From the Chair of Ormond College Council:

On behalf of the Ormond College Council, I am pleased to announce that our extensive search for a new Master of Ormond College has led us to an exciting appointment. Lara McKay will lead us into the next phase of the College’s history.

Lara has almost 20 years’ experience working in the public sector, including senior leadership positions in higher education, public health administration and state government departments. Most recently, she was the General Manager of Communications and Marketing for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation.

Prior to that, Lara worked at the University of Melbourne where she led the revitalisation of the University’s brand position, and the development of the whole-of-University Marketing and Communications Strategy. As a former member of the Chancellery Executive Group, Lara brings extensive knowledge of the University’s strategy and operations, the needs of its students and valuable relationships with both professional and academic staff.

Ormond College’s strong reputation has given Lara a deep admiration for the College’s heritage and a respect for its contemporary vision and aspiration. She is looking forward to strengthening and growing that reputation and playing a direct role in ensuring a great experience for Ormond students and alumni; as well as the Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship and the Centre for Ethical Leadership.

Lara shared, “Having worked at the University, I know first-hand the calibre of Ormond’s students and alumni. These are some of our country’s brightest minds and having the chance to mentor them and provide opportunities for these students is a very exciting prospect. The contribution they can make to not only the deeply connected community at Ormond, but beyond its walls to address some of the greatest challenges that face our society, is immense. I look forward to realising Ormond’s strategy and looking at ways everyone within the Ormond community can continue to make a disproportionate difference”.

Ormond is very fortunate to have an extremely strong Executive team, allowing us to conduct an extensive and thorough search for a new Master. In particular, we would like to thank Dr Robert Leach for leading the College as Acting Master and Di Bambra as Vice Master.

Robert will continue in the role of Acting Master until Lara commences mid August 2018, when he will recommence his position as Vice Master. Di will maintain her position as Vice Master, as this has always been a permanent appointment.

We are very enthusiastic about Lara’s appointment and having such a dynamic individual with extensive practical leadership experience lead our community.

Andrew Michelmore AO

Chair of Ormond College Council