AGSM Alumni like a party, and they like to network. Both of these together result in a fabulous event, demonstrated by the recent AGSM Alumni Cocktail Party held at Doltone House in Pyrmont, overlooking Sydney harbour.

Around 200 Alumni and their guests were welcomed on the red carpet by Professor Alec Cameron, Dean of the Australian School of Business and Juliet Wolfe, President of the AGSM Alumni Advisory Board.

Alumni members caught up with old friends and their cohort over delicious food and wine, in a room stylishly decorated with chandeliers and red roses.

There was a great band playing in the background but Alumni members were so delighted to meet up with one another that it was mostly talk, talk, talk.

In fact, the talk only stopped when Guest Speaker, Tim Costello, Chief Executive of World Vision spoke about leadership in this time of change. Tim talked of his passion for the future and he urged Alumni in these extraordinary times, when people are fearful and looking inwards, to work together to address the three big issues facing the world.

Tim cited poverty, (in particular child poverty), climate change and the financial meltdown as the big issues that the United Nations is addressing. For example, over twenty six thousand children still die each day from hunger and diseases caused by simple things such as dirty drinking water. Half a million women die in childbirth each year.

With global warming, it will be the poorest countries that will be face the biggest threats and will suffer the most – particularly in our region.

Tim urged CEOs and those present to act decisively over the financial meltdown. He reported that although the brother of a former treasurer he, until recently, he had never heard of Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac.

Tim’s message for the evening was that the world must develop a new global ethic, and we must all work together to face and solve the big problems facing the world – in particular the financial meltdown. He urged listeners to show leadership, be generous and not stop giving to others in need.

Andrew Carruthers, Head of HSBC Premier - the sponsor of the evening - thanked Tim Costello and said that he believed that the Australian School of Business empowered social and business leaders to make a real difference.

Photos (from top): Tim Costello, Chief Executive, World Vision; Juliet Wolfe, President, AGSM Alumni Advisory Board, with Professor Alec Cameron, Dean, Australian School of Business; Alumni Sam Christow, Nicola Doss and Noelle Kim.