IN MY WORDSwith Nathaniel FitzgeraldMy name is Nathan orNathaniel as I am formallyknown and I’m that new kidthat came to <strong>Marian</strong> <strong>College</strong>mid-way through Year 12.But we’ll get to that.I was born on the 14th ofApril, 1993 in Melbourneto my loving mother Kim.We did not live there forlong before my mum, mydad Rohan and I movedto Warrnambool after thebirth of my second brotherLachlan (the naughty one).Two brothers became threein 1998 with the arrival ofRiley (the one that dances).It was in the year 1999before the new millenniumthat I commenced my first ofmany gruelling school yearsto come. Small in statureand socially inept (little haschanged), I was a primetarget for the bigger kidsso the early years at SaintJoseph’s Primary Schoolwere not as enjoyable as Ihad first perceived. In 2000my fourth brother Sebastian(the blond one) was born,and with this new arrivalcame a time for changewith our family moving toGeelong. It was here thatI started Year 2 at a schoolnamed ‘Christ the King’, butmy time here was short livedwith my commencement ofYear 3 at yet another newschool called Saint Robert’sPrimary School with Lachlanand Riley.2009 came with yet another change, with mebeing moved to my second secondary school,Lavalla Catholic <strong>College</strong>. I finished Year 10, 11and started Year 12 at this school and havememories that I will keep forever. In Year 11I started (attempted) to play football for theU/18’s side of the Gormandale Football andNetball Club despite football never being aninterest of mine, even though my youngerbrothers had been playing it for years.I continued to play for Gormy in 2011, beforelearning of my father’s new job as the CEO atStawell Regional, which required us to movecloser to the hospital. It was fair to say I wasshattered, leaving all my friends and schoolbehind, beginning life again in a new areawhere I knew no-one and didn’t know what toexpect. In moving to the rural area Illawarralocated just out of Stawell, my family beganliving quite differently from how we were usedto, coming from Traralgon and living on themain street in town. Luckily Lachlan and I founda new football club, the Stawell Warriors and itwas here we met genuine lads such as David“Dopey” Chalmers, and Liam “Leo” Nuske whotook us under their wing and introduced us tothe people of Stawell.My first day at <strong>Marian</strong> <strong>College</strong> is one I willnever forget. From being absolutely terrified ofanyone who spoke to me, I got to know mostpeople over time and found many new mateshere (I hope). In finishing my VCE studies andbeing mid-way through my final exams, thisyear has taught me a lot about sudden changeand the way that you must adapt to make thebest of a changing situation, and to utilisewhat is available to you at the time.I would like to thank a few people for helpingme out:Mum and Dad: Yeah, you moved me in Year12. But I forgive you. Otherwise I would havenot met all these new people and for that Ithank you. Thanks for always looking out forme.My Brothers: Eugene, Lachlan, Riley andSebastian. Thank you for pushing me to thebrink of insanity over the past years. It’s beenentertaining. Thanks for always keeping thingsinteresting.Bunts and Summers: Mrs Bunting thanks forhelping me settle in and taking me half waythrough the year. Thank you for reassuringMum before we moved that it would all panout. Mr Summers. Now, I know you love Blake“Swampy” Dunstan, but I know I’ll always beyour favourite. Thanks for helping me and outand making it a great year.Owen, Bones, Ganga and McG: Thanks for awelcoming, yet abusive introduction to <strong>Marian</strong><strong>College</strong> and the surrounds. You have all beenreal good blokes and I will remember you in theyears to come (I’m actually really emotionallyscarred and traumatised, but Brayden “it’salright though”).The Year 12s of <strong>Marian</strong> <strong>College</strong>: I would tothank each and every one of you for all beingsuch “good blokes” and welcoming me intoyour school at such a strenuous time as Year12. I wish you all the best of luck in the futureand hope that you all achieve the greatnessthat every one of us is capable of. Good luck.I leave on this note, with an inspirational quotefrom an extremely wise man and wizard:“All we have to decide is what to do with thetime that is given to us.”We managed to stayput for a further 2 yearsbefore moving to Traralgonin 2005. Saint Gabriel’sPrimary School was whereI concluded my primaryeducation, and FlindersChristian Community<strong>College</strong> is where Icommenced my secondarylearning. From Year 7 toYear 9, I met people therewith whom I know I will be4mates with for a life-time.5