An Interview with Pamela Millar, President of SAGSE and newly elected WAGBA Committee Member
For December’s edition of InTouch, Pamela Millar has graciously set aside some time to answer some questions for this profile interview.
Pamela's Profile:
Pamela Millar is the President of the Scholarships for Australian-German Student Exchange (SAGSE) WA, an association dedicated to granting scholarships to Australian students of the German language, allowing them to spend 11 weeks in Germany during their summer break and organising the hosting of students from Germany from June to September each year. The primary objective of this exchange program is to provide students with a glimpse into a different culture while fostering friendships between the youth of Australia and Germany. SAGSE typically chooses around 17 students in years 11 and 12 from Western Australia and Victoria to take part in this program. She is also heavily involved in the Rhein-Donau Club (RDC), where she actively contributes to the organisation's events and initiatives, serving as Secretary from 2017 until 2019 and again as Secretary since 2021 and promoting the German language and culture in Western Australia. Pamela is also a newly elected WAGBA Committee Member for the Financial Year 2023/24.
Hi Pamela, can you give a bit of background to our readers as to what you do, your involvement in SAGSE and the Rhein Donau Club, and how long you’ve been doing this for?
"I have been President of SAGSE WA for the past eleven years and was on the Committee and selection panel for two years before that. When I first joined it was a very small organisation that was linked to SAGSE Victoria. We were not even an official organisation. After I became president, we set up as SAGSE WA with our own constitution. The best idea we had, thanks to a suggestion from the amazing Wolfgang Leonhardt, a founding member of the Rhein-Donau Club, and the man responsible for revitalising SAGSE WA, that we invite Torsten Ketelsen to be our patron. Since then, Torsten has guided and helped us to grow and improve. When I first started, we could only offer one scholarship, and that was with money provided by SAGSE Victoria; this year we hope to offer eight.
Because of my contact with Wolfgang and my friendship with the President of the Rhein Donau Club (RDC), I became involved with the RDC. They were supportive of the SAGSE program, allowing us to use the Club facilities for our events and hosting our annual fund-raising dance.
In 2017 I was invited to join the RDC Committee, where I served for two years. In 2021 I was again asked to stand as Secretary. This year, for the first time in many years, the RDC has also offered SAGSE WA a full sponsorship.
After my retirement as a teacher, I offered to organise Adult German Language classes and a children’s “Kinderclub”, providing German lessons to the children of German-speaking parents."
Could you fill me in on the story of how you (through your affiliation with SAGSE and the Rhein Donau Club) came in contact with WAGBA?
"WAGBA has supported SAGSE WA with a scholarship sponsorship for many years now. I remember that in 2012 I was invited to address a WAGBA Committee meeting and I think it all started from there. Since then, WAGBA representatives have been regular guests at SAGSE WA events.
Since I have re-joined the RDC committee, the Club has become a member of WAGBA, so that I now attend committee meetings and events as a representative. At the last AGM in September 2023, I was elected to the WAGBA Committee as well."
What do you feel is the biggest advantage of being involved in 3 of the most prominent German-associated organisations in Western Australia and how do you see this dynamic evolve in the future?
"The really big advantage of being involved in all three organisations is that I have made so many contacts with wonderful business and community people who are so supportive of our efforts to promote the learning of German in our schools and of our dedication to educating WA students about the culture of the German speaking countries. The synergies between the three organisations are compelling."
Are there any plans/events with WAGBA that you are looking forward to working on?
"I am just looking forward to a continued close relationship with WAGBA and its members who have been so supportive of me and of our organisation (SAGSE) and hope that this will continue long into the future. I am also hoping that some members will come along to our annual fundraising “Black and White Dance” on 9 March 2024 to meet some of the amazing students who have won scholarships."
