As 2025 unfolds, the OWCA community has already enjoyed a dynamic and inspiring start to the year. From sporting triumphs to milestone reunions, our network continues to thrive, fuelled by the passion and commitment of our members.
Our annual reunion program kicked off with a series of events across February, March and April, bringing together Old Wesley Collegians to reconnect, reminisce and celebrate shared experiences. We look forward to continuing the program in the second half of the year. I had the pleasure of attending The Boat Race Dinner at Leonda by the Yarra which was a standout evening, bringing together past and present rowers in a more inclusive format that welcomed all senior crews. This continued change has certainly sparked greater interest and is set to become a key fixture for Wesley’s rowing alumni.
The Grand Prix Breakfast at the Chicane Pavilion, Albert Park, was a high-octane event. Guests were treated to an engaging keynote speech by Krystina Emmanouilides (OW2008), a Computational Fluid Dynamics Engineer at Stake F1 Sauber. Her insights into the world of Formula 1 were captivating.
The Collegians Cricket Club set the tone for the year with a thrilling premiership win early in the year. This victory not only reflects the team’s hard work, but the enduring support of the OWCA. A heartfelt thank you to Rick Morris (OW2004), OWCA Board member and long-time contributor to the club’s success, whose dedication helped pave the way for this achievement. OWCA Bowls, under the dedicated leadership of Richard Sluggett (OW1972), successfully hosted their annual West Brighton event despite an earlier postponement, and I commend the club for their commitment to this valued tradition.
Collegians Car Club marked an exciting milestone with its first OW Auto Day as an official affiliate. More than fifty vehicles lined the Gregory Oval at Glen Waverley Campus, creating an impressive display visible from High Street Road.
Congratulations and thanks to Brad Gavin (OW1994), Alex Iljin (OW1982), Mark Samlal (OW1982), Stephen Grasby (OW1982) and Bruce Van Twest (OW1982) for their vision and leadership in launching the club and making the event such a success.
We celebrated Kate Evans (OW1998), who was named a Fellow of the OWCA at the Founders’ Day Lunch in May. Kate’s leadership as OWCA President, Head of OWCA and now, as interim Director of Community Engagement at Wesley, has driven significant reform and strengthened our community. As only the second female Fellow in OWCA history, she exemplifies the strong female leadership within our alumni.
We also proudly acknowledged Dr Jack Ayerbe (OW1963) for over 20 years of service on the OWCA Board. A visionary leader, Jack has championed reforms in gender inclusion, supported the growth of our affiliates and helped establish the Collegians Future Fund. His recent initiative to support elder OWs has already made a meaningful impact.
I would like to thank everyone who has joined us at an event this year. Your presence helps keep the OW spirit alive and each occasion reinforces the strength of our network - something all members, both current and future, can take pride in. I look forward to seeing more of you in the coming months as the remainder of our 2025 events program unfolds.
Tom Pewtress (OW2018)
OWCA President
#oldwesleycollegians
Your OWCA
OWCA Board | |
|---|---|
| President | Tom Pewtress (OW2018) |
| Vice-President | Alessia Francese (OW2016) |
| Treasurer | Rob Lancaster (OW1982) |
| Secretary | Emma Carney (OW1989) |
| Executive Members | Frank Opray (OW1963) Alex Iljin (OW1982) Kunal Rastogi (OW2002) Rick Morris (OW2004) Luca Jolson (OW2022) Jen Taylor (OW2023) Oscar Leeton (OW2024) |
Interested in becoming involved in the OWCA Board?
Contact Tom Pewtress (OW2018), President of the OWCA, at owca@wesleycollege.edu.au
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Please contact us at owca@wesleycollege.edu.au
