It’s been another amazing year for the largest Old Scholars Association in the Southern Hemisphere! The Prince Alfred Old Collegians’ Association (PAOCA) organised a robust calendar of 42 events locally, interstate and overseas.
It was heartening to witness the Old Red community enjoying each other’s company and building camaraderie through these events. The six reunions saw strong participation, with alumni coming together to reminisce and celebrate.
Our annual Old Scholar’s Week held in the last week of July included our famed Old Old Boys’ Assembly attended by 209 Old Reds, with the oldest being Dr Graham Wicks who commenced at Prince Alfred College in 1940. Later that evening, we hosted our Annual Dinner at the Adelaide Convention Centre with over 320 Old Reds in attendance, where we were privileged to hear from Australia’s first Olympic Gold Medallist in the Winter Olympics, Steven Bradbury OAM.
Our Intercol competitions remain a highlight, with enthusiastic participation in sports ranging from Football, Tennis, Basketball, Cricket, Golf, Chess, Bridge, Water Polo, Lawn Bowls, Hockey, Squash, Badminton, Bridge and Snooker. Next year we will be expanding our offerings, adding Texas Hold ‘Em and Clay Target Shooting to the program.
The 24th Vintage Reds’ Luncheon was held at the College on Friday 18 October where we welcomed 273 Old Reds. This event exemplifies the enduring spirit of the Old Scholar community, bringing members together to share stories and memories while strengthening the Association’s network.
The commitment and energy of our sporting clubs, committees, and members ensure our teams stay competitive in their respective sports, fostering the best level of competition.
In the 2024 Australia Day Honors, we congratulated Dr Christopher Lex Watson (PAC 1948-1952) for service to the community of Belconnen in the ACT, in particular Community Conservation.
Congratulations to Dr Brett Gooden (PAC 1953-1960) who was inducted into the Princes Men Gallery in April.
The PAOCA Management Committee meets each month to consider ways to support and advance our community, guided by a commitment to benefit the wider scholar community. We aim to promote the participation of Old Reds as mentors for recent school leavers, current university and TAFE students aligning with our mission of fostering guidance and leadership across generations. The PAOCA Mentoring Program allows mentees to be mentored for a six-month period by an Old Scholar as a way of providing guidance, support and further strengthening their network and connection with our great College.
We released our 2024-2026 Strategic Plan earlier in the year which includes advancing all that is relevant to the welfare of Prince Alfred College, promoting unity and friendship among old scholars and maintaining the interest of old scholars in the College.
For the second straight year we hosted the Old Reds’ Fathers & Sons breakfast in March (for current parents at the College who are Old Reds, and their sons). It was a huge success, with over 60 fathers and 80 sons attending.
This year we introduced an ‘Under 35s focus group’ which is aimed at engaging and connecting with the younger generations of our Association.
We also re-launched events in the Mid North and Hobart, both of which were successful and well attended. We’ve also launched the inaugural PAOCA Football Tipping Competition as a connection for Old Scholars but also one that comes with bragging rights, a trophy and a prize pool!
The PAOCA recently contributed a $100,000 donation to assist in the new Preparatory Building project due for completion at the end of 2025.
This report would not be complete without expressing my deep gratitude to the entire Management Committee for their hard work. I would also like to acknowledge the passing of Committee Member Michael Hihimanis (1975-1980) in May this year. Michael was a passionate, dedicated and collegial Old Red.
In addition, I wish to thank our eight sporting club Committees who work tirelessly behind the scenes to manage their players and day to day Club requirements.
Currently we communicate with over 12,000 Old Reds located all around the world, and I encourage you to regularly update your contact details with our Executive Officer, Mary-Ann Standish, E: mstandish@pac.edu.au
I wish to thank Mary-Ann for her tireless efforts. She is an asset to our Association and her knowledge, drive, commitment and perfectionist tendencies are greatly valued.
In closing, the principles and values of Prince Alfred College continue to shine brightly, supported by the selfless contributions of the Old Reds’ community. We are proud to uphold the legacy of our forebearers, and I encourage every member to embrace their role in this enduring tradition.
Finally, I ask all of you to uphold this tradition, support your mates and always appreciate what it means to be a Princes Man!
Andrew Sullivan (1998)
PAOCA President 2023-2024