From the Outgoing OCA President
Joe Karsay (OC 1998) shares his reflections on what was a vibrant year for the Old Cranbrookians’ Association
2022 was a great year for the Old Cranbrookians Association and as I look through the pages of this magazine, I am proud of the connection we were able to make with OCs of many generations. The focus of the OCA Committee for the second half of 2022 was on two new, marquee events.
While undoubtedly successful as inaugural events, they now provide the blueprint for us to refine in the future. The OCA Sports Day held on Sunday September 11, 2022, was a clear example of great collaboration between the OCA and the School. We combined the majority of the OCA versus the School Sports into a single gala day, focused around Hordern and the brand-new buildings which surround it. While pushed back twice due to Covid, the silver lining was that a matter of weeks after the Murray Rose Aquatic and Fitness Centre and the Vicars Centenary Building were opened, we had hundreds of Old Boys come to play against the school teams in Tennis, Touch Football, Indoor Soccer, Water Polo, Chess, and Sailing. The OCA was the recipient of the inaugural David Thomas Cup. It was significant that this was able to coincide with Dr Thomas’ fiftieth year on the Cranbrook staff. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of one of our Country Vice Presidents, Andrew Parker who was the organisational engine behind the event and the Foundation Office for their incredible support. It was also a chance to debut the OCA Terrace which is the Level Four Terrace in the Vicars Centenary Building. This terrace will be the meeting spot for OCA Reunions for generations to come, with a phenomenal vista over Hordern and through the Heads.
We also hosted the first ever OCA Presidents’ Dinner on the same night as the opening of the new Senior School buildings. For this event all past OCA Presidents and past Old Cranbrookians of the Year (or their families) were invited back to the school and mementos of service were presented to each. This concept was the brainchild of Bill Andreas, the other OCA Country Vice President. This was a chance to invite back to Cranbrook some of the most important figures in the life of the OCA. It is an event we are committed to holding every three years.
In late 2022 we were also delighted to announce Luke Johnson (1986) as Old Cranbrookian of the Year and Joe Dusseldorp (2000) as Young Old Cranbrookian of the Year. Luke was the architect for the transformational new Senior School campus facilities and is an architect of public significance in his other works. Joe is a micro-surgeon who is known for both pioneering techniques and for training other doctors in developing countries. Both are men we can be very proud to call our own and I look forward to seeing how we can involve them in the life of the OCA and School in 2023.
Finally, I want to thank the OCA Membership and the School for the honour of being OCA President. 2022 was exceptional in so many ways. Hence, it was with a heavy heart that I decided not to re-nominate or President again this year. However, I made this decision comfortable in the knowledge that I leave the role with a successor who has been ready for some time. Marty Cayzer is so well credentialed to take the OCA into its next chapter, he is an OCA Committee stalwart, current Cranbrook parent and has a deep and enduring love for the school. I look forward to helping Marty create this chapter as a member of his 2023 Committee.
Joe Karsay (OC 1998)
Outgoing President, Old Cranbrookians’ Association