The Ruyton Reporter - Autumn 2016

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LD OUT
17 autumn 2016
Dear Ruyton Community,
I am delighted to present the President’s Report in this
Autumn Edition of the Ruyton Reporter. The activities
and events organised by the Old Ruytonians’
Association (ORA) mentioned in my report illustrate
the work being undertaken by the ORA to facilitate
the renewal of friendships and build a stronger
network of Old Ruytonians.
WOMEN OF RUYTON 2015
FEATURING BELINDA HAWKINS
In October the ORA welcomed award-winning
journalist and producer of the ABC’s Australian Story,
Belinda Hawkins (‘76) for the annual Women of
Ruyton speaker event. Belinda recounted a number of
fond memories from her days at Ruyton and provided
the captive audience with an insight into her
venerable career, which has seen Belinda meet and
interview some of Australia’s key personalities. After
reflecting on the challenges she has faced throughout
her career, including being a female in a male-
dominated industry and the arduous task of balancing
a family with a budding career, Belinda advocated that
women should strive for their dreams and that maybe,
just maybe, women really can have it all.
GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT FUNDRAISER
In November the ORA held our inaugural Girls’ Night
Out Fundraiser to support the Cancer Council in their
effort to beat women’s cancers. The event was a
wonderful opportunity for Old Girls and the wider
Ruyton Community to come together for a fun
evening of drinks and banter in support of the Cancer
Council. The event raised over $600 and I would like to
extend thanks to the Beehive Hotel for their generous
hospitality.
ORA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
In February the ORA launched the ORA Professional
Development Programme, an initiative about which I
am passionate. I believe it is of paramount importance
that women have female role models and mentors or
coaches from whom they can access honest feedback
and support.
The Professional Development Programme provides
members with the opportunity to network among
other Old Ruytonians and aims to support Old Girls in
their personal and professional development.
Facilitated by external consultants Kerryn Velleman
and Jo Scott of Kru Consulting, the launch event
offered guidance and tools to foster peer-to-peer
coaching and the opportunity to establish ‘critical
friend’ coaching or mentoring relationships. By
assisting our members to establish such relationships,
it enables Old Girls to build networks and more
effectively navigate challenges they may face, either
personally or professionally.
The next Professional Development event will again be
facilitated by Kru Consulting and will be held in Term 2.
ORA RUNNING CLUB
In February the ORA Running Club recommenced.
Each week, on a Sunday morning, Old Girls meet at
the Tan for a guided one-hour training session.
Whether you’re a keen runner, a beginner or looking to
make a comeback to running, join us on a Sunday
morning for some fitness and fun!
NGV GALLERY TOUR
On Friday 22 April the ORA invites members to the
National Gallery of Victoria to tour the major
international exhibition featuring two of the most
significant artists of the twentieth and twenty-first
centuries: Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei. We will be
meeting for a drink beforehand and then touring
the gallery as a group. Book today http://trybooking.
com/JYZZ
SOUND OF MUSIC BACKSTAGE TOUR
On Sunday 15 May the ORA invites members and their
family and friends to the matinee performance of the
world’s best-loved musical, The Sound of Music. The
performance will be followed by an exclusive ORA only
behind-the-scenes tour and an opportunity to meet
the cast members.
For regular updates about the ORA please follow our
If you have any queries relating to the ORA or would
like to register for any of our events please contact
Natasha Anderson at
Ms Sarah Blyth (’07), President of the Old Ruytonians’
Association
From the ORA President
Old Ruytonians’ Association
Dear ORA Members,
The Old Ruytonians’ Association gives
notice of the 2016 Annual General
Meeting (AGM) for the Old Ruytonians’
Association (ORA). All members are
invited to attend the meeting.
Date: Monday 9 May 2016
Time: 6:00pm
Place: Reception Room
Ruyton Girls’ School
12 Selbourne Road, Kew, Vic 3101
AGENDA
1. President’s Welcome
2. Attendees Present
3. Apologies
4.Minutes of Previous Annual
General Meeting
5. Treasurer’s Report
6.President’s Report
7. Changes to the Constitution
8.Election of Committee
9.General Business
THE CURRENT COMMITTEE CONSISTS:
President: Sarah Blyth (’07)
Treasurer: Andrea Fyfe (’89)
Secretary: Madeleine Reilly (’10)
Committee Members:
Caroline Jarrett (’05)
Natalie Pullan (’05)
Any further nominations for the
Committee are due by Monday
2 May 2016.
Contact Natasha Anderson on
or on 9290 9345
for a nomination form.
Notice Of AGM
STOP PRESS
The Boy Who Refused to Die
As we go to print, the ORA has secured
David Vincent to speak at an ORA Meet the
Author Event in July this year. David Nyuol
Vincent is a dual South-Sudanese and
Australian citizen. He is a registered
UNHCR Refugee Advocate and the former
People of Australia Ambassador. David,
an experienced facilitator and trainer
specialising in peace mobilisation and
conflict resolutions across South Sudan
and Australia, has received several awards,
including the Victorian State Government’s
Multicultural Commission for Excellence in
Community Development. He co-founded
and leads a NGO Peace Palette and I Am
a Peace Soldier Campaign. He was selected
as one of the most influential, inspirational,
provocative, and creative people in
Melbourne by the Age Newspaper. David is
author of the book, The Boy Who Wouldn’t
Die, published in 2012. Contact Natasha
Anderson on
or 9290 9345 for more details.