It is with great regret that I have to inform the College community of the passing of Mr. Tony Spizzica, our much loved Music Teacher and good friend.
Tony joined the College in 2010 as part of a ‘Career Change’ program and worked his first year teaching instrumental music and became part of the VET Music team.
Tony’s music resume was very extensive before and after arriving at the College. His most famous bands were Tony and ‘The Mockbells’ and ‘The Caberettos’ where Tony played the bass amongst other instruments. At school his passion for music was evident and reflected in the programs he encouraged his student to get involved in.
The VET students always performed at the VET Awards evening and participated in the Echuca ‘Winter Blues’ festival each year. He played a key role in the College talent nights supporting acts on guitar and setting up sound with Barry Jones for the College production. If there was a performance or a show Tony was never far away. Tony also ran extension studies for Years Seven and Eight students in music plus his individual instrumental music lessons for our students in a range of instruments.
Tony’s family are proud of his achievements as a teacher and musician and his passion for his music was only second to his passion and love of his family. Tony passed away at home with his family around him, just as he had wanted. His courage in the face of his illness was incredible and this was best described in a newspaper article written about him earlier in the year where a member of the ‘Mockbells’ and mate stated…’It’s amazing how he has kept going with the drugs knocking him around. He just wants to do as much as can for as long as he can.’
Tony never asked for much in life but he gave everything and loved what he was doing. The world has been a better place because of Tony and his passion for music. Although we know the music will never stop; for those of us who knew Tony it is a little like the last line of ‘American Pie’… ‘the day the music died.’
All the staff and students of our College will miss Mr. Spizz and we extend our condolences to Viv and her family.
Chris Eeles
Principal Echuca College
