President’s message

Sometimes it can be tough to stay positive – especially in a pandemic, perhaps even more especially in Melbourne, during this pandemic.

When we are locked down, we ride waves of emotion, tuning in and out of daily updates, dealing with dodgy home-office setups, compromised wifi and interruptions from kids, partners, pets and delivery people. We’d grin and bear it – go on a long walk and find a piece of horizon to stare at, waiting for the freedoms we’ve only recently received – finally allowed to chase it for longer than five, or ten, or fifteen kilometres.

It’s been another year of cancellations, reimaginings and pivots. No one has had a clear shot – metro and regional – we’ve all been clipped or curtailed in some way, our events and functions collectively branded with the universal suffix of TBA or TBC. Now we fret over vaccine mandates, managing passports, unnerved by the prospect of playing gatekeeper to those who are ‘disallowed’. Many of us are fatigued, some of us may be fractured, and all of us waiting for the prospect of a more normal 2022.

COVID, and the 2021 lockdown series have meant a lot of work for the vast majority of advancement practitioners. Our colleagues in comms have been working hard to wrap and re-wrap our roadmaps and remote learning plans for community consumption. Marketers are battling the inability to invite people in and show off the offering – deliver that USP. Enrolments folk were trying to somehow magically get families over the line, sight unseen, and now, they face the problem of getting everyone toured before the year is done. The Alumni and Community crew are trying to keep their people engaged, reenvisioning, rescheduling and reconnecting. And fundraisers existed entirely online, again missing the direct connection with donors that so often makes a difference.

It’s been a tough couple of years, but we’re tough too. We’ve kept our feet pumping up and down on those pedals, and we finally crested the hill. 

We hit every vaccine target, and unlike six weeks ago, when we didn’t seem to have a clear path out of lockdown, we’re back out there circulating in the real world. We can safely imagine a Christmas with family and friends, and most importantly, enjoy the end of the year with our schools full of children, teenagers, colleagues and chatter.

Hopefully, that’s it. Hopefully, we’ve experienced the last of our lockdowns. Our social selves are champing at the bit, and I’m greatly looking forward to catching up face-to-face at our Chapter AGM and re-re-re-rescheduled networking event on Thursday, 25 November.

And speaking of Educate Plus events, I hope that many of you were able to take advantage of the Non-Conference Week Online offering back in early September. Videos of the presentations are still available, so if you missed a session, or wish to go back and review, please contact Sona Swindley, Events and Training Manager, to discuss. 

And now to my thank you list. 

First, I want to offer my thanks and congratulations for the support you have shown each other over the past two years. The sharing and support that happens between members of this organisation is unique. It is rare. And it is very, very special. Congratulations, too, on the support you have lent to your schools. When I think back to April 2020, none of us had any idea where things would go, how hard they would get, or how long they would last. We’re all still here. Well done us.

Thank you to Sheila Molloy, outgoing Marketing and Communications Manager at Educate Plus for keeping us all in the loop, especially during COVID times. Big thanks to my colleagues on the Vic/Tas Committee: Maria Mercuri, Roz Holloway, Laura Maasburg, Laura Bird, Di Lacey, Catherine McVean, Kristen Gleeson, Marion Cape and Tracey Grobbelaar. Let’s hope we get a clear run at some events next year!

Special mention must go to my predecessor Russell Davidson for taking the Board Chair position earlier this year and steering the organisation through the process of appointing a new CEO. We are delighted to be welcoming Mandy McFarland to this position to build on the great work done by Neil McWhannell during his ten years at the helm of Educate Plus.

And my final thanks go to that man, Neil McWhannell. During his tenure, Neil has grown our organisation from ADAPE to Educate Plus, and his leadership has seen our membership increase in size, influence and professionalism. He leaves Educate Plus on a very solid footing, and I have no doubt he will do a fantastic job at enjoying a well-earned retirement with his lovely wife, Heather. I wish them both the very best, in 2022 and beyond, and look forward to raising a glass (generously sponsored by Marts & Lundy) in their honour with the rest of the Vic/Tas contingent at The George on November 25.

Adam Liddiard F.EdPlus

Vic/Tas Chapter President