Clayton Ford (OH 1991) 
President of the Old Haileyburians Association 

It has been another dynamic and rewarding period for the Old Haileyburians Association, with a strong focus on connection, opportunity and supporting our community at every stage beyond school.  
  
A particular highlight has been the success of our initiative connecting the Class of 2025 with recent alumni at their destination universities. This program has provided a warm and practical bridge for around 200 school leavers as they navigate their first year of tertiary study, linking them with those who have recently walked the same path. The early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we look forward to growing this initiative in the years ahead.  
  
We have also been delighted by the calibre of applications received for the inaugural OHA Ignite entrepreneurship support program. The creativity, ambition and commercial thinking demonstrated by our alumni have been truly impressive, reinforcing the strength of the Haileybury spirit in innovation and enterprise.  
  
Our young professionals networking evening was another standout event, bringing together leaders across industries to share insights, build connections and support our young alumni’s professional journeys. Similarly, it was wonderful to see our Women in Business initiative continue to gain momentum, with ten OHA women attending the Monash Women’s Business Network International Women’s Day business and networking lunch. This year also saw the launch of the Haileybury Voices podcast, sharing the stories and insights of our alumni community and further strengthening connections across generations.  
  
As we go to publication we are excited for the June Sursum Corda Society event featuring Nick Cummins (OH 1991), CEO of Cricket Victoria, which promises to be a thought-provoking and engaging evening for our business leader community.  
  
Behind the scenes, the OHA Council continues important strategic work. We have commenced early planning for a new parents’ group, aimed at strengthening connections and sharing experiences between alumni as they embark on their parenting journey. We are also reviewing our value proposition and positioning to ensure the Association continues to meet the evolving needs of our alumni. Many alumni will have recently received a survey as part of this process. Thank you to those who have contributed insights.  
  
As always, we encourage all Haileyburians to stay engaged, support one another, and take pride in this remarkable community. Stay connected.