On the 28th of February 1920, a group of alumni gathered together with Founding Headmaster the Reverend Sydney Buckley and decided to form a past student organisation. Among those present were first day boys from 1915 including: Les Knorr, Tom Sutton, Cecil Martin, Clarence Ludbrooke, Barton Adams and Len Allan. It was decided that the name would be ‘The Old Ivanhoe Grammarians’ Association’ and that the meetings would be monthly. The annual subscription was to be the equivalent of 50 cents today.
The first President of the Association was Mr John Benson from the Class of 1916.
Mr Benson (pictured here on his last day at Ivanhoe in 1966) was a teacher at the School and went on to become the longest serving master in the history of the School, retiring after 47 years of service. The Gymnasium is named after him.
The first official meeting of the Association was held on 27 March 1920.
From humble beginnings, the Old Ivanhoe Grammarians’ Association has become an important part of the Ivanhoe Grammar School family and provides the opportunity for past students to maintain their connection with the School and with each other.
Links are forged through our five affiliated sporting clubs (Football, Cricket, Soccer, Netball & Water Polo), the OIGA Law Society, and the 15 reunions held each year in Melbourne, interstate and overseas. Through social media our presence is felt across Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin giving the Association a window to both the School and broader communities. The OIGA is also proud to support two School scholarships and our friends in Cambodia.
Since 2017, all graduating students automatically become life members of the Association. Life membership is now admitted on the basis of a once only Life Membership fee. Membership is currently in excess of 6000 Life Members.
Alumni who wish to become members please click here.
In celebrating our Centenary in 2020, the Association recognised the foresight of those founding Councillors and the contributions of all members both current, proceding and forthcoming. We are proud of our heritage and equally proud of how the Old Ivanhoe Grammarians has changed, strengthened and continued to develop.
It is our resolve that the Old Ivanhoe Grammarians Association will continue to
‘Reach, Connect and Support’ both current and past students and the School. We are always looking for new ways to stay in touch and improve our support for alumni and the wider school family.

Mr Jack Benson, pictured with primary students on his last day – 1966