Being an Old Melburnian 

At the recent 131st Old Melburnians Annual Dinner, I shared my thoughts on being an Old Melburnian. Below is an extract from my speech.

It can be easy to think of the term ‘Old Melburnian’ as simply a title. A line on a resume. A school we once attended. A membership group to be part of.
We are conditioned to define ourselves by our achievements, careers, titles, and successes. But we need to ask a much more important question: Who are we – beyond the titles and descriptors?

The question is not: ‘What did Melbourne Grammar help me achieve?’ but ‘Who did Melbourne Grammar and the Old Melburnian Community help me become?’ When I consider this question, I think about how my time at Melbourne Grammar shaped who I have become as a person. I suspect few Old Melburnians remember every lesson they were taught while at School, but I’m almost certain that every one of us remembers a teacher who believed in us, a coach who pushed us to achieve our best, or a mate who stood beside us in a challenging time. We remember the failures that taught us resilience, the successes that gave us confidence, and the conversations that changed our direction.

The best schools shape character. They help form values. They create lifelong friendships. They instil habits of service. They encourage curiosity. They remind us that leadership is an honour and a responsibility rather than a position.

One of the benefits of my role on the Old Melburnians Council is the opportunity I have to meet Old Melburnians from every generation. I’ve spoken with young graduates just beginning their careers, and with Old Melburnians in their 90s who still light up when they tell stories about their school days. I’ve also had the opportunity to witness Old Melburnians reconnecting after decades, business leaders mentoring young Old Melburnians, and volunteers giving their time simply because they believe it will contribute to the sustainability and nourishment of the community.

What strikes me is how similar all these people are; a quiet generosity, a willingness to help, and a sense that they belong to something that extends well beyond themselves.

Research tells us that one of the greatest predictors of wellbeing isn’t success, wealth, or status – but belonging.

Which is why I don’t think the Old Melburnians exists simply to organise events. The dinners, breakfasts, reunions, mentoring programs, clubs, fellowships, and branches are incredibly important.

But they are the vehicles, not the destination. The destination is belonging.

And so our responsibility isn’t simply to preserve traditions. It’s to ensure the next generation feels exactly what many of us have been fortunate enough to experience. I would like to ensure that when a student leaves Melbourne Grammar, they don’t feel they’ve left a school. They feel they’ve joined a community where they belong.