A new era for the OCGA

Cassandra Trumble (1993)

Old Carey Grammarians Association President

Having joined the Old Carey Grammarians Association (OCGA) Council around two years ago, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with Carey in the capacity of both VicePresident and, as of August, President of the OCGA, and as parent to Maddy in Year 8 and Duncan in Year 6.

It didn’t take long to notice the difference from my time as a student at Carey in the early 1990s to today. Coming from an all-girls school into a Senior School where only one-third of students were girls was quite a culture shock. The booming deeper voices, teenage boy smells and the physicality of ball-focussed lunchtime activities (and yes, some fisticuffs in the open quad) required speedy adjustment. But Carey certainly provided me with the all-round education I was looking for and prepared me for my chosen career path.

I am proud to be President of the OCGA Council, which represents and reflects the diversity of our community. Comprising three generations, a gender balance and several different cultural backgrounds, the councillors work together purposefully to serve the broad interests and contribute to the wellbeing of all our Carey alumni.

I am excited to share some of the wonderful new initiatives you can get involved in as an OCGA member, whether that’s virtually or in person as we look forward to a post-COVID-19 world.

This is the year of the Young Carey Alumni. With thanks to Carina Blythe (2015) and Katie Hunt, Alumni and Community Manager, for launching and chairing a new subcommittee of recently graduated Carey alumni, you’ll find opportunities to connect socially, whether you’re in early university, post graduate studies or early in your career, or through sport or as an international community. Keep an eye out for more information about Young Carey Alumni.

We are also grateful to Fiona Hu (2016) for joining the OCGA Council this year to ensure our international alumni feel connected across global boundaries. So far, Fiona’s role has enabled an online seminar and Q&A session with some of our impressive international alumni who have developed their careers with the Big 4 accounting firms.

Following a successful pilot of the Career Networking Session in 2019, this initiative will become a regular feature in the winter months. Many of our early career alumni are keen to grow their professional network, particularly tapping into the broader Carey alumni’s wealth of knowledge and career experiences. These sessions provide a great way to gain one-on-one insights from a professional who is advanced and experienced in their career.

As we know, Carey students leave their education with knowledge, skills and attributes to achieve their personal best and developed social consciences which encourage them to make a positive difference to the world. This year, we have established a new Social Impact Grant Making Program that will provide Carey alumni an opportunity to continue engaging in social impact long after leaving school. This could be through participation, fundraising and other initiatives in line with the Carey values of generosity towards our broader society. Funds will go to existing charities where members of the Carey community are already working or volunteering.

The yearly OCGA calendar usually has something for everyone to engage with, and we are working hard to ensure this is still the case during the restrictions as a result of COVID-19. Check our Facebook page, our regular newsletter and our website for more news of other great online events.

Mine is just one Carey story among so many. The OCGA and the Council that represents us is inclusive and encourages everyone to keep in touch. Please, get involved in any capacity that suits you, thus continuing your Carey story. The OCGA is for all alumni and gives us the opportunity to share a common bond in our memories and experiences.