Nudgee College Old Boys' Association

Gentlemen, it is with great pride and humility I stand here as your new President.

I do so full in the knowledge of what has brought us to where we are now and  what is required to take us where we need to go.

I would like to reflect for a moment on some of the key influences that I see as relevant from our past.
For the last 88 years many great men have guided this Association to become a solid support for the Old Boys of Nudgee College. This is and will always be the primary role of your Association - to provide assistance and support for Old Boys and to help other Old Boys to do the same. It is our secondary role to assist in the support of the College and its interests.

It is from the character of the men leading the way that I believe we must take our inspiration. From Jack Ross right through to my current mentors on the executive committee you don't have to look far to see what this place does to people. I hope the influence of my father is evident in me but I want to make special mention of Brother Darcy Murphy.

Just before his death I recall attending a dinner in his honor here at the college. He spoke stirringly about what it meant to be a Nudgee Man and the benefit you gain if you are lucky enough to have been in this place. I remember I had him sign the label of a Bundaberg Rum bottle with the two key words of his address - passion and commitment. I still have that bottle and although the writing has faded I can promise to bring those characteristics to my position.

Over those many years those many great men have brought the Association to a position of strength in facilitating communication and reunion of Old Boys and we will continue to respect and honor them by further developing these roles.

It is however also a time of renewal.

It is apparent to me that Nudgee is now a different place to that which it was 60, 30 15, even 5 years ago. The ethos of passion and commitment remain, albeit framed in different terms like Faith in Action, Service of Others and Reflective Practice. The key values of the Edmund Rice tradition are much more in the educational foreground than I remember from my time here. This is spirituality for the real world.
As Old Boys we are in a unique position to "tell the story" about the great work being done here.
Our Association is strongly independent - and is incorporated to remain so. However in order to complete our dual roles effectively, I believe the Association must remain an integral part of the fabric of this place. To remain relevant in the changing landscape that is Nudgee College we must also change and I applaud Tony Behm and the current management committee for their courage and vision in supporting this evolution.

I would describe it as renewal with respect. Always remembering where we have come from, always respecting the work of the men who have brought us here but with some new faces and a few new ideas to revitalize our group and restate both our independence of and our place within the Nudgee Family.

I would also like to pay particular tribute to Daryl Hanly for his support of the Association throughout his pricipalship. By collecting life membership fees from the parents of current students over their enrollment he has ensured the Association is able to continue to support both Old Boys and the College.

There is much work yet to be done in renewing the arrangements between the College and the Association but there is a good will that will lead to the confirmation of this vital and exciting partnership.

As I said we will continue doing the things we do well like Reunions, the Memorial Mass, the Old Boys Dinner and Signum Fidei.

As part of our renewal I am happy to be able to announce tonight the following initiatives:

• Increased networking opportunities for Old Boys - Brisbane City after work functions, weekend family friendly functions
• Increased engagement of current old boy parents
• Brothers in Arms - a support program for Old Boys and other Nudgee Family members is need
• Renewal of the Old Boys Employment Network - mentoring, awards etc.
• Increased use of the technology - website, social networking websites, group SMS
• Better co-ordination with the College Foundation and the Ladies Auxiliary including co-badged events
• Driving the Jack Ross Bursary

Are we fundraisers? No.

Will your Association be seen by its members as fundraisers? No.

But that doesn't mean we can't develop strategic partnerships with stakeholders like the Foundation and the Development Office that will benefit all in the long term.

In closing I challenge all Old Boys to re-invigorate their connection with each other and with the College and join with us in the exciting next chapter of the Nudgee College Old Boys Association.

Thank You.