Mr Matthew Stolp, Men's Breakfast guest speaker

Mr Matthew Stolp, Dominic College old scholar, Class of 1989, has been announced by Dominic College Principal, Ms Beth Gilligan, as the special guest speaker at the 2020 Dominic College International Men's Day breakfast on Tuesday 10 November commencing at 7am for breakfast and proceedings from 7.15am.

Matthew is an educator, actor, screenwriter, and visual artist with over 25 years experience in the creative arts. He is a Senior Secondary Art and Drama teacher and Head of Faculty for the Arts at Guilford Young College. Matthew is the recipient of several awards for his creative work including two Tasmanian Theatre Awards (Errols) for acting and design. Matthew is currently a member of the Glenorchy City Council Arts and Culture Advisory Committee and a board member for the Tasmanian Theatre Company. As well as working as a teacher at Guilford Young College, Matthew performs regularly in theatre, film, digital and live comedy.

Matthew's father was an electrical engineer and the family lived at West Moonah. All six children went through Dominic College - Matthew the fourth - and he entered Prep in 1979 and graduated in Year 12 in 1991. He studied Drama and Education at UTAS and ANU and was a teacher first on King Island, then in Canberra, before taking a position at St James, Cygnet, thence Sacred Heart, New Town, and GYC since 2016.

Matthew's serious repertoire has ranged from Jean in 'Rhinoceros', to Puck in 'A Midsummer's Night Dream', 'Construction of the Human Heart', and to 'Eight Gigabytes...' but he loves his comedy work with friends, including his mate Andrew Casey, also Class of 1989.

'Performing at festivals or local events, filming in our homes, for us it is just about being silly and having fun,' said Matthew, 'using the art form to enjoy ourselves and make people laugh.'

Although a drama teacher for most of his life, Matthew started teaching visual arts after returning to UTAS in 2006. He now regularly marries Visual Art and Drama in his work as a director and set-designer as well as his live improvisation and projects.

The Dominic College International Men's Day breakfast is held annually in the Savio Centre, and boys from Year 5 to 10, their fathers, grandfathers and carers; staff members, the community and old scholars, enjoy food and companionship as they listen to our speakers reflect on a range of topics on the crucial role and responsibilities men have in society. All funds raised go to scholarships for boys at our sister school, the Don Bosco Technical Centre, in Samoa.

Invitations are being sent out now and you can book your tickets at $15 each at www.trybooking.com/BLBGK now.