Our Christmas lunch took place at the RACV Club where guest speaker Noel Clement (1984) was presented with the OPA Community Service Award.

Established in the Old Paradians’ Association Centenary Year of 2014, the OPA Community Service Award acknowledges those men who are community builders, creating a healthy community through their contributions and commitments.

After leaving school, Noel studied a Batchelor of Social Work and a Masters in Social Policy and Community Service Management at RMIT. He cited his Parade College experience of volunteering and community service and a desire to help that brought him to social work.

Noel has forged a significant career in the community sector spanning over 30 years. Emergency management and working in the refugee and asylum seeker space was where Noel had a particular depth of experience

Noel’s work at the Australian Red Cross saw him honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division.

For 20 years Noel was able to lead a broad range of areas at Australian Red Cross, working both domestically and globally on some of the biggest challenges our communities face – major disasters, entrenched disadvantage, climate change, conflict and
forced migration.

In a volatile and changing world, Noel, through his work at the Red Cross has shown outstanding leadership and management.

We would all be aware of global catastrophic events such as the Bali Bombings in 2002, Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004, Black Saturday bushfires in 2009, and the 2021 Victorian Bushfires where Noel was involved in response and recovery in the most challenging of circumstances.

He continues to be busy in the service space working as a tutor and mentor at RMIT, as a board member at the Victorian State Emergency Service and Chair of the Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia.

The Old Paradians’ Association congratulates Noel for his outstanding career.

Pat Mount (1963) again did a magnificent job as our Master of Ceremonies. He was able to acknowledge the work and contribution of Peter Johnston (1973) and the Old Paradians Association and Parade College for supporting the lunch.

We remembered significant Old Paradian's that had passed away recently. Bill Gibbins AM (1963) and Edward (Ted) Egan AO (1947)

Bill, already a ‘Distinguished Old Paradian’, was such a generous benefactor to so many causes, some including Wheelchairs for Kids, The Jericho Cup, the Rats of Tobruk RSL purchase and even the ‘Brothers in Arms’ Memorial in Belgium. He had only just recently proudly accepted the Association’s invitation to be inducted into its Hall of fame in 2026.

Ted Egan passed away in the Northern Territory at age 93 years. He was a remarkable Australian with a resume including folk music legend, poet, troubadour, author, crocodile hunter, reserve superintendent, teacher, former NT Administrator, founder of the famous St Mary’s Football Club on the Tiwi Islands to name but a few!

Brian Bibby (1953) also passed away recently and was remembered.

We look forward to the monthly lunches continuing in 2026, in November marking its 90^th year.