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- Celebrating 50 Years of Business Managers Victoria: A Legacy of Leadership and Connection
Celebrating 50 Years of Business Managers Victoria: A Legacy of Leadership and Connection
In 1975, two dedicated Registrars, Lillian Poolman from Sunshine Technical School and Trevor Cooke from Collingwood Technical College, came together with a vision: to create a supportive professional learning network for their peers. That vision gave rise to what we now know as Business Managers Victoria (BMV). From modest beginnings at the City and Overseas Club on St Kilda Road, the association has grown into a respected, statewide organisation advocating for and empowering school business professionals from Victorian government schools.
Over the past five decades, BMV has undergone several transformations, both in name and in scope, reflecting the evolving needs of its members and the changing landscape of education. What began as The Association of Registrars of Victorian Technical Schools and Colleges evolved into The Association of Business Managers in Victorian State Schools (ABMVSS), and finally into Business Managers Victoria (BMV), with a fresh new identity to match a modern vision.
Today, BMV supports business managers, HR, finance, and administration across Victorian state schools. Our purpose remains in community, collegiality and professional growth. The role BMV plays in advocacy between members, schools and the Department of Education has grown over the last ten years to be at a level of expected involvement and constant consultation.
As we celebrate 50 years, we honour the legacy built by those who came before us, and we look forward to the future being inspired and continuing that journey together.
To mark this milestone, BMV has proudly shared a commemorative conference, including significant BMV Life Member Awards to four worthy recipients, a keepsake membership card, and special member celebrations throughout the year.
Here’s to the next 50 years of learning, leadership and lasting impact.
Taken from the Business Managers Victoria Media Release on June 30, 2025
