Alumni Spotlight: Liam Ryan (Class of 2004)

Flying down Cape Street hill on my bike with the wind in my hair and not a care in the world. I’d just finished my final Year 12 Exam, and the memory still puts a smile on my face 20 odd years on. I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the years I’d spent at Servite and a sense of adventure for whatever was to come. Somehow, I felt prepared for the world and blessed to have been a Servite. In many ways I still am one.

I graduated in 2004 and rode my bike to Servite with my brothers and mates from our home in Nollamara every day, rain, hail or shine. Grenville Oval holds some of my most precious memories of footy. We had top calibre coaches like Silv Lombardi, Laurie Mayne and Cosi Schirripa. Their belief and patience with us continues to inspire me. After many lean years we eventually made a grand final in 2004.

I’m grateful for that experience and remain mates with some of the legends from that team up until today. We learnt to believe in ourselves and give it a go. Servites unite, go side by side. And we did!

Another treasured memory I have is travelling back up Karrinyup Road in the mini-bus after the Interschool Surfing Competition at Trigg Beach. Sandy feet, salty hair and huge smiles from the day out. They called us the ‘grasshoppers’ because our uniform was a faded green and yellow. We were proud to have represented the school and felt the world was our oyster. In some ways it still is.

I was ordained a Catholic priest in 2019 and currently serve at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral in Broome, WA. How did I get here? Only God knows, literally. After graduating from Servite I studied at UWA and completed a Bachelor of Commerce. Feeling like life had more to offer, I volunteered to help out in the remote Aboriginal community of Balgo Hills.

Here I had a deep experience of God’s love and the joy of helping others. This vocation has taken me to many places and countries. I attended Redemptorist Mater Seminary and studied theology and philosophy at Notre Dame University. I lived in Papua New Guinea for 2 years as part of my formation training. It was one experience, among many, which has opened my eyes to the divine presence in the world, to myself and those around me.

I’ve had the joy of baptising some of the children of my Servite classmates and even celebrated a wedding or two. I’ve been honoured on a couple of occasions to return to Servite and speak about vocations and the Christian life. I still surf and play footy. I remain grateful for the faith that was nourished and encouraged during my years at Servite.

It’s great to see how that road that St Philip trod, many years ago, is still inspiring the youth of today to commit ourselves to God.

Read: In 2022, Father Liam received a bravery medal after a shark attack rescue. Read the article here.