2021 Valedictory

The Valedictory Dinner is a unique and important moment in the journey of an Ormondian, a celebration of community, academic achievement and dedication. This year was made more special after what has been a challenging two years for students and it was wonderful to celebrate our Undergraduate, Graduate and Wade students as a community for all they have achieved.

Undergraduate Valedictory
In what was a joyous and incredibly meaningful celebration for the Undergraduate Valedictory Lara McKay, the Master in her speech remarked that she felt particularly fond of this cohort as they were first year students the same year she commenced. More than anything the sense of celebration and achievement was elevated due to these students also making the most of College life for themselves and others through two years of lockdowns and significant restrictions.

The calibre and passion of this cohort was recognised by awarding the Weary Dunlop award to Oscar Wycisk, for the first time in a number of years and for the first time since the Mastership of Lara McKay commenced.

Valedictorians: Rosie Hart & Will Tingey
Katie Lush recipients: Emilia Norwood & Liam Bleakley
Weary Dunlop Award: Oscar Wycisk

“To be recognised in Sir Weary Dunlops’ memory is a tremendous honour, and a very special connection to share with the “Et Vetera” of a Club and College that mean so much to me. I’m so grateful to everyone that has made Ormond such an incredible place to live for the last three years” – Oscar Wycisk (2021)

Graduate Valedictory
The Graduate Valedictory was the first chance in many months for the graduate community to join with staff in the Hall. The night was accentuated with a compelling speech from the outgoing Vice Master and Provost Rob Leach and complemented with a toast from the outgoing Chair of the Middle Common Room Lachlan McAnaney to the incoming Chair Anabella Thomas.

In a true representation of Et Nova Et Vetera former members of the MCRC also joined the dinner and started a new tradition of providing a toast to the Middle Common Room. More than anything it was an incredibly special moment to finally be back together in the hall celebrating what the heart of college really is – community!

Valedictorians: Michael Kocherginsky & Hannah Huckstep
Mary Glowrey Excellence Award: Maxwell Hayward
Ross Sundberg Award: Georgina Wily
Sir Frank McFarland Burnet Academic Award: Madeleine Baker

Wade Valedictory
The Wade Valedictory dinner held last Friday provided a special opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the University of Melbourne’s graduating 2021 Master of Entrepreneurship part-time cohort. They were joined by their closest supporters, Wade Institute and Ormond College staff, program faculty, and the 2020 graduates who they formed strong bonds with having studied together and had missed the opportunity of a traditional graduation dinner in the Ormond Dining Hall last year.

Acknowledgements were made by Prof Colin McLeod as the founding Program Director, faculty, and Executive Director at the University’s Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre. The keynote speaker was Nick Kaye, the newly appointed Director at the Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship, who reflected on his global insights leading entrepreneurship institutions in Sweden and Australia before sharing key career takeaways for the graduating cohort as they embark on their next steps of their journey.

A highlight of the evening was a screening of heartfelt speech from the 2021 Master of Entrepreneurship Valedictorian Bindiya Bijo as she has relocated to Austin, Texas since completing the program.

“Before the Masters of Entrepreneurship, when I was asked what I want to do with my life I felt hesitant to share my ideas and goals because ironically they felt too ambitious. But from our very first days at Wade I remember feeling in awe of the fact that I could vulnerably share my ideas, ambitions and dreams with equally audacious, out-of-the-box thinking people that instantly had a spark. I’m confident that no matter where life takes us, we have a tribe of people that we can always turn to. On behalf of the cohort, thank you to the village of supporters for sparking a passion for learning, and helping us grow an entrepreneurial mindset that will go beyond the past couple of years.” – Bindiya Bijo (2021)

Master of Entrepreneurship Valedictorian: Bindiya Bijo

 

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