From the President

Dear Old Virgilians

I wish to inform all Old Virgillians that on Wednesday 14 August 2024, the OVA will hold a Special General Meeting (SGM) to make an alteration to the OVA Constitution. This proposed resolution will enable the OVA to advise its members through several electronic means, instead of newspaper notices, of all meetings of members and any resolutions to be put to members.

By way of background, the OVA Committee recently formed a sub-committee to provide advice on a range of issues, including changes to the constitution designed to enable more members to be informed and to participate in the AGM and any SGM of the organisation. The sub-committee advised the OVA Committee that this proposed resolution ought to be the initial resolution put to members for an important change to the constitution. Your committee unanimously agreed with the recommendation.

If the resolution is successful, this will enable the OVA to have a broader and more effective means of communicating with members and enabling OVA members to be informed of the activities of the OVA and participate in any proposed meetings of members. Once our ability to engage with members is improved, there will be a further range of resolutions that have been drafted for consideration by members soon. Your committee will be pleased to enable greater member voice and participation in the future resolutions that are currently being developed by the sub-committee.

At the AGM in April, there was good member representation that contributed suggestions for improvement, leading to the establishment of the sub-committees that are now providing expertise and knowledge in providing the foundations for your organisation for the future. The OVA Committee has confidence that the OVA will continue to be a very important part of the College framework for past, present, and future St Virgil’s College students. The deep and narrow path adopted by the OVA committee will take a little time to build, and members of the OVA “army” will continue to be openly consulted as part of this voyage. Importantly, the alignment with the College continues to be strengthened on the basis that collectively there is greater opportunity to deliver to the objectives of both. The current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the College will shortly be reviewed in conjunction with the College Principal to reflect the improved objectives of the organisation.

From an administrative perspective, the OVA has a current casual vacancy in the Treasurer role. This role will be important for the future, and I would be interested if any of the current members with the requisite skills would like to nominate for this position. Please contact either me or the Secretary, Graeme Rainbow.

Another reminder for Old Virgillians in Melbourne – we are seeking to run the event on 25 October 2024, in the same fashion as last year. Please spread the word and advise the Secretary of an indication of attendance so we can ensure the event is adequately catered for at the RACV.

Your Committee is also intending to advise members of the 2024 inductees onto the OVA Honour Roll next month – so please look out for that. The formal induction of the nominees will be at the October Annual General Dinner.

I wish all members a safe and happy second half of the calendar year as we move quickly towards another festive season. Your Committee is working hard in the interests of members, and I thank them for their extraordinary contributions over the last six months.