The Old Wesley Collegians Association and Young Leavers
Shortly, all 2015 Year 12 leavers will be welcomed as members of the Old Wesley Collegians Association (OWCA). The OWCA was established in 1882 by a number of alumni who wanted to keep in touch after school and today there are more than 20,000 living Old Wesley Collegians. The OWCA is a non-profit association which promotes the welfare of Wesley College and unites former Collegians by working to keep alumni connected to each other through various programs, functions and services. It organises a comprehensive suite of reunions and functions – 31 in total this year and more are planned for Wesley’s sesquicentenary in 2016.
In addition to the regular reunion program, which begins one year after leaving Wesley, there are a number of other events that engage alumni at various life stages. The Founders’ Day Lunch, Founders’ Day Cocktail Party, Golden Lions Lunch (for alumni 75 years of age and over), Boat Race Dinner and interstate reunions are traditional, annual events and are very well-attended. However, under the leadership of the President, Scott Hudson (OW1993), the OWCA Executive has worked hard to try to make it as relevant as possible, particularly for young alumni. They have introduced Alumni Business Networking functions, which feature a short talk by a young alumnus on a topic of general interest. These events provide an opportunity for alumni to meet and network in an informal setting and the second of this year’s events took place on Thursday 12 November - two more are planned for next year in March and October.
As part of the OWCA’s 2016 program of events, it is organising a Young Leavers 150th Celebration in Ormond Hall (in Moubray Street opposite the St Kilda Road campus) on Thursday 24 March. The evening will feature an exciting line up of bands and DJs. Invitations will be emailed to alumni closer to the date and it promises to be a great night of music and fun.
The OWCA also partly funds the Lion magazine that is mailed to all alumni, current and future parents. Included in the magazine are feature articles profiling alumni, reporting on functions and events and promoting the work of the association and its affiliate groups which include football, hockey, cricket, athletics/cross country, basketball, bowls, rowing, golf, snow skiing, water polo, music, theatre and Masonic Lodge. For alumni with young families, the OWCA has an extensive babysitting database, which has become extremely popular in recent years.
The OWCA, in conjunction with the Wesley College Foundation and the College, has an active engagement program with alumni overseas, particularly in Asia. Reunions, dinners, and informal functions are organised to bring alumni from various countries together and to update them on developments at Wesley. Several such functions were held this year and a number are planned in Asia, London and New York to celebrate Wesley’s 150th next year. It is often a great source of support for alumni who relocate overseas to know there are alumni around the world who can assist them in finding accommodation, employment, networking and so on.
The OWCA team comprises the College Head of the OWCA, Mark Hibbins (OW1978), Publications and Communications Officer, Lucy Gilfillan (OW1995) and Amanda Webster who organises reunions and activities and helps keep alumni connected.
I would encourage new leavers to contact the OWCA office at any stage, should they require support to stay in touch with the school, their 2015 peers or the wider OWCA community. They are welcomed as members of the OWCA and we look forward to their continuing involvement in the life of our school.
