This year the AOF celebrates 60 years since it presented its first awards.  A 60^th anniversary is always a wonderful occasion – a diamond celebration – and is especially meaningful to us at the AOF as we look back on the number of young skilled people who have been helped to shape their careers.

The founders of the VOF (Victorian Overseas Foundation) which later became the AOF (Australian Overseas Foundation) could not have possibly realised that the organisation would expand nationally and sixty years later still be providing exceptional opportunities for young people.

I pay tribute to those founders and the many people who have been involved over the past sixty years.  They are to be congratulated on their worthwhile efforts.

For a voluntary organisation such as the AOF to exist for sixty years and to be still making awards to young people is most certainly an achievement and  one of which we are very proud.  However we could not do this without the help; of our generous sponsors.  Our grateful thanks go to the Australian Government Department of Education and Training, The Victorian Government Department of Education and Training, Incolink Employment Services and the Geelong VOFA Group for sponsoring this year’s awards.

Sponsoring an award means giving a young skilled person an opportunity to gain important overseas experience and knowledge and bring this back to Australia.  The value to industry is immeasurable.  These sponsors are not just making an award, they are making an investment in the future of our country.

At an impressive Presentation Evening in October 2016 four well deserving young people, Jarrod Agnew, Caelen O’Rourke, Hamish Rose and Sandra van der Gaag received their overseas awards.  These were presented by Apprentice Ambassador Kevin Sheedy who gave words of encouragement and sound advice to the recipients.

The AOF currently has nine awardees overseas honing their skills and developing their characters with their progress closely monitored by our CEO John Bieske.  Upon their return debriefing sessions will be held with the AOF Board and their sponsors.

At a sponsors’ luncheon held during the year Morgan Clementson, a Baker and a 2014 Awardee gave a presentation of her experience and work overseas in Belgium.  Morgan is doing extremely well in her work and is an excellent example of the benefits of an AOF Award.

The Board has met regularly throughout the year and we are gain grateful to Toyota Australia for providing us with excellent facilities for our meetings.

Some changes in membership have occurred during the year with Aarti Chopra and Anne Najar both leaving because of pressure of work commitments.  Three new members have been welcomed as Directors.  Kristen Collins, Marcia Devlin and Amy Maiolo provide a good gender balance and bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to the Board.