OGCA President’s Report

KYLIE MACKEY, OGCA PRESIDENT

This year, we have seen a renewed sense among our alumni to connect –reestablishing ties in a variety of ways that offer purpose and value. We have experienced an increased energy to act, optimism for the future and a desire to find new ways to reconnect with the College.

Given the transformations happening at the Senior Campus, with the development of the Bellerin Project on the western boundary, we have taken delight in creating opportunities to welcome alumni back to the College.

A couple of highlights for me were welcoming my own Class of 1993 cohort back to the College and being able to represent the College and connect outside of Geelong.

In brief

Our actions are guided by our strategic framework – with the vision ‘That all alumni of The Geelong College should have the opportunity to be engaged with the school community’.

Our hybrid Committee structure is working – with members based in Geelong, Melbourne, Ballarat and New South Wales.

We farewelled Morongo Old Collegian representative Georgie Fidge. We thank Georgie for her contribution and involvement in MOC activities.

We welcomed John O’Brien (OGC 2002) and are exploring some new ideas to include representation from our youngest alumni.

Jim Brown (OGC 1978) resigned as a committee member on November 17.

We have been thrilled to host a number of reunion events. These have included the 5 Year Reunion (Class of 2018), the 20 Year Reunion (Class of 2003), the 30 Year Reunion (Class of 1993) as well as the OGCA staff function. We also hosted the Sic Itur Luncheon and welcomed a fabulous group from pre-1973 to the Dining Hall for a luncheon, with many also watching our 1st XVIII football team defeat Scotch College.

We were pleased to see the return of events further afield too – most recently with a fabulous reunion held in Canberra. Events have also been held in Hamilton, Deniliquin and Albury.

I was pleased to be given the opportunity to address the Year 12 cohort on their final day at the Chapel Service and present them with gifts from the OGCA.

We have instigated an honour board review and look forward to sharing insights regarding this soon.

We are also in the preliminary stages of organising some new events for 2024 including an Old Collegians vs current students event and a social event.

Our Vice President represented us at the Old Carey Grammarians Association Networking Event.

We continue to recognise and celebrate the achievements of longserving College staff with 26 staff achieving 5 years of service and five staff achieving a notable 25 years of service.

Join the OGCA’s Blood donor team!

We have an Australian Red Cross Lifeblood team. Give life and donate blood. Over 8.3 million Australians will need blood in their lifetime. To book, call 13 14 95 or visit. We initiated this team in support of Jason Nelson (OGC 1988) who was battling an aggressive and rare form of leukemia - Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Sadly, Jason lost his battle on 17 September 2023.

Share your achievements

Do you have a story to share? An achievement or milestone, something worthy of sharing with our alumni? Please get in touch and share your news – where possible, with an image or video. We were thrilled to congratulate Charlotte Kay (OGC 2015) who became the first female alumni to play 50 games for the Old Geelong Football Club.

Have you joined TGC Connect?

Our alumni community is nearing 13,000 members. As Collegians, we are connected for life, and part of one of the oldest alumni associations in Australia. Have you registered on our alumni platform? www.tgcconnect.com

Special thanks to our engaged members who have offered career advice, networking opportunities and mentor activities for our alumni. Our platform provides an excellent way to ‘connect’ with fellow Collegians via messaging or video. There’s even a free jobs board!

Need support?

As a Committee, we remain committed to assisting Old Collegians who were victims of sexual and physical abuse. Our position on historical harm remains clear. The OGCA was, and remains, deeply saddened that these events happened, and we have a firm conviction to try and assist victims where possible.

Closing

In 2023, we have been diligent, purposeful and successful. As President, I’d like to recognise the valuable contributions of each volunteer Committee member for their ongoing contribution to College life.

To our alumni, stay connected and reach out to us as your support network! Join TGC Connect, follow us on socials (OGCA Facebook) and look out for our OGCA newsletters. You can also email us: ogca@geelongcollege.vic.edu.au

Be of courage and reach for the stars!

Our OGCA committee:

President: Kylie Mackey (OGC 1993)

Vice President: Caitlin Lamont (OGC 2009)

Honorary Treasurer: Ashley McHarry (OGC 1991)

Honorary Secretary: Nicola Cousen (OGC 1989)

Executive Officer: Mike Howell

Members:

Sam West (OGC 2000), Bridgette Engeler (OGC 1985), Donald McAllister (OGC 1990) and John O’Brien (OGC 2002).

Community Relations team: Chelsea Matheson and Niki Nurnaitis.