From the VIC/TAS President

Welcome to an Exciting Year with the VIC/TAS Chapter! 

One of the most common things I’ve been hearing from our members, colleagues, and Advancement peers this year is simple: it’s busy. The year has kicked off at a fast pace, and for many, there’s a sense of powering through to that first well-earned pause at Easter.  
 
It happens every year, and yet it still manages to catch us off guard. The encouraging part is that we’re not navigating it alone. Across our community, many of us are facing similar challenges, burdens… and often discovering shared strengths as well. That’s where educate+ plays such an important role: connecting us with peers who understand the rhythm of this work, who we can learn from, share with, and turn to when we need to debrief with people who truly get it.  
 
And now we’ve arrived at the long-awaited break! I hope this serves as a gentle reminder to take the opportunity to pause and reset, but also to lean into the strength of our network when we get back into gear after the short break. Whether through events, conversations, or simply reaching out, these connections are what make our VIC/TAS community so valuable. With more than 700 members across over 150 institutions, there is a wealth of experience, insight, and support available to us all. 
 
With this in mind, the 2026 VIC/TAS events program has been thoughtfully designed to support you. A key highlight will be the upcoming VIC/TAS Learning Exchange, taking place on Thursday 21 May at the Catholic Leadership Centre. This professional development day will bring together members from across all streams, featuring a keynote and a series of targeted breakout masterclass sessions designed to provide practical insights and fresh perspectives. We’re excited to have confirmed speakers from MGR&CO, DGB Global, TEDxMelbourne, Blueboat, Kingswood College, and The University of Melbourne, with more to be announced soon. 
 
Alongside this, we will continue to create opportunities for cross-stream discussion, informal networking, and shared learning, ensuring connection remains accessible and relevant for all members across Victoria and Tasmania. 

A defining moment this year will be the educate+ International Conference in Brisbane this September. This is a significant opportunity to connect nationally, strengthen networks and bring leading practice back to your institutions. With the ‘Grace Period’ for Early Bird registrations closing on 17 April, I strongly encourage you to secure your place as soon as you can! 

And, as we move further into the year, I also encourage you to take advantage of opportunities to contribute to the broader Advancement conversation, including participation in our sector surveys and initiatives that help build a clearer picture of our profession. These insights are invaluable in strengthening our collective voice and supporting strategic conversations within your own organisations. To complete the State of the Sector Survey, click here. 
 
This Chapter thrives because of its engaged and generous members. As a Committee, we remain committed to ensuring your membership delivers meaningful value through relevant professional development, strong peer networks, and opportunities to connect. 

Please don’t hesitate to introduce yourself–I’m always keen to hear your ideas, experiences, and what matters most to you as we continue to shape and strengthen our VIC/TAS community together.  
 
Thank you for being part of such a dynamic and supportive network! 

Kaushini Fernando 
VIC-TAS Chapter President | Educate+

Alumni and Community Manager  
Carey Baptist Grammar School