Emmanuel College is a dynamic learning community, bringing to life the Gospel values of Faith, Hope and Love and continuing in the Catholic tradition of Catherine McAuley and Edmund Rice. Connected as one with the generations of alumni of Emmanuel College, St Ann’s College and St Joseph’s CBC, we inspire a lifelong connection to remember all that has come before, celebrate today, and support the aspirations for our future.
Meet the team working towards achieving this vision by ensuring that our alumni programing continues to grow and thrive.
It has to be said that Kevin has been instrumental in seeing an active group of alumni come together to support the College in this way. Even if he has to join meetings via Zoom while holidaying up north, his support has been invaluable. His calm advice has steered the team’s initial steps, laying a positive and strong foundation for us to grow. “It’s a real privilege to be able to represent the past students of the college in promoting how good the college is. We get involved because the school is so great.”
Kevin’s favourite alumni activity is the CBC Catch-Up, which he has been integral in adding to the alumni calendar.
People and community sit at the heart of everything Geraldine says and does. She has gently influenced the culture of the group, imbuing values of care and generosity. With simple gestures such as arriving at each meeting with a bouquet of flowers from her own garden, we love everything she contributes.
Geraldine believes that her time at school and her time being connected with the College while her children were at Emmanuel were both very positive experiences so was glad to find another opportunity to remain connected. “While I was at school, the Sisters really nurtured me. The school has always been a great community to be a part of.”
Initially signing up as an alternative way to be involved in her children’s school, Shannon quickly found a new motivation once she started, and has been intrinsic in setting the tone for alumni communications. “It’s been so rewarding to be involved with the Alumni Network as it keeps me connected in unexpected ways that I appreciate more and more as I get older.”
Shannon enjoys receiving the College Connection, and showing her children what other Emmanuel students have gone on to do. “It’s heartwarming to hear of people’s journeys since leaving school. It recognises that there is no one way to navigate life after school. There are many different directions, many different outcomes, but always a reminder of where we all started out from.”
Ben’s outlook and practical advice have given the group confidence to try new things. Being a teacher at Emmanuel he is able to give us real insight into ways that we may be able to involve alumni in school activities and really live our motto - Connected As One.
Ben would love to see alumni gather around some of our school sports teams following his own experience of playing football for Emmanuel during his days at school. It was here he saw first hand the atmosphere that the alumni of Melbourne schools created by supporting their school teams.
Regina says, “I loved my time coming to school at Emmanuel. There are so many ways to be involved and I participated in as many things as I could. When the opportunity arose to be involved as an alumni, I put my hand up straight away.”
Not much has changed. Regina is a new Mum, who works as a teacher, trains for and runs in marathons, and has recently put up her hand as Deputy Chair for the Emmanuel Alumni Network. Regina is looking forward to the Generations Breakfast that will run for the first time this year.
Past College Captain, Isabella is proud of the long family connection she has to Emmanuel, and grateful for the people, and the experiences she met along the way. “It was a great base for setting me up. I got a really good foundation at that school.”
Isabella has been one of the most recent additions to the group, so we were delighted when she said she would be involved. “I decided to join and have been surprised what I have already got out of the experience. You get to come back, see the development of the school, and it’s actually really exciting.”
Last year we welcomed a Trainee group member for the first time, and their influence helped us make some well received choices at the Class of 2021’s graduation ceremony. This year we have welcomed Will to the group, and he has been nothing short of the perfect fit.
“Already 50% of my year level have left the area. While it might be easier these days with social media, I know that as time goes on we will lose touch. I already can’t wait to come back after a few years to reunite everyone.”
“The Emmanuel College community have been so welcoming since I first stepped on the grounds in 2016. I feel honoured when alumni share their stories of school and beyond with me.” Candice says, “We initially built the group to provide us with some grassroots guidance on what alumni wanted out of an alumni program - we got this and so much more! They are a great team who have genuine love for their school and seeing it continue to grow. They often offer to volunteer to help out at alumni and college events.”
