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| 12 Jun 2024 | |
| Old Scholar |
ST PETER’S OLD COLLEGIANS’ ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED
154th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Monday 8 April 2024
CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT
As Chairman, I am delighted to present this report for the 154th Annual General Meeting of the St Peter’s Old Collegians’ Association.
In 2023 the SPOC community embraced a year of engaging events, reunions, Intercols and opportunities to visit the School.
The White & Blue Ball in August emerged as an engagement success, drawing over 330 guests across not only old scholars, but also the wider School community. It was a wonderful night that we certainly look forward to hosting again in the future. The Boarders' Reunion was another highlight, a testament to the enduring bonds that define our community (and particularly the Saints boarding community), as 120 old scholars gathered to reminisce and reconnect.
The Business Lunch with SPOC partner Sarah Constructions was very well attended as were the Fleurieu, March Quarterly and Old Blues Lunches.
Tim Browning, Headmaster, attended SPOC Chapter events in Canberra, London, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and New York, highlighting the global reach of our old scholar community. A Perth Chapter Dinner was also held for the first time in many years.
We welcomed over 300 old scholars back to the School for Milestone Reunions during 2023. The Combined Milestone Reunion evening in November united old scholars from 1973, 1983, 1993 and 2003, bringing together nearly 200 people.
Summer and winter Intercols against old rivals PAOCA were staged throughout the year across badminton, chess, cricket, football, golf, lawn bowls, snooker, squash and tennis. Our thanks and congratulations to all SPOC clubs, convenors and players for continuing this great tradition.
In October, we were thrilled to welcome our newest members, the Class of 2023, at our annual Year 12 BBQ. It was a great opportunity for the boys to connect with SPOC Sporting Club representatives and our SPOC Committee before being presented with their Old Scholar ties at Speech Day.
SPOC Sporting Clubs are a vital part of our old scholar community, and we are deeply grateful for the passionate volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure their continued success. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, our clubs are thriving. Our thanks to the following old scholars who represent the ten SPOC sporting clubs on the SPOC General Committee:
I acknowledge and thank our corporate partners for their generous support, without which we simply couldn’t operate. Your partnership and commitment are greatly valued, and we look forward to our continued collaboration.
SPOC is fortunate to have a passionate and dedicated Committee, each member of which works hard to strengthen the old scholar community. Firstly, to Oren Klemich, President, and Andrew Jonats, Treasurer, I thank you both for your invaluable support, guidance and dedication to your roles and to the Association.
I thank each of the committeemen for their commitment and assistance throughout the year:
On behalf of the Association, I would like to thank retiring committee members Paul Willoughby and Philip Marshall for their contributions to the Executive Committee.
Paul joined the Executive Committee in 1997 and has served for 27 consecutive years. For 19 years Paul held the position of Treasurer. He has also represented SPOC on the Foundation Board and St Peter’s Mission. Thank you, Paul, for your long and loyal contribution to the Association.
Philip first joined the SPOC Committee in 1990, providing several years’ service, including two years as Chairman in 1993 and 1994. Prior to this, he was a central figure in the SPOC Melbourne Chapter during the 1980s. Philip rejoined the SPOC Executive Committee in 2021, and since then has been a reliable and active member of our committee: always willing to help with events, setting up, turning sausages or pouring drinks. We thank Philip for his contribution. Philip remains the Blackmore Club representative on the SPOC General Committee.
On behalf of the Association and its members, my sincere thanks must go to Headmaster, Tim Browning, to the School’s Council of Governors, and to the entire Saints faculty for their unparalleled, unwavering support, without which our Association and our Sporting Clubs would simply be unable to operate.
Finally, a personal thank you to the smiling face of our Association: our tireless SPOC Coordinator and Association Secretary, Bianca Harms, for all of your efforts over this past year. We are so very grateful for everything you do for us, and we would be lost without you.
I thank all members for their attendance this evening and present this, my report.
Oliver Sheahan (HWK 2007)
Chairman
St Peter’s Old Collegians