Saying Goodbye to Cumberland Forest

This week was a week that I was not looking forward to in many ways. Change is inevitable, and this was no different.

Cumberland Forest is Australia’s only metropolitan state forest, located at West Pennant Hills, Sydney, half an hour from the CBD.

Our office, my home away from home for around 22 years, was right next door to the state forest, and of course, surrounded by nature on the premises, which is part of an area of over 60 ha of bushland from the ridge, down to the gully habitat.

Back in the 1980s IBM Cumberland Forest location was born. The building design won several architecture awards. The office environment idyllic. The buildings surrounded by an extensive tree canopy including Blue Gum High Forest that is now 25 to 30 years old. IBM worked with the National Trust to establish a bush regeneration plan and 40,000 native plants were planted. The State Forest and surrounding bush attracts cockatoos, Kookaburras, rainbow lorikeets, owls, snakes, lizards, bush turkeys, magpies, ravens, the occasional koala, and I’m sure much more that we did not see.

I first joined back in early 1990s, working for the Telstra Division of the company, handing out mobiles. I worked and was a contractor for Drake Australia whom was onsite providing temps for IBM. In 1998, with my son 8 months old, I received a call asking if I would like to rejoin the workforce part-time. So after a wonderful interview with Richard Barton, the rest is history. In 2001, I officially became a proud IBMer with many of my own stories to tell.

I, like so many other IBMers, have experienced countless changes over the last few decades as we saw the company evolve and transform, as to did the surroundings and buildings, as did we all. Now once again, it is time for change and transformation!

But before we embark on that next chapter, it was time to close this one. This week was all about celebrating this gorgeous location, about remembering all the memories, and simply taking the sights in for our last time.

A snapshot of our week –

• Monday, a site orientation on where we are moving to. Fun exercises, new technology, a little afternoon tea, and we were set for our move next week.
• Wednesday, a CF Farewell Party, an event well attended by many. Some old familiar faces turned up, and there was a buzz as everyone spoke about Cumberland Forest, shared their memories, as photos were displayed. We were joined by Katrina Troughton (current Managing Director of IBM Australia since July 2019), Brian Finn (Managing Director of IBM Australia from 1980–1993, and Chairman from 1991 to 1998), and with Ray Whitting and Kerrie Hinde (my Manager) being on a panel, they each spoke about highlights over the years. One story that was shared was about a Pizza named after IBM, called The Big Blue, at a local hangout, that many consumed.
• Thursday, a celebratory lunch at a local restaurant with my colleagues, final packing, last photos, and as much needed rain fell around us, we saw it that Universe was crying for us as we bid farewell to our much loved home away from home.

Our last couple of days at the Forest :

People coming together, helping to celebrate. A beautiful cake, decorated with flora from the surrounding forest.

Katrina Troughton, Brian Finn, Ray Whitting and Kerrie Hinde share their memories.

Cutting of the Cake

Sitting in the audience as we listened to the Panel sharing their memories

Group Selfies with the few colleagues and friends, including some ex-IBMers who popped along to bid farewell.

A team momento

Some last pics of different areas to help remember

Saying farewell to the building …

And Thursday morning, walking amongst the surrounding bushland. A gift from the cockatoos, a feather or 2 dropped at my feet

The last breakfast

Sydney Team Lunch at a local restaurant, a great place to visit to celebrate our last lunch in the local area

More pics to remember the site

Remembering where we sat …

A floor pic before many headed off … a memory to be shared, all ready to begin at our new location next week!

Surrounding bush, a flock of 4 Kookaburras saying their final goodbyes

Our last walk as Universe rains down on us …

Farewell my beloved Cumberland Forest .. thank you for all the amazing memories, for the privilege of working at such a beautiful spot for so long. You will be sorely missed!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!