First, let me take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous 2007. 2006 has been a satisfying year for all of us at the Management Council most of us serving for the first time in OVA. Here, I would like to thank everyone at OVA especially the Management Committee (MC) members for their selfless contribution in the past year.
The MC was installed early in the year with a group of young enthusiastic old Victorians – many of them who were not even OVA members. But within months, the group managed to pull in one of the biggest alumni celebrations with the patronage of President SR Nathan and the homecoming of 1,300 guests at the school premises. The success of the 130th anniversary dinner was further sweetened by the charity element with the launch of the Edge Fund which raised close to S$300,000 for student welfare and development. Thanks to our MC member, Mr. Lim Chap Huat who provided the original idea to have this dinner.
And with our limited resources and the help of our enthusiastic “part timers” in the MC, we also hosted the Rettnam Pierre Cup Soccer Meet. In addition, the OVA website has been revamped and we will continue to look for new ways to engage current and new members.
Nearly a year after the installation of the new MC, I am happy to report that the interest and excitement among the members have not waned. Though we faced minor hiccups, new bonds were built between Victorians and old Victorians from both VS and VJC. Thanks to the kind support of the principals, staff and students – and we look forward to reaping more benefits for all from this new alliance.
There is a lot more work to be done. The MC is refining its working procedures and things are moving along well. We have the work plan cut out for ourselves. We will kick off the year with a New Year OVA Networking Night at the Legends Fort Canning Billiard Bar on Jan 5. We are working on a Sunday networking breakfast at the school premises on Jan 28, a new initiative which we hope could bring in more new members. We are looking at creating more brand awareness and activities including re-launching the corporate logo, letter head, calling cards and merchandise.
We will continue to beef up the website with more regular news and program updates. Further ahead, we are looking at the annual OVA Dinner & Dance, quarterly members nights, dialogue sessions and OVA-VJ nights.
What is a Victorian without the sports element? Our MC member Chris Chong has been instrumental in getting some of the key sporting events going. We will continue to promote networking through golf and soccer meets. Other events such as cycling, nature reserve and beach visits are in store. Just as important, we will plan some of these programmes with the current and former staff and teachers in mind to forge the closer alumni spirit. While establishing the network among OVA is important, developing a larger and stronger base of new Victorians and future alumni could be even more critical.
For members, I hope you would come forward to help us get these programmes going. What is just important is the need for the alumni to be sustainable in its efforts to add value to the old Victorian network but also to be financially adequate. Hence, I would like to encourage members to support not just the Edge Fund for student welfare and development but the OVA so that it can be run more efficiently and effectively.
Having seen the OVAMC and members in action in the last year, I am hopeful we can do more this year. I know I can count on the Victorian Spirit to make it work again this year.
Thank you.
Yours Sincerely,
Teo Ser Luck
President
Old Victorians’ Association