Sowing the Future: Antony Sormann and the Growth of EO Melbourne

Returning to EO Melbourne after a few years away, Antony Sormann stepped into a chapter that felt both familiar and astonishingly new. The modest beginnings he once knew had blossomed into a thriving, dynamic community, a living testament to the power of connection and shared vision. The transformation filled him with pride.

“It's nice to come back to see how strong it is. It's great that there are a lot of tenured members that I still know of or recognise from when I was here previously, which shows the strength of EO. If people find value in the organization, they stick around. When I wasn't a member, I probably encouraged half a dozen people that they needed to become members. So, there's a few people who are members now that joined in the time that I wasn't, as a result of me encouraging them. Now, I'm very happy to be back,” he remarks.

Even as an EO Alumni, Antony never fully stepped back. He remained woven into the chapter’s fabric by mentoring members and attending Presidents’ Lunches, Christmas parties, and other chapter events. He became a trusted sounding board for incoming presidents, offering wisdom shaped by his own board experiences. The seeds he once nurtured were now bearing fruit, and watching them flourish brought him quiet satisfaction.

“EO Melbourne has grown dramatically, and it’s amazing turning up to events where there are literally hundreds of people. It has the budget to put you to a really nice venue, to feed people properly, and to truly make it an event. Whereas in those very early days, we were doing things pretty cheaply.”

Back then, with only seven or eight board members, every role demanded hands-on commitment and more. Antony spent six years on the board, culminating as President in FY 2014–2015. “By the time I stepped down from the presidency, the chapter had already grown reasonably significantly. We were probably just under 100 members at that stage, and obviously now it’s grown much, much bigger. It’s a lot more organised and a lot wealthier, too. There’s actually money to do things. Whereas in those very early days, we were struggling to budget properly or to put on events with any real significance. It’s been a real learning journey watching it evolve from what I’d call an early-growth chapter.”

Interestingly, Antony hadn’t set out to join the board. “When I first became a member of the organisation, I really had no intention of stepping up. But we were a small group, and roles needed to be filled. Initially, it was more out of the organisation’s necessity than any real desire of my own. But once I’d taken on that first role, I stayed involved and continued serving on the board. It remained attractive to me because I could see we were helping to shape the organisation at a local level, and I could see there were some really good people involved.”

Serving on the EO board became a masterclass in leadership. Antony honed a disciplined approach to governance: respecting timetables, preparing thoroughly, engaging with key stakeholders, and entering each meeting clear on what outcomes he wanted to achieve. These skills, such as leading productive discussions, managing teams, and driving results, proved invaluable far beyond EO.

Attending five or six Global Leadership Conferences further expanded his perspective. Structured, shared, and global in scope, these experiences exposed him to international speakers, high-calibre conversations, and a network of peers spanning continents. Each year on the board brought a new mix of personalities, broadening his network and deepening his appreciation for the people side of business.

For Antony, leadership is a lived practice rather than a fixed title. Surrounded by self-motivated entrepreneurs, he sees it as action: “Getting up and getting on with things, bringing others along as momentum builds. The natural status of any transaction is dead. If something is to stay alive, someone must take responsibility for moving it forward. Leadership comes down to deciding what actions need to be taken and then taking them. Right or wrong, action beats inaction every time.”

The EO Path of Leadership offered Antony a roadmap through this journey; a progression from local engagement, to board participation, and ultimately to global exposure. Each step challenged him, expanded his perspective, and sharpened his instincts. For Antony, the EO Path of Leadership isn’t just a framework; it’s a lived curriculum.

More than strategy or structure, Antony discovered that EO leadership is about the people you meet along the way. The connections you cultivate, the contributions you make, and the continuity you foster form a living legacy. “What I like is being able to turn up and say I’m connected to people.” These bonds have compounded over time, resurfacing in unexpected moments, a quiet reminder that the impact of leadership extends far beyond the boardroom.

For anyone contemplating the EO Path of Leadership, Antony’s journey is proof: stepping forward, serving with purpose, and engaging deeply with your community doesn’t just grow the chapter. It shapes you into a more capable, connected, and inspiring leader.