AOF Chairman's Report

Australian Overseas Foundation Inc.

Chairman’s Report 2007-2008

The Australian Overseas Foundation list of high achievers has continued to grow over the last fifty-two years.  With the presentation of awards in October 2007 by the then Federal Minister for Vocational and Further Education, the Hon. Andrew Robb, to six very talented young Australians, the total now stands at 297 with recipients from all around Australia.  The AOF is extremely grateful to the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce for generously hosting the Presentation of Awards afternoon.

While recognising that there is a shortage of skilled people in Australia the AOF knows how important it is for young people to travel overseas for at least twelve months and to be exposed to the widest possible developments that are taking place in the world.  By doing this our young people can update their knowledge and broaden their life experience then return to Australia to use that knowledge to the benefit of our industry and our country.

Emphasis has again this year been placed on seeking sponsors for scholarships and we would like to express our appreciation to:

• The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce
• The Master Builders’ Association of Victoria
• E. J. Lyons and Sons Geelong
• Group Training Australia
• G. Force Recruitment Geelong
• Australian Technical College
• Gordon Institute of TAFE Geelong
• ATEL Wodonga
• The Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)

In addition to these sponsorships we express our appreciation to the Department of Innovation Industry and Regional Development (DIIRD) for their generous grant.
Thank you also to the Alumni of the Foundation, specifically the Victorian Overseas Foundation Association (Geelong Branch) and the Victorian Overseas Foundation (National Branch). We are grateful to Spectrum Printworks who produce and provide our printing.  Sponsors are vitally important to the success of the AOF scholarship program.  The commitment by these sponsors to promoting skills in industry is to be applauded.

The Geelong Support Group which was formed during the year has been meeting on a regular basis with several business people in the Geelong area, promoting the AOF and seeking sponsorships and applicants.  This group has been very active and we are grateful for their support.

In addition to the Geelong Group a similar support group has been formed in Albury and is known as the Albury Wodonga Regional Support Group.  This group has been formed consisting of business and educational people in the area. We look forward to the valuable help and support of this new group in the future.

During the course of the year the Board has conducted a review and update of its Strategic Plan.  A considerable amount of time has been spent by the members, in addition to normal Board meetings, to prepare a realistic and achievable plan.  The Board is now working on a Marketing Plan to further promote the AOF.

The AOF website has been continually updated and an effort is being made to establish links with other industry websites to give greater access to applicants for awards.

WorldSkills Australia has again assisted us by providing some very highly skilled young applicants from all around Australia.  We would like to thank them for their continued involvement and support in so many ways.

While scholarship winners are overseas they are monitored by way of quarterly reports to the Board.  In addition a more personal contact is kept by way of telephone and e-mail by the CEO John Bieske who constantly monitors their welfare.  The Board expresses its appreciation to John for this valuable work.

We have been pleased that David Purchase the CEO of the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce has agreed to become a Director of the Australian Overseas Foundation.  We warmly welcome David and look forward to the benefit of his expertise.

All Directors serve in a voluntary capacity and have met on a regular two monthly basis plus special meetings when required.

The AOF wishes to thank Toyota for making available their first class meeting facilities in Port Melbourne for the conduct of our regular meetings and for the provision of facilities for conducting interviews.

I wish to personally thank the Directors of the AOF for their commitment and their dedication to recognising skill and achievement.

Tom Thorpe OAM
Chairman