Time for the reunion...

BY JENELLE CLEARY

School reunions need not turn in to a Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion!

Despite the huge process of organising contact details and trying to get people enthusiastic about meeting up again, reunions can be a rewarding experience that can re-ignite many friendships.

Reunions are also an ideal place for networking! You can create so many new contacts and because you already 'know' each other, it is an easy way to break the ice.

The new website School Friends, offers a database of over 1700 schools Australia-wide that covers the Outback to our major citites.

This is a great way to start for organising any reunion and keep track of where people are at - and an easy way to contact them wherever they may be in the world.

Getting in contact with people will often be the most difficult aspect of planning a reunion, but then trying to get an organising committee together and conveying messages for meetings can be a nightmare.

You can use the net to your advantage with e-mail groups and an organising webpage, with updates, can save a lot of phone calls and time.

Your old school may be able to help and can often give you access to contact details.

Keeping costs realistic and an easy-to-work-with time frame is most important in ensuring a good crowd.

For those who can't make it, a mention on the night will mean they are not forgotten.

Then promise to repeat the whole thing in five or 10 years' time - that will be enough time to plan it all again!