Celebrating 10 Years of Amelia Zaraftis

On 24 February, we celebrated a decade of Amelia Zaraftis’ dedicated service to Burgmann College; ten years marked by wisdom, integrity, and wholehearted commitment to our community.

Since joining the College as Deputy Principal in 2016, Amelia has played a pivotal role in shaping the culture, direction, and success of Burgmann. Living on-site with her daughters for over four years, Amelia walked closely alongside residents during some of their most formative, and at times most challenging, years. Her pastoral care has always been steady and thoughtful, marked by wisdom, compassion, and a deep commitment to student wellbeing.

Twice stepping into the role of Acting Principal during periods of maternity leave (2017 and 2020), Amelia provided calm and assured leadership, ensuring continuity and stability for the community during times of transition.

In 2019, Amelia led one of Burgmann’s most significant cultural milestones: the development and launch of the College’s inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan. The launch event, featuring Nova Peris OLY, remains one of the proudest moments in the College’s recent history. Amelia has also been instrumental in fostering the College’s close and ongoing relationship with Aunty Dr Matilda House-Williams OAM, a relationship grounded in respect, learning, and genuine partnership.

In 2021, Amelia stepped into the role of Director of Advancement, where her impact has been transformative. She has built a vibrant and effective alumni and fundraising program, raising over $1 million for the College to date. Her work has included establishing the annual giving program, founding the St Beryl Society (the College’s bequest program), and fostering key relationships that have enabled significant initiatives such as the Ian Darling Scholarship.

Amelia has also laid the foundations for a thriving and enduring culture of alumni engagement. She created and implemented a structured annual events calendar and has supported the growth of alumni chapters in Melbourne, Sydney, London, and Singapore, with events also held in Brisbane and Perth. Her leadership was integral to the College’s 50th Anniversary celebrations across 2021 and 2022, including the Commemoration of the Foundation Stone, the Back-to-Burg Gala Dinner, and the establishment of the College’s Alumni Awards program.

Amelia also played a key role in fundraising for the refurbishment of the Undergraduate Courtyard, a project that has significantly enhanced daily life at the College. Thanks in no small part to her thoughtful stewardship and donor engagement, residents today gather, study, and connect in a beautiful, welcoming space at the heart of our community. It stands as a tangible reminder of Amelia’s commitment to creating environments where students can flourish, both socially and academically.

Under Amelia’s guidance, the College now produces regular alumni newsletters and updates, strengthening the connection between past and present residents. She has also built and nurtured a dedicated Advancement team, ensuring professionalism, warmth, and consistency across all alumni and philanthropic initiatives.

Most recently, Amelia has taken on the significant task of establishing Burgmann’s first Endowment Fund, a key strategic priority that will support the College’s long-term sustainability and future generations of residents.

Courageous, kind, and unfailingly professional, Amelia rarely seeks the spotlight. Yet her influence is woven through every part of college life - in its culture of care, its strong alumni network, and its growing philanthropic vision. Her legacy over the past decade is one of community-building, thoughtful leadership, and quiet but determined progress.

Over the past decade, Amelia’s extraordinary work ethic, integrity, humility, and boundless enthusiasm for Burgmann College have left an indelible mark on our community.

We are deeply grateful for Amelia’s ten years of service, and for the many ways she continues to shape and strengthen our community.

In 2021, Amelia stepped into the role of Director of Advancement, where her impact has been transformative. She has built a vibrant and effective alumni and fundraising program, raising over $1 million for the College to date. Her work has included establishing the annual giving program, founding the St Beryl Society (the College’s bequest program), and fostering key relationships that have enabled significant initiatives such as the Ian Darling Scholarship.

Amelia has also laid the foundations for a thriving and enduring culture of alumni engagement. She created and implemented a structured annual events calendar and has supported the growth of alumni chapters in Melbourne, Sydney, London, and Singapore, with events also held in Brisbane and Perth.

Her leadership was integral to the College’s 50th Anniversary celebrations across 2021 and 2022, including the Commemoration of the Foundation Stone, the Back-to-Burg Gala Dinner, and the establishment of the College’s Alumni Awards program.

Amelia also played a key role in fundraising for the refurbishment of the Undergraduate Courtyard, a project that has significantly enhanced daily life at the College. Thanks in no small part to her thoughtful stewardship and donor engagement, residents today gather, study, and connect in a beautiful, welcoming space at the heart of our community. It stands as a tangible reminder of Amelia’s commitment to creating environments where students can flourish, both socially and academically.

Under Amelia’s guidance, the College now produces regular alumni newsletters and updates, strengthening the connection between past and present residents. She has also built and nurtured a dedicated Advancement team, ensuring professionalism, warmth, and consistency across all alumni and philanthropic initiatives.

Most recently, Amelia has taken on the significant task of establishing Burgmann’s first Endowment Fund, a key strategic priority that will support the College’s long-term sustainability and future generations of residents.

Courageous, kind, and unfailingly professional, Amelia rarely seeks the spotlight. Yet her influence is woven through every part of college life - in its culture of care, its strong alumni network, and its growing philanthropic vision. Her legacy over the past decade is one of community-building, thoughtful leadership, and quiet but determined progress.

Over the past decade, Amelia’s extraordinary work ethic, integrity, humility, and boundless enthusiasm for Burgmann College have left an indelible mark on our community.

We are deeply grateful for Amelia’s ten years of service, and for the many ways she continues to shape and strengthen our community.