MULGRAVE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL SOCIETY

November 18, 2008


Dear Parents, Students, Teachers and Staff,

After last year’s AGM and my appointment as Chair, I thanked the previous board and those who had served in prior years for bringing Mulgrave through some difficult times to a point of security and stability. When I held individual meetings with each of this year’s board members, it was clear that there was a strong feeling of responsibility to build on this achievement, to see it not as an excuse to rest on our laurels but to continue to improve and develop the school. Of course, any strategic plans have to be framed in the context of our financial situation and the board has, I believe, operated very effectively in balancing ambitions and reality.

We have had a busy and productive year and I’d like to highlight one or two milestones.

In September, the Rogers Creek Area Development Plan received its fourth reading and was approved. This gives the green light to the owners of the land bordering the school campus to the north and west to rezone their properties and ultimately to develop in accordance with the plan. Whilst this presents us with the challenge of ensuring that we do not become enclosed and constrained by housing development on all sides, something that we continue to address diligently, there were a number of key ’wins’ for Mulgrave in the plan.

Firstly, the route which was initially proposed for the extension to Chippendale Road crossed the creek and then sliced down through the back of our campus. This would have been a disasterous routing for Mulgrave, bringing a busy thoroughfare within feet of the Junior School playground. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Tony Allard and our consultant Terry Partington, often swimming very much against the tide with the Planning Department, the routing was changed and will now have no impact on the school whatsoever.

Secondly, we were able to secure Cypress Lane as a dedicated school access route. It will not provide access to any of the new residential areas and will not connect to Chippendale Road above as a ’cut through’. Once again I’d like to thank everyone involved in ensuring the Rogers Creek ADP was as favourable to Mulgrave as possible.

Another critical milestone in the development of the school was the establishment of the Mulgrave School Foundation, the purpose of which is to provide long term financial security to the school by encouraging, receiving and investing major endowment and capital gifts. The Foundation will initially set out to support the school’s strategic plan by providing funds for scholarships and bursaries, faculty development and land and facilities. I’m delighted that Tony Allard has agreed to serve as Chair of the Foundation Board and that Brenda Blue, Bjorn Moller and Al Hetherington will also serve with me on that Board.

Finally, I’d like to recognise and thank this year’s outgoing board members. Dee Dhaliwal has served on the board and the Advancement Committee for the last three years. She has consistently demonstrated her passion for the school and her desire to ensure Mulgrave is an integral part of, and a great asset to, the North Shore Community. I’d like to thank Dee for her service, her energy and her commitment to Mulgrave.

Much has already been said about the contribution Tony Allard has made to Mulgrave and, as Russ Benson said last year when Tony stepped down as Chair, most of that contribution has happened in the background and has gone unsung – as Tony prefers it. As he leaves the Board after 8 years of service, 6 as Chair, I simply want to recognise that Mulgrave would not be where it is or what it is without his drive and his passion. I want to thank Tony for supporting me as I took over as Chair and, on behalf of the entire school community, thank him for everything he has achieved on our behalf.

And finally to our long-serving Treasurer, Brenda Blue. Brenda stepped straight into this position when she joined the Board six years ago but there’s no question that she has performed a role much deeper and broader than merely a steady hand on the financial tiller. Her foresight and unflinching focus on securing the financial future of the school brought Mulgrave through some of its toughest times and her expertise and experience has guided the Board in all its major decisions. I will miss Brenda’s wisdom and advice on the Board and the Executive and I know I represent the entire community in expressing our deepest gratitude for her service.

Sincerely,

Donald Kirkwood
Chairman, on behalf of the Board of Directors
Mulgrave Independent School Society