M E S S AG E FR O M C EO/H E A D O F CO LLEGE
Farewell and Thank You from Dr Kerry Bennett
Members and supporters of our Association will have read in last month’s newsletter the announcement by the President and Chairperson of Council of my resignation. I concluded my term as CEO/Head of College at the end of September. This is thus a message to say thank you. My deepest gratitude goes to past and current staff over my ten-year tenure. Particularly over the last eighteen months we have seen loyalty, hard work and dedication like no other and it has been an honour to work alongside and learn from such ethical and kind people. I extend my thanks to the many people who have contributed to the governance of this Association, beginning with the Presidents who I have been very lucky to work with – John Cain, Jeffrey Rosenfeld AC OBE KStJ, Ken Loughnan AO and now Diana Bryant AO QC – the incredibly hardworking Chairpersons of Council – David Sparks, Cheryl Kidston, Tony Pagone, Rhys Watson and now Vincent Mirabelli – and all of the many Council and subcommittee members (past and current). I acknowledge the support and contributions (including donations and bequests) of our very learned and active members who established this Association in 1911, who purchased the terraces in 1957 and set up a residential college in 1962, and who have ridden the various ups and downs of our Association over more than a century. Each - no matter their life stage, discipline, ethnicity or perspective - has taught me much, has provided support, counsel, friendship and guidance, and has contributed so much to this incredible Association. I have been overwhelmed by the hundreds of beautiful messages from you – our members – since the announcement of my resignation.
We have achieved so much over the last ten years. We have established a new constitution (and subsequent amendments), sound governance structures and practices, accountability and transparency with our policies and internal controls, strategic and master plans, internal systems and communications strategies, and we have purchased off-site (31 bedsits) and undertaken significant internal repairs and renovations (including the new reception desk, air conditioners, sound proofing, etc. Our Union is global, influential, vibrant and innovative. Our House is welcoming, safe and warm. Yes, the last eighteen months have been challenging. However, all the fundamentals are there for this Association to spring back once our city, domestic and international borders are open and we meet the targets of various ‘road-maps’. I feel confident that with these underpinnings, continued accountable and sound governance, our dedicated staff, our active and generous membership and ongoing open and transparent communications with our members and stakeholders, this organisation will return to the halcyon days of end-2019. I have been privileged and humbled to be a steward of - and to serve - this 110-year-old organisation in its eleventh decade. Farewell for now and thank you all so very much again for many wonderful and fulfilling years. Yours sincerely Dr Kerry M. B. Bennett PhD(Cantab), GAICD, BAppSc, DipTP, CertEd, CertBlockchainStrat, MAICD, MAAA, MFIA, MGWV, MGWA, MGWI, MHAAG
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