old ruytonians’ association from the ora president Dear Ruyton Community, Events will be held at various workplaces of alumnae and will afford attendees the I am delighted to present the President’s opportunity to engage and network with Report in this Autumn Edition of the other alumnae who are working in their Ruyton Reporter. respective fields. To register your interest in the Professional Development programme The approaching Old Ruytonians’ or to find out more please contact Association (ORA) AGM to be held on ora@ruyton.vic.edu.au Monday 22 May, which incidentally marks the end of my third year as President, has Although the presence and role of the ORA prompted some reflection on the last few in the broader Ruyton Community has the ruyton spirit lives on – years. A tremendous amount of work has continued to grow and strengthen over the passed from mother to daughter been undertaken successfully by the ORA last few years, there are always Committee over the period to realise our opportunities for improvement. This year we Old Ruytonians whose daughters were in the class purpose of strengthening the bonds of the will continue to seek alumnae feedback of 2016 are: Left to right: Lisa Hajdasz (’79) and Phillipa ORA community and of celebrating the whilst we commence strategic planning for Hajdasz, and Saffrey Brown and Anna Brown (’79) successes of our alumnae. The Committee the coming years and define our key Absent: Amelia Cheer, Katherine Barter (’79); Jessica Lamb, has continued to transform, with objectives. If you would like to be more Melissa Lamb (’79) significantly increased engagement and involved in our community or join the involvement of younger alumnae who bring Committee, please reach out to us as we fabulous enthusiasm and ideas to the table. welcome all contributions. We have worked collaboratively with our community, seeking feedback and input I would like to take this opportunity to from our alumnae to determine how we can acknowledge and farewell Mrs Marilyn better serve Old Ruytonians. These insights Rouhard from the Ruyton Development have been used to inform our strategic Office. Marilyn has worked at Ruyton for priorities and guide the initiatives that have 13 years, and, as Co-ordinator Community, been implemented over the last three years, she has played a pivotal role co-ordinating which I regularly discuss in these reports. ORA reunions and events, becoming a notable figure in the ORA community. One such initiative which has begun small, On behalf of the ORA Committee I would like but is continuing to grow, is the ORA to thank Marilyn for her dedication and Running Club. The Club, which meets every effort and wish her the best of luck with her Sunday at the Royal Botanic Gardens, has future endeavours. at the heart of our community … been training hard under the commendable and enduring leadership of Mia We also say farewell to Ms Natasha At the end of Term 3 we said farewell to Mrs Marilyn Rouhard, Antonopolou s (’11) and Liv Fowler (’11). Anderson (‘04) who has assisted the Development Co-ordinator, Community, and formerly Personal Assistant This May members of the running club will ORA over the two years in her role as to the Head of Junior School. Marilyn has been associated with Ruyton represent the ORA and participate in the Development Office Administrative since April 2003, when she was employed by the then Junior School Head, Mothers’ Day Classic. All ORA participants Assistant. Natasha has provided significant Miss Lee Wills, as her Secretary. As Lee said, ‘Marilyn made her mark who join the team, whether running or support to the ORA Committee and has immediately. She was wonderful; accommodating and understanding of walking, will receive a $20 2XU voucher. If enabled us to achieve a number of children, parents and staff alike. Her ability to organise everyone and you would like to participate in the Mothers’ initiatives that would not have been possible everything without a fuss made her an instant success and inval uable to Day Classic please register here https:// without her. me. She an ticipated everyone’s needs, and I believe still does t oday.’ In mothersdayclassic17.everydayhero.com/au/ addition, Marilyn worked with Lee’s successor, Mr Brad Nelsen. Brad also old-ruytonians-association. In addition to Finally, I would like to thank Ms Maddy Reilly spoke highly of Marilyn’s contribution to the School. Brad often had to the Mothers’ Day Classic, the Club is training (’10 ) who has stepped down from her role encourage Marilyn to go home as she would still be at work at 6pm. for a number of other events this year, which as ORA Secretary, for her contribution to the Marilyn began her role in the Development Office in 2010, when the job will be advertised on our Facebook page ORA over the past three years. Maddy’s of Co-ordinator, Community, was established. Marilyn took ownership of closer to the events. presence will be sorely missed and we wish this role and made it her own. Her efforts ensured that community is at her all the best with her future endeavours the forefront of everything we do at School. We all wish her well as she The Professional Development Programme, in Queensland. embarks on the next phase of her life. which was launched last year, has gained notable traction and will continue this year. For regular updates about the Mrs Elizabeth Beatti e, Community Relations The Programme aims to provide alumnae ORA please follow our Facebook page Co-ordinator, Communications with the opportunity to broaden their www.facebook.com/ network and support them in their oldruytoniansassociation/ professional and personal endeavours and and LinkedIn group notice of old ruytonians’ association agm will feature a number of industry-specific https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7056177/ Dear ORA Members, networking events throughout the year. profile The Old Ruytonians’ Association gives notice of the 2017 If you have any queries relating to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the Old Ruytonians’ ORA or would like to register for any Association (ORA). All members are invited to attend. of our events please contact Mrs Jenni Musgrove at ora@ruyton.vic.edu.au Date: Monday 22 May 2017 Ms Sarah Blyth (’ 07) Time: 6.00pm President of the Old Ruytonians’ Association Place: Reception Room, Ruyton Girls’ School 12 Selbourne Rd Kew Vic 3101 Official Notice of AGM was sent by post and email – please contact Mrs Jenni Musgrove, Ruyton Co-ordinator – Community on ora@ruyton.vic.edu.au if you have not received your official notice. autumn 2017 17