Alumni top Blueline board

A SIGNIFICANT INVOLVEMENT 0F SVC ALUMNI WITH BLUELINE LAUNDRY

Blueline Laundry creates meaningful employment for people of diverse abilities, 

cultures and backgrounds. Of their 240 employees, 35% are people with disability, 35% are culturally and linguistically diverse, and 51% are female. Through their Supported Employment Program, staff members with a disability gain economic participation in society through performing commercially-valuable work in an integrated team environment. They also have a sewing team that manufactures Alginate Bags, a medical-grade laundry product.

Michael Sylvester (SVC 1989-94) served as the CEO of Blueline from February 2020 until March this year when he was appointed CEO of Tasmanian Irrigation. During that time, Blueline has been the recipient of numerous awards in recognition of business excellence.

On leaving the College, Michael gained a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) with Honours, and has since acquired a Diploma of Business Management, a Master of Technology Project Management & Innovation, and then further qualification through the  Australian Institute of Company Directors.

He was adjudged the Young Tasmanian Professional Engineer of the Year in 2011, and  the 2014 Project Director of the Year, by the Tasmanian Institute of Project Management.

Michael featured in the  July 2020 edition of The Top 100 Professionals Magazine when he was ranked in the top 50 CEOs in Australia.

Michael’s association with the College has been ongoing. He has three sons, Harry, Max, Louis and a daughter, Eve. Harry attended St Virgil’s 2019-2022 (he was College Vice Captain for 2022), Max was there 2018-2024, whilst Louis is currently in Year 11 having commenced in 2018.  Furthermore, Michael has been on the SVC Advisory Council (formerly the Board) from 2019 -2024 and was on the OVA committee in 2019.

For five years, Michael served on the Board of Lifeline Tasmania, and he was a member of the Corpus Christi School Board for three years. He has also served as President of the Tasmanian Division of Engineers Australia and has served on the Civil Engineers and Young Engineers boards of the national body.

Upon his appointment as CEO of Tasmanian Irrigation, the Engineers Australia  noted on its website:

Engineering Fellow and previous Engineers Australia Tasmania President Mike Sylvester FIEAust CPEng EngExec has been appointed as the new CEO of Tasmanian Irrigation, commencing in March this year.  

Mike will oversee a significant program of capital works, increasing Tasmanian Irrigation’s asset portfolio to approximately $900 million, through infrastructure projects funded by irrigators and the State and Federal Governments. These Public Private Partnership projects contribute to the State Government's aim of increasing the farmgate value of Tasmanian’s agricultural sector to $10 billion a year by 2050.

Mike, a civil engineer, brings 25 years of experience to the role, having worked in Australia and internationally.  He has also been deeply involved with Engineers Australia serving as the Tasmanian President in 2013/14 and as a member of the National College of Civil Engineers and the Young Engineers Australia National Committee. During his presidency, Mike raised the profile of Tasmanian engineers through increasing engagement with the Tasmanian Government and the community generally.

On his appointment, Mike said irrigated agriculture plays a transformative role in turning potential into prosperity. 

“I’m delighted to take up this role at a time when reliable and sustainable access to water is more critical than ever,” he said. 

Whilst at Blueline,  Michael  was able to bring onto the Blueline Board other Old Virgilians –  Chairman Mark Hunt  (SVC 1975-82), together with Directors Andrew Finch (SVC 1976-82) and Anthony Morgan (SVC 1971-76).

In an extraordinary move, Mark Hunt has moved from being Chair of the Blueline Board to replacing Michael as its CEO. Mark had only recently relinquished his tenure of at UTAS where he had been Professor of Forestry and, for a time, Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

Mark’s remarkable story was recorded in the November 2023 edition of OVAtions.

Andrew Finch (GAICD) Director

Andrew worked in the Tasmanian State Service for 40 years, holding a range of senior positions in the Departments of Health, Education, Treasury, State Growth and Tasmania Police. 

He was Chief of Staff to the Treasurer and then State Premier between 2018 and 2022, where he played a major role in the successful management of COVID-19 in Tasmania from the commencement of the pandemic in March 2020. 

Andrew has a Bachelor of Business Studies (Accounting) and is a Fellow of CPA Australia and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

Andrew is currently the CEO of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania.

Anthony Morgan Director

Anthony is an experienced educator and executive, with a Master of Education (education leadership). He has worked as a senior government adviser and held leadership roles within the Catholic and International School systems. 

Anthony has expertise in policy development, strategic planning, organisational governance, corporate planning and accountability processes. With a strong preference for working with those experiencing disadvantage in our communities, he sees a strong alignment between the mission of Blueline and his Catholic faith.

(Anthony is part of a remarkable family.  Its story was featured in the June 2023 edition of OVAtions. All past editions can be viewed on the internet – ref. Old Virgilians Newsletters).