Marist-Sion College - Significant Men's Breakfast 2026
Description
Recognising the men who guide and inspire our students.
Join us for our Significant Men’s Breakfast, a morning celebrating the fathers, grandfathers, uncles, mentors, coaches and other significant men who encourage, guide and support our young people.
Students are invited to bring along someone special in their life to enjoy breakfast, hear some great stories and share in a morning of conversation, connection and reflection.
Our special guest speaker, Gary Ayres, former Marist-Sion College student (1971–1977), Hawthorn premiership player and coach, will share stories from his remarkable football career, the lessons he has learned along the way and the people who have helped shape his journey.
Breakfast, stories and a chance to connect across generations.
Please note: all students require a ticket.
Lineup
Gary Ayres
Gary Ayres is a former Marist-Sion College student, attending the College from 1970 to 1977. From his beginnings in Warragul, Gary went on to build an extraordinary career in Australian Rules football as a player, captain and coach. Recruited by Hawthorn as a 17-year-old, Gary played 269 VFL games between 1978 and 1993, winning five premierships and two Norm Smith Medals for his best-on-ground performances in the 1986 and 1988 Grand Finals. He made history as the first player to win two Norm Smith Medals, captained Hawthorn in 1992 and 1993, was named in the club’s Team of the Century and was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. Known for his toughness, composure and ability to perform under pressure, Gary was famously described by Hawthorn coach Allan Jeans as “a good driver in heavy traffic”. His reputation as one of the game’s great finals performers is also recognised through the Gary Ayres Award, presented to the best player across the AFL finals series. Following his playing career, Gary coached at Geelong and Adelaide before an outstanding 14-year tenure as senior coach of Port Melbourne, guiding the club to VFL premierships in 2011 and 2017. He has also coached at local level and continues to share his experience through football and public speaking. Drawing on a remarkable career spanning more than four decades, Gary brings a wealth of insight, humour and experience to conversations around leadership, resilience, teamwork, success and the lessons learned both on and off the field.
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