The 2010 Annual Alumni Dinner: new venue, old friends

Oct, 2010

On October 4 2010 more than 500 people gathered at the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre (MCEC) to celebrate the Melbourne Business School (MBS) 2010 Annual Alumni Dinner.

The Annual Alumni Dinner is the flagship event for MBS and its global community. It is the highlight of the School’s social calendar and regularly attracts leaders of business, government and community sectors who travel from across Australia, and beyond. For decades the dinner has brought together alumni, friends and guests of the School.

MC for the evening Frank Zipfinger, President of the MBS Alumni Council, began 2010 proceedings by welcoming guests and inviting Dean and Director Jennifer George to address the crowd and provide the annual School update.  Jennifer spoke about the direction of the School and about several initiatives that are on the horizon.

In 2010, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) became an annual premier dinner sponsor of the event to honour Charles Goode AC who retired, in February, after 15 years as the Chairman of ANZ, through the Charles Goode Oration.  

The inaugural Charles Goode Oration was delivered by Jillian Broadbent AO, Board Member, Reserve Bank of Australia; Director, Coca-Cola Amatil Limited, Special Broadcasting Service Corporation, ASX Limited; and Chancellor, University of Wollongong.  

Jillian spoke to the crowd about Australia and the global marketplace, discussing today’s economy and the impact of the GFC. She divided the economies of the world into the ‘good, the bad and the ugly’ and guests were pleased to hear that Australia falls into the ‘good’ category, with its fortunes tied to China’s growth.  Judging by the response last night, the ANZ Charles Goode Oration will no doubt prove to be a highlight in future years.

After Jillian answered several questions from the floor, attention turned to the always anticipated awards portion of the evening.  

As guests enjoyed a menu sourced locally from Victorian producers and wine growers, Frank took to the stage to reveal the recipients of the 2010 Alumni Awards.

The Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award honours an alumnus who has graduated in the past ten years, and who has demonstrated outstanding professional achievement, service to society and/or service to the School - particularly where it is demonstrated that their MBS education has made a significant contribution to that success. It is intended to recognise the ‘rising stars’ amongst the MBS alumni.

The 2010 winner, Nerida Caesar, received her award from Cathy Walter AM and spoke to the crowd about her experiences studying overseas as part of her EMBA degree and about how her studies influenced her career. Her success was warmly toasted by her peers.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award is the highest honour that MBS can bestow on an alumnus. Each year it is presented to someone who has demonstrated the ultimate in professional achievement, has had a major impact on the enrichment of the community, and has made outstanding contributions to MBS, its students and alumni.

The 2010 award was presented to Katie Lahey who accepted via video. Katie was in London on business and unable to attend in person. Her recorded message drew laughs from the crowd and acknowledged her support for the School and the impact that her time at MBS had on her distinguished career.

As the formalities of the evening came to a close guests were free to mingle, reconnect with old friends, chat to Faculty and enjoy the facilities provided by MCEC, the first, and only, '6 Star Green Star' environmentally rated convention centre  in the world.  

Thanks to all who attended the dinner and made it, once again, the highlight of the MBS events calendar. A special thanks to our sponsors ANZ, Egon Zehnder International, BCG, and New Litho.

Images: Top to bottom - The magnificent table settings at the MCEC, Cathy Walter AM presents Nerida Caesar with the Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award, Katie Lahey accepts the Distinguished Alumnus Award via video.