From 2005, CHESS wanted to get a proper archives room, suitable for the storage of all CHS memorabilia. And in 2009 we did it!!!!

The wonderful news, in 2009, was that the school decided to set aside a dedicated storage room for records in the Arts and Technology Centre. Later that year, several committee stalwarts (meant in the nicest way) banded together one hot day and shifted all the Prospices, archival photos (in the CHESS brownbuilt cupboards), trophies, old photos, albums, to this room. Hallelujah!

See the new archives facility here.

In 2005, we also ran the first big 40s and 50s event, a cocktail party at the Tower Hotel. Since then, we have held many reunions, going through all decades, and now we are repeating the cycle with the 40s and 50s reunion recently held at Wattle Park Chalet.

Another major achievement was when CHESS organised to get the school song scored and recorded for distribution to current CHESS members. In the first CD production year, we donated CDS to all exiting students.

For the first time, one of the CHESS committee members now sits on school council, providing an invaluable link between past students and the school. We are now updated with school events on a regular basis. Plus we have met the new school principal, Jill Laughlin, several times at functions, including one where our committee had a luncheon with leading students at the school.

In 2001, the CHESS committee donated $1200 for this CHESS WALK, lined with silver birch trees, which honours past students. This walk leads from the rear of the sports building to the adjacent park.

2002 - CHESS has paid for the large sign at the school's main entrance. The previous sign was also CHESS-funded.

PREVIOUS PROJECTS OVER THE YEARS......

When CHESS first started, in 1991, the Principal's Fund was begun so that $500 was donated (at the discretion of the principal) to support disadvantaged students. Over the years, this has continued but with $200 donations being used for disadvantaged students at the discretion of the school.

In that year, 1991, it was the Jubilee Year of Camberwell High School and a Golden Jubilee Committee was formed to organise, what turned out to be, a highly successful ball at the Grand Hyatt....and a major reunion at the school.

3rd Row: Chris Atkins, Geoff Sinclair, Peter Gronn, Roger McGhee, Wallace Fordham.

2nd Row: Penny Commons, Jeanette Botham, Neville Duff, David Segall, Bernard Corser, Jane Pitchford, Dianne Passamani, Julie Campbell, Carolyn Oswin, Robert Ewins.

1st Row: Luci Bombaci, Barry Garnham, Anne Scerri, Lesley Whitehead, Kwong Lee Dow, Gwen Kuhne, Jean de Neef, John Worcester, Anne Griffiths.

Absent: Ann Rusden (Principal), Edwin Botham, June Thompson, Rex Thompson, Don Webster.

In 1992, the first Vocational Breakfast was held in July with 50 CHESS members sitting down to breakfast with students.....the concept of mentoring was begun.

Also, that same year, the Sports Hall/Gym appeal was started by the school community, with prominent former students as patrons.

Every year from 1992, CHESS has funded the Year 12 reunion, run as a barbeque.

1n 1992, CHESS donated a trophy for the inter-House swimming sports. Also, that year, they donated $200 for the Friends of Music's drive to buy a grand piano for the school and contributed to new House banners.

Every year, CHESS funds a prize for a Year 12 student.

CHESS also runs a Year 12 reunion sausage sizzle every year so that school leavers can meet up again in their first year post-CHS.

CHESS has funded cabinets for storage of archival material and also maintains a computerised database of ex-students contact addresses.....so that we can contact them for reunions. Email me (See the home page) if you can help.