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Welcome to our latest edition of YOG News.

We have exciting plans for a new initiative in 2026 and we鈥檇 love you to be part of it.

If you are a younger YOG (up to approx. ten years out鈥� or just young at heart!) we would love you to join us for the launch of YOG NextGen, a new group for younger YOGs to shape YOG programs and initiatives that connect and inspire the younger generation of YOGs.

When: Wednesday 11 February 2026
Time: 7.00pm
Where: Brooke Nicholas Pavilion, YVG
Format: Meeting with drinks and nibbles provided!

RSVP: To yog@yvg.vic.edu.au by Friday 6 February (or lock it in now and we鈥檒l send you a calendar invite to remind you!)

This is your chance to have your say and bring your ideas to life. We鈥檒l be exploring opportunities such as:

• A Lights, Camera, Reconnect-style event in 2026

• A new Young Achievers Award

• Social media engagement through hashtags and competitions (#YOGs@Yarra, #YOGsConnected)

• Helping shape a new communications platform for YOGs to make staying connected easier and more engaging

• Supporting the RCH Good Friday Appeal

• YOG Pathways 鈥� inviting YOGs at uni to share insights with Year 12 students.

Your input will help shape what YOG NextGen looks like and how we connect with younger alumni.

We鈥檇 love to have you there and if you know another young (or young at heart!) YOG who鈥檇 enjoy it, bring them along. Just let us know for catering on yog@yvg.vic.edu.au.

We can鈥檛 wait to hear your ideas and work together to create something special for the younger YOG community.

We鈥檙e excited to let you know that a new alumni platform, YOG Connect, is on the way!

This platform will make it easier for you to connect with other YOGs, stay up to date with news and events, and celebrate the achievements that make our community special. It鈥檚 all about bringing us closer together and creating more ways to engage.

Keep an eye on your inbox - we鈥檒l send you details soon, including how to get started. We can鈥檛 wait to share this with you and see the positive impact it will have on our YOG network.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we鈥檙e building a stronger, more connected Yarra Old Grammarian community.

A big thank you to the 116 YOGs who completed our recent survey. Your insights are invaluable and will help shape future events and initiatives.

Here are some quick highlights:

• Connection: Over half of respondents (53.5%) feel connected or very connected to YOG, with an average connectedness score of 68%.
• What you want: The top requests were more social events, better communication, and inclusive activities beyond sport. Networking opportunities and creative experiences also ranked highly.
• Event preferences: Social gatherings lead the way (91 mentions), followed by student support and networking initiatives.
• Updates you value: Upcoming events, YOG achievements and school news were the most popular topics.
• Platforms: Email remains the preferred channel, with LinkedIn and Instagram also important.

Congratulations to Jordan Canham (YOG 2004), winner of our YOG Survey Draw, who took home the prize of dinner for two at Gimlet!

Watch this space as we use your feedback to make YOG even stronger.

On Saturday 18 October, YOGs returned to campus for Lights, Camera, Reconnect, and what a celebration it was! The event brought together past students from across the years to reconnect, share stories, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of our stunning new Dr Mark Merry Performing Arts & Media Centre.

Guests explored the state-of-the-art facility, mingled over drinks and canap茅s and soaked up the creative energy that this new space brings to Yarra. YOGs were especially delighted to be joined by staff - past and present - who shared fond memories from their drama days at school, adding a wonderful sense of nostalgia to the evening.

The night was made even more special by a fantastic jazz set performed by Maksta鈥檚 Combo, a talented group of current students and sensational catering provided by Glenn Coleman (YOG 2000) and his team at Going Gourmet.

We loved hosting this special event and are already planning what鈥檚 next. Our goal is to create another social gathering for all YOGs next year - so keep an eye out for details!

This February, 性视界 Grammar will mark a truly special milestone 鈥� 60 years since the very first day of school in 1966. We invite all YOGs to come back and be part of this historic celebration at Yarra Foundation Day on Friday 6 February 2026.

The day begins with a Foundation Day Assembly at 10.30am in the George Wood Performing Arts Centre, where we will reflect on our shared history and celebrate the values that have shaped generations of Yarra students. It鈥檚 a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with the Yarra Spirit and see how the school continues to thrive.

After the assembly, enjoy morning tea in the Brooke Nicholas Pavilion, followed by a campus tour to see what鈥檚 new and what still feels like home. At midday, cheer on the YOG XI as they take on the current First XI in the annual cricket match on the Patterson Oval - a tradition that always brings plenty of friendly rivalry.

For many, the highlight will be the Past Staff Reunion, also held in the Brooke Nicholas Pavilion. This is your chance to catch up with the teachers and mentors who helped shape your Yarra journey.

Whether you graduated five years ago or fifty, this is a day to appreciate, celebrate and aspire together. Bring your memories, your stories, and your Yarra pride - and help us make this 60th anniversary unforgettable.

RSVP by 28 January at

After exploring every possible alternative, we鈥檝e made the tough call to postpone Carols@Yarra to next December. The recent rain has left the oval far too wet for the stage and picnic rugs, and with more rain forecast, even clear skies on Monday wouldn鈥檛 give the ground time to recover.

But here鈥檚 the great news 鈥� the Silent Auction is still live and closes at 7.00 pm this Monday! Thanks to the generosity of our Yarra community, there are some incredible items on offer 鈥� perfect for snapping up a bargain Christmas gift. Don鈥檛 miss out! Visit to place your bids.

And the really exciting news? Carols@Yarra will return next December as part of Yarra鈥檚 60th anniversary celebrations 鈥� and we鈥檙e already planning to make it bigger, brighter and better than ever.

We wish all of our YOGs a very Merry Christmas, as you celebrate with friends and family!

In December, the Yarra Old Grammarians committee celebrated the retirement of Dr Mark Merry, thanking him for 17 years of exceptional leadership as Principal. His time at YVG was marked by vision, growth and a deep commitment to the Yarra Spirit.

As a token of appreciation, the YOGs presented Dr Merry with a WEG-inspired caricature, featuring his beloved cat Puth and the newest addition to the campus - the Performing Arts & Media School, now proudly named in his honour. This unique gift captured both his personal and professional legacy.

On behalf of all YOGs, we extend our heartfelt thanks and best wishes to Dr Merry for the next chapter ahead.

A huge congratulations to Nigel Webster (YOG 1972) who was recently awarded with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division at Government House Yarralumla.聽

Nigel received this honour due to his extensive service to child safety through Kidsafe, and to veterans.聽

We look forward to hearing more of Nigel's story in an upcoming episode of our Inspired by Yarra podcast series!

We want you to stay connected! Recent updates to the YOG Rules mean we need all YOGs to confirm their membership. Receiving this eNews does NOT guarantee you are a YOG 鈥� the school is kindly distributing this for us.

Why opt in? Stay part of a vibrant community with access to YOG sport, career networking and social events - including the chance to inspire current students by sharing your journey.

If you haven鈥檛 opted in yet (or simply can鈥檛 remember if you have!), it鈥檚 easy - just reply to this email (yog@yvg.vic.edu.au) with: 鈥淵es, I would like to opt in鈥� or follow the QR code above to update your details AND opt-in!

There鈥檚 no cost to stay involved. Just connection, opportunity and impact.