The lighter side...

Some words of wisdom from Craig Pollard...

My wife and I were sitting at a table at my high school reunion, and I kept staring at a drunken lady swigging her drink as she sat alone at a nearby table.

My wife asks, "Do you know her?"

"Yes," I sighed, "She's my old girlfriend. I understand she took to drinking right after we split up those many years ago, and I hear she hasn't been sober since."

"My God!" says my wife, "Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?"

Hong Kong calling...

A message from Bill Sarran sent prior to the reunion...

Hello friends. Sorry I could not be there. Living in HK these days and getting back not as easy with work and kids.

Finished at ANU in 1992 and moved to Sydney with Cameron Wickham and Tanvir Haque. Lived as a bachelor for 5 years before my lovely wife, Paula, of 8 years bowled me over when we met one night at a Ball. She was in attendance at our 10 year gathering for those who may remember.

Married in 1999 and now have two boys, Jack 5 and Tom 3. Moved to HK 2 years ago and loving the change in lifestyle and pace.

I have worked in banking since leaving uni. Currently working for ABN AMRO, a Dutch investment bank, Head of Asian Equity Derivative Sales. A good part of the world to be involved in with China and India both booming.

Nothing has changed my life as much as having kids. Entertaining and full of life. Helps put all other matters into perspective. Love my wife with all my heart and feel blessed by the two little devils she has shared with me.

Anticipate staying in Hong Kong for at least another 3 years depending on where the job takes me. Not the sort of thing you want to do forever! Still have interest to explore own business ventures post banking.

Have a great night one and all. Bill.

News from Bronwyn Phillipps

Some news sent from Bronwyn before the reunion (hopefully a photo may follow soon!)

20 years is a long time….

• family first: married Pete in 1998 and now have the lovely Cassie (nearly 2)
• lots of study: bachelor, masters, fellow, scuba diving, baby books….
• lots of travel: lived in a tent for a year while travelling the world, have hiked many interesting places from Africa to Scotland, Switzerland to Nepal
• currently working part-time (three days a week) as a consulting actuary for Ernst & Young
• now living in Sydney, and have also lived in Canberra & Melbourne (& short-term work in Hong-Kong and South Africa)…
• interests include black & white photography, photography in general, catching up with friends and fam and “gymbaroo” with Cass.

News from Barbara Doran

Life is pretty good - thrive on transience and diverse experiences. I'll never be one for your regular sedentary life in the burbs.

Since Canberra High I've lived in many skins and studied, studied, studied - finally putting a PHD on hold in '99.. During this time built a house by hand in the Blue Mountains, tutored, lectured, travelled mostly in SE Asia and lots of community arts and environmental stuff.

Had my daughter Heidi, she's 9 now - a 'tween'. Took a bit of a dog leg round this time - started working in film, advertising and got that always planned career as an artist on the road with a pause for baby no 2 - my son Jaz ( 2yr old dynamo).

Now, I mainly work as an artist (show at Ground Floor Gallery in Sydney), lecture less (economics for planners) and spend a lot of time in San Francisco where lots of film making happens (and where my husband 'Tim' often is). Unfortunately, the world of art, music and multi media also happens to be more high energy in San Fran and I spend my time interacting with it!! We wouldn't mind being based in NY next. See what happens.......

Update from Jamie Baker

A message from Jamie forwarded just before the reunion.

After I left Canberra High School, I moved up to Queensland where I did a few odd jobs before joining the navy as a communicator.

I spent a total of 8 years in the navy and loved every minute of it. Too many stories to write about, you will just have to ask me when we meet!

I was married in 2000, but being at sea took its toll on the relationship and we ended up getting divorced. I have done everything from being a real estate salesman to working for Alvey Reels making fishing reels and re-married in 2004.

I have a total of five children to vaaaarious women ( Just like a sailor, a girl in every port!) but have only the one little girl living with me now as well as my wife.

I was also an extra in a few movies, one which will come out in april.

I have lived in every state except for south Australia, and have just moved back to Canberra as my wife is in the Air Force and we posted down here in December.

I am currently working for the department of immigration in Belconnen and love every minute of it, especially the mega bucks!

I was so disappointed in missing out on the 10 year reunion, but it is a bit hard to get to these things when you are sailing around Asia. I am very much looking forward to catching up with everyone at the reunion as I am sure it will be a blast.

Update from Clare Nichols

Here's what I've been up to since 1987

• I moved to Canada with my family in April 1987 and lived there for almost 2 years. We returned to Canberra end of 1988 and I went to Lake Ginninderra College in 1989 for Yr 12.


• I travelled around Europe for 5 months in 1990 mainly with Sally Naylor, Ann Mataczyna, Kirk Zwangobani and Rebecca Gilbert!


• I went home and did a Communications degree at Uni of Canberra.


• Moved to Melbourne and then Sydney where I’ve been ever since working in Communications-related jobs.


• Travelled OS again in 1999 with Tara Madden and others along the way such as Olivia Edlington and Sally Naylor.


• Went home and studied again?! Editing and Publishing degree.


• Met my husband Greg in 2002 and we married in 2003. We have two kiddies, Hugo (born Jan 2005) and Lucy (born Oct 2006).


• We are moving to Vietnam in July 07 for 18 months for Greg’s work. Very excited!


• Missed the reunion but would love to make the next one…

Message from Cameron Wickham

Tara, thanks for setting up this website, it looks great. Click here for a selection of my photos from the reunion...

Cameron

Yummy Mummies - September 2006

I had three gorgeous girls to my house in September last year for brunch - and here they are.

Clare Nichols was heavily pregnant with her baby girl Lucy, born in October and Claudene Nestler was pregnant with her boy Zack born in January. Rebecca Osborn was there with her two little girls, Imogen (toddler) and Olivia (baby). Clare's son Hugo and Claudene's son Luca were no doubt wreaking havoc elsewhere at the time.

Hopefully the girls will provide some updates on following this mini baby boom of 2007!!!

Cheers, Tara