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OIGA Business Breakfast

Buckley Hall was filled with conversation, connection and community on Thursday 23 July as alumni gathered for the 2026 Old Ivanhoe Grammarians’ Association Business Breakfast.

The event once again highlighted the strength and diversity of the OIGA community, bringing together OIGA Council members, members of the OIGA Business Network, representatives from OIGA clubs and alumni from across a broad range of industries. Professionals working in finance, trades, engineering, aviation, real estate and healthcare came together for an energising morning of networking, learning and reconnecting.

What made the morning particularly special was the sense of community in the room. While attendees represented different generations, professions and experiences, they shared a common connection through Ivanhoe Grammar School and the Old Ivanhoe Grammarians’ Association. New introductions were made, old friendships renewed and valuable professional relationships strengthened over breakfast.

A highlight of the morning was hearing from Mark Squirrell OAM (‘89), who delivered his keynote presentation, Leadership Under Pressure: Insights from Gaza to Everest. Drawing on his experiences as an Australian Army Commando, humanitarian aid worker with the United Nations World Food Programme and summitting Mount Everest, Mark shared powerful lessons on leadership, resilience, communication and decision-making when the stakes are high.

His stories were both inspiring and thought-provoking, providing practical takeaways that resonated with attendees from every industry represented in the room.

We extend our sincere thanks to Mark for generously sharing his experiences and insights with the OIGA community. His journey from Ivanhoe Grammar School to some of the world’s most challenging environments exemplifies the remarkable achievements of our alumni and the enduring values of leadership and service.

Adding to the discussion were fellow Old Ivanhoe Grammarian Everest summiteers Nick Farr (‘84) and Keith Nyberg (‘91), who joined Mark for a Q&A session following the presentation. Having three alumni who have stood on the summit of Mount Everest created a truly unique experience for attendees, with fascinating insights shared on perseverance, preparation, leadership and overcoming adversity. We thank Nick and Keith for their participation and for helping make the morning such a memorable occasion.

We would also like to acknowledge and thank members of the OIGA Business Network for their generosity in donating door prizes for the event:

  • Aspect Underwriting
  • Spitting Image Catering
  • FIVE Vineyard
Their support is greatly appreciated and reflects the willingness of our alumni community to support and engage with one another.
The success of this year’s Business Breakfast was not defined solely by an outstanding guest speaker or valuable networking opportunities, but by the strength of the community gathered in the room. Bringing together alumni from diverse industries and backgrounds demonstrated the enduring value of staying connected through the Old Ivanhoe Grammarians’ Association.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you came to reconnect with former classmates, expand your professional network or simply strengthen your connection to the OIGA community, your presence helped make the event a success.
Browse the photo gallery and relive the highlights from this year’s Business Breakfast.
We encourage all alumni to keep an eye on upcoming networking and community events. These events play an important role in helping us reach, connect and support our alumni, and we look forward to welcoming both familiar and new faces at future OIGA events.
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