150th anniversary dinner in Melbourne
Harvie Brown, Faculty president, and his wife Joss were guests of Australian and New Zealand fellows of the Faculty and their wives at a 150th anniversary dinner in Melbourne on Saturday 8 April.
An excellent meal was presided over by Iain Ross, who successfully co-ordinated the speeches and the traditional Australian actuarial custom of everyone, except the guests of honour, exchanging places after each course, so that all meet all. Michael Howard had displayed his computer skills by devising the four seating plans.
Three members with very different career paths, and personal and professional backgrounds, Lawrence Cohn, Ron Hunter, and David Dickson spoke briefly on their involvement with the Faculty and what meant to them.
Robin Clark, who had flown over specially with his wife Elizabeth, for the dinner conveyed the good wishes of the New Zealanders.
Martin Stevenson, the president of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia, welcomed Harvie and Joss to his ‘patch’, and spoke of the many links between the IAAust and the Faculty.
Harvie responded with an excellent speech about the 150th anniversary celebrations, with some events completed and many yet to come, and the early history of the Faculty, its founding, and its royal charter.
Thus ended a convivial evening of good food, good wines, fellowship, reminiscences of the past, and plans for the future.
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