Rostrevor Magazine 2020-2021

Page 14 / Rostrevor Magazine 2020 - 2021 ROCA President Patrick Murphy (’99) Fellow Old Collegians. I write this having returned to the office following one of the most defining events of this century. COVID-19 has had an interesting affect on all elements of our lives, but it is through COVID that I have seen the best Rostrevor College has to offer. From arranging a supervised teaching space for our NT Boarders to attend in Darwin to enable them to continue with their education, to the strength and leadership shown by the College to ensure that the main priority, being the education of young boys, continues regardless of the environment. Last year, in a joint meeting with the ROCA and Foundation before the chair of the board, the College executive made it clear that the priority was the education of future Old Collegians. It was refreshing to hear that there is a renewed commitment by the school to better understand its historic relationship with ROCA and build on it in 2021 and moving forward. The start of 2020 saw Steve Olech (‘91) (picture right) come on board to undertake a strategic review alongside Brian Schumacher. As a fellow ROC I am happy to say Steve ‘gets it’, but with his extensive experience in Strategic Management and Business I am sure he will be promoting and driving some structural changes for the better. It is well documented that there will always be a natural resistance to change, but please be supportive as I know the College is on the right path for a fruitful future. The College openly On a brighter note, I am fortunate to be included on the Centenary Committee for 2023 Celebrations. The organisation of events for the year has started to gain some much-needed traction. With a ra of events already planned for the Centenary – many of them engaging with Old Collegians – the school is starting to sound out people that might want to get involved. If that is you, please reach out to the College. Please get in contact to discuss anything that concerns you, or if you are willing to lend a hand in any way. As my father relentlessly drilled into me, ‘he has a right to criticise, who has a heart to help’. Put simply, the best way for us to ensure the ongoing future and strength of the school we hold close to our hearts, is for us to stick together as a community. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Henry Critchley (‘12) who le his role in the College Development Office to follow love over the border to Melbourne. The silver lining is that I know this move will add strength to the growing Victorian reunions. I would also like to welcome Jack Campion in the new role of Community Engagement Officer. His appointment to this new dedicated position will help Old Scholars young and old to remain connected to the College in the years ahead. To my Committee, thank you for your ongoing support. I look forward to many successful events in 2021 as we grow toward the Centenary Year of 2023. Choomalacka! Murph. Patrick Murphy (’99) ROCA President Strategic Marketing Consultant Steve Olech (’91) recognises this future needs the support of the past, the ROC Community, to thrive. These changes will affect the ROCA, which I believe will be for the better based on conversations I have been fortunate enough to be involved in. I can see some much-needed structural changes around the format of the administration and a more aligned focus on our major annual events being the Old Boys Lunch, Business Lunch, reunions both local and interstate and fundraising. As to the events in 2020, COVID-19 came at the wrong time. Just as things were being put in place for the year, the tough decision was made to suspend all events.