifts and talents, reflects a caring Creator, and serves a need in the world.

Scripture reminds us that creativity is not new to God: he started it! It is evident in the wonder and diversity of nature, the intricacy of the human body, all pointing to God’s wisdom and imagination.

Isaiah 43:19 says “Behold, I am doing a new thing… I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

God is in the business of making all things new through the saving work of Jesus on the cross —renewing hearts, restoring relationships, and replacing bitterness with forgiveness and grace. As you visit, work, learn, or create in the CCI, or in your life today, consider what “new thing” God might be forming in you, and how your gifts could serve others.

As we step into this new chapter at Luther, we pray that what is made here is shaped by grace, purpose, wonder, excellence, and a desire to bless our community and the world.

Anita Foster Director of Faith and Formation

Celebrating the Class of 2025

February’s Opening Service shone a spotlight on exceptional student achievement and staff commitment as we officially commenced the 2026 academic year. Congratulations to all our students for their outstanding achievements!

Jacinta Song DUX

Jacinta received an ATAR of 99.85 and was Subject Dux for Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics Methods and Specialist Mathematics.

A valued and enthusiastic member of the Luther College community, Jacinta showed commitment and dedication to her studies throughout her six years of secondary education.

Jacinta has accepted a place at the University of Melbourne to study Science/Dental Surgery. Congratulations on your outstanding achievements Jacinta, we wish you every success in the future and look forward to welcoming you back to the College.

Jadon Kwok

PROXIME ACCESSIT

Jadon achieved an ATAR of 98.95 and was Subject Dux for Physics.

Jadon’s work ethic and commitment throughout his time at the College allowed him to consistently produce work of the highest calibre. Jadon always chose to challenge himself, consistently striving to achieve the highest possible level of success.

Jadon has accepted a place at the University of Melbourne to study Science/ Physiotherapy. Congratulations Jadon, your hard work and dedication are to be commended, we wish you all the very best for the future.

Jade Mafodda

DOUGLAS C W MARONEY LEGAL STUDIES PRIZE

Douglas Maroney was a highly respected lawyer who served as Chair of the Luther College Council from 2000-2007. Prior to this, Mr Maroney was a parent and an active member of the Luther College community. The Douglas C W Maroney Prize is awarded to the top student in Unit 3 and 4 Legal Studies.

We congratulate Jade for achieving an outstanding result and wish her every success in her Year 12 studies this year.

Samuel Churchward

DR CAROLINE GARGETT SCHOLARSHIP FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE

This prestigious monetary scholarship has been generously established by the Gargett family on behalf of Dr Caroline Gargett, in recognition of her role as one of Australia’s leading medical research scientists.

The scholarship is designed to assist a student of outstanding academic merit in science to transition to studies in a science degree at Monash University.

We congratulate Samuel on this honour and wish him every success as he studies Biomedical Science (Scholars Program) at Monash University.

Lucas Kent

LUTHER MEDALLION & ADF LONG TAN LEADERSHIP AND TEAMWORK AWARD

The Luther Medallion recognises a Year 12 student that exhibits leadership qualities, are involved in co-curricular activities, show academic endeavour and support the College ethos.

The ADF Award was established by the Australian Government as a tribute to the veterans of the battle of Long Tan in the Vietnam War. It recognises a Year 12 student who has shown teamwork, tenacity, compassion and leadership.

Lucas was the Class of 2025 recipient of the Luther Medallion and the ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award.

Lucas demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, while managing extensive co-curricular commitments. His outstanding leadership qualities were evident through his role as 2025 Music Captain, where he guided and mentored fellow students while playing an integral part in all major school concerts and events.

Lucas’s extensive involvement in co-curricular activities span House competitions including House Drama and Performing Arts, Athletics, and Cross Country, where he consistently contributed to team success through his collaborative spirit and competitive excellence. His dedication to Chapel Tech Desk operations managing technical aspects of daily Chapel services, major school events, and theatre productions demonstrated his commitment to serving the broader school community with reliability and expertise.

Radha Roberston

AMPOL MEDALLION

The Ampol Medallion recognises a Year 12 student who has made significant contributions to school life, demonstrated outstanding leadership and supports the College ethos.

Radha was an outstanding team player and well-rounded student, with warmth and approachability. Her participation spanned the full spectrum of College life, actively engaging in House events, also using Home Group to connect meaningfully with students across all age groups. Her leadership journey demonstrated consistent growth and dedication, having served as Middle School Captain at her previous school before seamlessly transitioning to Senior House Captain in 2025.

Introducing our 2026 Captains

College Captains

Middle Years Captains

Each year our College Captains choose a theme to guide the year ahead. In 2026, our theme is VISION. LutherLetter caught up with them to hear more about it.

What does ‘Vision’ mean to you personally, and why did it resonate with you as a theme for this year?

Harvey J

Vision to me is the result of hard work to achieve a goal. It’s about having clarity about where I want to go, and what I want to become. Vision brings me a sense of purpose and direction, and without it I tend to drift off path and lose focus. When I have a goal, no matter how challenging it is, I use vision to motivate me and push my limits.

Helena

Focusing on vision encourages me to be intentional about who I’m becoming and the goals I’m setting for myself. It resonates with me as a College theme for 2026 as I hope it will promote growth, drive, and faith in our community as we intentionally pursue our potential while trusting God’s guidance.

Emily

Vision to me is like a guiding force that helps build my aspirations, hopes and dreams. The concept provides motivation, purpose and direction, helping me navigate the challenges that life presents. Vision reflects my determination to have a fulfilling life and to focus on my goals. It resonates with me because it helps me prioritise what is important.

Hayden

Vision is more than just what you can physically see or what is happening in front of you, it’s the ability to think beyond the present and imagine the future with purpose and direction. Vision means setting goals, making choices and taking steps that will shape who you can become later. This theme resonates with me this year because I’m at a point where decisions I make especially about subjects will influence my future.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to students who might be struggling to find their own ‘Vision’?

Callum

To any students struggling to find their vision, start by getting involved in things that make you smile. It doesn’t matter what it is, do what makes you happy and fulfilled. If you do what you enjoy, your vision will appear. Make the most of your opportunities and take each day as it comes because you will get there, even if you don’t know where ‘there’ is yet.

Ivy

Vision is not about having your whole life worked out, but the goals that are closely ahead of you. Breaking down the bigger picture is the beginning of the journey to find the best version of yourself and how that looks for you. Set weekly goals, or monthly achievements, however small, these steps help you achieve your desired vision. You cannot underestimate the positive knock-on effect it has on others.

Hamish

Sometimes you need to take a step back, take in your surroundings and look at the bigger picture. By doing that and focusing on what you want to achieve might help you find your vision. You may also experience many smaller accomplishments which in turn could inspire you to reach higher and then instead of waiting for a big goal to happen and feeling defeated, you celebrate the smaller wins.

Chloe

My advice to students who may be struggling to find their vision is to be patient and intentional in their growth. Clarity does not come all at once, it develops through reflection, perseverance and a willingness to explore new ideas and opportunities. Trust that with consistent effort and an open mind your direction will gradually reveal itself.

When you look ahead to the end of this year, what would success look like if our school community truly embodied the theme of ‘Vision’?

Felix

For me, success this year looks like a tight knit community at the College. My year level has grown much closer through the years, friendships forged through sports, co-curricular activities and in the classroom. As a captaincy team, it is our vision not only to encourage people to strive to achieve their goals, but also to do everything possible to draw their ties within the school closer together.

Jade

By the end of the year, I’d hope that the theme ‘Vision’ will have guided both students and teachers alike to have set and achieved their goals. I hope that as a community, we can be guided by a sense of purpose and strive for success in every aspect of our lives.

Annika

I think that success embodying vision would look like a stronger passion from our community towards involvement and participation across many fields within school. Ranging from House events to co-curricular activities, I think that students should be more open to the further exploration of new passions and interests, which includes involving themselves in events they may not have tried before or stepping outside their comfort zone.

Harvey B

If we look ahead towards the end of the year, success would be if students could use vision to embrace more opportunities. We have so many opportunities here at Luther and as a community if we can use our vision to help others and encourage them to make the most of every minute, that’s success.

Last First Day

They've walked through the gates more times than they can count, but there was something unmistakably special about this one. It was the first day of their final chapter. Good luck to our Class of 2026.

Big Beginnings

It’s been a busy start for our newest students, Year 7s trading the familiar for the unknown and embracing every moment of it. They’ve found their lockers, learned their teachers’ names, and connected with new friends. House Swimming brought out the competitors, camp brought out the adventurers, and day one brought out the courage in all of them.

A Vision Brought to Life

From early on, Luther College nurtured a deep commitment to the arts and technologies, regularly exploring opportunities for students to be creative and innovative.

After opening in 1964, the campus grew steadily but it was a chance meeting between teacher Mr Rob Mau and a passing government inspector in the late 1970s that sparked a conversation and later investment in dedicated facilities, bringing the arts out of general classrooms and into a space built for purpose.

That evolution in thinking has continued, and forty years on, it finds its fullest expression in the Centre for Creativity and Innovation (CCI). The single largest capital investment in the College’s history, it stands as a proud statement of what Luther has always believed in.

Purpose built to bring together the arts, technologies, and transdisciplinary learning, the CCI was designed to create the perfect conditions for creativity, collaboration, and innovation.

According to Principal Jacqui Layfield the CCI is more than a building, instead representation of the commitment to preparing young people for a rapidly changing future-focused world.

“It provides spaces where students can explore ideas, take thoughtful risks, learn from failure and develop the capabilities that sit at the core of the Luther Learner model,” she said.

The CCI is only just getting started and we look forward to bringing you stories that showcase its impact on learning.

Check out the Japan Arts Immersion Tour Exhibition, our first in the CCI on page 21.

Marking the Moment

Luther College celebrated a landmark occasion on Wednesday March 25 with the official opening of the Centre for Creativity and Innovation.

The day kicked off with a music-filled whole-school assembly, followed by a special commemorative ceremony in the afternoon led by Board Chair Helen Suke and Principal Jacqui Layfield. Staff, students and special guests gathered for the occasion, which also saw the building blessed by College Pastor Nathan Hedt. To round out the celebrations, the Japan Arts Immersion Tour Exhibition was held, the first event of its kind in the CCI.

It has been wonderful to watch this purpose-built facility come alive this term, bringing together the arts, technologies and transdisciplinary learning. More than a building, it stands as a tangible expression of Luther College’s commitment to preparing young people for a changing world.

From The Archives

In 2026, we celebrate the opening of the Centre for Creativity and Innovation, a new chapter for the Arts and Technologies at Luther College.

But where did that journey begin?

Art was among the founding subjects at Luther, a commitment to creativity that continued as the College grew, expanding the Arts program both internally and globally. The new Art building (S Block) opened in 1979, an impressive upgrade from the single classroom where beloved art teacher Rob Mau (1971–2002) had spent his early years. Through the 1980s, Rob and Alan Collyer (1981–2012) worked together to establish the Arts as a celebrated cornerstone of Luther College life.

Extensions to the Art building in 1983 and again in 1998 allowed students to engage with metalwork and woodwork, hands-on disciplines that laid an early foundation for the practical opportunities. These workshops gave students the tools, quite literally, to turn ideas into objects, and planted the seeds for the broader range of subjects that would follow in the decades ahead.

Luther's artist-in-residence in 1998, Alistair Whyte, was the first of many distinguished artists to teach our students, among them Deborah Halpern, creator of the striking Dove that watches over the front of the school. In the early years of the twenty-first century, the inaugural Arts and Cultural Tour brought a group of creatively minded students to Italy, the first of many such tours, the most recent of which travelled to Japan. Another beloved tradition arrived in 2009 with the introduction of Luther Arts Week and the "Chalk the Walk" competition in the undercroft.

The introduction of Home Economics, now known as Food Technology, was made possible by purpose-built facilities in 1984. By 1986, it had become an HSC subject and was being rolled out to Year 7 and 8 students.

Innovation and creativity have been an increasingly prioritised value

across Luther College's 60-plusyear history. Passionate staff have worked diligently to build a thriving Arts and Technologies program. With this history in mind, we now look forward to the future.

Abbey Malone Archivist

From the Head of The Arts

The Arts Immersion learning experience was designed as a comprehensive, multidisciplinary journey that moved students from theoretical artistic study to active, real-world engagement, culminating in a collaborative creative output. Students from Year 8 to Year 11 studying visual arts, media, music, theatre, design, and architecture were invited to apply for the tour. The core pedagogical goal was to step outside the traditional classroom to use “immersion” as a catalyst for deeper learning and art making. By exposing students directly to Japanese traditions and contemporary art, the learning experience aimed to foster crossdisciplinary collaboration, broaden global perspectives, and explore approaches to art making.

During the tour, students travelled through Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Nara. Rather than being passive observers, they were challenged to adapt to new environments, navigate foreign streets, and engage all their senses. Their itinerary included hands-on cultural experiences (like Koto, Taiko drumming, and tea ceremonies) alongside visits to highly influential sites like the Mori Art Museum, TeamLab Planets, and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.

Students actively documented their journey using portable printers, cameras, and sound recorders to build “Janku” (junk) Journals. By combining ticket stubs, sketches, and personal reflections, these journals became a tactile, layered documentation of their experiences.

Upon returning home, the students transitioned into the “Prototype, Test, and Implement” phases of their Design Process during Term 1. Their Janku journals served as the primary source of inspiration to craft a multidisciplinary exhibition. The students’ collaborative work was guided by three core inquiry questions:

• What insights can be gained from the fusion of old and new?

• How do rituals and rhythms convey meaning and tell stories?

• What wisdom comes from embracing imperfection and impermanence?

The Art Immersion Exhibition opened in the Luther College Centre for Creativity and Innovation on the 25th of March. It showcased how student art makers on the tour chose to translate their immersion into tangible art. The artworks are a direct, cross-disciplinary response to their experience in Japan.

The TeamLab Planets exhibition in Tokyo heavily inspired multiple pieces, including “The Light Room” (a cinematic dance mimicking the mirrors and colors of the exhibit), “Cascade” (an oil pastel work reflecting the projected fish), and “Lutherlabs” (an interactive digital lightscape) all created by the students).

The visit to Hiroshima prompted profound responses, such as “What Remains” (a 1:1 skeletal wood and paper replica of the atomic bomb), “Cranes of Hope”

(a paper sculpture inspired by the story of 1000 paper cranes), and “Boy Meets Little Boy” (an ink and rice paper artwork combining Hiroshima’s imagery with traditional calligraphy).

The Taiko drum experience inspired an installation of a room populated by small 3D printed drums and accompanying text exploring themes of unity and teamwork, while the Japanese harp (Koto) experience inspired a specialized three-part live cello arrangement.

The immersion trip functioned as the foundational “Understand” phase, encompassing empathizing, defining, and ideating the students’ design journey. The eight day trip acted as a catalyst, providing a rich source of inspiration for the “Explore” and “Make” phases where students collaboratively created their artworks.

The experiential learning and immersion approach for this project is centred on stepping outside traditional classroom walls to connect theoretical knowledge with tangible, real-world cultural encounters. Rather than passive absorption the program required students to “dive headfirst into the unknown,” demanding that they engage all their senses, adapt to unfamiliar environments, and be brave with their art making. Students were empowered to develop a rich understanding of themselves, risk take in a safe creative environment, improve their collaborative skills, and transform global awareness into meaningful artistic expression.

Sharyn Taylor

Head

of the Arts

Japan Arts Immersion Tour Exhibition

Here is a sample of the incredible student pieces showcased at the Exhibition, each thoughtfully crafted and curated, together with an excerpt detailing their inspiration.

JAPAN: A STUDY OF PEOPLE

Emmy Zhou (Year 12)

This series of images depicting individuals going about daily life was captured by a Sony A7C camera during our time in Japan. Taken in various locations such as Tokyo Station and the Nishiki Market, they paint a vivid picture of the Japanese lifestyle: busy scenes making up an abundant food culture, gestures that maintain an orderly metro system, as well as the hurried steps of those occupied by commute-and so much more hiding outside the frame.

THE NIGHT THE SKY DANCED

Inari Webber, Issy Neilson and Elle Wheelan (Year 12)

This work captures a fleeting and unexpected moment during our tour. While walking in Hiroshima at night, something extraordinary happened: it began to snow. Unseasonal and completely unanticipated, the snowfall transformed an ordinary journey to the station into a moment of pure joy.

WHAT REMAINS

Hudson Malone, Piper Banks (Year 12) and Rik Malone (Staff)

The piece created is the skeletal remains of the Little Boy bomb dropped on Hiroshima, on August 6th 1945 at 8:15am, peak hour. The initial blast mercilessly murdered 80,000 innocent victims instantly and estimated 140,000 victims due to radiation poisoning, blast burns and the instantaneous victims. This piece represents the pain and devastation constructed on that day and represents how even though the war and the bomb is in the past, it remains a skeleton of pain and will serve as a reminder for generations to come.

WOVEN GATE

Daisy Taylor

This work explores the connection between the natural and industrial, a familiar aspect of Japan’s aesthetic. In Japanese culture, a tori is a traditional gate found at the entrance of a Shinto shrine, symbolically marking the transition from the mundane world to the sacred. These gates, often made from wood, serve as a visual representation of spiritual transformation and respect for nature. By reinterpreting the tori in woven fabric, I have deliberately fused the industrial wires of the Luther College building with the natural cotton fabric.

ACROSS PANELS, ACROSS PLACES

Ebony Newnham, Amelia French, Nina Forde, Amalie Weerasinghe, Elise Bishop and Sam Church (Year 11 and 12)

The panels each feature a separate, individual artwork that outlines our diverse experiences of Japan, and its many features. The works feature a Lamp Post in Kyoto, a Torii gate, native deer from Miyajima Island, a Tokyo cityscape, a collage of highlights and origami cranes. Individually, the pieces outline each person’s experiences on the Tour, and together they line up to create one, cohesive artwork, reflecting how the trip impacted us all separately, and as a united group.

SHODO

This installation, a culmination of dedicated effort by work-study students on the Luther College Arts Immersion Tour, embodies a profound journey into the art of Japanese calligraphy. Under the expert guidance of the renowned professional calligraphy artist Mineko Jimbo, students engaged with a practice that proved both challenging and immensely rewarding.

Mineko Jimbo is a celebrated master of Japanese calligraphy, known for her dynamic brushwork and profound understanding of traditional techniques. Her work has been exhibited globally, earning critical acclaim for its spiritual depth and innovative expression. With decades of experience, Jimbo sensei is dedicated to preserving and sharing the intricate beauty of this ancient art form.

Capturing a Supernova

In March, Year 9 Astronomy students Eric, Ivan and Patrick succeeded in capturing an image of the beginning of a large supernova explosion in a galaxy 400 million light years away.

Our students were the first astronomers in the world to image this event. While the image is a little blurry, the supernova outshines the entire galaxy it resides within, potentially outshining 100 billion stars for a few weeks.

Eric, Ivan and Patrick have since measured the fading light from this exploding star and submitted it to the International Astronomical Union Supernova Watch.

We started by looking through the Rochester Astronomy list of possible supernovas, made by information from the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN). Then we copied the coordinates into Stellarium to check if it was able to be photographed during the night. Then we went onto the NextAstro Hub and booked a time period every night from the telescope ‘ssco1’ in Ballarat, and took one ten-minute exposure picture with each of the blue, red, green, and infrared colour filters. Afterwards, we discovered we were the first humans to photograph the supernova, as the ASAS-SN is a survey conducted by automated robotic telescopes.

Eric Hermann, Ivan Yu and Patrick Artin Year 9

Lunar New Year

In February, our Chinese language classes came alive with colour and creativity as they celebrated Chinese Lunar New Year.

Across the week, students immersed themselves in a range of traditional activities, including intricate paper cutting, crafting red envelopes, learning the art of Chinese knot making, and trying their hand at calligraphy by writing

the character “福” (good fortune). These hands-on experiences offered a meaningful way to explore culture, symbolism and celebration - bringing the spirit of the Lunar New Year into our classrooms.

History of Power

It was a powerful and thought-provoking day of learning for our Year 10 History of Power students, when they visited the Vietnam Veterans Museum at Phillip Island.

Guided by passionate and knowledgeable volunteers, students gained valuable insight into the reasons behind Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. A particularly meaningful highlight

was hearing firsthand perspectives during a tour led by a veteran of the Iraq War, who brought depth and personal context to the exhibits. Students then explored the museum, capturing photographs and recording notes to support their ongoing inquiry task. The experience provided a rich opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world stories and artefacts.

Lucas Lu Class of 1985

When Lucas Lu boarded a flight from Sarawak to Melbourne at just 15 years old, he carried more nerves than luggage. Shy, far from home, and unsure of what lay ahead, he arrived at Luther College as a boarder in 1983.

What he didn’t know then was the friendships he formed, the teachers who taught him, and the confidence he built, would stay with him for the rest of his life.

In 2025, forty years after his graduation, Lucas returned to Luther for his reunion. Walking through the grounds, he recalled the memories and realisations of just how much his time at the College had shaped him.

“Arriving at Luther as a boarder was daunting. I was shy, too shy to even take the bus, let alone speak publicly and here I was about to live in a foreign country,” said Lucas.

Lucas was quick to make friends, getting involved in all that was on offer, but it was three educators in particular he recalls as having the greatest impact.

“Belinda Morgan opened her home to Malaysian boarders on long weekends and became a lifelong friend. Her warmth and care made being away from home a little less daunting.

I’ve been in contact with her regularly over the years and even make a point to touch base when I am in Melbourne,” he said.

House Master Lawrie Frost also a steady presence throughout his boarding journey, together with PE teacher Eric Zadow who introduced Lucas to athletics, swimming, table tennis, and volleyball.

“I became volleyball and table tennis captain, guiding the school to inter-school competition wins, not bad for the shy kid from Malaysia!

“I also had the great pleasure of reconnecting with Eric recently, it was wonderful to see him after 38 years,” he said.

It’s clear that Lucas’s journey to success is not just about passion, determination and resilience but the connections he makes and sustains along the way.

After completing his tertiary studies, Lucas embarked on a career that has taken him around the world and across multiple industries.

He joined Shell in 1991, in its centenary year, working in oil and gas, a prestigious path for a young professional. But while the work mattered, Lucas sensed change ahead pursuing an MBA and conducting a personal SWOT analysis. It was there he made the realisation that technology was on the rise, while oil and gas was facing environmental and economic headwinds.

A call from IBM shifted his trajectory entirely. With no technology background, he was thrown in at the deep end and within six months had closed several major deals and named ASEAN Rookie of the Year. Over ten years at IBM, he became the youngest team leader, the youngest country manager, and the youngest ASEAN General Manager, earning two Global Golden Circle Awards along the way, one of IBM’s highest internal honours.

His formula for success? “There’s no secret, just determination. I don’t let things block me. And I plan. Every day, every week, every year,” he said.

Lucas went on to hold senior roles at Astro, Oracle, and Microsoft, working across Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Today he is Head of Zoom Asia, leading the team as the company continues evolving far beyond video conferencing.

Outside the office, Lucas is not someone who does things halfway. Over the years he has summited four of the Seven Summits (Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Elbrus, and Kosciuszko), completed eight full marathons, travelled to nearly 100 countries, and runs four kilometres every day, no matter where in the world he finds himself.

He has also attempted two further major peaks, including an Antarctica expedition, embracing both the successes and the setbacks equally.

“You can’t eliminate all risk, but you can prepare, plan, and build resilience. That’s true in mountains and in business,” he laughed.

Lucas met his wife while they were both studying in Melbourne. Their three children have followed their own global paths, with the family’s ties to Melbourne and the University of Melbourne remaining strong. His twin daughters starting as Senior Doctors this year at the Royal Melbourne Hospital while his son studied in the UK, worked in Melbourne and now Singapore.

Lucas offers this advice to our students:

• Dream big but do the work.

• Plan your path, then keep adjusting.

• Stretch yourself, because you are capable of more than you think.

• Value the people around you. They might be in your life forever.

• Optimise your time and make the most of every 24 hours.

And above all. Try. Fail. Try again. A successful life isn’t about titles, it’s about the people who think you made a difference.

Matt Tichelaar

Class of 2010

There’s something fitting about a man who once missed his stop on the Year 9 Luther Journey camp (walking two extra days and pitching his tent over a drop toilet in the dark) now returning to help students find their own sense of direction.

Matt graduated from the College in 2010 and still fondly remembers the teachers who shaped him, some of whom are now his colleagues.

“My locker was up near the old Food Tech rooms, so Mrs Judy Heckman always had leftovers to share. She was kind and warm, and as her colleague now, I see her offer that same warmth to students every day.

“As a proud member of Cheong House, Mrs Julieanne Hughes was another standout and knowing she still has the reins of the mighty Cheong made coming back feel especially comforting.

“I also had endless support from Mr Tim Martin and Mrs Rita Visser. Their patience, dedication and good humour made a lasting impression,” he said.

After graduating, Matt did what many adventurous spirits do: he left. A year overseas turned into a love affair with travel and history, and what began as a gap year became something closer to a life philosophy. He went on to visit more than 40 countries, gathering experiences no classroom could fully replicate.

Settling in Sydney, he completed his education degree and found his calling in the classroom. A series of overseas immersions to India, Cambodia, Portugal and Italy quietly but profoundly shifted his understanding of what education could be. Service, he discovered, wasn’t a box to tick; it was a lens through which young people could see themselves, their community and the world differently.

Now Matt is back where it all began, this time as Luther’s Service Learning Coordinator and he returns not out of nostalgia, but conviction.

“Luther has such a unique culture that I have not seen replicated elsewhere,” he says, “despite looking.”

“I love encouraging students to use their passions and gifts to give back locally and globally. Mr David Paech did such a wonderful job for so many years, and his retirement, combined with COVID and a changing global landscape, means there is a real opportunity to build on the culture that already exists.

“I would love to bring back the Service Learning student committee and, ultimately, embed service into Luther so deeply that the coordinator role becomes redundant. I would also love to establish meaningful service activities at a local, national and global level,” Matt said.

If you have an interest in Service Learning or would like to connect with Matt, please reach out at mtichelaar@luther.vic.edu.au.

Reunion Afternoon 2025

In October last year, the College hosted the Classes of 1975, 1985, 1995, 2005 and 2015 for their respective reunions. Not satisfied with missing their reunion during Covid, our Class of 2000 also organised themselves to be at the reunion. It was a wonderful afternoon of connection, laughter and reminiscing. Tours were busy as guests relived their experience on campus.

Reunions 2026

If you are a member of the Class of 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006 or 2016 it’s time for your reunion! In addition, anyone from the Classes of 1968 – 1975 you are also welcome back as we celebrate fifty years or more since graduating from the College. This is an annual invitation.

A reminder that great reunions rely on the domino effect and are driven by you. One person contacting another and so forth. If you need to update your details with the College email alumni@luther.vic.edu.au

Saturday 10 October 2026

4pm – 8pm

Bookings are now open for our 2026 reunion afternoon. All attendees must book and pay via Try Booking. Reunions are a ticketed event, held on campus. We encourage cohorts to plan your own dinner or gathering following the event should you wish.

The reunion is $35 and includes beer, wine and soft drink and a gourmet grazing table.

Class of 1976 www.trybooking.com/DKNMY

Class of 1986 www.trybooking.com/DKNMT

Class of 1996 www.trybooking.com/DKNMQ

Class of 2006 www.trybooking.com/DKNMG

Class of 2016 www.trybooking.com/DKNMN

You are invited

Luther in Concert, our annual music showcase will again be held at the prestigious Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne on Monday 31 August 2026 at 7pm. We encourage you to visit www.artscentremelbourne.com.au closer to event to secure you tickets.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hear first class music at Melbourne’s premier entertainment venue.