In December 1994 the very first edition of the College Connection is published. Created by alumni Anne Rea (Douglas) of the Class of 1958, with the support of Library Assistant Gerry Fahey, the College Connection is called a bulletin and is a 4-page publication in black and white. While simple, the publication covers everything from past student achievement in a broad range of fields, an introduction by the Principal at the time, Sr Mary Dennett, adverts for upcoming reunions, and some great details about the key programs happening at Emmanuel that year.
This first edition also recognised the work of the St Ann’s Old Collegians Association and the work of CBC Old Boys.
The response to this first edition was excellent, and immediately saw the publication put into circulation twice per year. By the end of 1995 the mailing list saw 750 copies going into circulation - all at no cost to the subscriber list.
Through the years, the number of reports and adverts for class reunions increases. Anne still seems to fit a huge amount of updates on alumni and school in each edition.
Due to time constraints, in December 2000 it is announced that the publication will move to being an annual publication.
With a new editor at the helm, Jean Christie, the publication triples in size and goes into colour print. . . well one colour! The increased number of pages allows for more photos to be included, but stays true to the content on offer.
The style of publication also changes, with each edition having a cover page, and many stories being written up in an article style.
While Anne has stepped down as editor, she remains an ongoing support to Jean until 2006. Like a roving reporter, Anne continues to be a key source of information, supplying alumni news stories wherever she can.
With each edition published, the now magazine style publication gets a bit bigger, adding the need for a table of contents. A Letters to the Editor section is also included, that highlights the love for the magazine as it continues to become even more established.
The first edition in full colour! This edition also asks readers to nominate classmates for a recognition program that would later become what is known today as Inspiring Alumni.
In 2007 a Development Officer is appointed at the College, Jenni Larsen, whose role was a broad one, but included support for alumni. Jenni’s work helped Jean in uncovering alumni stories for the College Connection. The edition continues to become increasingly professional.
Melissa Crothers (Delaney) Class of 1999 begins working with Emmanuel College, designing marketing materials, and the College Connection.
An Alumni Coordinator is appointed, and the following year, the role of editor, is passed on to Candice Hampstead. The magazine is changed to a shorter biannual publication allowing for reunions to be advertised more timely. Within a couple of years, the circulation of the magazine jumps from approx. 2500 copies to over 4000.
A little idea in 1994, spurred a now 30 year legacy in facilitating the connection of the alumni community. The person who started it all, alumni and past parent – Anne Rea (Douglas) of the Class of 1958.
It’s no surprise that Anne dedicated herself to the creation of the publication, given her own enduring connection to the school. Anne began at St Ann’s College in 1954 in Form II (now Year 8), previously attending a number of country schools where her father, a teacher, had influenced in her a love of school and study. Anne recalls loving school from as early as the age of 4, and that continued all the way through to her years at St Ann’s. She fondly remembers Sisters, Bonaventure, Philomene, Sylvia and Beatrice. She reflects, “The concerts that we used to have, and look forward to and practise for - they went to another level. Because she (Sr Beatrice) provided costumes and fabrics and all sorts of props for the shows.”
Anne’s connection to the school continued as her children reached their secondary school years, where she was an active member in the Parent and Friend Committees for both St Ann’s and CBC. She remained on the newly formed Emmanuel College Parents and Friends, following the amalgamation, staying until her youngest child, Eugene, graduated in 1992.
I don’t really know why I did it, except that I knew so many people, and I knew the students as well. . . and so that led me to think - You need something, something to pull them together. And so I came up with the idea, which was for a little brochureAnne Rea
Beyond these voluntary commitments with the school, Anne was working as the Work Experience Coordinator for south-west schools. She recalls, “I loved that job. I really made it my own too. . . and that kept me in touch with students.”
In the years that followed, this role also kept her in contact with other parents. Through these conversations, she soon came to realise the value and joy that past members of the school community got when learning what was happening, and what all our young people were off doing following their years at school together. Anne also learned that many past students and families were nervous that both the people and the work achieved at both St Ann’s and CBC would be forgotten and lost. Anne comments, “I don’t really know why I did it, except that I knew so many people, and I knew the students as well. . . and so that led me to think - You need something, something to pull them together. And so I came up with the idea, which was for a little brochure.”
Casually mentioning her idea to teachers at Emmanuel, she was encouraged to speak to Librarian Mr Gerry Fahey, because ‘he knew about computers’ and would be the right person to get her set up and going.
Following through on her idea, Anne gained the publishing support of Mr Fahey and became the first Editor of the College Connection, with the publication of the Past Pupils Bulletin in 1994. (Twelve months later, the title was changed to what we all know it as today – The College Connection.)
Anne’s work on the publication for the eight years that followed was done completely voluntarily, and inspired many to contribute content, or organise a reunion. Her initiative, and perseverance in ensuring that something special was created, now remains a legacy 30 years on. We thank you Anne for the important role you have played in uniting our alumni and keeping us all connected as one.
Gerry, in his role as the Senior Campus Teacher Librarian, was able to provide Anne with the support she needed to layout and publish each edition. While Anne was responsible for sourcing and writing all the content, it would then get passed onto Gerry who managed to fit it all in the then 4-page layout very professionally.
Gerry recalls also having an enthusiastic group of year 11 and 12 students who helped to edit and publish some of the editions.
Jean took over as Editor in 2002, and the magazine developed significantly over the following 14 years. As the College’s Director of Marketing, she gave the publication many face-lifts over the years and expanded the content of each edition.
While Jean thinks some of her early designs have dated, she broadly loves how the magazine has, and continues to evolve. She says, “The focus has changed quite a lot. We now focus on the good stuff people are doing in the world. It’s a lot more meaty.”
Like Anne, Jean recognises the important role the publication has had in uniting our alumni groups. She highlights, “It’s been really good at building those bridges.”
Jenni in her role as Development Officer, supported Jean with content for the magazine. She also developed some early alumni programming that Jean was able to advertise through the magazine.
Jenni says, “It’s a great way to stay in touch, get the latest updates, and stay part of the community long after school finishes. I wish my old school had something like this!
Congratulations on 30 years of The College Connection! Here’s to many more years of sharing uplifting news and helping past students stay connected and involved with a network that’s both professionally and personally rewarding.”
Melissa Crothers (Delaney), and alumni herself of the Class of 1999 has been the mastermind behind the design features since 2013. Melissa has, like Jean, created a number of new looks for the publication during her 10-plus years on board, and is intrinsic in making the College Connection both a welcoming and professional read.
Melissa says, “I love starting with a 28-page blank canvas and helping to bring the stories to life – seeing what you can create.”
