In this edition, we catch up with three IGS alums, Wen Gong (Class of 2008), Andrew Salkeld (Class of 2015) and Miah Walker (Class of 2020), whose diverse paths span fitness, healthcare, aged care and aviation. From starting a cancer rehabilitation clinic to flying internationally and reconnecting with culture and community, their stories are a testament to the many ways IGS students continue to grow, contribute and thrive.
Wen Gong (Rob) 2008
I graduated from IGS in 2008 and went on to study a Bachelor of Chiropractic at Macquarie University. Two years later, while working as a personal trainer, I met my wife, Lina, at the gym. She was pursuing her PhD in Medical Oncology, and we decided to move to Belgium while she completed her studies.
In 2011, we returned to Sydney, and though I didn’t go back to university, I continued working as a personal trainer. In 2016, we welcomed our daughter, and our son followed in 2018. A year earlier, in 2017, we combined Lina’s expertise with my passion for fitness to start Cancer Fit Australia—an exercise rehab clinic dedicated to cancer patients.
We now live locally, and both our children attend IGS, which they absolutely love. We’ve also realised just how popular IGS has become in our Community, with many of our friends also choosing it for their children. Having experienced different schools around the world, IGS remains my top choice for my kids.
Miah Walker 2020
(from Mia’s mum, Angela.)
Miah is great. Loving life and living at home again after moving out with Piper M after school. Back home now, thanks to cost of living. She’s currently working full time in admin at Wyanga Aboriginal Aged Care Service in Redfern and is really enjoying it.
She’s also enjoying travelling and training Muay Thai boxing several nights a week. She’s hoping to study naturopathy or a health science course next year while working. Miah is saving for a car and planning a holiday to Italy next year to finally use her 13 years of Italian from IGS!
Andrew Salkeld 2015
After finishing at IGS in 2015, I began a Commerce/Economics degree at UNSW. Two years in, I knew my heart wasn’t really in it (sorry Mr White!), and I began pursuing a career in aviation.
I began flight training in 2018 and finished at the start of 2020. This was of course, followed by COVID, which put the brakes on the industry for a while. I was able to use the time off to finish the Economics degree, which should hopefully come in handy when the next big crisis comes along!
I began flying with everybody’s favourite airline, Jetstar, in 2022, and luckily, the job has afforded me some incredible moments and memories. Some of the highlights for me were heading to the Korean Demilitarised Zone and getting to look over the border into North Korea, visiting the city of Kyoto on a day trip from Osaka, and of course, getting to bring family members on some of the trips with me.
When I’m not working, I still catch up with friends I made at IGS and have finally been putting in the time to learn a language properly (I wish I had given it more effort while actually at IGS). While these days I’m still living in Sydney with my partner, down the line we’re certainly open to possibilities of working elsewhere in Australia and abroad.
