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December 2020 - A Message from the President - A Year in Review
Friday, 4 December 2020
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Dear fellow old boys, Firstly, I want to thank Tom Nattrass (‘93). Tom has been instrumental in leading a progressive Christ Church Grammar School Old Boys’ Association that is responsive to its growing membership. Tom will not be lost to the OBA and will continue to make a valuable contribution as the OBA's Immediate Past President. 2020 has been a year that we will never forget and one that has challenged all of us. Working remotely has strengthened our resolve to stay connected with the people who matter and undertake the pursuits we enjoy. To this extent, please be engaged and let the Committee know if there is anything that the OBA can be doing to better support you and your fellow old boys. Looking back on the events of 2020, I am proud of the way the OBA has delivered on its purpose – that being to enable old boys and the School community access to the opportunities that being part of the OBA's community provides. For me, a standout initiative was the establishment of the COVID-19 Assistance Response Effort (CARE) which saw the OBA partner with Lawson Douglas (‘00) and Dave Allan (‘00) at The Subiaco Hotel to prepare frozen meals for elderly old boys at risk. I would like to once again thank Lawson and Dave for their assistance with the CARE initiative. Other highlights for the OBA included: (a) building relationships with old boys that live in parts of the world that were most affected by coronavirus; (b) continuing to facilitate events that offered value to old boys including numerous reunions, the Old Boys’ Boarders' Lunch, the Old Boys' Annual Lunch, the Annual General Meeting and the Annual Sundowner; (c) continuing to provide lifechanging opportunities to exceptional young men through the OBA’s scholarship program (both to sons and grandsons of old boys and to boys with no affiliation with old boys), with a further fully paid scholarship for six years (The Arch Campbell Memorial Scholarship) being awarded in 2020; (d) promoting the personal health and wellbeing of old boys and current students by making a substantial donation to the School's new Aquatic Precinct and by purchasing two new treadmills for the School’s gym – each being facilities that old boys enjoy access to; (e) building a digital presence that has allowed the OBA to better communicate with old boys during these unprecedented times. I encourage you all to follow, and contribute to the OBA's social media platforms; and (f) introducing a selection process driven by old boys that ultimately led to Richard Hassell (’83) and Professor Richard Pestell AO (’75) being inducted as Legends of the OBA. Looking ahead, the Committee is excited to deliver on the OBA's current strategic plan and provide outcomes that support the OBA's value proposition to old boys and the School. These efforts will be focused around sound corporate governance, facilitating events, building relationships and building a digital presence. The Committee looks forward to assisting each of you to take advantage of your connection with the OBA and its broader community. In the meantime, on behalf of the OBA and the Committee, I wish you and your families a very safe, and happy, holidays. We look forward to welcoming you to one of the OBA’s numerous events in 2021. Matt Caddy (’03) President, Old Boys’ Association |