We’re happy to report that our AGM for the year of 2019 went off without a hitch via Zoom.

This is a very new format for us and while we missed the opportunity to catch up with everyone in person we really appreciated all 29 attendees taking the time to join us online and hope that we can all be together again before the end of this year.

Here are just a few of the highlights from the morning;

• OELLEN’s Chair Helene Rooks from VALA, welcomed our attendees and opened the discussion to how each represented organisation is coping in these unprecedented times.

• OELLEN’s Executive Officer Fiona Purcell talked about the new OELLEN contract and the revised OELLEN goals for 2020. Fiona presented the Annual Report for 2019 that covered OELLEN region demographics, the great SWL statistics for the year and a focus on the many successful partnerships and events that OELLEN collaborated on in 2019.

• Special mention was made of the invaluable contributions Cherie Messerle made to the OELLEN team over her many years of service and our heartfelt best wishes were extended to her in her recent retirement.

• Many thanks for their time and contributions to the board were also extended to retiring board members Heidi Tucker from Anchor and Linda Kearley from Swinburne.

Finally, OELLEN’s new Board for 2020 was confirmed and we are pleased to announce the new team:

Name                               Representing

Helene Rooks                 VALA

Mark Heuston                Croydon Community School

Adam Cooper                 City of Maroondah

Allan Rennick                 Healesville High

Lea Jones                        Swinburne

Janet Claringbold         MDLC

Rosina Fotia                   Lilydale Heights

Tara Lemmens               Shire of Yarra Ranges

Lou Zarro                        City of Knox

Craig Hilton                    Australian Industry Group Apprentice & Trainee Centre