From the President  

On Tuesday March 29 the Old Virgilians Association held its 105th Annual General Meeting. The future of the Association was at risk given the resignations of the 2021 President, Brad Canning due to work and family commitments and the 2018-21 Secretary, Declan Waddington, given his relocation to Melbourne, along with no nominations having been received for the key positions.

However, a committee was able to be formed – so the Association lives on thanks to the support of many hardworking Old Virgilians. There were ten attendees – Michael Harvey (current treasurer), Zac Piesse, Bruce Woods, Tony & Graeme Rainbow (current committee members), together with Bill Ayliffe, Corey Bygraves and David Mazengarb. Paul Boutchard had intended to attend and was prepared to accept a committee position but was COVID confined. Mark Waddington, the College’s Director of Development was also in attendance in his role as OVA-SVC liaison. 

I gladly accepted the vacant position of President, and Graeme offered to step up into the secretary role, and Bruce to the Vice-Presidency in support of that acceptance. Michael agreed to continue as Treasurer. Tony will continue on the committee, along with newcomers, Corey, David and Paul. Bill expressed a willingness to assist the association on a sub-committee that was mooted at the meeting, which would review the Association’s constitution, review the purpose of the Association, and strategize how best to address that purpose. 

I would like to especially thank the outgoing members – Brad and Declan for their contributions. Brad’s resignation was understandable given his position as Deputy Principal of St Aloysius’ College and having a young family. Declan’s time and effort spent in trying to engage the more recent graduates of the College was very much appreciated, and we look forward to him organising the OVA Drinks in Melbourne later in the year. 

I have accepted the position with reservation and will rely on the support of both the committee and the broader body of former students. Despite this initial reluctance, I am thoroughly looking forward to the challenge of being President of this prestigious organisation. I am incredibly appreciative of what St Virgil’s College has given me and am prepared to give something back. There are many exciting things happening at the College, and hopefully while reading this, you sense a ‘call to arms’ and feel the same way that I do about St Virgil’s College and I ask you to consider supporting our Association into the future.

Zac Piesse