It was wonderful to see a full house of the Old Paradians community at the October RACV Club luncheon, with a fantastic turnout reflecting the strong connections and camaraderie that continue to bring our community together.

Joining our regular attendees were members of the Class of 1966, celebrating 60 years since graduating from Parade College, along with representatives from the Parade College Ladies Auxiliary Committee.

Pat Mount (1962) did an outstanding job, as always, as Master of Ceremonies. Prior to lunch, Pat introduced Stephen Philp (1986), OPA Alumni Officer, who provided an update on the remaining events scheduled for 2026. Stephen also treated those in attendance to a preview of a recently produced video showcasing the College’s proposed Wellbeing Centre. In late October, all College alumni will receive a letter from Principal Mark Aiello, including a link to the video and further information about this exciting new initiative for the College.

Following lunch, Pat welcomed back our guest speaker, Brendan Money (1976). Brendan generously joined us at last year’s October luncheon, where his presentation generated considerable interest and a number of engaging questions from the audience. Given the positive response, we were delighted to invite him back this year to share further insights into his field of expertise.

Brendan has held several significant leadership positions within Corrections Victoria, the Victorian Government agency responsible for managing adult offenders and overseeing correctional services across the state. His career has included senior responsibilities in sentence management, offender management services and the Major Offenders Unit.

Drawing on his extensive experience, Brendan provided valuable insights into the complexities of the correctional system and the significant responsibilities involved in balancing community safety, prison security and offender rehabilitation. He also reflected on the challenges associated with correctional operations and the processes designed to prepare prisoners for their eventual return to the community.

Following Brendan’s presentation, he was joined by retired Victorian Supreme Court Judge Phillip Priest (1973) and Andy Walsh (1971), former Executive Director of the Victorian Youth Foundation. Together, they fielded questions from the audience, contributing to a thoughtful and engaging discussion on a topic of considerable public interest and relevance.

The luncheon was another excellent opportunity for members of the Old Paradians community to reconnect, share experiences and enjoy an informative presentation from experienced professionals.

The final luncheon for 2026 will be on the 11^th of November. On this day, we will celebrate the 90^th birthday of the OPA monthly luncheons, as well as hear from Mark Aiello, Parade College Principal. It is also a significant day, being Remembrance Day, when we will also pay our respects to those who have served our country.