From the President  

Welcome to July OVAtions! It is fantastic to see a good turnout of proud Old Virgilians at the June OVA Luncheon at the Maypole Hotel on June 28. I'd especially like the thank those who have supported me in taking on the reins as OVA President over the past months - a somewhat daunting proposal amongst a calibre of outstanding men.

Many stories (perhaps a few exaggerated) were told and friendships rekindled at the Luncheon. College Principal Jon Franzin was able to join us and he spoke of his experience thus far and the exciting journey of the impending regaining of Years 11 & 12 classes.  He was also prepared to field  questions from the floor.

Bruce Woods provided a video presentation of the changes taking place on the Austins Ferry site.

The gathering provided the opportunity to acknowledge the award Mark Waddington – Director of Development Officer at SVC-OVA Liaison since 2012 – had recently received from St Patrick’s College Ballarat, where he had done outstanding work from 2002-2011.

Sincerest thanks to Justin (SVC 1989-92) and Esther Devine for making their hotel available to the Association. The Maypole does not normally open during the day of a Tuesday – they opened up especially for our function.

The next luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday August 30 and will once again at the Maypole Hotel.  A reminder and details will be in the August edition of OVAtions. It was intended to have it at Austins Ferry but given the constraints of the amount of building taking place there it posed potential problems.

A proposal will be made at the next OVA Committee Meeting to provide a weekend barbecue luncheon at Austins Ferry, when there is less congestion and fewer people on site, so that attendees can view the remarkable changes that have evolved there.

I hope to see you all there.

Zac

Pictured

Back: Mark Waddington (SVC-OVA liaison), Jon Franzin (College Principal), Tony McGee, Rene Sluyters, Geoff Doolan, Damian Bugg, Peter Headlam, Kevin Morgan, Noel Leary, Peter Dixon, Bob Ashby, Gerald Jones, John Redeker, John Cleary, Alan Robinson, Max Corney, David Mazengarb, Peter Tracey, Robert Scanlon, Bruce Woods.

Front:  Paul Morgan, Chris Wright, John Bowes, Graeme Rainbow, Greg Ray.

Note: Zac Piesse (OVA President attended but had to leave early due to work commitments).

Apologies: Mike Ball, Paul Boutchard, Corey Bygraves, David Clark, Wayne Cooley, Michael Harvey, Sean Kelly, Peter Madden, Peter McGee, Tony Rainbow, John Shaw, Peter Valentine.