On Thursday 31 October 2024, three outstanding Old Geelong Grammarians came together to speak to approximately 80 guests from the Geelong Grammar School (GGS) community at the RACV Club for the first in-person Business Breakfast since 2019. Amanda Elliott AO (Bayles, Clyde'69), Charlie Gardiner (M'00) and Emily Mannix (Fr'12) have excelled in their respective sporting-related fields and are more than qualified to speak on the topic of the business of sport. Amanda is a Director and Vice Chairman of the Melbourne Cup Foundation and was the first female Chairman of the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) in 153 years, and continues to be central to the VRCs ambitious Masterplan. Charlie played 63 games for Geelong and St Kilda in the AFL and is now an experienced sports administrator and legal counsel with the Sydney Swans. Emily has represented Australia in netball on the international stage, and is currently the Vice-Captain for the Melbourne Vixens, as well as starting her own netball academy. 

Following a welcome from OGG President, Andrew Burgess (FB'81), guests enjoyed a breakfast of scrambled eggs and continental treats. Then, Nick Ashton (P'99), OGG Committee Member, introduced the panellists who took to the stage for an engaging discussion. Starting with their chosen superpowers, Nick drew from the diverse experience of the panellists' careers and respective codes to steer the conversation. Guests were also invited to ask questions of the panel, which included their insights into how smaller sporting bodies with limited sources of funding survive in the competitive sporting landscape. A table of GGS Scholarship students who were in attendance sought career advice from the panel and Charlie spoke of the transferable skills between sport and business, encouraging the students to continue playing sport for as long as possible. The discussion ended with Nick asking the panel what reflections they have carried with them from their time at GGS. Amanda reflected that Clyde School gave her resilience, for Charlie GGS provided him with a sense of teamwork, and Emily, authenticity and being comfortable with being uncomfortable. Inspired by the words of Vivian Greene, Amanda ended the discussion urging those in attendance not to wait for the storm to pass but to learn to dance in the rain. 

Those at the Business Breakfast included OGGs and their guests, and current staff, students and parents. It was a wonderful event and we cannot thank the panellists enough for their time and honesty. Thanks must also go to Alexandra Hocking (He'99), Head of Alumni and Community Relations, and Rylie Jabornik, Alumni and Events Coordinator, from the GGS Alumni Office, with OGG Committee Members, Whitney McLaren (Hammond, He'04) and Nick, for their planning and organisation of what is the first of a series of OGG business networking events post-COVID. To ensure you stay informed of when the next OGG Business Breakfast will be scheduled, and other upcoming OGG Reunions and Events, refer to the Calendar of Events on OGG website.