This blog was written by Semester 1 Storyteller, Peyton Reilley.
I often feel that Menzies, as a residential space and experience, is sometimes misunderstood through the general word of mouth. People often think they know what Menzies is like, but they miss the part that matters most: it’s a genuine community – and I really mean that.
I moved into Menzies at the start of February like everyone else. At first, if I’m honest, I wasn’t completely sure what to expect. But after a few weeks of finding my feet and putting myself out there to meet people, I discovered what Menzies really is.
It’s a place filled with laughter, late nights, tears, rants, hugs, and shared dinners. A place where people genuinely look out for one another. Sometimes people have assumptions about Menzies before experiencing it themselves, but living here has shown me a completely different side.
The Menzies way has completely changed my perspective on what it means to be part of a community that welcomes you as one of its own. Menzies is full of people from all over Victoria, different states, and even different countries, and somehow, we’ve created an environment that feels like home.
The people here are some of the kindest I’ve met, and that’s something I don’t think gets talked about enough.
This is my first time living independently, but the people around me have created such a comforting environment where we can all speak openly and support one another. That honestly feels like a milestone in itself.
For a lot of this first semester, I’ve felt alone in different ways, but coming home after what often feels like the longest day and seeing familiar faces around Menzies really lifts a weight off my shoulders.
You might wonder what makes Menzies different from any other college at La Trobe. Honestly, it’s a lot of small things.
It’s waking up in the middle of the night craving chocolate and being able to grab some from the vending machine downstairs. It’s seeing your best friends (who you only met eight weeks ago) whenever you want. It’s going for walks around campus to clear your head or simply having a place where you can switch off and relax when you need it.
Menzies has become that place for me.
