Celebrating the launch of the Ashburton College Alumni, committee memers (from left) Peter Gluyas, Alister Argyle, Mark Kennedy, Rod Fox, Ashburton College principal Ross Preece, Linda Clarke, Rennie Davidson, Darion Gray and Alister Lilley. Photo Kieron GrayAn organisation that will firmly link Ashburton College with its past, had its first outing last night.

While many schools have a strong organisation that attracts a large number of ex-students, Ashburton College’s alumni has been a late bloomer.

Its foundations were laid earlier this year and a small group of people have been working behind the scenes to establish the frame-work of an organisation that will not only provide a link for past students with their school, but also will become an avenue past students can use to support the college through grants and donations.

At Wednesday night’s launch alumni chairman Alister Argyle said the organisation’s first official function was a celebration of about 138 years of education in the Ashburton District because its members represented not only Ashburton College, but also its two founding schools, Ashburton High School and Hakatere College.

The new organisation’s number one challenge Argyle said, was to identify as many of its past students and staff as possible and to make them aware the alumni was in business. “We hope that in the future as many of these as possible can channel their wisdom and guidance into the college’s students today and into the future,” he said.

While many past students would use the alumni as a way to reconnect with friends from their school days, there was also the potential for the organisation to become a way for people to support the school financially, Argyle said.

“Our aim is to establish a fund that will enhance the college and therefore enhance the opportunities for students.”

Currently the alumni had 279 formal members, but in terms of social media it had more than1500 likes and followers and many more who were accessing its website, he said.

By Sue Newman © The Ashburton Guardian - 24 November 2017