September 2011 - Citipointe Christian College The Christian

Around Our Table
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Editorial Mr Darren Trinder
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without written permission from the publisher.
Citipointe Christian College are proud to
announce that we are in the process of
producing a beautiful cookbook to be
published late November 2011.
To avoid missing out pre-order your cookbooks
now by visiting www.brisbane.coc.edu.au
to download your order form or
collect a form from College Office.
MAGAZINE
Review
Connecting the Citipointe Christian College Brisbane Community I SEPT 2011 I www.brisbane.coc.edu.au
Cannes appointment
for former nova
student p. 3
Cover Story
REMEMBERING AND
CREATING HISTORY p. 5
FROM SHOE BOX TO
BOX OFFICE p. 10
ALUMNI REUNION
GROUP p. 11
Ashley flags a future in academia
p.p. 22
Welcome from the Headmaster
review
Since the opening of our new $3M College Hall in Term 2 the building has been
in continual use for sport, assemblies, performances and whole College events.
As always at these events it is wonderful to re-connect with alumni who attend.
The recent College musical: “Beauty and the Beast”, held in the Citipointe Church
auditorium sold out each night, and had many alumni in attendance. It was a great
opportunity for those alumni to connect with the College.
This Review is all about alumni stories which we hope will develop this feeling
of connectedness.
With this Review we ask all College alumni to visit the College’s website
(http://www.brisbane.coc.edu.au) and register on the Alumni Register page so you
can continue to stay in touch with us.
Pastor Ron Woolley
Headmaster
Ashley flags a future in academia
For about half the year Ashley Beecham (Class of 2005) is paid
to travel to Australian regional centres and attend sporting
events where he gets the best view in the house.
After completing a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) with
Griffith University in 2009, Ashley enrolled in a Masters degree,
with a research focus on leadership and induction.
He is also required to attend four training sessions per week,
helping him to maintain a high level of physical fitness.
“When I finished my degree I wanted to push myself a bit
further, so the Masters was the option there. Now I’m looking
at a scholarship for a PhD,” he said.
Most people pay for these types of luxuries. Gym memberships
are expensive, as are plane flights, sporting events tickets and
interstate accommodation, yet Ashley is paid for the privilege.
What’s the catch?
In his spare time, when not studying, Ashley is an assistant
referee in Australia’s premier soccer competition, the Hyundai
A-League. He and his official colleagues shoulder the
responsibility of enforcing the Laws of the world’s favourite
game – a very important role, often unpopular with fans, but
that’s OK with Ashley.
“I started refereeing when I was 14 and now eight years later
this is my second season on the Hyundai A-League,” said
Ashley. “They extra income is handy.”
“When I was 16 I was added to the development program, and
from there I’ve gone to different tournaments and have been
put through different development sequences.”
“In 2009, as a result of my performances on the National Youth
League, I was appointed to the ‘panel’ of assistant referees for
the Hyundai A-League and I retained my position this year.”
“There is a high level of accountability as an assistant referee.
Our game is reviewed each week. This is done on-line and
the National Elite Referees Manager from Sydney reviews our
game.”
As a Masters student, in his fifth consecutive year of study,
Ashley said he is grateful for his role with Football Federation
Australia. The extra income is welcome, as is the break
from study.
2
“I’ve really enjoyed the research and the learning, but also the
teaching. I’ve got a 10-year plan, and by the time I’m 27 I’d
like to start my own business, but I’m concentrating on the
academic pathway at the moment, and acquiring a really good
grounding.”
Ashley said his days at COCB (now Citipointe Christian College)
have also been important in his development.
“At COCB, we had a really good grade. There were a lot of
genuine teachers that had a real support and interest in the
students. Over my six years there were a lot of good times and
laughs. ”
alumni
Cannes appointment for former Nova student
Earlier this year, Felicity-Rose Harris (Class of 2005) watched
in awe as film buffs from around the world, attending the
Cannes Film Festival, took time to watch the short film she
produced called “The Fall of Erebus”.
During her visit to the famed festival, Felicity-Rose attended
conferences, meets-and-greets, industry parties and watched
as stars such as Jude Law, Uma Thurmon, Brad Pit and
Angelina Jolie strutted the red carpet.
For Felicity-Rose, who attended the festival with fellow QUT
graduate Jeff Anderson Jnr, who directed the film, it was an
awe-inspiring opportunity tailored for a budding film producer.
Their 12-minute film was available in the Short Film Corner
where booths allowed attendees to view ‘The Fall of Erebus’
and a number of other films, on demand with headphones. It
was a remarkable achievement for Jeff and Felicity-Rose who
worked on the film as a university project.
In five short years, Felicity-Rose has enjoyed a rapid rise
from being a student with CCC’s Nova Arts Program, earning
a degree in Film and Television
Production from QUT (graduating
in 2010), through to showing her
craft at the world’s most renowned
film festival.
(a trailer is available on You Tube by searching for the film’s
name). The film is part action, part animation, and cost $7000
to produce.
Felicity-Rose also produced ‘Living with Georgina’ – a short
documentary about a family whose mother suffers from
mental illness, and the affects this has on the family rather
than the patient. For Felicity-Rose, film making is her niche.
“I really enjoy helping make an idea reality and the variety in
my work,” said Felicity-Rose. “There’s never a dull moment
and I am constantly working on new projects.
“Most of my memories of CCC include NOVA. It was a lot of fun
and I learnt so much. I truly believe it helped with my level of
confidence and faith in my own abilities.
“I remember being involved in a wide range of activities
including script writing, filming and editing, costume
sewing, acting and professional clowning lessons. The staff
were always inspiring and encouraged us to do the best in
everything we put our hand to.”
In hindsight, her decision to “follow
her heart” and change direction to
study film and television production
after dabbling in speech pathology
was a defining moment. She now
works with Brisbane film and
television post-production house,
“The Post Lounge” as a Facilities
Assistant.
Felicity-Rose had been planning
to study speech pathology, but
after completing a few speech
pathology subjects, decided to
follow my heart and study film. Her
journey is all the more remarkable
considering the niche appeal of the
film, the second she has produced.
“The Fall of Erebus” is a
‘steampunk film’, a sub-culture
sci-fi genre based on an alternate
reality of what the world would be
like if steam superseded electricity
3
Leading the way in technology and footwear
alumni
Ben went on to study at eight different universities and colleges in both theology
and management. Most recently he completed his MBA through Deakin University
in Melbourne.
After graduating from CCC Cindi (nee Bailey) finished an education degree and
taught at CCC for a year. The couple then moved to the United States for four years
where they worked at a church in Portland, Oregon as youth pastors, returning to
Australia in 2008 with a vision to start a church.
“It has been a fun journey, and has allowed us to reconnect with a lot of fellow CCC
alumni that are now in our church,” said Cindi. “In fact, we also have teachers and
parents of alumni attending Lifeplace!
“After living abroad for a number of years, we enjoy engaging with the community
we were raised in.
As a Christian minister, Ben Windle
(Class of 1999) is on the cutting edge
of communications.
“Pastoring in the 21st century is full of challenges, yet the most rewarding thing
in our work is being able to help others in some small way.”
He and wife Cindi lead and pastor
Lifeplace, a thriving church with
campuses in Carindale and West End.
Besides preaching to congregations
several times a week, Ben’s messages
can also be found through a number
of technologies such as on-line video,
a blog site, podcasts and even the
old school method of radio through a
regular segment on 96.5FM.
Selling comes naturally
In his quest to spread the Gospel, Ben
is using just about every technology
imaginable. But then, Ben was ahead
of his time when a student at Citipointe
Christian College (CCC)…when it came
to socks.
Wife Cindi, who is also a CCC alumnus
of the same year explains: “Ben
remembers spending many lunch
times on ‘detention in K2’ for his socks
always being down.
“He laments the fact that the uniform
now includes low socks – it would have
saved him many hours of his teenage
years from being in detention,” Cindi
suggested.
The couple, who married a couple
of years after graduating, were both
captains of the Judah sports house,
and according to Cindi neither “had
any idea we would end up married
one day.”
The couple are now closing in on
their tenth wedding anniversary and
enjoying their two children Houston (3)
and Benjamin Jordon (1).
Ben is a second generation pastor who
preached his first sermon at 16 and
published his first book at 18, although
he is quick to add “most copies remain
collecting dust in my garage”.
4
Daniel Moss (Class of 2006) is a true salesman.
Never one to miss an opportunity, Daniel was
quick to extol the product he represents when
being interviewed for this story.
“If solar panels are the future of electricity, then
our water generators are water’s equivalent,”
he spruiked.
With enthusiasm and belief in the integrity of his
product, if things go to plan, Daniel will soon be
Konia Water’s South-East Queensland Regional
Manager, yet a career in sales was not always his
obvious career pathway.
As a kindergarten-to-Year 12 student at CCC, Daniel left college with a strong
foundation in Christian fellowship and studies, but with a desire to learn more
about the Bible.
He enrolled and graduated from Citipointe Ministry College with a Diploma of
Ministry Studies in 2007 feeling more prepared to launch into his future.
“At the Ministry College I was around Christians who were very serious about
their faith, and I felt I grew so much in that year in both maturity and spirituality,”
said Daniel.
Daniel then juggled a Business Degree at QUT, majoring in Management, while
working for a business called “Skydancers” to pay the bills.
“I grew to love business and knew this was where my interest lies,” he said.
After a short time selling billiard and snooker tables, Daniel graduated with his
Business Degree and also landed his current job with Konia Water earlier this year.
“The awesome thing is that working with Konia is everything I was looking for in
a job and more.
“I wanted to work in sales, but I also didn’t want to be restricted. The position
requires me to do the job of sales rep, business development coordinator,
administration and customer service.”
Daniel explained that Konia Water sells “water from air” technology, which
effectively “sucks large volumes of air and extracts the humidity which can either
be directed to a water purification unit or stored in a water tank for future use.”
“The company has started organising the production of a water farm in the US
to produce over 200,000 litres of clean fresh water daily straight from the air. Our
client wants to produce water for the likes of Coca-Cola and Pepsi so they no
longer have to drill for water.”
On Sunday mornings you’ll find Daniel leading the three-five year old room for
children’s church at the Worship Centre Carina.
photo provided by the Royal Australian Airforce
alumni
Where are you now?
Remembering and creating history
They shall grow not old, as we that are
left grow old:
not surprising considering his keen
interest in Australian military history.
Age shall not weary them, nor the
years condemn.
His appointment to read the Ode of
Remembrance was a fitting addition to
a distinguished career and Matthew’s
winning a scholarship earlier this year
to undertake a battlefield study tour
of Gallipoli. Part of his role within the
scholarship is researching a number
of battles and the lives of individual
soldiers who fought there.
At the going down of the sun and in the
morning,
We will remember them.
When Corporal Matthew Luhtasaari
looked over the silent crowd gathered
at Lone Pine Gallipoli, he breathed in
the reverence. Australian flags flew,
members of the Australian defence
forces stood at attention, and pilgrims
from across the globe drank in the
history.
Stepping forward to the podium to
read the Ode of Remembrance on
Anzac Day 2011, the gravity of the
moment, and the awareness of the
legacy he represented stirred Corporal
Luhtasaari to his heart.
“This was definitely the highlight of
my career so far,” reflected Matthew
(Class of 2001), quite a statement from
a solider of his experience, but
“I have an avid interest in military
history and am also currently
conducting a lot of research into the
Australian Light Horse and their
exploits in the First World War,”
said Matthew.
“I have good memories of COCB.
Academically I enjoyed modern history
and from there I developed my interest
in Australian military history.”
Matthew’s military record in eight
short years is testament to his
commitment to the Australian Army
and his love for the work.
He joined the Army in 2003 as an
Armed Personnel Carrier driver, and
by the end of this year will be promoted
to Sergeant, responsible for training
new recruits to be Australian Soldiers.
He was deployed to Iraq in 2006
for six months and was part of a
security detachment that protected
the Australian Embassy and staff.
Over 2007-2008 he spent six months
in Afghanistan as part of the
Reconstruction Task Force, providing
security to Army Engineers as they
build infrastructure for the locals.
Matthew is now stationed in the Army
Recruit Training Centre near Wagga
Wagga. He is also a qualified gym
instructor and is currently studying a
Bachelor of Arts in his spare time.
“I have enjoyed my career in the
Australian Army. It has provided me
the opportunity to be deployed on
operations, and I take great pride in
my role as a recruit instructor and
being able to train soldiers.”
5
alumni
A career money can’t buy
Matthew Cox’s employer has spent
well over $1 million on his professional
development.
But that’s an understatement. Really,
money cannot buy the training,
education, experience and the plainflat-out excitement Matthew (Class of
2004) has received from his employer,
the Royal Australian Air Force.
No matter your spending money, you
cannot buy the privilege of flying a
Royal Australian Air Force jet fighter
at break neck speeds or training to
deploy air-to-ground weapons.
These amazing work conditions only
come to those who commit themselves
to defending their country and the
rigorous and often testing life of an Air
Force pilot.
“There is an element of risk, but I
wouldn’t give this up even if I was paid
$10 million – I’d still keep doing my
job because I love doing what I do,”
said Matthew, whose tenure in the
Air Force reaches five years in January
2011.
In his relatively short time in the
Air Force, Matthew has earned a
Bachelor of Technology in Aviation,
and in March this year was given
his “Wings”, official recognition that
he successfully completed his pilot
training, all without a HECS debt.
Matthew is now focused on the next
stage of his career, possibly flying
Australia’s premier jet fighters. To do
so, he must first complete another
few months of training and selection
process.
“When you graduate you are asked to
nominate which aircraft you wish to go
to. So I nominated fast jets or Hornets
and was selected from my course
and started with 79 Squadron (based
in Perth) in an introductory fighter
course.”
Matthew has since graduated 79
Squadron and moved to 76 Squadron
in Newcastle to finish off the fighter
course. The highlights of Matthew’s
eight months of training in 79 and
76 Squadron reads like an action
adventure. Engaging in mock ‘dog
fights’ with other pilots, flying directly
at each other at speeds in excess of
800 km/h each, with only a couple
hundred metres of vertical space
between, is just one example.
“One of the coolest flights I remember
was in mid-Western Australia, in the
Hamersley Ranges. I went out by
myself in a jet fighter, flying at about
250 feet, at between 800 and 900 km/h
through these ranges.
“These mountains were on either side
– that was one of the most enjoyable
flights.
“I love my work – it’s like hopping on
a roller coaster ride. We pull up to six
“G’s” – it could be more but we put
6
training limits on the planes.
“You really don’t get to appreciate
what you are doing until you get back
on the ground, because when you’re
in the air, the rate of learning is so
high. You are sweating just from the G
force – which means your body weight
is equivalent to around 500-600 kilos.”
Matthew works long hours, and when
he has the opportunity relaxes with
his fellow pilots surfing, or just kicking
a football.
“Half the time you’re just so physically
exhausted you just want to relax
at home.”
Matthew is still a frequent visitor to
CCCB these days, calling in to see
his fiancée Alicia Grobler another
alumnus of the College.
Coach Luke recalls
lunch time basketball
For Luke Petersen (Class of 1995) a rewarding coaching
career started on the asphalt at Citipointe Christian College,
where on most school days, he played basketball during
morning tea and lunch breaks.
Less than a decade later, as the assistant coach of
top university teams in the U.S., he would be regularly
surrounded by more than 20,000 screaming, cheering fans
in American basketball stadiums.
“CCC’s basketball program was one thing that
attracted me to the school in the first place,”
Luke recalls.
“The quality of the teachers was also fantastic. I
may not remember too many of their lessons now,
but I’m sure I’ve stolen a few quotes from them
when trying to motivate one team or another over
the years.”
Luke’s basketball coaching career started when
he worked voluntarily, coaching junior teams
on nights and weekends, eventually landing the job of an
Assistant Coach with the Brisbane Bullets.
alumni
years and the Queensland team in the 2010 Australian
championships.
Luke said that due to the unpredictability of ‘sports jobs’, he
has also leaned on his business skills as well, and is now
studying to find new direction. Most days you’ll find him only
a few hundred metres away from those same asphalt courts.
“I’ve had two intertwining career paths,” he said. “I began in
the finance industry, working various jobs and am currently
working with the RACQ, my passion however has
been in basketball.
“Finance has always been my fallback when in
between paid jobs in the fickle world of sports jobs.
“I’ve taken a break from coaching to focus on
studying again. I’m currently studying a Diploma of
Ministry at Christian Heritage College.
“I’m not sure where these studies are to lead in
the future, or tie in with my business and coaching
experience, but I know it is where God called me to
and I’m enjoying the course immensely.
After two years with the Bullets he took up assistant
coaching positions, a year each at the University of Texas and
Concordia University in Austin, Texas.
“I hope the knowledge I’m gaining in my study I can
incorporate within coaching young men in the future, and
through the medium of coaching basketball, I can help
inspire them to be all God wants them to be.”
Since returning to Australia in 2006, Luke says he is now
taking a break from coaching, after head coaching stints
with the Toowoomba Mountaineers men’s team for three
South West Metro FILEforce Pirates 2006
Back Row (left)
Luke Petersen (Asst. Coach)
7
alumni
cover of the business section in a
national newspaper! It was all quite
unbelievable.”
Together with a once-in-a-lifetime
Royal wedding, Britney is enjoying
the quintessential English working
holiday.
Her role as a Nancy includes taking
the two children (five-year-old girl
and a two-year-old boy) for walks in
beautiful parks, as well as helping
them with painting and colouring.
Living close to London’s West End, she
has also become a theatre buff, so far
seeing nine musicals and a play.
Britney – front row for the
Royal Wedding
Britney Maunders (Class of 2010)
dreamt of embarking on an English
odyssey, serving as a Nanny to an
English family and their children.
Due to her determination, the odyssey
came to pass this year, and turned
into a fairytale when she and friends
squeezed to the front row to observe
the recent Royal Wedding between
William and Kate.
“It was an amazing atmosphere.
My friends and I wore big Union Jack
hats and had ‘William and Kate’ flags.
All day we had people taking photos of
us,” recalls Britney.
“A few days later we discovered one
of the pictures taken had appeared on
a Dutch website, a daily newspaper,
Women’s Weekly and most recently,
my photo appeared on the front
“And this is what I get to call my job,”
Britney mused. “Living in London is a
great experience and I’m taking every
opportunity as it comes.
“I am always seeking new things in
England and have even enjoyed some
travel through a bit of Europe.”
Britney gave credit to CCC’s Careers
Advisor, Mr Shuker, who assisted
her turning a dream into reality. His
suggestion to undertake a traineeship
in Early Childhood while still at school
gave Britney the chance to earn a
Certificate 3 in Children’s Services in
quick time, thus opening the door to
her move to England.
Bitten by the news bug
The “news bug” bit Andrew Foster
hard in 1999, and 12 years later he has
no inclination to find a cure.
Andrew (Class of 1997) is a selfconfessed addict for the adrenalinefilled, action-stationed life of the
electronic newsroom, and today is a
well-known and important resource
for television and radio outlets in the
Brisbane and the Darling Downs.
Earlier in the year, Andrew reported
on the devastation of the Queensland
floods as they happened, and the
recovery efforts which followed. It
was an emotional time when news hit
close to home.
While at work early this year, Andrew
said he received a call about flash
flooding in Toowoomba, not far from
where his family lives.
journalist. With 12 years of television
experience supporting me, I began to
exercise a muscle that I never thought
I had, and surprised even myself when
I discovered I had writing skills.”
Andrew’s specialty is as a news
cameraman and editor, but his CV is
continually expanding, showing an
impressive repertoire of skills across
the news media spectrum.
“After getting word that the family
was OK, I spent the next three weeks
working 12-14 hour days covering the
floods, flying in and out of stranded
towns,” recalls Andrew.
Working as a freelance media
specialist for the TV news of Channel
Ten and ABC, Andrew’s handiwork is
seen on TV screens on a weekly basis.
“Then in February I was approached by
ABC radio in Toowoomba to produce
radio programs and field reports for a
six-month flood recovery project.
Andrew said he was humbled and
privileged when one of his reports,
about a Toowoomba volunteer who
had served faithfully in the community
for years, was read out in Queensland
State Parliament.
“I ended up being offered work as a
(continued page 9)
8
alumni
Since his first encounter with
television, pulling cables at NRL
matches for Channel Nine, Andrew’s
versatility and passion for his work
has open doors of opportunities for
career advancement.
“Working in the media is exciting.
While there is a bit of rivalry between
networks to get the news to air, there
is also a fair amount of camaraderie
between the field camera operators.
“I love the adrenaline rush of live
television – bringing the news to
people through a news bulletin and
going live with breaking news.”
Recently married, Andrew and his wife
Matina have three children between
them from previous relationships.
Andrew is just as keen about relaxing
and other pursuits as he is about TV
news.
“I like to go camping and fishing, and
try to turn off all my devices and my
‘news gathering mode’ and just relax
and do nothing for a while,” he said.
and the many out-of-school events we
attended. I particularly enjoyed music
camps and remember having fun at
Camp Caloundra and the school’s first
mission trip to Fiji.”
“I still play the drums, and at times
play in church music teams, and have
given my time to direct and produce
short video productions with church
and other events such as Easterfest.
“At COCB I can recall the bond
created with friends and teachers,
James and Corporation U
starting fast
“The firm is independent
of product providers, this
means we can focus on
providing quality advice
and strategy instead of
trying to sell a particular
product.
Giving financial advice comes naturally
for James Lucas (Class of 2000).
There are proven principles that
James knows can help people move
from financial challenge to financial
freedom, and he thrives on applying
these principles one person at a time.
Taking an innovative approach to
helping people toward financial
freedom has rocketed James and
the company he founded in 2008 with
two other partners, Corporation U,
into their own success and national
recognition.
This year Corporation U was named
as a Business Review Weekly’s Fast
Starter, a list of the fastest growing
new Australian companies, with
Corporation U coming in at seventh
based on revenue growth.
“We started the company with no
clients but big ambitions, now 3 years
later we employ 35 staff,” said James.
“All of this was accomplished during
the global financial crisis when most
financial services companies were
struggling to survive.
“We currently operate
out
of
Paddington,
however have plans to
expand throughout the
eastern states.”
James is also expanding
his expertise to cater
for a younger age group
– teenagers. He has
published a financial
literacy program called
Teen CEO, teaching
teenagers how to start
and run their own
company. The Teen
CEO can be found at
www.teenceo.com.au
“I loved my time at
COCB, but I struggled
academically
–
not
for lack of effort,” he
recalls.
“I was very appreciative of the extra
support provided by a number of
teachers, especially Mr Condon and
Mr Lawson.
“After completing school I still did not
have the academic results to move
into uni, and only with the direct
influence of the school was I accepted,”
said James, who went on to earn a
Bachelor of International Business
and an Advanced Diploma of Financial
Planning and is currently completing
his Masters of Business Administration
at Griffith University.
“I like helping people starting up their
own business and finding the capital
required to do this. You would be
amazed how easily it is to raise capital
when you have a great idea and know
how to let others know.”
9
From shoe box to box office
Richard Steenekamp (Class of 2006)
is well on the way to enjoying major
success at the movie box-office, but
he’ll always remember how it all
started – with a shoe box.
He’ll also remember the day he stepped
off a plane at Los Angeles airport with
only a suitcase and a dream. Indeed,
Richard’s life itself reads like a boy’s
own story of adventure and daring – it
may itself make a good movie script
one day!
Directing two feature films before his
25th birthday, Richard is fulfilling the
promise so obvious to his parents
who witnessed his enthusiasm for
filmmaking first-hand since he
was eight-years-old. His first film,
“The Ways of a Hero” came together
with a budget of $1500, and due to
Richard’s determination, was shown
to a packed out Garden City Megaplex
at its premiere.
I wanted to prove him wrong – I’m a bit
stubborn like that.”
Just days after the Brisbane premiere
of his latest film “Charge Over You” in
August last year, Richard boarded a
plane for Los Angeles, with a suitcase
and an inkling of a destiny in tow.
“I left everyone I knew and love to
come to a place where I didn’t know a
soul,” recalled Richard. “I didn’t even
know where I was going to stay.”
“I rented a car from the airport and
stayed in sleazy motels for a week
while searching for a room to rent. I
eventually found a place and bought
an old Jeep Wrangler.”
“I walked around for two months
carrying a shoe box filled with tickets
I made up, selling them to every soul
I saw for $10 a pop,” recalled Richard.
On a student visa, Richard studied
at California State University in an
exchange program with Griffith
University, while networking in moviemaking circles. It was an extremely
busy time, but it eventually paid off
when Richard met the recently retired
president of Paramount Television,
responsible for creating such shows
as Frasier, NCIS, Medium, Numbers
and Becker, to name a few.
“The film wasn’t a school project – I
just did it because an old professor
told us that we shouldn’t bother
attempting to make a feature film with
the experience and resources we had.
After viewing “Charge Over You”,
Richard’s show business contact
arranged for a coveted internship with
action film director Simon West (Con
Air, The General’s Daughter, Tomb
alumni
Raider, Black Hawk Down).
“It’s an incredible honour to work with
him,” said Richard of the director. “I’ll
be switching to a working visa as I’ve
been hired to work with Simon and his
team on a couple of projects over the
next year.”
“Charge Over You” enjoyed a
successful U.S. premiere earlier
this year at the “Dances with Films”
festival in Hollywood, being selected
out of hundreds of submissions as
‘1 of 8 competition features’.
This success was a major coup for
Richard and also prompted a name
change. Look out for “Regardt
Steenekamp” in future movie credits
– Richard’s real name. Richard
explained that after immigrating
from South Africa with his family he
changed to Richard to make it easy on
his Australian friends. Now Hollywood
veterans have advised him to change it
back, as a marketing move.
With a view to keep his feet on the
ground, Richard is a volunteer with
a non-profit organisation called Red
Eye, part of the world-famous Dream
Center in Los Angeles run by Matthew
Barnett.
“Red Eye is especially for young aspiring
artists who want to make a difference
here in Hollywood,” said Richard.
“We do a lot of humanitarian activities.
For example on Saturday morning we
go to South Central LA, the lowest
socio-economic area of the city, and
play with some of the children who live
there.”
“To be honest I think I need it more
than the kids because it can be a
challenge to not get a big head amid
all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.
The town is densely populated with
pretentious imbeciles!”
It seems Richard has lived half a lifetime since his last year of schooling
in 2006, yet in reality the future is just
beginning for a young man who may
not recall many of his school classes.
“Most teachers at CCC would
remember me as the guy who always
fell asleep in their class. I spent my
school nights working on videos and
writing scripts and came to class with
hardly any sleep,” he recalls.
Of his career Richard (Regardt) says:
“I love that I can take all the wonders
and disasters of my life and express it
on film, giving others a taste of what
I’ve felt and experienced.”
10
alumni
Stories of
change
Three college principals, two campuses,
but unfortunately no swimming pool…
this is the reader’s digest version of
Jonathan Heron’s (Class of 1993) years
at COCB until his graduation.
As an alumnus who spent all his
schooling at the College, Jonathan
boasts a treasure trove of memories
that could fill several volumes of
school yearbooks. His history with
college backdates to the college’s
formative years in West End.
He recalls when the sum total of the
college’s playground equipment was
a small trampoline and a sandpit, and
when hoisting a small flag on the side
of your desk indicated your need for a
toilet break.
Despite witnessing the college’s fundraising program for a swimming pool,
which started when he was in Year
Eight, Jonathan only just missed diving
in. The pool was opened the year after
he graduated. Today, he lives and
works in Israel with wife Michal and
daughter Yoela.
“I have a lot of memories of Christian
throughout Europe and Middle East.
During the trip, while in Israel, he met
up with his bride-to-be Michal who he
had met earlier through the Internet.
Outreach College. The first day at
school was in 1982 at West End with
Lloyd Eastgate as the principal,” said
Jonathan, who today is amazed at the
College’s transition.
He recalls when the toilets were
portable and sometimes overflowed,
and when most classrooms were
demountables. To even consider
air-conditioning in the classrooms
required Abraham-type faith.
Jonathan moved to Israel after
marrying Michal in Australia during
2007. In the years directly after College
he experienced a varied and dynamic
career-path, kicked-off with two
diplomas in social science and ministry
he earned from two Bible colleges.
A variety of roles followed – in fast food,
retail, not-for-profit and various roles
in churches throughout Brisbane.
After a brief time as a cleaner at COCB,
Jonathon fulfilled a dream, travelling
Living in Israel Jonathan’s love for the
scriptures is taking on renewed reality.
After working his way up from being
a cleaner, Jonathon today is Kitchen
Manager at Café Noga, a billiard bar
in Tel Aviv, and is also involved with a
growing ministry project that he says
is “similar to the Acts church”.
“God has called us as a couple to
establish something authentic and
non-religious,” he said.
“It’s a community that reached out
to the non-believer and builds other
people and ministries which has
Yeshua (Jesus) as the head and
foundation. We are in the beginning
stage which is exciting.
“For the cooking job, I like getting to
know different cultures. I have an
Ethiopians, two Eritreaians and an
Arab working with me. We are able to
provide jobs for people to get a start
in Israel, before they move onto to
better jobs.
“I am also improving existing dishes.
The café has been around since 1930,
and some of the dishes served have
been around for a long time.”
Class of 1991
20 Year Reunion
Alumni Reunion Groups
To view additional photographs
go to the College website under
College Alumni
Our website is now a major tool
for two-way communication and
enables the collection of information
to help provide an improved level of
service to our Alumni.
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