As with any memorable journey, I end my term as President of the Old Melburnians Society and I am proud to look back at what the Old Melburnians Council has achieved in the last two years. I am also excited by the future.
What has become clear to me is that a large majority of OMs want to stay connected with each other, are inclusive, and have a deep interest in the School. This was reflected in our recent survey which pleasingly attracted hundreds of responses which are summarised over the page. However, it is also true that our desire to connect changes depending on our own stage in life.
We have worked hard to cater to these differing OM needs. Young, active or career-focused OMs will find our personal development, sport and relationship-building initiatives rewarding, while our reunions, social events and community-building initiatives will appeal to those OMs who are ready to reconnect with their peers or ‘give back’ to help others.
I am especially proud of our greatly improved engagement over the last two years with our almost 1,000 female OMs and our First Nations OMs, our advocacy for our OM Clubs and Societies, and our clarity of purpose which has helped us to get behind the School’s Towards 2030 strategy, provide funding to our Clubs and Societies, and materially subsidise OM events for OMs fresh out of school.
But there is more to do. We will soon launch our ‘Club-in-a-Box’ initiative which will help OMs form new clubs and interest groups, and our OM Advisory Exchange which is designed to connect OM small and emerging businesses with our OM community.
In 2024 we will continue the branch events we restarted this year to ensure OMs outside Melbourne and overseas can stay connected more easily.
The future for the Old Melburnians Society looks bright. I am delighted to announce that the Society has elected Martin Scott (OM 1980) as the new President. Martin has the passion and energy to deliver our goals.
While we farewell Rohan Workman (OM 2004) and thank him for his superb contribution over the last four years, we look forward to welcoming Edwina Burn (OM 2004) – profiled here – as our newest Council Member, with two others to join early next year.
As an OM, you are part of a unique, 17,000-member community, built on strong traditions. In 2024 I hope you get to know your community even better and take advantage of what we have to offer.
Thindika Amarasekara (OM 1991)
President, The Old Melburnians
