IGS community connects in Canberra

Read about the highlights from the IGS reunion in Canberra on the weekend!

On Saturday 25 March Director of Advancement, Paul Galea kicked off his 2023 Capital City Reunion Tour with a trip to our nation’s capital where he was welcomed with open arms by 40 IGS Alums, teachers, ex-teachers and ex-After Care workers.

Here Paul reflects on his trip to connect with the IGS community in Canberra:

It was a harrowing drive to our nation’s capital last Saturday. The rain came down so hard that I thought we might be washed into the fullest Lake George I have ever seen.

Two older men are in a car in Canberra; one is driving and looking ahead, while the other, a white-bearded member of the IGS community in a dark cap, sits in the passenger seat taking a selfie.

“We better pull over till this eases off!” said my driver and IGS legend, David Miller.

“No,” I cried. “We cannot be late for the 4 pm start to the Canberra Reunion!”

“But we don’t know if anyone is coming,” David replied.

He was right. IGS Alums are typical young people. They have a massive FOMO and prefer not to commit to anything for fear of something better coming along. And let’s face it, meeting a few of your old teachers is not exactly an earth-shattering social occasion.

We had faith that (maybe) some would show up.

“ Drive on, Dave. It will be ok”

And with that Dave drove resolutely through the monsoon and we arrived at the Capital Brewery in Fyshwick just on 4 pm.

Dave was nervous. I was very nervous. I could see my reunion-organising life flashing before me. What I did not properly consider was how great our IGS Alums are. As we walked in we were greeted with hugs and handshakes by eight younger ex-students of IGS.

A group of young people from the IGS community sit and stand around a wooden table outdoors in Canberra, smiling and enjoying drinks together. Glasses rest on the table and red umbrellas in the background add to the cheerful, social atmosphere.

PHEW!

Three men from the IGS community are standing outdoors under a tree with autumn leaves in Canberra, each holding a glass of beer and smiling at the camera. There is greenery, a large umbrella, and a building in the background.

In the end, we had a great turnout: three teachers, two ex-teachers, an ex-After Care worker and 34 Alums.

Four young adults, three men and one woman, stand smiling outdoors near white marquees at a social gathering in Canberra. Casually dressed, they appear to be enjoying themselves and connecting with the IGS community on a cloudy day.

They came from a variety of different year groups; 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, all smiling, some living and working in Canberra, some going to The ANU, some visiting a mate or a partner.

A smiling man and woman pose together outdoors at a covered patio area in Canberra, with IGS community members sitting at picnic tables in the background. The woman wears a checked coat; the man wears a grey shirt. Trees and fairy lights are visible.

It was wonderful to see them and equally wonderful to see them enjoying catching up with each other. What I found particularly interesting was that many had no idea that some of their friends were in Canberra, so it was nice to connect them.

A group of around 30 people of varying ages from the IGS community pose together outdoors on grass in Canberra, under large red and white umbrellas, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background. Most are smiling, some holding drinks.

Most of the ‘youngies’ stayed for two or three hours; some had to go to work and some had other (cooler) places to be but we old blokes were really grateful that they’d taken the time and made the effort to turn up.

Two people stand outside, smiling and holding drinks at an IGS community event. The woman on the left wears a red and black striped jumper, while the man on the right wears a black jacket. Others chat nearby under Canberra’s trees.

Yes, they are young people but they are good people who all of us teachers were proud to have had something to do with.

Four people stand together outdoors under red umbrellas in Canberra, smiling whilst holding drinks. Casually dressed, they enjoy the greenery and trees on a cloudy day, highlighting the spirit of community connection within the IGS community.

P.s. the oldies finished much later…but that’s a story for another time.

Two men smiling and pointing at matching colourful logo patches on their shirts, standing together under outdoor lights at night with fellow IGS community members in the background.