Introducing Simon Wood: President of the OCGA

Simon Wood (1966), Old Carey Grammarians Association President

I am honoured to take on the leadership of the Old Carey Grammarians Association (OCGA). I take my role very seriously and will ensure the Association remains relevant, forward focussed, and provides positive outcomes for our 19,000-strong membership.

Since leaving Carey in 1996, I have built a career as a senior private client advisor in one of Australia’s preeminent Wealth Management firms. I have had over 20 years’ experience in financial markets, a skill set I will employ in my role as President to build on the long-term financial security of our Association. I have also pursued my passion for sport and have represented the Old Carey Cricket and Football clubs both as a player and, more recently, in an administrative capacity as President of the cricket club. I am a father of three daughters, two of whom are commencing at Carey next year.

I am proud of Carey’s diverse community, its resilience and the way in which its members can draw upon each other for support. The past 18 months have presented many challenges for the broader Carey community. It is important to acknowledge these impacts but, at the same time, project a sense of optimism and not be diminished by them. I believe I have been able to keep a positive mindset in large part due to the communities I am involved in. I am so very grateful that during these difficult times I have had the support of so many great friendships that were seeded during my time at Carey. We are each fortunate to be part of such a strong and supportive community.

I look forward to building on the great work of my predecessors to facilitate opportunities for our members to engage with their fellow alumni through networking events, sport, business and philanthropic endeavours. I am also keen to support all our wonderful clubs.

We have many new additions to the OCGA Council and I am confident we have an experienced, committed and unified team in place that is motivated to deliver meaningful outcomes to our broad membership. To ensure best practice moving forward, the Council is committing to an independent review of our governance and operational practices. A key goal is to establish a framework that will reinvigorate the Association and ensure relevance to the largest cohort of alumni as possible.

This is no easy task considering the diversity that exists within our community, however it is this diversity that can lead to great outcomes if it is embraced and harnessed. It is an undertaking that the Council cannot do on its own. It is for that reason I would like to call on you, the OCGA community, to forward any suggestions that might assist us achieve our goal of being more relevant, more inclusive and, as a consequence, more able to deliver positive outcomes for our members.

I look forward to engaging with many of you through my new role and to receiving your comments, questions and feedback to ocga@carey.com.au