{"id":1332,"date":"2026-04-07T12:09:43","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T02:09:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-sa-nt\/?post_type=article&#038;p=1332"},"modified":"2026-04-07T17:51:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T07:51:23","slug":"from-the-chapter-president-7","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-sa-nt\/article\/from-the-chapter-president-7\/","title":{"rendered":"From the Chapter President"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2026 is already shaping up to be a year of strong momentum for\u00a0the\u00a0SA\/NT Chapter, with a clear focus on connection,\u00a0capability\u00a0and community across all pillars of Advancement.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We kicked off the year with strong engagement at our first Professional Development and Networking Session, <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Integrated Advancement: Aligning Strategy,\u00a0Teams\u00a0and Leadership<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, with high participation and genuine cross-pillar collaboration setting the tone for the year ahead.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Following the Chapter AGM in November, we welcomed a refreshed and highly engaged Committee. I would like to acknowledge the outstanding leadership of outgoing Chapter President, Helen Karapandzic, whose contribution over the past two years as President has positioned the Chapter for continued success. My thanks also to all Committee members, both continuing and new, for their ongoing commitment to our community.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As many of you know, I will shortly be relocating interstate to take up a new Advancement role. While this transition was not anticipated at the time of accepting the Presidency, I am confident in the strength and continuity of the Committee. I am delighted that Belinda Mears, Director of Marketing, Communications and Advancement at St Peter\u2019s Girls\u2019 School, will step into the role of Chapter President, supported by Victoria Richardson, Communications &amp; Engagement Manager at Nazareth Catholic College, as Chapter Vice President.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1340\" src=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2026\/03\/MEARS-Belinda-2026-200x200-BW.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2026\/03\/MEARS-Belinda-2026-200x200-BW.jpg 200w, https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2026\/03\/MEARS-Belinda-2026-200x200-BW-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 300px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1301\" src=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/11\/RICHARDSON-Victoria-BW-200x200-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/11\/RICHARDSON-Victoria-BW-200x200-1.png 200w, https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/11\/RICHARDSON-Victoria-BW-200x200-1-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px\">\n<p>\n<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/belinda-mears\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Belinda Mears\u00a0<\/a><br \/>\n<\/strong>SA\/NT Chapter President<br \/>\n(Commencing 1 April)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 300px\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/victoria-richardson-7586996a\/?originalSubdomain=au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Victoria Richardson<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nSA\/NT Chapter Vice President<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Looking ahead, our 2026 Professional Development Program has been deliberately designed to deliver a high-impact, integrated offering. In Term 2, we turn to <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Video-First Storytelling<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, followed by practical sessions across Enrolment, Engagement and Pre-Conference Networking.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A defining moment this year will be the <strong>educate+ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epbrisbane2026.org\/event\/f9e83764-438b-43e3-bd2d-260582421384\/summary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">International Conference in Brisbane this September<\/a>.<\/strong> This is a significant opportunity to connect nationally, strengthen networks and bring leading practice back to your institutions. In the lead-up, the Committee will create opportunities for members to connect through coffee catch-ups.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With the &#8216;Grace Period&#8217; for Early Bird registrations closing on 17 April, I strongly encourage you to secure your place!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>I also encourage members to participate in the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/survey.confirmit.com.au\/wix\/p406849081438.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>State of the Sector Survey<\/strong><\/a>, currently being conducted, in partnership with McCrindle Research. This work will strengthen our collective understanding of the Advancement landscape while also providing valuable benchmarking data that members can take back to their own organisations to support planning, conversations and strategic decision making. To complete the\u00a0<strong>State of the Sector Survey<\/strong> (which closes on Friday 10 April),<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/survey.confirmit.com.au\/wix\/p406849081438.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">click here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is also pleasing to see membership continue to grow, now reaching a record 260 members across\u00a059\u00a0institutions.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Finally, thank you to our Chapter Sponsors, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.advancedlife.com.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Advancedlife<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.enrolhq.cc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EnrolHQ<\/a><\/strong>, for your ongoing support. Your contribution enables the delivery of high-quality programs and experiences for our members.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Thank you\u00a0again\u00a0for being part of this community. I encourage you to stay engaged and take full advantage of the opportunities ahead in what promises to be an exciting year.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Kind regards<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1298\" src=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/11\/HEALY-Beck-BW-300x300-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/11\/HEALY-Beck-BW-300x300-1.png 300w, https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/11\/HEALY-Beck-BW-300x300-1-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/rebecca-healy-0b902452\/?originalSubdomain=au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rebecca Healy\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">SA\/NT Chapter President | <strong>educate+<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<br \/>\n(Outgoing 31 March)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Director of Philanthropy<br \/>\nScotch College Adelaide<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2026 is already shaping up to be a year of strong momentum for\u00a0the\u00a0SA\/NT Chapter, with a clear focus on connection,\u00a0capability\u00a0and community across all pillars of Advancement.\u00a0 We kicked off the year with strong engagement at our first Professional Development and Networking Session, Integrated Advancement: Aligning Strategy,\u00a0Teams\u00a0and Leadership, with high participation and genuine cross-pillar collaboration setting [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","class_list":["post-1332","article","type-article","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-sa-nt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/1332","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-sa-nt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-sa-nt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-sa-nt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-sa-nt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1332"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}