Presidents’ Year 2019-2021

Gordon Mizner (MURRAY 1965-69)

This year’s President’s report will be unusual in a couple of respects. First, I am making my second annual report as President, probably the only time this has occurred. Second, this will be a shorter than usual report because Covid-19 continued globally for longer than any of us hoped.

As a consequence there have been almost no face-to-face events or activities on the OM agenda since March 2020 so I was unable to attend as President and report back. Having said that, there was growing activity via Zoom and other online platforms.

As time has marched on, more of us have also come to realise that these online offerings will continue to play a part once the pandemic is past (or becomes part of our normal daily existence).

The first major event to be held online was the Old Millhillians Club AGM in June 2020. What this showed us was that by using online as part of the mix, we can reach members who, for whatever reason, find it difficult to turn up in person; and of course, this will apply to any event. So, we have adopted this approach and future AGM’s will be hybrid events.

On 26 November 2020, I was able to hold a virtual reunion with Australian OMs. I was delighted that we were 14 in number, including Jane Sanchez (MHS Head), Peter Wakeham (Old Millhillians Club Chair) and myself as President acting as chair for the Zoom meeting. It was wonderful to see quite a number of those whom Angela and I had met during our trip in January 2020, which now seems so long ago (almost another era).

After introducing ourselves, Jane gave us an update on how the school was coping with the Covid-19 challenges and examples of the arrangements that have had to be undertaken. She also touched on developments at the school and emphasised how much the school and Foundation have grown in the past few years and that demand for places has remained strong.

I then invited Peter Wakeham to say a few words about the Old Millhillians Club. Peter explained about the changes in structure, the life membership developments and some of our plans for the future, especially the careers and alumni websites.

All participants were very supportive of this initial session and would like to see it repeated. We discussed format and frequency and the hope that we can spread the word to other OMs in Australia. I rather like the idea of spreading this concept across the globe –it works well and in the days of pandemics and global warming it may be a way to go in the future. But as I sign off I leave the next steps to the in-coming president. But, all in all, a very successful first attempt and much scope for the future.

When I wrote my last report, we were putting together a provisional programme of events for the coming year (2020 –2021). Unfortunately, we were rather too optimistic. At least the vaccine programme has been rolled out and a more normal life is here.

The AGM on 23 June was held online, followed by the Presidents’ Annual Cocktail Party being held the following month on 21 July on the terrace of the National Liberal Club. Our flagship event the Annual Dinner was held at the glorious Plaisterers’ Hall in the City of London.

It was the first major get together since the ‘re-opening’ and I was delighted to be able to welcome a large number of OMs and their partners in person! We were delighted to welcome over 14o guests to the dinner and it was a night I won’t forget in a hurry.

Australian online gathering November 2020. Particpants: From Top left: Gordon Mizner, Peter Wakeham, Alan Mills (Ridgeway 1959-1964), Roy/Angela Hanson (Winterstoke 1950-1954) with Robin Tilyard (Scrutton 1948-1952) Mark Phillips (Ridgeway 1985-1990), Richard Nettleton (Ridgeway 1943-1947), Roger Allison (Scrutton 1957-1962), John Hopkins (Scrutton 1961-1966) Vincent Lorimer (Ridgeway 1968-1973) , Roger Tagg (Collinson 1954-1959), Michael Bishop (School 1955-1957), Jane Sanchez. Gary Yorke (Ridgeway 1972-1978). Guy Gill also connected in without video.

(iPhone is Alan Mills (Ridgeway 1959-1964) iPad is Richard Nettleton (Ridgeway 1943 -1947)