26/08/2026
JONATHAN SALERNO, RIP
It is with immense sadness that the Mazenod Old Collegians’ Association (MOCA) announces the death of Jonathan Salerno, aged 14 years, a Year Nine student at Mazenod College, Mulgrave. Jonny entered Eternal Life on Friday, 21st August, after his two-year battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
We pray for Jonny’s Soul. May Almighty God grant Jonny His Eternal love, peace, mercy, and joy.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jonny’s parents, Christian (MOC 2003) and Teresa, his younger sister, Alex, and all his extended family and friends.
May Almighty God strengthen and console all of Jonny’s family and friends in their grief.
Whilst at Mazenod College, Jonny was a wonderful, cheerful, compassionate, and caring role model for us all. Jonny’s parents have generously allowed us to share the attached video and photos with you all. The video of a young four-year-old Jonny playing in the sprinklers on the Mazenod Football Oval was when he was playing in the Mazenod Grassroots Football (Soccer) Club. Jonny played soccer there before moving across to Aussie Rules when he was seven years old. The more recent football photo is Jonny, years later, running on the same football oval, proudly representing Mazenod College in ACC Footy (Aussie Rules).
Jonny has a tangible and permanent connection with Mazenod College. His Dad, Christian, played Aussie Rules throughout his childhood and represented Mazenod College in Aussie Rules every year. He then went on to play for the Mazenod Old Collegians’ Football Club (MOCFC) as an adult. Later, in his mid-twenties, Christian was connected to the group of Old Boys that formed the Mazenod United Football Club (Soccer) and was there from day one, spending twelve years as a player, coach, sponsor and senior football manager.
Christian and Teresa’s daughter, and Jonny’s sister, Alex, represented Mazenod Football Club from grassroots and juniors up until Jonny became unwell at the end of 2024. Jonny and all his family have been able to perfectly combine Australia’s passion for football by embracing and representing both football codes: Aussie Rules and Soccer!
Jonny’s passion, determination, and zest for life is a lesson to us all. He was a young man who was filled with joy and demonstrated his infinite and unconditional love for his family, friends, fellow students, teachers, sports coaches, teammates, medical staff, and simply everyone.
Jonny’s ability to smile, and to continue to show strength, courage and faith, and spread happiness through every challenge he faced is an inspiration to us all.
Jonny was, and will always be, an integral, precious member of our Mazenod College Community. He was a true gentleman — respectful, compassionate and strong — and in so many ways embodied the Mazenod spirit and the kind of young man the College strives to form. We could not be prouder of him. His life represents the true Mazenod College Spirit; he is a true role model of living life fully in the way Jesus taught us. Jonny’s faith and life will always remain with us; he will continue to inspire us all. We will always continue to love and honour Jonny’s life.
May Almighty God grant Eternal Rest to Jonny, O Lord, and let Perpetual Light shine upon him. May Jonny’s Soul Rest in Peace. Amen.
Tina Giacco and Peter Banfield.