COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT

From The Director Of Community Development Mr Sandy Goddard

The CGS Community Development Office (CDO) is responsible for the School’s Alumni engagement, communications and marketing, media relations, events, graphic design and community liaison functions, the International Exchange Programme (Year 10), and supports the CGS Foundation.

Most of 2022 saw a return to pre-pandemic activity in the CDO. However, the large-scale events of Semester One, including the CGS Fete, were not conducted.

Highlights from the year are summarised below.

The laying of the Foundation Stone for the Snow Concert Hall marked the generosity of Mr Terry Snow. Over 900 people from our community gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the new Concert Hall, which has hence seen the return of student gatherings in Senior School Assemblies and various music performances.

The P&F welcome to New Families event was initiated in the Primary School over the year, with Year 7 parents and carers gathering in September to meet socially and be introduced to Senior School staff members.

The ANZAC dawn service was once again held in the CGS Quad. It was well attended by family representatives of those who had fallen and many members of the broader school community, including students, parents, alumni, and neighbours. Reflections of Remembrance Day were held in both the Senior and Primary schools.

The annual alumni weekend, traditionally held on the second last weekend in May, saw the return of cohorts from 20, 25, 30, and + 40 years to the campus to attend a luncheon and tour of the School. Many were impressed with the changes to the campus, but more importantly, the opportunity to reminisce over past times. All state reunions were held in the Australian capitals, with Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin holding functions for former students and staff.

The annual CGS Vintage Club reunion saw the return of over 60 alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago. The weekly Senior School Assembly was made special to honour the Vintage Club. All in attendance were entertained by fantastic music performances and heard from guest speaker Emeritus Professor Malcolm Gillies AM, former School Captain of CGS, peer year 1970.

The School still curtailed international travel in 2022, so no International reunions occurred, nor did the CGS International Exchange programme eventuate. Planning was undertaken to ensure the Exchange Programme recommenced in 2023 with a limited number of schools sharing similar values to those of CGS.

The digitisation of previous editions of the Canberran, Red Hill Outlook, CGS Outlook and Annual Reports is being undertaken. The National Library of Australia is carrying out the work through the generosity of Mr David Kenyon AM. The technology will allow for the provision of a search function through Trove to investigate historical records.

The year concluded with the annual Year 12 Formal returning to the traditional Old Parliament House venue and Presentation Night being held at the National Convention Centre.

The CDO is made up of a dynamic team dedicated to working with the whole School community and associations:

• Director of Community Development - Sandy Goddard

• Communications and Marketing Manager - Ayesha Shahed & Serena Netto

• Alumni and Foundation Manager - Tammy Foley

• Events Manager - Rachel Gurney

• Graphic Designer - Twee Phan

• Communications and Marketing Co-Ordinator - Ryan Butterworth

• Receptionist - Gini McFadyen

• Attendance Register - Josie Coles

• Archivist - Pamela Hunt