Akshay Vegesna - Continuing the Pipe Band Connection

For recent alumnus Akshay Vegesna (2021), staying connected to Saint Kentigern has been less about looking back, and more about continuing to show up.

During his time at the College, Akshay developed his drumming through his own application and commitment to the programme. As his confidence grew, he began tutoring his peers, taking early steps into supporting others that have continued beyond his time at school.

That same mindset has carried into what comes next. Putting his Bachelor of Science to good use, Akshay has started the Insurance Australia Group (IAG) graduate programme this year, working within their technology and operations stream. His current focus sits in the rapidly evolving space of agentic AI, developing tools that help teams solve real problems more efficiently. “It’s really cool… you can get so much done in such a short amount of time,” he says. His role involves working closely with business teams to understand challenges and build practical solutions.

Alongside the early stages of his career, Akshay has remained closely connected to another community, one that shaped much of his time at school.

Through the Saint Kentigern Alumni Pipe Band, he has continued to play in the community, including the recent Howick ANZAC Service on Stockade Hill. He has also taken on a mentoring role, working alongside younger drummers and guiding them through the same programme he once experienced himself. “It’s cool being back and seeing it from the other side,” he reflects. “You’re not just there for yourself anymore, you’re helping the younger guys come through.”

That connection has deepened since leaving school. With a more intentional approach to the band, he has built relationships across year groups in a way that felt less natural as a student. “You end up meeting a lot more people once you’re out,” he says. “There’s more of a reason to connect.”

Time spent rehearsing and supporting younger musicians reflects an understanding that the strength of the pipe band community lies in those willing to invest in it beyond their College years.

There is a clarity in how Akshay approaches what comes next. Rather than feeling the need to have everything mapped out, he remains curious and makes the most of the opportunities in front of him. It is an approach grounded less in certainty, and more in a willingness to contribute, both in his work and in the communities he continues to be part of.