Anton Leschen (OM 1983), member of The Old Melburnian Council, explains how one group of Old Melburnians have used contemporary technology to grow the connections between them. He hopes it inspires other Old Melburnians to take action and get connected with their fellow Old Melburnians.
The Old Melburnians Council’s ambition is to bring generations of Old Melburnians, old and new together, to create better futures. Our ambition will be achieved through the action of our members.
The Old Melburnians Council can’t and shouldn’t be the only doer of this goal. The Old Melburnians Council is the facilitator, sometimes motivator and possibly the funder of Old Melburnians building the connections of each year-level cohort, sporting club or interest group. You can see that via the OMs Theatrical Society, the Old Melburnian Football Club, Old Melburnian Branches around the world and the LGR Reunion just to name a few examples.
This story showcases the 1983 year level’s WhatsApp group.
Initiated by Mike Collett (OM 1983) and Harish Rao (OM 1983), Mike explains their simple and effective idea.
“I personally lost touch with everyone I knew at School, even though I attended most reunions. It was after our 35 year reunion that four of us decided to have a game of golf together, then had the idea of a Friday arvo lunch with more of 1983 involved.
To organise the lunch we just used the phone numbers we had and managed about 10 people. It was at this lunch that the idea of a WhatsApp group came up. As more people from 1983 were found I added them…”
This WhatsApp group has been such a great connector, thanks to Mike and Harish. The phone isn’t pinging every second day. Rather, every month or so news pops up from any one of the 58 members through the app. The news can be social, happy, and sometimes sad.
Thanks to Mike and Harish’s initiative some of the 1983 cohort are more closely informed. We have the choice of getting together. Activities have included a non-official 40-year school reunion luncheon; a golf tournament; sad news of a mate’s passing (RIP Andrew “Lawro” Lawrence OM 1983) and news of our kids’ twenty-first birthdays.
I hope you’re getting inspired.
How could your Old Melburnian circle unite, connect and grow?
This 1983 WhatsApp group is one example that can inspire others. Maybe a group of Old Melburnian Women would like to make a network? Or the Old Melburnians table tennis players, who are growing in numbers and activities each year. Perhaps those who had adventures with the School to Papua New Guinea would like to connect?
It’s for Old Melburnians to get ideas to connect and grow. The Old Melburnians Council is here to facilitate such initiatives.
If you’d like support with your idea to reunite groups of Old Melburnians, please contact any Old Melburnian Councilor or reach out to our Clubs and Societies Subcommittee, Jeremy Nichols (OM 1983) and Douglas Tsoi (OM 2004).
Contact Old Melburnian Council members via [email protected] or phone +61 3 9865 7682
