From the Old Trinity Grammarians’ Association

VIRILITER O D T R I L NITY G AGITE RAMM A R I A NS

Andrew Kennedy (centre) at the ‘Be Glorious’ Leadership Breakfast with Lachlan, Sally, Georgina and Sam Kennedy

As the memories of a challenging and disruptive 2020 begin to fade and are replaced by a greater sense of optimism that 2021 will return the world to a more normal setting, it has been interesting to see the signs of how the new normal might look. Whilst necessity may be the mother of invention, 2020 showed that it is also a very useful driver of adaption and innovation. We have heard a number of stories across our community of businesses faced with significant disruption who adapted their business model and now face into 2021 in a strong position with new opportunities to grow. OTGs who were abruptly forced to work from home have realised the benefits in terms of work/life balance and physical and mental wellbeing and look forward to a future where a balance of working from home and the office will drive superior professional and personal outcomes. OTGs at university who did not step foot on a campus in 2020 are looking forward to a more immersive experience in 2021, whilst retaining the benefits that learning through technology can provide. And lastly but certainly not least, our newest OTGs showed their strength of character in adapting to a new way of learning whilst navigating external challenges to stay focused and achieve exceptional ATAR results and strengthened friendships. All of these benefits achieved through adversity provide confidence for a bright future and one where our Trinity community will thrive.

This sense of optimism has been felt across our OTGA Committee as we kicked off the year with great energy and enthusiasm. The composition of the Committee has been refreshed in 2021 as we farewelled Peter Casey (OTG 1973), Rish Mishra (OTG 2017) and Michael Watt (OTG 2009) and welcomed Peter Scott (OTG 1984), Dan McNab (OTG 2019) and Jack Stewart (OTG 2020). Peter, Rish and Michael, who have stepped down due to competing business, education or personal commitments, were valued members of the Committee and we thank them for their significant contributions. The Committee now includes OTGs from across six decades, from the class of 1976 through to the class of 2020, which ensures a diverse range of views, some great discussion and means that we remain focused on supporting the ~8,000 OTG members across all age groups. Peter, Dan and Jack have already made a positive impact with their energy, insights and ideas and will drive a number of important initiatives to support our OTG community.

The OTGA continues to focus on our four strategic pillars of Connecting, Clubs, Careers and Community.

Eddie Gibbons (OTG 1994) is progressing our men’s health initiative, Beyond the Uniform, and has received strong support and engagement from our OTG Clubs. They will participate in mental health first aid training in the coming months to learn important skills to support people developing mental health problems.

The OTGA social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Strava) are achieving strong engagement and remain one of our most important ways of connecting with our OTG community, so make sure you Like, Follow or Join us on your preferred app!

One thing that 2020 did highlight was that virtual events are no substitute for the real thing, and this was reinforced through some fantastic events held in February and March. The Stephen Jones ‘Be Glorious’ Leadership Breakfast was a fitting tribute to a great Trinity man (Stephen Jones OTG 1996), with some impressive speakers, including our current School Captain, Will Toner, looking right at home alongside Josh Frydenberg. The crowd included Stephen’s family, OTGs, current Trinity and Ruyton students, business and sporting leaders, as well as teachers and other staff, which made for a truly engaging and entertaining morning. Congratulations to Clint Hillas (OTG 1996), Ron Joseph (OTG 1963) and all involved in the organisation of what will hopefully become a muchanticipated annual event on the calendar. There is more about the Breakfast on Page 34. School reunions were an unfortunate casualty of 2020 and we are pleased about their return in 2021, including one of our favourite events of the year, the Gold Mitre Lunch, which took place on 17 March – it was fantastic to see our OTGs connecting with each other again.

Providing opportunities for OTGs to connect with each other and the school is a key priority for the OTGA and Piers Mitchem (OTG 2002) is currently leading our plans for some exciting events later in the year so stay tuned for more details. No doubt 2021 will throw up its own challenges and obstacles for us to navigate as the year progresses; however, the proven resilience and the traits of the Trinity man and our community mean that we are well placed to tackle any challenge head on and come out the other side stronger for the experience.

Please take a moment to follow us on our social media platform and we welcome members of the community who may be able to assist in practical ways getting in touch with us at

otg@trinity.vic.edu.au

Gareth Andrews and Brian Tickell chat with Alastair Clarkson at the Stephen Jones ‘Be Glorious’ Leadership Breakfast

James Brown (OTG 1992) President

WOMEN OF TRINITY GRAMMAR

The Women of Trinity Grammar membership continues to grow – and we look forward to welcoming eligible women from the 2020 year level. We also encourage women from earlier years connected to Trinity Grammar to consider joining. Please remember that WOTG is a social group for women to join, if they wish to, after their son or all of their sons have graduated from Trinity.

Regrettably, we have not been able to get together for the past year or so due to COVID restrictions; however, we are looking forward to an afternoon social event to celebrate Mother’s Day. Please save the date – Sunday 2 May. Further details will be emailed to members shortly. In the meantime, if you would like to join the WOTG, please use this link:

surveymonkey.com/r/women_

of_trinity_grammar to register your contact details. Please note, there is no joining or membership fee involved. We always welcome feedback or ideas – please email us via otg@trinity.vic.edu.au

Donna Cameron and Carolyn Crouch, Co-Convenors

Liz Beasley and Sue McNally

Patrons