Mackillop Catholic Regional College has been a big part of Sean O’Mahoney’s life. It’s where he went to school, it’s where he met his wife, and it’s where he has worked for 18 years. The lifelong Werribee resident talks to Adem Saban.
How long have you lived in Wyndham?
Forty years … my whole life. Mum and dad built in Wyndham Vale in 1972. We were one of the first to build out there. My grandparents came out here in 1960.
What was it like growing up in Wyndham?
It was a lot smaller, of course. The population was a 10th of what it is today. Nanna and pop lived on 10 acres down the back of Tarneit. Where Sims supermarket is now … that was the end of the houses. We spent a heap of time on our push bikes down the river or at the Werribee pool. We played a lot of basketball and I was also in the scouts. I went to St Andrews Primary School and then Mackillop after that. I studied teaching at Australian Catholic University and worked on my father-in-law’s farm in Werribee South from year 11 until when I finished uni.
How did you meet your wife?
Catherine and I both went to Mackillop. We started seeing each other after graduation and were married in 2002. Catherine’s family has been in Werribee South since the late 1800s. Her mother is a Cunningham, as in Cunningham Road, and her father is a Michelon. We have three kids together – Liam, 11, Brigid, 9, and Eamonn, 7.
Now you teach at Mackillop?
I’ve taught at Mackillop since 1998. I’ve taught a bunch of different subjects over the years. I’m currently the year 12 co-ordinator and the media studies, design and technology teacher.
What other things are you involved in?
Brigid has cerebral palsy and has been going to Kids Plus, a not-for-profit in Geelong that is reliant on donations. They provide occupational therapy, speech therapy and physiotherapy for kids with brain injury, stroke, and cerebral palsy. We do some fundraising for them. I also do some pro-bono photography work for the Werribee CFA, am involved in the Good Friday appeal and coach kids basketball.
What’s your favourite spot in Wyndham?
We often grab a picnic and a footy and go along the bike trail with the kids down to the Werribee Mansion. The kids love it. The kids are also members of Werribee Open Range Zoo.
