Dear Classmates,

Thank you for your responses so far. We’d like to stress that the reunion is intended to embrace everyone who was on the journey with us at any time over those College years. You are all welcome, indeed urged, to come together to share and reminisce about that formative time and what you’ve done since, irrespective of where life may have taken you after RMC. You are ‘Mates for Ever’.

Contributions to ‘The Book’ are progressing, but there are some gaps. We want the book to cover, as far as is practicable, all 114 who are part of our cohort. So please get your pens and photo albums out if you haven’t already done so! If you want guidance on what we’re looking for please contact Tony McKenna at tonymac851@gmail.com

Planning for the Reunion in December is progressing well, with a deposit paid to the Rex (thanks to those who have already paid up) and detailed discussions opened with RMC Protocol regarding our visit to RMC on Monday and the Parade on Tuesday morning.

So far, we’ve had over 30 classmates commit by paying their deposit, but we know that quite a few more have indicated that you’ll be attending. It would be of great help if you slackers got organised and let us know if you are coming and which activities you’ll be taking part in, by completing the attached form and returning it to me. Your deposit of $50 deposit into Kym’s holiday account would also be appreciated ( BSB: 06 2692 Acct No: 4995 6261 Name: Reunion). We understand that overseas classmates may experience additional costs transferring money, so we’d be happy to accept just a single payment from you later when we call for final payments.

We’ll be distributing some notes in early November to answer as many admin questions as possible, but if you think of anything that you’d specifically like us to cover in those notes, please let us know.

Attached is a table showing what is planned (it’s in lieu of an Admin Instruction!)

Keep safe everyone, 

Steve, Kym, Warwick and David

PS. Rod Allan produced a video for the 30th anniversary reunion. He updated it to DVD for the 40th reunion and it is now viewable on the website in preparation for the 50th anniversary reunion. Have a look and re-live some of your long distant past and of course Van Morrison’s music. Check it out at https://duntroonclassof1972.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/days-like-this.mp4

Dear Classmates,

The Reunion Anniversary Planning Team (RAPT) met on 5 April to have a coffee, catch up, and tell each other stories and anecdotes, some of which may have been true. We also briefly discussed what is currently planned for December. All decisions/recommendations are made in a spirit of great collegiality, with no designated ‘leader’ (although Steve mostly guides us!)

At this stage the three ‘primary’ events from our point of view are Saturday drinks, Monday dinner and the Parade. The ‘secondary’ events are Friday night informal drinks, the Sunday Church Service, Remembrance Service for deceased classmates and the lunch at the Arboretum, and the Monday College tour. The description of primary and secondary is not about their relative importance but the amount of detailed organization that will be required.

There has been little take up for a visit to Araluen as an organised event, but of course if any wish to do that it can perhaps be arranged ‘offline’ by individual Classmates.

The search for a provider of an appropriate Port crock has so far been unfruitful. An alternative spirit option (Whiskey and/or Gin) is being pursued, but nothing to report as yet. If that was possible it would be an appropriate label, but only similar to commercial ones. 

The RAPT has discussed other memorabilia such as engraved wine glasses or a mug, as per the 20th anniversary (but not the same one!). Options and prices are being followed up – initial inquiries indicate an engraved stemless wine glass is very achievable.

Canberra Rex has confirmed that rooms will be available for between $155  (King Room) to $170 (Crown Suite). The code to use is: CR2022. This code will need to be communicated at the time of booking either by phone on 02 62485311 or email  reservations@canberrarexhotel.com.au   A different rate (perhaps cheaper) may be advertised online which is due to fluctuations based on occupancy levels. However, the above rates will be honoured regardless of the advertised rate.  Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the day of arrival. 

The cost of the pre-booked events (Saturday drinks and Monday dinner) is $30 pp for Saturday evening (that covers food – drinks are buy your own over the bar) and $120 pp for Monday dinner, which is an all-inclusive drinks and food package.

We will need to pay a deposit shortly to secure the booking (by mid-next week actually!), which is 20% of the total cost. The deposit is estimated to be around $2500. With some difficulties Kym MacMillan has opened a bank account to manage the finances: unfortunately, due to current money laundering regulations it can’t be named something like ‘Class of 1972 Reunion’ but has to be linked to an identified account holder (unless we go through all the hassle of becoming an incorporated body). Kym has assured us he can be totally trusted and will be issuing an audited summary before he leaves for the Bahamas!  We are asking for anyone intending to attend the two main events to contribute a deposit as soon as possible of $50 per Classmate attending into this account: BSB: 06 2692    Acct No:  4995 6261    Name:   MacMillan Reunion.  Please ensure you mark your deposit with your name.   We will be seeking the balance in due course.

And a final note: we have received formal confirmation of our request for access to the College for the range of activities we’re planning. Needless to say, the detail is yet to be sorted!

Regards,

 Steve, Kym, Warwick and David

PS. Please let me know if you do not wish to receive these update emails.

PPS. You should have received this update via email. If you haven’t please check your spam/junk folder, and if it isn’t there let me know so I can verify that we’ve got your current email address. David