OLD RUYTONIANS’ ASSOCIATION

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

The ORA has a busy year ahead, with numerous events being rescheduled from last year and the resumption of our reunion programme. We are particularly looking forward to welcoming our newest members. As the Class of 2020 departed Ruyton, we at the ORA are excited to welcome a new group of young Old Girls to the fold. They overcame the greatest challenges and adversities faced by any Year 12 group in a generation to achieve remarkable academic success, both collectively and individually; a credit to each of them, and to their parents and teachers.

Pleasingly, the ORA is enjoying a period of strong financial performance, is now well positioned with new and enhanced governance and financial reforms, is more engaged with our membership than ever and our committee has implemented a purposeful, forward-leaning programme of work. The current strategic focus of the ORA Committee centres on a core philosophy of modernising and growing our organisation and operations. Our renewed vision is to provide a rewarding, relevant and enjoyable avenue for Old Girls to stay connected, to network and to empower them in their professional lives, whilst also continuing to provide and administer bursaries and other support to Ruyton. We are of course committed to increasing our organisational capacity, as well as the opportunity for more members to become involved in the operation and management of the ORA through the establishment of a subcommittee structure, which has now been established and is fully operational. We continue to grow our online community through RuytonORA, a networking platform made exclusively available for Old Ruytonians. RuytonORA supports alumnae to re-connect with past classmates, establish professional networks and interest groups and employ or mentor Old Girls. This platform also enables ORA members to view RuytonORA events and reunions, photos and news. We encourage anyone who is yet to join the platform to do so at www.ruytonora.com.au. At the ORA AGM in April, I thanked the 2020 ORA Committee for their contribution. I particularly thank outgoing ORA Vice President Anna Truelove (Class of 2012) who has relocated to London and outgoing ORA Secretary Sarah Forbes (2012) who is standing down from the committee. Our thanks must also go to Andrea Fyfe (1989), who after 11 years of dedicated service as ORA Treasurer stepped down last year; we are grateful Andrea has remained on the general committee. As part of our commitment to making it easier for Old Girls to engage through the ORA, we will provide for virtual attendance at our upcoming AGM.

Finally, I was delighted to recently speak at the Year 12 Leadership and Academic Assembly and to present a gift to the 2021 School CoCaptains Zoe Boussioutas and Annie Timm. Whilst we all were unable to sing along to our School song, I think every Old Girl will understand what I mean when I say it was nonetheless great to hear the stomping! Phoebe Demiris (Tallent, 2003) President, Old Ruytonians’ Association