Students across Years 7, 8, 10 and 11 recently had the privilege of learning from TKS alumnus Wayne “Mav” Hammond, owner of Mavcom Productions and an accomplished lighting cameraman with more than 35 years of industry experience. Graduating in 1988, Wayne’s return to TKS offered students the opportunity to learn not only from his extensive industry experience, but also from the persistence that helped him build his career.
When Wayne was starting out, tertiary courses in live production, camera operation and television production didn’t exist. Determined to find his way into the industry, he spent his school holidays volunteering at Channel 10 and, after graduating from TKS, simply kept trying.
“I just kept calling them, kept knocking on doors, kept showing up and persisting until finally someone gave me a go,”
That first opportunity saw him begin as an assistant, carrying cables and tripods before gradually working his way behind the camera. Much of what he learnt came on the job, listening to experienced professionals, asking questions and taking every opportunity to learn.
It was a fitting message for students: there isn’t always one set pathway to where you want to go. Persistence, curiosity and a willingness to start somewhere can matter just as much.
Throughout the day, Wayne showcased a range of professional equipment, including cameras, lenses, lighting rigs and diffusion tools used across the television and production industries. Drawing on a career that has included work on productions such as My Kitchen Rules, The Real Housewives of Melbourne and Border Security, he provided students with authentic industry insights and practical techniques that help create professional-quality footage in camera rather than relying on extensive editing.
Students engaged in hands-on activities tailored to their year levels, exploring lighting setups, camera operation and the critical importance of planning and preparation behind every successful production. Most importantly, Wayne helped bring the Media Studies curriculum to life by demonstrating how the knowledge and skills developed in the classroom directly connect with real-world creative industries.
The experience offered students something that can’t always be found in a textbook: the chance to learn directly from someone who once sat in their classrooms and went on to build a career through persistence, practical experience and a willingness to keep learning.
We extend our sincere thanks to Community Engagement Lead Beth Higgs for organising the experience, and to Wayne for so generously sharing his time, expertise and passion with our students. We look forward to welcoming him back to support future projects and inspire the next generation of creative professionals.
