From the President  

Dear fellow Old Virgilians, colleagues, family and friends of the St Virgil’s Community,

The OVA Committee met earlier this month, being its first meeting since the Annual General Meeting. I had the opportunity to formally welcome Chris Wright onto the Committee and am confident he will be an asset that will assist the evolution of OVA. Chris attended the College 1966-73, and has served on the St Virgil’s College Advisory Council (formerly the Board) since 2006 and has been its Deputy Chair since 2009.  Chris’ inclusion on the committee will better facilitate communication between the committee and the advisory council.

As previously flagged, we have commenced a review of the existing Constitution ably assisted by old boy Dan Morgan (SVC 1993-96 – Partner Page Seager Lawyers). who attended the Committee meeting and provided some important insights and advice on the construction of a modern day Constitution for the Association. This advice will be important as we now collectively commence our consultation with the members of OVA as to the objects and deliverables.

We look forward to a closer engagement with the College through the Principal Jon Franzin and have identified a number of opportunities to work with the school to improve how we communicate with Old Virgillians.

Some of the areas your committee are considering includes ensuring our Constitution enables partners, wives, family members and friends of the college to become (associate) members of OVA and to provide broadening of the membership of the Committee to reflect gender and other inclusion aspects that more adequately reflect our community and society’s values.

For these reasons we are seeking every opportunity for consultation with you.

I note that we had to cancel our planned luncheon at the Maypole Hotel earlier this month. It was disappointing as I was hoping to commence consultation with members present. The Committee has resolved to review the timings of these events as part of the future planning.

Our consultation program over the next 12 months is intended to be extensive and therefore I urge members and their families to attend where possible – including on 19 August 2023 in Melbourne. We have opted for a twilight drinks and snack session that will enable those who are watching an AFL game before or after to join schoolmates and colleagues at a convenient time for a drink and a snack. 

Now we have the roster in hand I would appreciate attendees providing Graeme Rainbow with an indication of their attendance. Only 10 have indicated an ‘intention to attend’ thus far – please consider! Hopefully, in the June edition of OVAtions, we can convey that the response has been far greater and thus can convey greater detail regarding the gathering.

RSVP: grainbow@stvirgils.tas.edu.au or mobile 0467 514 667.

As we move into the winter season I extend the best wishes of the Committee and hope all have a safe, warm and collegiate winter period.

David

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