A 25-YEAR association with education in the Cohuna area ended last Thursday.
Anthony Marrone taught his final Humanities classes, bringing to the end a 29-year career that began in South Australia.
A pioneer of the college’s Theatre Restaurant production, the History, Geography, English and Information Communication Technology teacher leaves behind a legacy of initiatives and awards.
“My time with the college has been a rewarding experience, but it’s like the old saying, ‘you only get out what you put in’,” he said.
Mr Marrone moved to Cohuna for the start of the 1991 school year as it was easier to gain full-time employment in Victoria compared with his home State, with the educator’s first taste of the Victorian education system occurring at Murrayville during the four years prior to his move to the district.
“It is very difficult to get permanent work in South Australia, even now,” he said.
“Unfortunately most of the teachers that were here when I started have moved on or retired, whilst some of the younger teachers here now actually started off as my students, which is very gratifying.”
During his time at the college, Mr Marrone has witnessed a number of major changes – with the use of technology one of the biggest adjustments.
“I remember having an argument with a parent at a school council meeting who said that the school should not connect to the internet as it ‘would be a waste of money’,” he said.
Mr Marrone, who is fluent in Italian, taught French at one stage as the school’s French teacher wanted to oversee English classes.
“There were kids who finished learning French with Italian accents,” he said.
Extra-curricular activities were another of Mr Marrone’s passions, with the teacher coaching the school’s girls soccer and volleyball teams.
Yet it was a meeting with other teachers in 1992 that began Mr Marrone’s greatest legacy.
The group decided back then the school needed to conduct a production on years it was not competing in the Rock Eisteddfod, with the idea of a Theatre Restaurant coming to fruition.
Since then, 14 performances have occurred, with this term’s rendition of No Ill Feeling adding to the list of dramatic opportunities.
“The performances have been hard work, but they are very rewarding,” Mr Marrone said.
College principal, Stephen Brain congratulated Mr Marrone for his role in guiding the school behind the scenes.
“For many years Anthony has been an integral part of the school leadership group, as well as a senior teacher for Geography, History and English for many years,” he said.
“Anthony will be greatly missed, but we wish him all the best for the future.”
