WHEN Surf Coast Secondary College\u2019s wellbeing coordinator Peter Raidme was asked by the school\u2019s principal to invite a guest speaker with a sporting background to this year\u2019s valedictory dinner, he knew exactly who to call.<\/p>\n
A role model both on and off the field, Torquayborn Port Adelaide skipper Travis Boak flew from his Adelaide home soon after his former school footy coach handballed him the idea. \u201cI just knew, I\u2019ve got to check in with Trav,\u201d Mr Raidme said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe said \u2018no worries\u2019 and his schedule was freed up. After getting permission from the club to head down, it was locked in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Coaching Boak when he was a kid isn\u2019t the only connection Mr Raidme has to the AFL star, with the wellbeing co-ordinator being an old friend of the footballer\u2019s late father, Roger Boak, who sadly passed away from cancer in 2005.<\/p>\n
Though the 30-year-old footballer grew up on the Surf Coast, attending high school in his hometown wasn\u2019t possible, as Torquay\u2019s inaugural secondary school \u2013 Surf Coast Secondary College \u2013 opened its doors six years ago.<\/p>\n
Mr Raidme said Boak addressed the college\u2019s graduating students in a powerful speech that focused on family values and the importance of giving back to the community, while also paying tribute to the mentors who have enriched his life.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s Torquay born and bred, so there was a real sense of connection in the room. It was a really special night.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe spoke about being a quiet kid in high school and how developing his skills through football gave him the confidence to be a leader.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also noted Boak\u2019s extensive resume goes beyond his sporting achievements, highlighting his commitment to raising funds for cancer research after losing his father the year before he was drafted.<\/p>\n
An ambassador for the Barwon Health Foundation, Boak\u2019s ongoing work for the Andrew Love Cancer Centre alongside his family and friends has raised significant funds for the Geelong-based cancer facility where his father received treatment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t have asked for a better guest speaker. He really blew them away,\u201d Mr Raidme said.<\/p>\n
Boak\u2019s mother Chicki \u2013 who works at Torquay College \u2013 was thrilled to see her son presenting to many of her former students, making the night one to remember for all.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WHEN Surf Coast Secondary College\u2019s wellbeing coordinator Peter Raidme was asked by the school\u2019s principal to invite a guest speaker with a sporting background to this year\u2019s valedictory dinner, he knew exactly who to call. A role model both on and off the field, Torquayborn Port Adelaide skipper Travis Boak flew from his Adelaide home […]<\/p>\n