The Biddlecombe Society’s last event for 2023 was held in the Utzon Room at the Sydney Opera House. It was very fitting that on this occasion, Penelope McBain, the outgoing Chair of the Foundation, performed her final act as Chair by awarding new pins to three new members who have joined the Society. We thank Penelope for all her support for the Bequest programme and Biddlecombe Society during her tenure, where she has overseen the increase in both interest and membership as it has grown from 105 to 271 in the past 8 years.
Present at our lunch event was the Chair of Council, Paddy Handbury (P’72), who together with Ellie Austin (He’23), spoke about the many benefits that scholarships bring both to recipients and benefactors. The sense of gratitude, both giving and receiving, was clearly evident in their Q/A session with Charlie Sutherland (P’86) who hosted the event with great skill. Our Principal, Rebecca Cody, supplied a recorded welcome and update for all those present which was greatly appreciated.
With the conclusion of this event, the year has ended off on an excellent note for the bequest programme and Biddlecombe Society. New South Wales continues to be a much-valued part of our wider community and we look forward to visiting again in 2024.