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Foundation Report _______________________________Page

After participating in a comprehensive strategic review, The Foundation will focus on the long term financial growth of the College, and facilitate community involvement well after students exit.

This year we were proud to be associated with the first official social function of the “Past Staff Association” held on 28 May. Well attended, past staff were led on a tour of both campuses by our College leaders, taking part in a Liturgy and renewing friendships over lunch. Additionally, we had the first get together of the St Joseph’s Boarders who had their reunion in the first week of August. Some hadn’t seen each other for 60 years and hailed it a great success. We hope to further foster and develop groups such as the above, so our members keep a close and lasting bond with our great College. After it’s commencement in November 2016, The McNeill Society is expanding at a rapid rate. We established this entity to recognise and honour those that have committed a Pledge of Support the College into the future in the form of a donation or by remembering the College in their Will. The Society is named after John McNeill (SJC 1935-1937), a Foundation Student during the first three years of the College’s existence. In 1942, sadly, he was the first St Joseph’s boy to be killed in action. (Aged 23) One of the highest accolades our College nominates is the McNeill Cup, presented each year to a student showing excellence in all areas of College life. We welcome Mrs Julie Cole, who has been appointed as our Fundraising and Alumni Coordinator. Julie’s previous role as Registrar at the College, has allowed her to develop a great rapport with our College community. She is a highly motivated person and brings great skills to this role. Once again, we reached out to the broader Geelong Community through our $10,000 Sponsorship of the Upstart Entrepreneurial Challenge competition; an innovation that we can proudly say commenced within our hallowed walls. It involves over 35 schools and participating students. This year we say goodbye to three fantastic committee members. Tracey Simic and Paul Treloar have given the College outstanding voluntary service since 2010. Chris Holien has been an integral part of the Foundation Management Committee for 17 years, including the position of Vice Chair. The St Joseph’s College Foundation acknowledges their fantastic contribution and wish them all the best into the future.

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It is with a heavy heart, I acknowledge the passing of Foundation member Tony Costa, who had a huge influence in getting our College Foundation up and running. He stood as a giant of a man in more ways than we can express. Our best wishes go out to Tony’s wife, Elaine and the family. More recently, we pass on our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr Larry Davis; a former teacher of the College, who passed away in October. There will be many within our community who will have their own special memories of this fine man.

With student enrolments well over 1700, including 1400 families, it is incumbent upon the Foundation and our other College Volunteer groups to work towards the betterment of our fantastic community. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank those within our community, including our sponsors, who generously contributed to this year’s Annual Giving Campaign and invested in a vision for the future of our students. The Foundation will again look forward to financially supporting the College in 2018 to ensure its initiatives can deliver the best educational outcome for our boys. Best wishes to all,

- Peter Rudd, Chairman, St Joseph’s College Foundation

Boarders Reunion Boarders Reunion Upstart Challenge Upstart Challenge

Staff Reunion Foundation Dinner Foundation Dinner

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