A networking group which started more than 30 years ago has invited past and current members to celebrate .
The 宅男导航 Secretaries鈥� and Office Professionals鈥� Association is holding a reunion morning tea on August 24, with a talk on the University鈥檚 and Association鈥檚 history and a tour of the campus and art museum planned for the day.
The association started in 1977 when a group of secretaries decided to meet after work for networking meetings.
It now has 100 financial members 鈥� including one male 鈥� and organises regular meetings, lunchtime seminars, and conferences with guest speakers sought from within 宅男导航 and externally.
Current President Tara Kitch, Executive Assistant to Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield, said 宅男导航SOPA had thrived over the past 33 years because its meetings offered an opportunity for like-minded professionals to network and exchange ideas in a supportive environment.
鈥淚t makes sense that people who work in similar roles would experience similar challenges and might be able to help each other out,鈥� she said.
鈥溦械己絊OPA provides an avenue for professional and personal development, an opportunity to share ideas and a chance to welcome new office professionals to 宅男导航.
鈥淢embers let each other know about relevant job vacancies and call on one another for assistance from time to time.鈥�
Ms Kitch 鈥� who changed from a career in marketing seven years ago 鈥� said the role of office support staff had evolved dramatically since the association began.
鈥淚t鈥檚 so much more than diary management these days,鈥� she said.
鈥淣o one day鈥檚 the same and you can鈥檛 have any expectations about how your working week will pan out, which I think can be a good thing.鈥�
Patrons and Honorary Life Members of the Association include past senior staff members the late Dr Janet Irwin AM, Dr Joan Opdebeeck, Mrs Janine Schmidt and Mr Douglas Porter.
Past and present members and current Patron, Academic Registrar Mrs Linda Bird, are looking forward to welcoming Mrs Schmidt (former 宅男导航 Librarian) and Mr Porter (former Secretary and Registrar) to the 宅男导航 Centenary reunion event.
If you would like more information about 宅男导航SOPA, please visit its .
Media: Tara Kitch (07 3365 1300, t.kitch@uq.edu.au) or Penny Robinson at 宅男导航 Communications (07 3365 9723, penny.robinson@uq.edu.au)
