What Victorian celebs, sport stars and politicians looked like in school
As students prepare to head back to classrooms, Victoria’s politicians, performers and sports stars have recalled their first day at school – and shared a photo of what they looked like.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
As thousands of students across the state prepare to head back to classrooms this week, the Herald Sun asked Victoria’s politicians, performers and sports stars to recall the most vivid memory of their first day of school — any advice they might give the next generation.
JACINTA ALLAN
Premier
My most vivid memory is being so excited as I walked into school holding my mum’s hand, with my hair in pigtails.
Advice To all kids starting prep – take a deep breath, be brave and enjoy it!
BEN CARROLL
Deputy Premier and Education Minister
My first day of school was a little embarrassing. I cried and didn’t want to leave mum.
Advice Welcome to your first year of school! The cool thing about starting school is you might just meet some friends you’ll have for the rest of your life – and you get to learn lots of new and exciting things.
JOHN PESUTTO
Victorian Opposition Leader
I remember being so excited to go to my first day of school which was at St Mary’s Primary in Hastings. My fondest memories of my first day are the party pies at lunch – a love that has not diminished in the years since!
Advice Have fun and enjoy learning. You’re going to make great friends for life and learn the wonders of our world.
CATHERINE KING
Federal Infrastructure Minister and Ballarat MP
Holding my mum’s hand as we went in to the classroom and just how big everything and everyone looked.
Advice Everyone is a bit scared and nervous doing something new like starting school. But your teachers and parents and other kids like your school buddy are all there to help. Most of all have fun!
DAN TEHAN
Opposition immigration spokesman and Wannon MP
As one of six children who grew up on a farm in country Victoria, the family joke is that we have no pictures of our first day at school because we were all just put on the school bus and sent off without a fuss. The morning of this school photo my school jumper was ripped playing AFL.
Advice To the kids starting school today my advice would be to enjoy it, learn as much as you can and have fun doing it.
ANDREW GAZE
Melbourne Tigers coach and former Australian basketballer
I remember being excited to go back to school. The first day of school was always an exciting one – new teachers, classmates, new things to settle back into, especially after the long holidays. That always wore off after a few days though.
SILVANA PHILIPPOUSSIS
Model and wife of Mark Philippoussis
My most vivid memory of my first day of school would have to be starting school in Australia after recently, moving here from overseas (Romania). I remember making lots of friends, despite the fact that I barely spoke any English.
Advice Everyone is in the same boat and feeling a little bit anxious. Every child is looking to make new friends so have fun and try to enjoy the special day. How exciting!
PETA CREDLIN
Sky News host and journalist
My most vivid memory was of sheer excitement. I was only four years old when I started school but I was more than ready. I grew up with terrible TV reception in the bush so books were my only window to the world beyond my little country town so school meant a library with more books than I could imagine. I can still remember how good it felt to put on my freshly pressed cotton school dress made by Mum on her sewing machine and new shoes polished by Dad.
GEORGE CALOMBARIS
Chef
My most vivid memory was about my tie. My dad wanted to do it for me on the first day of school, and the challenge was not to unknot it for an entire year. I wasn’t excited about learning, it was more about keeping my tie from unknotting. My mother was mortified. She’d say “give me the tie”.
Advice To those who want to wish school away, don’t do it as you’ll regret it later. I was terrible at learning, but don’t wish it away. Embrace it. Find out what you love through school and use it to work out what you’re going to fall in love with. It’s not about finding what job you want. Anyone can get a job. It’s about falling in love with something you’re passionate about and following that dream.
JIMMY REES
Frankston-born comedian and former children’s entertainer
My most vivid memory from school was this time of year in summer – I remember playing footy every day in the hot sun with my mates. I went to a private school so, you know – Julius Marlow shoes, stiff shorts with a thick belt and my shirt tucked in and playing with friends on the oval at lunchtime.
I really feel bad for the teacher who had to teach us when we returned to our classrooms a sweaty mess.
Advice Even for those kids who don’t love school is to try and get out there and socialise. Think of it as a chance to see your mates and make friends.
SAM WOOD
Fitness trainer and former Bachelor contestant
I loved every day of school honestly – except my first day of Year 7.
I went from a very small primary school to a big high school – big fish in a little pond to a small fish in a big pond. But it’s been interesting to see how your perspective changes on school days as a parent.
Advice Would be to make sure you enjoy these years as they are the best of your life and embrace the entire journey.
BRIAN TAYLOR
AFL legend and Channel 7 commentator
My favourite memory from school was every day at 3.30 when the bell would ring!
JOHN FOREMAN
Composer and musical director
I always loved school music classes. I was very lucky to go to the Conservatorium High School and to be part of their amazing orchestra – very handy training as it turns out, now that I’m running the Aussie Pops Orchestra. I’ll always be very grateful to my teachers.
ABBEY HOLMES
Channel 7 AFL commentator
My favourite memory from school was getting a lunch order in the little brown paper bags on a Friday afternoon. Those were the days!
Every other memorable moment from primary school and high school was whenever we were outside, chasing a ball – a footy, a netball, volleyball, you name it. Sport was my whole life from the day I could walk!
ANTHONY CALLEA
Singer-songwriter
The one thing that is VERY vivid of my school days, is that I would always be the kid to start the new school year in a uniform that was always two sizes too big.
Mum always said “I can’t afford to keep buying you a new uniform, so you will grow into it. Just roll up the sleeves and I’ll take your hems down as you get taller. Thing is, I never grew much taller! I take full credit for being a pioneer in the fashion industry and for introducing the ‘oversized relaxed’ look!
Advice Be open, compassionate, kind and listen to other students’ stories about their life. That’s the only way you really connect with people and you can learn so much from other people’s lives.
GERALDINE HAKEWILL
Actor
I’m one of those weirdos who loved school. I liked the structure of it and I had wonderful friends. I went to very creatively-minded public schools all through primary and high school. I had some amazing teachers who were incredibly talented in their own right and pushed us, giving us very special opportunities to perform (shout out Ann Boyle and Andrew Harrison). And, now here I am touring a production of Gaslight around the country and a film I produced called The Rooster is up for four AACTA nominations. Special Back To School love to all the kids at Epping West Public, The Bush School and Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School.
MYF WARHURST
TV and radio presenter
I went to a very small country school, Red Cliffs High School, and my favourite memory is of putting on our school theatre shows. Being a small school, pretty much everyone was involved in all levels of production and we all pulled together to make something happen at the local town hall, the likes the town didn’t usually see during the year. It was a blast! Strangely, I never went back into performing in the theatre until recently, at age 50, performing as The Narrator for The Rocky Horror Show last year. Perhaps this is a good example that those formative years do stick with you and do have quite an influence on who and what you might become and also, that it’s never too late to live out your dreams. Thank you, Red Cliffs High School and the folk in it who gave me that gift.
ELISE McCANN
Musical theatre star
One of my favourite memories from primary school was from year 1 when I got my pen licence. My teacher at the time, Ms Fitzpatrick, would make little cards that were a licence which meant you were now able to write in pen, not pencil. I wanted one so badly and I remember practicing my cursive and making sure I was writing in the lines and being as neat as I could! It was such a simple little thing – and everyone got one, it wasn’t a competition – but it felt special and exciting and grown up and really ingrained in me the power of positive encouragement and rewards in encouraging positive behaviour in kids.
Advice Try lots of things. Even if it is only for a term.
PETER MITCHELL
Channel 7 newsreader
While I loved writing, learning and the classroom, my main interests revolved around sport. I couldn’t wait to get outside and kick, hit or catch something. It’s hard for a child to realise that school days are just a fraction of your life. Learning was easier for me when I remained positive, paid attention and above all, listened to my teacher.
Advice Have an open mind and embrace the experience; be around your friends, make new friends, learn new things and try new things.
When you look back on these times when you’re older, you’ll have an entirely new appreciation for what a happy time it was.
STEPHEN QUARTERMAIN
Channel 10 News presenter
I had a very transient early school life with my family’s travels in the USA, England, Sydney and Melbourne. So variety was the spice of early school life.
Advice Just enjoy it and try your best. A bit like adult life really!
ADAM DENSTEN
Gogglebox personality and podcaster
My most vivid memory of school would be having my tooth knocked out in a game of British bulldog. I think that game is now banned in schools …
Advice Back to school is that pizza Shapes carry the highest currency if you want to make lunch box trades at recess.
SYMON LOVETT
Gogglebox personality and podcaster
My most vivid memory is sitting in the year 12 study area, which had a two way mirror and watching other kids check themselves out as they walked by and they couldn’t see us watching.
Advice: Get in line early for potato cake Tuesday. They will go fast!
Dire warning for Aussies amid stunning shopping reality
With Aussies expected to splash out a staggering $10.5b at the end of financial year sales, experts are warning shoppers to be aware.
Vic Libs facing more strife as cashed-up developer referred to IBAC
The Victorian Liberal Party is facing the prospect of a second corruption probe in a move set to prolong the war between MPs John Pesutto and Moira Deeming, with a multi-millionaire developer referred to IBAC.