OCA news

OCA President’s Report

I must start by asking everyone to pencil-in next year’s diary now, our Drinks Party on February 25, 2012. As this year is winding up at the speed of light (after which we all dream of collapsing on the couch for Boxing Day) there will only be a couple of weeks in first term before our favourite OCA event is upon us.

I think this event is so much fun and so special because, although the OCA host the Drinks Party, it is an event for the whole school community. We love to see as many parents, partners, and old collegians as possible join us for a couple of hours of scrumptious food, spontaneous entertainment and great South Australian wines supplied by our fabulous supporting wineries.

While this year has been busy with all our usual events, next year we celebrate the schools 90^th Anniversary which has truly enthused and motivated the Committee to focus and plan for the future of our Old Collegians Association.

The most important issue for our Committee, when considering the OCA’s future, is how to increase the benefits of our Association to its members.  We hope to enrich and expand our members’ experiences through greater involvement in the current school community and hope that this will also be of benefit to Seymour College and its future.

It has been along these lines of thought we have travelled in our contemplation and discussions on the subjects of:  our value to the school; the level of support and service we provide to the College; and the interaction of our committee within the current College community.

We believe that we can increase our profile within the College, our members’ activity and enjoyment within the Association, and strengthen the fabric and reputation of Seymour College by bringing the OCA closer to the current College community.

For example, our cocktail party at the beginning of the year has turned into a much livelier and financially successful event with the inclusion of OCA partners and current and past parents.

Invitations to all of next year’s Regional Luncheons will also be extended to past, current and future parents of the College who live in the area. This has evolved in some regions already, so it was decided therefore that this strong lead coming from the membership itself, should be acknowledged by the committee as a great step forward.

A special 90^th Anniversary OCA Dinner will be held in Spring next year to celebrate the College’s birthday. We hope that old collegians will organise tables from their school year to attend. Please telephone the school and ask to speak with the Development Office if you are looking for friends with whom you have lost contact.

I would like to begin my very long list of thank yous by thanking all the Old Collegians who continue to support the Association by participating in our many events,  the current committee members for their tireless efforts, my co-president, Annie Howard and OCA Liaison Officer , Sue McLeay for steering me through a giant learning curve this year. Thanks also to the OCA club co-ordinators; Golf-Ingrid Esau, Hockey-Josette Wood , Soccer- Anthea Pazios, Netball- Melissa Powell , our regional luncheon co-ordinators, Fleurieu-Di Harvey, Riverland- Sue Brock, Mid North- Peggy Gebhardt, and the South  East- Tiffany Williams and finally to our Patron Belinda Provis and the Seymour College

Lisa Rasheed (Maidment ’83)

OCA President

The 2012 Committee is:
President - Lisa Rasheed (Maidment ’83)

Vice President -Pat Halloran (Pike ’50)

Secretary - Jacqui Harbison (’83)

Assistant Secretary - Melanie Moffatt (Riggs ’03)

Treasurer - Anna Townsend (McBratney ’85)

Committee members  - Samantha Allan (Stewart-Rattray ’85), Carolyn Bannon (Lee ’80), Sally Davies-Dickson (Dickson ’78), Lucy Evans (’09), Kate Healy (’08), Cassie Hopkins (‘95), Annie Howard (Townsend ’88), Skye Irwin (’06), Tracye Koerner (’77), Anthea Pazios (’08), Mary Read (Chapman ’87), Lucy Schulze (’07), Josette Wood (Mansfield ’89).