Why strong connections matter

Throughout our lives, we will face many ups and downs as we work towards our goals. As a member of the Trinity community for many years, I’ve learned how important it is to build and maintain strong connections with friends who will be there to celebrate and who we can lean on in harder times.

As I come to my final year as President of the OTGA, I feel incredibly lucky. This position has allowed me to meet OTGs of all ages, learn more about their Trinity experiences and hear about everything they have achieved since graduating. OTGs often ask me about the latest news from Trinity and I enjoy sharing the latest school developments with them.

Recently, we had the first OTGA lunch since the COVID-19 pandemic, giving OTGs and other community members the chance to reconnect. This event underscored how important it is that we continue to organise a variety of opportunities for OTGs to come together, as we get to see different people at each event. We were privileged to hear from Principal, Adrian Farrer, who provided a fantastic update on the school, including news about the exciting building projects that will begin in the near future. I am also proud to share that the OTGA has agreed to support the upcoming capital campaign with a $50,000 donation, and in recognition of this, the school has offered us the name of the upstairs bar, honouring the OTG community.

I still enjoy a number of close friendships from my time at Trinity. One of my most powerful memories is attending a camp leaders’ training course, where a small group of Year 11 students mentored the younger camp leaders of the future. The experience involved some blood, sweat and tears, but in the end, we were left with a tremendous sense of achievement. I’m sure this kind of cross-age mentoring has been similarly transformative for other cohorts. The passion our students show to ensure the success of fellow students is astounding.

Experiences like these that take place beyond the classroom are a highly valued part of a Trinity education. Through outdoor education, and on the sporting field, I not only learned how to build resilience by getting out of my comfort zone, but I also came to understand much more about teamwork and leadership. I can see how these moments have shaped my connections with others. I know the same is true for many of the boys and men I speak with.

My three years as President have only deepened my passion for this community. In our modern, time-poor world, there is incredible value in connecting with others through volunteering – we get out what we put in.

OTGA Special General Meeting

Tuesday 11 November, 6.30pm
55 Wellington Street, Kew

Special Resolution:
Variation of the Rules of the Association

That, in accordance with Rule 22 of the Rules of the Old Trinity Grammarians’ Association Inc (Association) and section 50 of the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic), the Association hereby resolves by special resolution to vary the Rules of the Association as set out in the document titled Rules of the Old Trinity Grammarians Association Inc (as at 14 October 2008) (Rules) and as shown in the tracked changes version tabled at this meeting.

Summary of Key Variations as shown in the tracked document:

• The date of the Rules is updated from 14 October 2008 to 11 November 2025.
• Updates are made so that “Headmaster” and “Principal” may be used interchangeably throughout the Rules.
  References to “his” in relation to the Principal are replaced with “their”.
• The requirement for an Honorary Auditor to be appointed annually by the Committee is removed.
• References to “audited” financial statements are removed.
• The means by which special notices may be issued to members is expanded to include email or other electronic communications.

Other minor amendments to clarify language and update terminology.

Resolution 

“That the Rules of the Old Trinity Grammarians’ Association Inc be varied in the form of the tracked changes as tabled at this meeting, with such variations to take effect immediately upon the passing of this special resolution.”

Explanatory Note

The proposed variations modernise the Rules, update terminology, and remove outdated requirements – in particular the requirement to appoint an “Honorary Auditor” to the Association – as detailed in the tracked changes version of the Rules.

Voting Requirement

In accordance with Rule 22, this special resolution requires a three-quarters majority of members present and voting at the meeting, provided that at least twenty-one (21) days’ notice of the proposed variation has been given to members.

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