President’s message

Thanks to Euronews.com for the header image. 

Too young to be a veteran

It’s a very satisfying feeling to write an introductory message as the incoming President of an organisation that has given me so much. As a fourteen-year member of Educate Plus, with about ten of those on the Committee, I feel I’m reasonably well-credentialed to make the following statement. 

“Educate Plus members are a wonderfully giving and supportive professional group.”

There is a camaraderie which exists amongst members – and a vibrant sharing economy which serves to support and drive improvement at all of our schools and institutions, right across the Advancement sector. Thank you all for making this so.

Thank you, Russell

Thank you too, to Russell Davidson, as outgoing President for steering the VIC/TAS ship through the past few years, including this most jarring of trips around the sun, 2020. The growth in membership and the continuation of online events throughout the pandemic is testament to the professionalism and commitment you brought to the role. Thanks again, Russ’, I look forward to continuing to work with you on the Committee. 

No-one has had an easy year, least of all us Victorians who had to negotiate months of remote work and lockdown conditions. Our schools looked very different for the great majority of the year, and our roles will continue to look different as we move into 2021. The concept of ‘doing more with less’ is one that we must all get comfortable with.

Looking forward together

That’s where the value of Educate Plus membership comes into its own. In 2021 we look forward to continuing the Special Interest Group (SIG) opportunities for professional development, sharing, support and networking. Workshop and Regional Events will feature, and a further expansion of the Accredited Training Programs which were incredibly successful this year. The biggest event on the 2021 calendar is the much-anticipated 2021 International Conference, to be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre from September 6-9. As Neil says, they sell out, and this year, we expect it to go more quickly than normal. So, make sure it’s in your PD budget and book early!

I look forward to working with the VIC/TAS Committee this year to bring you a variety of PD opportunities and encourage you to pop the events in your diary as they are announced and make the most of the online and in-person catch-ups as they occur.

Best wishes for a relaxed, safe and happy summer, I look forward to seeing you at one of our events in the new year.

Adam Liddiard (Director of Community Relations – Woodleigh School)
VIC/TAS Chapter President

Welcome to the new VIC/TAS Chapter Committee

We are thrilled to welcome our new Chapter President Adam Liddiard. Adam has served on the Chapter Committee for a number of years. We would also like to welcome our newest members Marion Cape and Tracey Grobbelaar. Marion joins us from Strathcona Girls Grammar and Tracey from Siena College. We look forward to working with Tracey and Marion in 2021.

2021 Chapter Committee

Welcome to Tracey Grobbelaar, Director of Development and Community Relations, Siena College

1. What is your current role at your school and what does this involve?
I am the Director of Development and Community Relations at Siena College. My role includes the strategic direction and operations of the College’s Development Office encompassing admissions, marketing and communications, development and advancement, our alumnae community and archives. Positive engagement across community stakeholders and groups is a key aspect as is collaboration with team members, staff and members of the wider community to ensure effective and efficient promotion of the College. I am also responsible for fundraising, master planning, capital development and our scholarship program. 

2. Why have you decided to join the Educate Plus VIC/TAS Committee?
I have been a member of Educate Plus since 2009 and have attended many conferences and Educate Plus events. I feel it is time to give back to the education sector and assist where I can.

3. What are some of your interests outside of work?
I love running, walking and being outdoors.

4. Who have been some of your great mentors in your life.
I have been lucky enough to be mentored by several people including my previous principal, Gaynor Robson-Garth, Ivan St Clair, Partner at Ernst and Young and Tony Grant, Siena College Business Manager.

5. Favourite travel destination and why.
Europe, in particular Vienna. In 2019 I travelled to several European destinations and spent much of my time in Munich as part of my MBA studies.

6. Best book ever read?
I have just completed the book by Ronni Kahn – A Repurposed Life, she is an incredible lady, the OzHarvest charity queen.  Ronni is not only an innovator but also a truly inspirational lady making a difference in our world.   

7. Tell us one thing about yourself that many might not know.
I have just completed two years of study at ACU completing an Executive Masters of Business Administration.  I have not studied in over 27 years, I really challenged myself but have finally finished.

Welcome to Marion Cape, Director of Marketing and Admissions, Strathcona Girls Grammar

1. What is your current role at your school and what does this involve?
I am the Director of Marketing and Admissions and a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Strathcona Girls Grammar. I have an extensive career in the schools’ sector, encompassing community engagement, admissions, marketing, alumni, communication, event management and PR. At Strathcona, together with my team we work towards building healthy levels of enrolments whilst providing a high level of customer service to prospective families. We are also an integral part of the Professional Staff Team at Strathcona, here to support staff, students, alumnae and families.  It is our role to work strategically to communicate and elevate Strathcona’s brand presence and to showcase the exceptional level of learning, engagement and care of the Strathcona community.

2. Why have you decided to join the Educate Plus VIC/TAS Committee?
Throughout my career in independent schools I have been fortunate to be supported and mentored through a very connected, generous and vibrant community of networked colleagues. The exchange of ideas, support through challenging times, factual practical advice and friendships have been an important part of my working life. Educate Plus is a vital cog in keeping us all connected and provides a continual learning platform. I wanted to be part of that contribution.

3. What are some of your interests outside of work?
Family, travel, reading and long walks on the beach.

4. Who have been some of your great mentors in your life.
My grandfather was my earliest mentor. He instilled into me very early in my life the value of education leading to my own study and ultimately working in this field. It is a very rewarding career knowing you contribute to the education of young people. I have also been generously mentored by my current and previous Principals, my husband, with his extensive career in management and my good friend Donna Galloway with her expertise in Admissions.

5. Favourite travel destination and why.
Sri Lanka, my first employment was working for Air Lanka as a general sales agent in Melbourne. I was fortunate enough to take a few Agent Familiarisation trips. I love the diversity of the country from the beauty of the beaches, the vibrancy of the cities to the green rolling hills of the Tea Plantations. The history and beautiful colonial buildings are fascinating.  The Sri Lankan people are warm and friendly natural hosts with wonderful food!

6. Best book ever read?
I Know This Much Is True, by Wally Lamb. It’s a beautiful story about family, commitment and sacrifice.

7. Tell us one thing about yourself that many might not know.
English is my second language and I am reasonably fluent in Dutch. My parents and grandparents were migrants and I did not start speaking English until I went to school in Prep. This does give me an affinity and appreciation of newly migrated families who are still learning our language, especially new students.

Alumni SIGs

Recently the VIC/TAS Chapter held two successful Alumni Relations online SIGs with over 120 registrations to attend and participate.

Part 1 – Innovations, Opportunities, Changes and Successes in 2020 How we have changed, innovated and adapted our Alumni Relations program this year without face to face gatherings. The group met online to discuss some of the ideas that have succeeded and perhaps some that haven’t! There were many gems of information shared in this interactive meeting of peers, one highlight being Oxford Falls Grammar School sharing how they contacted Alumni who had graduated 5-16 years ago that we hadn’t spoken to and didn’t have up-to-date contact information for. Read more here… Watch recording

Part 2 – 2021. What does it look like for you? We developed some of the ideas discussed in Part 1 to determine what 2021 might look like. Which of the innovations and ideas from this COVID-19 year will we continue to implement within our programs? How might our 2021 look after the absence of events in 2020? How will we compensate for the missed engagement opportunities from 2020? Watch recording

Interesting Reads

Christmas Break PD

We hope you all enjoy your brief Christmas break and use this time to recharge and recover from what has been a tough year for many of us.

Should you decide to use this time to improve a knowledge or skills gap, get proactive and hop online to see what benefits come with your membership. Access the on-demand webinars, recorded SIGs, upcoming certified practitioner courses, the 2020 edition of Face to Face and the International Conference. Expressions of interest are being taken for our 2021 Certified Practitioner Training courses in Melbourne in May and bookings are open for the International Conference in September in Adelaide 2021.

Quick Access to Educate Plus PD Resources

International Conference 2021

As we emerge from the impact of COVID, I want to reassure you that our International Conference will be going ahead in Adelaide 6-9 September 2021.

We are however conscious that some of institutions still have travel and budget restrictions in place. With this in mind, the International Conference will be expanding its reach, adding virtual elements to our traditional live event structure.

• The Main Conference will be a face-to-face event to provide a richer, more immersive, and more participatory experience to our members.
  • If you are planning to attend, you can register now
  • Early Bird rates are now applicable – saving $400pp
  • We have put in place a flexible booking system that allows for refunds
  • Bursaries and Travel assistance packages are available
• Pre-conference Workshops & Master Class will be a hybrid event, live streaming to remote attendees who are unable to take part in the face-to-face sessions. More details to come soon.
• Conference Recordings: A selection of the top-ranked sessions will be available for purchase post conference. More details to come soon.

It is our core belief that challenges must be seen as opportunities, and this is our opportunity to bring you the best speaker line-up ever seen at the Adelaide 2021 International Conference.

We are committed to help our members succeed and ‘Reignite’ Advancement in the face of the unprecedented challenges we face today.