Thank you to everyone who contributed to a great night at the Kingo (last) Saturday night (November 15). I hope there weren’t too many headaches the next morning, but if there were, we can partially attribute that to the very generous gift of champagne and white wine which were lined up down the centre of our tables. Thank you so much to David and Miles who organised this unexpected, but very welcome gift, from halfway across the world.

 

The relaxed style of the gathering was lovely. We were seated at two long tables and we were able to move around and connect with most people there.

 

Lawrie, Matthew, Jock, Graham, Robbie and maybe more, bonded over old cars - collecting them, racing them and generally indulging themselves in their passion. I am thinking they will be catching up with each other very soon.

 

The partners of the alumni fitted in as if they had also been at school with us - well of course Janeen and Bob both were - and contributed to shared memories. People discovered links school friends had made with friends of theirs in other parts of Australia, caught up on news and relived the olden days - as you would expect.

 

We did learn something new about the legendary abduction of Marina from St Clare’s College on our last day. The uniform she wore had been borrowed by Anne Collett from an ex student of the Catholic Girl’s High School Bradden - Rosemary Follett. Rosemary, served two terms as Chief Minister in the ACT Legislative Assembly and was the first woman to be head of government in any state or territory in Australia.

 

Eight of us had attended Marina’s funeral the day before - a pretty stunning turnout of school friends 60 years on. Marina’s sister, Lucy, spoke very well and acknowledged Marina’s long friendships.

 

Nearing midnight the stragglers - and there were still about 9 or 10 - were told our area was closing, but we could party on elsewhere in the hotel. We felt it was probably already past our bedtime and reluctantly departed for our homes.

 

We will look for opportunities to replicate this style of event at any time and we can do it with relatively short notice. Look for excuses for us to do so!‘

 

Remember the days in the old school yard…..’

 

​Anne Paul, November 2025