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OGCA President’s Report
KYLIE MACKEY (OGC 1993), OGCA PRESIDENT
2024 has seen a range of meaningful connections among our alumni, re-establishing ties in a variety of ways that offer purpose and value. We have seen renewed enthusiasm for reconnecting with the College in innovative and impactful ways.
Our efforts and decision making have been guided by our OGCA strategic framework, aligned with our mission to connect Old Collegians with each other and the school. Our vision is simple yet powerful: ‘That all alumni of The Geelong College should have the opportunity to be engaged with the school community’.
Key Highlights from 2024:
• We proudly celebrated 50 years of co-education at the College (1974-2024), supporting the College’s recognition of this significant milestone.
• A comprehensive review of our OGCA constitution is underway to ensure it accurately reflects our Association using modern and inclusive language appropriate for a co-educational institution. This will be finalised and endorsed in 2025.
• We bid farewell to our Vice President, Caitlin Lamont (OGC 2009) in October. Caitlin, who joined in 2020, has been a valued and active member. In 2025, we look forward to welcoming several new Committee members. We are also actively seeking a recent school leaver to represent our Youth Portfolio on the Committee.
• In the past six months we hosted numerous reunions, including:
- The 30-year reunion for the Class of 1994.
- The OGCA Staff & Council Cocktail Party.
- The 20-year reunion for the Class of 2004.
- The Sic Itur Luncheon which brought together 177 alumni who attended the College 50+ years ago.
- We also supported a reunion event in Perth.
- Our Annual General Meeting was held on Thursday 24 October.
I had the privilege of speaking on a few occasions with the Year 12 cohort, who recently became the newest members of our alumni community. As part of this, I had the honour of presenting OGCA gifts to 180 graduating students, officially welcoming them as Old Collegians.
• We celebrated the official opening of the Belerren Sports and Wellbeing Centre in July, (following the OGCA contribution to the capital campaign of $150,000 over 5 years).
• We again provided support for our alumni to connect and play sport via our ongoing partnership with our sporting clubs (OGSC in Melbourne, Geelong Amateur Football and Netball Club in Geelong and the Albert Bell Club).
• Thank you to all our Old Collegians who have generously shared their time, advice and experience with some of our younger alumni in the mentoring program.
• We continue to support the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood team, encouraging our alumni to donate blood and make a difference.
• We remain committed to supporting the College community via the Reach Out Program, to provide genuine and empathetic support for survivors of historical harm.
• We have also left a legacy by purchasing an engraved plaque on behalf of all Old Collegians in the seating area of Belerren (Take Your Place Project).
Notables Gallery
Last call – nominations for the OGCA Portrait Gallery of Notable Old Collegians closes at the end of December. This gallery, launched in 2011, celebrates alumni whose achievements reflect the College motto, ‘Sic Itur Ad Astra’ (Reach for the Stars). Nominees are recognised for excellence professionally, philanthropically, in the Arts and on the sports field.
Proposed AFL Gather Round Event
In April 2025, we are considering introducing a new event to coincide with the AFL Gather Round in Adelaide. We invite your feedback on the type of event that would best suit our alumni’s preferences. Please scan the QR code or visit: surveymonkey.com/r/FQCBXS9 and share your thoughts via our quick survey.
Join TGC Connect
Did you know our alumni includes over 13,000 members? As Old Collegians, we are part of one of the oldest alumni associations in Australia. Join us at: www.tgcconnect.com to connect with fellow alumni for social events, career advice, networking and mentoring, job opportunities or just to get back in contact with former classmates.
Stay in Touch
The OGCA Committee is here to support all Old Collegians. If you need assistance or have news to share –whether it’s an achievement, milestone or story – please get in touch.
OGCA@tgc.vic.edu.au
OGCA Staff & Council Cocktail Party
On 31 October, the OGCA awarded Honorary Memberships to 12 staff members who have completed five years of service at The Geelong College.
Additionally, Michael Terry was given Honorary Life Membership in recognition of his 25 years of service.
Angelica Carrasco, Amber Ketteringham, Sarah Langley, Kate Matthews, Naomi Miller, Roma Munro, Penny Nielsen, Vicki Read, Caroline Stok, Lou Thompson, Daniel Thomson and Mel White
Our OGCA Committee:
President: Kylie Mackey (OGC 1993)
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 Morongo representative, Ann McAllister (MOC).
Community Relations team: Chelsea Matheson and Niki Nurnaitis.
2025 OGCA Event Calendar
• 2024 Leavers’ Function Thursday 13 February
• OGC V OGG Annual Golf Day – Thursday 6 March
• Hong Kong Reunion Sunday 9 March (TBC)
• Albert Bell Club Dinner Friday 14 March
• 10 Year Reunion (2015 year group) Friday 21 March
• 40 Year Reunion (1985 year group) Saturday 3 May
• Sic Itur Luncheon Saturday 21 June
• 5 Year Reunion (2020 year group) Saturday 26 July
• 30 Year Reunion (1995 year group) Friday 29 August
• 20 Year Reunion (2005 year group) Friday 7 November
