Cooper (Y8) and Liam (Class of 2025) grew up on a trout fish farm just outside Tumut, about five hours south-west of Sydney. Their father graduated from Joeys in 1995, making the brothers second-generation Joe-Boys.
By the time Cooper arrived in Year 7, Liam was in Year 12. “It was really weird,” Liam laughed. “I’d never had a brother while I was at Joeys, and then suddenly I’ve got this little brother in Year 7 … it was lots of fun. A lot of my mates liked to look out for him.” For Cooper, having Liam already here made all the difference. “It was a bit scary at first, but Liam helped me out. If I had any questions, I could just ask him or his mates.”
Cooper has since found his own footing, discovering a sport he’d never considered before. “Before Joeys, I didn’t know about rowing … but I tried it, and now I love it.” This year, he coxed the 4th IV to a third-place finish at the Head of the River. He’s also acquired a nickname: Fingerling – after the baby trout his family breeds on their farm – bestowed in his very first week by one of the Indigenous boarders who knew exactly what it meant.
For Liam, now studying a double degree in Commerce and Engineering at the University of Sydney, Joeys shaped not just his career direction but the kind of person he became. Teachers at Joeys, he said, brought subjects to life in ways that showed how they connect to real life. “If I didn’t have the opportunity to come here, I would have gone to my hometown high school … my love for maths, engineering, science and commerce all stemmed from Joeys and the teachers here. The passion they hold for the subjects they teach helped me develop a better understanding. Joeys played a big part in helping me get to uni.”
Liam surprised himself along the way, excelling academically to achieve an ATAR of 97.75. He challenged himself in rugby and athletics, became an acolyte and embraced leading College cheering. “Putting yourself out there in front of the whole school and running the cheers – I really enjoyed that.”
Both brothers speak with conviction about what country boys bring to Joeys. “They have such a pivotal impact on the culture of Joeys. They’re kind of the backbone of every aspect,” said Liam. “Everyone is equal at Joeys, wherever you come from. You are mates and that’s what it’s like in the country. That’s what makes Joeys unique.”
When asked what he would say to those who have supported his place at Joeys, Cooper is straightforward: “I’d say thank you. I wouldn’t be here without you, without your act of kindness.”
Cooper explained how he is embracing College life. “Joeys is a big opportunity for me, so now I’m here, I need to strive to do the best I can. Getting help from the Boys from the Bush has made it easier for me to come here … and hopefully I can do as good as Liam!”
Liam puts it in the language of the College motto. “At the end of the day, when you leave Joeys, you’re always trying to be the best person you can be. That’s what ‘strive for better things’ encapsulates … we’re both trying to do that every day.”
