 |
Report of a Combined GPS Associations Initiative
A recent initiative involving the Old Boys’ Associations of all GPS Schools has led to the regular meeting of representatives of these organizations. The purpose of these meetings is to share common goals, compare future directions and to explore potential for combined action. Published below are the Minutes of the first meeting for 2007, hosted by Nudgee on February 16th. |
Combined GPS Associations Committee (CGAC)
- Attendance:
George Friend (Chair CAGC), Michael Bishop (Hon. Sec. BGSOBA), Peter Dun (BBCOCA), Don Homes (Pres. ACGSOBA), Dominic Katter (GTOBA), Jon Kent (Pres. IGSOBA), Larry Loveday (Toowoomba Prep. Past Students), Arthur Palmer (BBCOCA), Michael Tudor (BSHS), Michael Waldby (NCOBA), Chris Wicks (Pres. TGSOBA), Daryl Hanly (NC Principal), Martyn Kerby (NC Archivist), Denis Drouyn (NCOBA), Jim Gray (NCOBA).
- Apologies:
Jay Carter (Pres. OSA), Barrie Hayne (Pres. TPPSA), BBC Old Collegians’ Association President Peter McGregor was represented by Peter Dun
- Opening:
In the temporary absence of George Friend (caught in traffic) Michael Waldby welcomed everyone to the meeting, in particular the Nudgee Principal Mr.Daryl Hanly. Michael also welcomed everyone to Nudgee.
- Visitor's Address:
Mr. Daryl Hanly reiterated the welcome to Nudgee and addressed the meeting. Some of his points were:
- Nudgee is a non-selective boarding and day school with about 300 boarders and 1000 day scholars.
- There are some thirty plus aboriginal students, some from very isolated communities. The College is fortunate to have a half-way house where these lads can be reasonably gently inducted into the life of a large school in the city.
- There are a number of students from Papua New Guinea.
- There are significant changes in the organisation of what are now Edmund Rice Schools with a national body succeeding the individual Christian Brothers' Provinces.
- The importance of communication between schools and their alumni associations.
- The wisdom shown by the boys in the right circumstances and how much can be learned from them.
- Confirmation of Minutes of the Previous Meeting (24 November
2006)
The Minutes (with small alterations) were adopted as a true and accurate record of the meeting. A motion of thanks was passed to Paul Howard for taking the minutes.
- Business arising from the minutes.
Discussion of talk by Peter Chapman (GT Principal)
Suicide prevention - Life House and Griffith University.
Involvement of girls’ schools in the combined committee was discussed. General consensus was that this was a matter for the future after the combined committee was properly established.
Paul Howard (GT) and Jon Kent (IGS) have proposed a GPS Alumni lunch. Matter to be considered by proposers and organising committee to be appointed.
- Association Matters.
Pastoral Care Initiatives(Brief Notes)
- TGSOBA concentrates on keeping people connected and are reluctant to go further into pastoral care.
- TPPSA focuses on communication. Journal issued four times a year. This is totally an Association function though important school matters, e.g. the Chair of Council’ speech day address, are reported. The latest issue of the journal was offered by e-mail. There are about 1800 members of the Association and 100 to 120 members expressed the wish and were supplied with it by e-mail.
- NCOBA Signum Fidei magazine is issued three times a year with the web-site updated between issues. The cost of producing the magazine is escalating and it has been decided to trial putting out one issue this year and substituting the web site for the other issues. NCOBA has used e-mail to notify members of major changes to the web site and has trialled sending text messages to mobile phones. This is on the knowledge that mobile phone numbers are more stable than e-mail addresses. Some of the year reunion organisers have set up web sites.
- ACGSOBA – Pastoral care concerns on the resilience of boys, who have been well looked after at school, when they meet the world outside. The Association is trying to extend the post-school support network. ACGS is revising their house system.
- IGSOBA putting an emphasis on sport to maintain contact. There were five Old Boys cricket teams taking part last year. There is a New Old Boys Day when the IGS v BGS (rugby/soccer?) is at home. The Old Boys dinner is in June with a golf day on the day before. All sports representatives are presented with a special tie and there is a presentation to the seniors.
- BGSOBA – The new Principal is Brian Shaw who was the Deputy Principal. The head of year attends the Old Boys dinner. Each student given an e-mail address.
- GTOBA – school aiming to strengthen individuals. Some boys sent to Concordia School in USA, street vans, Kairos retreats. Do we put in tax returns – Some associations do, some are tax free.
- TGSOBA Investment philosophy. TGSOBA is a not for profit organisation it is not tax free. Assets $50,000 per year. Balance sheet shows future cost of servicing members so there is provision for future liabilities which can’t be covered by leaving money in a term deposit. Investment guidelines are laid down and incorporated in the constitution.
Bursaries – Sponsor year 7 boy going to year 8 and year 8 boy going to year 9 ($500 to each).
- BGS has an endowment fund.
OSA is incorporated but school covers insurance School has extended the insurance to cover the centenary reunion on 21 July.
- keep boarding on the agenda
- What is our total membership?
|
|