3 minute read
OCC Update
Pictured above and below: International Womens’ Day OCC event on 10 March 2021, held at the Nicholas Learning Centre.
FROM THE OCC PRESIDENT
Since MLC Old Collegians are spread throughout all regions of Australia and across the world, I imagine there has been a vast range of lived experiences amongst Old Collegians during this global pandemic. Wherever you are, I hope you and your family and friends are faring well despite the challenges, and that you have strong and supportive communities around you – perhaps including your MLC community. The importance of community for individual resilience has never been clearer than during these challenging times.
The OCC community was thrilled to come together in March for our first in-person event in 12 months to celebrate International Women’s Day. Our guest speaker was Alana Schetzer (2000) who is one of three recipients of our 2020 Old Collegians’ Fellowship Grants. Alana enthralled us by sharing her journey through life as a self-professed tomboy, first at MLC and then in the world of journalism. She took us through the events and influences that have led her to embark on her social enterprise, ‘Get Lippy’, which sells limited-edition lipsticks to raise awareness and funds for organisations that work to prevent violence against women. If you missed our event, you can access a recording of the speeches via our OCC events website (mlc.vic.edu.au/occevents).
Applications for our 2021 Old Collegians’ Fellowship Grants are due on 30 June and we look forward to reading about the amazing ventures that Old Collegians are planning and undertaking to make the world a better place. Our Fellowship Grants program supports Old Collegians who are planning not-for-profit ventures that align with OCC values and promote the empowerment of women, female leadership, education or social entrepreneurship. The program includes financial support to assist recipients in their endeavours. Find out more information about this program at our OCC website (mlc.vic.edu.au/occ).
With most events cancelled or moved online, 2020 provided the OCC with an opportunity to reflect on and review our activities and programs. We hope you agree that our reimagined program of events and other activities (see details at right) will serve the OCC community well in the coming years. We are pleased with progress we have made regarding our social media offerings, where you can now connect with us via Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to keep up to date with all our news, activities and events. You can now list ‘MLC Melbourne’ as your school within your personal LinkedIn profile, and you can also join our OCC LinkedIn group to engage with other Old Collegians and keep up to date with OCC news.
I invite you to engage with us in whatever ways work for you – connect with us via social media, attend our events and/or submit an application for our Old Collegians’ Fellowship Grants program. I also encourage you to keep your details up to date with MLC to ensure you receive our quarterly OCC e-News email.
Best wishes,
Anne Turner (1988) President, Old Collegians’ Club
CONGRATULATIONS
Cathy Kiss (1979) has been awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2021 Australia Day Honours – For significant service to the parks and recreation industry, and to children’s wellbeing. In February, Reverend Debra Saffrey-Collins (1979) was ordained as a Deacon in the Anglican Church. Freya Willis (2014) has been elected as a 2021 Australiaat-Large Rhodes Scholar, to study an MPhil in History at Oxford University. Mimi Hill (2020) debuted with Carlton in the 2021 season of the AFLW and was awarded the club’s Best First Year Player.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Young Alumnae Event Thursday, 27 May from 7pm
Old Collegians’ Fellowship Grant Due Date Wednesday, 30 June
Annual Chapel Service and Lunch Saturday, 17 July from 11am Guest speaker: Dr Jacqueline Ogeil (1986) Executive Director, Montsalvat
OCC Celebration Event Thursday, 30 September from 7pm
Annual Golf Day Monday, 11 October from 8am
For more information regarding forthcoming OCC events, please visit mlc.vic.edu.au/occ or email the OCC: occ@mlc.vic.edu.au
