<< Back to Lion August 2020
President's report
Few could have predicted the events of 2020 – except maybe Bill Gates! So much has changed: thank you for joining us in this new online format of Lion.
There’s no doubt that COVID-19 has impacted our lives – but we hope the containment measures we have all experienced have given us a chance to reassess our priorities and take a more considered approach to how we want to live our lives.
We here at the OWCA are very aware that this year, more than ever, it is so important for us to look after each other and ensure our connections to communities such as the OWCA stay strong.
With that in mind, the OWCA has been working harder than ever to bring relevancy and a sense of community to our OWs wherever they may be across the world. The benefits of remaining connected to our organisation should never be underestimated; at times like these we are delighted to be able to deliver innovative ways to support one another, bringing together our 22,000 members.
Founders’ Day Dinner 2020 was still the biggest event on the OWCA calendar, held in the #athome format. Our Founders’ Day Dinner sub-committee pivoted the event online so swiftly we were able to still hold the event in the traditional month of May. Formalities included an historic first Founders’ Day Dinner address from our Principal, Nick Evans (OW1985), and live crosses to Marianne Stillwell, President of the College Council, and her family, OWs included, and Jack Ayerbe (OW1963) and me, the OWCA Co-Presidents. Food and wine options were supplied and delivered by Peter Rowland and Tellurian Wines, and with virtual school singing, complemented by an OW choir, the event had all the traditional trimmings. The night will go down in history as unique, remarkable and not easily forgotten.
Our OWCA at home webinars have been another quickly implemented initiative, connecting you with OW experts who can assist, inform, educate and entertain. Principal Psychologist, Dr Meera Aurora (OW1994), a clinical and forensic psychology specialist with almost 20 years’ experience in helping people to get the best from themselves, spoke about navigating these trying times. Co-Founder and Managing Director of PGA Advisory, Michael Mancuso (OW2008), explored financial strategies to implement during this uncertain period.
As we continue to execute our five-year strategic plan, we are very pleased to announce the development of our OWConnect App which will launch this year, a new Alumni Directory made possible by our new partnership with Incarta. Their success in cloud services, data storage and security has enabled the implementation of an amazing platform for OW connectivity, mentoring, recruitment and business promotion. We encourage you to get on board with this amazing opportunity to link up, for business, careers and social networking and support, in a safe and secure environment. It might be just the bounce-back you need this year!
As Co-Presidents we have also had the pleasure of attending the APS Presidents’ meeting earlier this month, hosted this year by Xavier College, which is always a good opportunity to connect, share and learn from our other Alumni partners.
Following our Annual General Meeting, we have also experienced some change in the OWCA Executive. I am very honoured to have been elected President. I express my great gratitude to my Co-President, Jack, who has stepped down from that role. Importantly, the OWCA will continue to benefit from Jack's prudence and energy as a member of the OWCA Executive. I am also pleased to announce that David Kennedy (OW1966) was elected as Vice-President at our AGM, and I very much look forward to working with him. This blend of renewal and continuity on the OWCA Executive will, I believe, benefit the association immensely, enabling us to expand on our already innovative, engaging and sustainable activities.
We would like to send our best wishes to all OWs at this time, especially OW healthcare workers and any OWs affected by the virus. Despite the pandemic, the OWCA continues to focus on moving forward and pivoting to meet the needs of our varied and dynamic community.
#oldwesleycollegians #bleedingpurpleandgold #WomenofWesley #FDD2021
Kate Evans (OW1998)
OWCA Executive | |
|---|---|
| President | Kate Evans (OW1998) |
| Vice-President | David Kennedy (OW1966) |
| Treasurer | Chris Foster-Ramsay (OW1999) |
| College Head, OWCA | Ian Thomas (OW1982) |
| Executive Members |
Jack Ayerbe (OW1963) Belinda Danks-Woodley (OW2004) Anastasia Malishev (OW1995) Amy McAlister (OW2003) Thomas Pewtress (OW2018) Rob Wilde (OW2004) |
| Director, Foundation and Alumni | Jack Moshakis (OW1973) |
Interested in becoming involved in the Executive?
Contact Ian Thomas (OW1982) | College Head, OWCA
ian.thomas@wesleycollege.edu.au +61 3 8102 6475
OWCA Key Contacts | |
|---|---|
Cam Evans | Alumni Relations | Social media | OW Connections | Transcripts | OW Updates | Bereavements | Club enquiries | Grant enquiries from Affiliates | Club advice |
Zena Eastburn | Events | Event enquiries | Calendar enquiries | Administration | Membership records |
Lucy Gilfillan (OW1995) | Lion Magazine | Lion stories | Birth notices |
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