In November, Edwina Burn (OM 2004) was elected as the newest member of the Old Melburnians Council, the governing body of The Old Melburnians Society. She brings a wealth of experience and a strong sense of community to the role.
Edwina says there are numerous elements to the position she found appealing, but none more so than the opportunity to support, nurture and strengthen the Old Melburnian network.
“The function of the Council that really resonated with me was that it’s very much about keeping a community together after individual students leave the school gates. It’s about a network of people that have a shared set of values and a shared experience who want to maintain that.
“This is the case regardless of whether a person only attended Grimwade House, or only Wadhurst and Senior School, or attended Melbourne Grammar for their entire school life.
“Community structures don’t exist in the same way that they used to, so I think it’s more important than ever to deliberately create something for people to be a part of.”
A different perspective backed by boundless experience
Edwina has spent the last 10 years living abroad in London and New York, most recently working as the Global Head of Governance, Commodities and Global Markets for Macquarie Group. She is returning to Australia in 2024 and will live in Sydney, travelling to Melbourne for Council meetings.
Edwina says she hopes to bring a different perspective to the Council.
“I’m mid-career, I’m a woman, I’ve been overseas for a long time, and I have been closely involved with organisations that seek to actively foster inclusivity.
“For example, I led Macquarie’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) gender equity employee network and serve on the Employer’s Board of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership.”
Edwina also aims to continue serving as a mentor in the Old Melburnian Career Masterclass program.
“I was enormously impressed by the thought and investment that went into the Career Masterclass program and I hope to continue sharing what I have learned so far in my career with others.
“I’m really excited to join the Council. They are a remarkably dedicated and thoughtful group and I think it’s fantastic how much the School invests in the Council, as well. It really highlights the importance the School places on creating an enduring community.”
