From the Chapter President

Hello to all our VIC/TAS Chapter members, 

I’m Kaushini Fernando, your new VIC/TAS Chapter President, and I am thrilled to be stepping into this role alongside an exceptional VIC/TAS Committee (see full image below). Our team of volunteers are passionate about fostering a strong, connected, and vibrant community of Advancement professionals, and we’re excited to bring you another year of learning, networking, and collaboration. 
      
We’ve already had a fantastic start to the year with two engaging networking events. On 12 March, the TAS Coffee Catch-Up at the UTAS University Club created a wonderful opportunity for members to reconnect over meaningful conversations. Then, on 2 April, our Victorian members gathered at Harvie in Armadale for Networking Drinks on a glorious warm day, and we were especially grateful to have the support of our event sponsor, Uniform Group. It was fantastic to see both new and familiar faces strengthening professional connections over drinks and finger food in a relaxed setting. These events have set the tone for a year filled with collaboration and shared success. 
 

Looking ahead, we’re gearing up for an incredible lineup of professional development and networking opportunities. One of the major highlights will be the VIC/TAS Chapter Summit, taking place at Carey Baptist Grammar School from 16 to 17 July. The Program has just been released, featuring an outstanding lineup including 39 sessions and two Keynote speakers, designed to inspire and equip you with new insights. This Summit is for everyone – new and advanced in their field. Be sure to take advantage of early bird registration before it closes on 9 May! You can find out more here. Additionally, we’re curating a calendar of events, including SIG online sessions with industry experts and more in-person networking opportunities throughout the year. 

As we step into 2025 together, I encourage each of you to embrace the opportunities ahead. This Chapter thrives because of its passionate and engaged members, and I look forward to meeting many of you at our upcoming events. Please don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to me – I’m eager to hear your thoughts and ideas on how we can continue to grow and support our community! 

Thank you for your commitment to making the VIC/TAS Chapter such a dynamic and inspiring network. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead! 
 
 

Warm regards, 

Kaushini Fernando 
VIC/TAS Chapter President 
Alumni and Community Manager  
Carey Baptist Grammar School  

kaushini.fernando@carey.com.au