And in thanking those quietly working behind the scenes, how could we forget Rod Allan and Peter Jenke who compiled our music playlist for the dinner? Thanks to you both.

The 50th anniversary of the graduation year of the Class of 1969 – 1972 is over. And what a celebration it was over six days! Needless to say, the success of the event was a team effort, not just in the planning but in the execution. 

The planning team – all volunteers despite the benefit of sound advice and experience to the contrary – could not have put together and delivered the program without significant help from many. We have been more than adequately thanked for our efforts: we would like to record our heartfelt thanks to:

• Tony McKenna for ‘The Book’;

• Paddy Cullinan, for picking up and organizing the ‘Return to Araluen’;
  
• Brian Chalmers for preparing the Memorial Service and then delivering it. Thanks also to Rowan Tracey for his contribution to the Service;
  
• John McNamara for his detailed planning and then smooth conducting of our Monday night dinner, and for his segment of ‘This is your life’;

• John’s interviewees: Jon Mander-Jones, Tony McLeod, Geoff Hay and Brenda Elliott;
  
• Paddy Ryan for his perspicacious and humorous interviews of some of our Class characters; 

• Paddy’s interlocutors Tom Cobley, Pat Cullinan, Don Muirhead and Jan Loughrey; and 

• The presenters of the toasts: Brian Chalmers, Rowan Tracey, Peter Teys and Maurie Meecham.
  

A ‘Thank you’ has been sent to RMC Protocol, Bob Crawshaw, representing the RMC Tour guides, the RMC Museum Manager, and the events manager at The Rex.

And lastly, a sincere Thank You to all who attended the anniversary celebrations – classmates and partners. Without doubt it was the manner in which all participated that made the program enjoyable for all and therefore special. Indeed a ‘Class with class.’

Mates forever

Steve, Warwick, Kym and David

I’m very sorry to have to pass on that I tested positive to COVID today, after a PCR this morning. The symptoms appeared yesterday afternoon, so I hope that I wasn’t infectious during our reunion activities.

So if symptoms appear, please get checked quickly.

David

The zoom link for the Reunion Dinner is

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86172547567?pwd=QlZUVHZMUGlwelhhdU1neDhpdGZpZz09

Meeting ID: 861 7254 7567
Passcode: 579342

There is NOT a Waiting Room for this meeting, so you should be able to join directly. Please make sure you are muted!

Hope you can join us – and hope it all works.

Rev. Brian Chalmers prepared and delivered a moving Memorial Service for our 15 deceased classmates this morning. A huge thank you.

The Service was zoomed, but there was a technical glitch that didn’t allow viewers to connect – sincere and heartfelt apologies. The good news is that the recording did work, albeit the quality is not so good! Being open air there was the occasional aircraft passing overhead and a little bird (a real one) twittered right next to the camera throughout. This did cause some interference with the capture of the music and Last Post/Rouse. We’ll try to edit this to improve the sound.

The test runs at home of the (mobile) zoom has worked, so we’ll have a zoom broadcast of tomorrow morning’s Memorial Service for our deceased classmates.

we can’t guarantee the quality as it will be by using iPhone and iPad but we’ll do our best.

The link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89151321965?pwd=THN1eFZjbHEvVWx6UEIxaHJkSUw5QT09

Meeting ID: 891 5132 1965
Passcode: 218679

Hopefully we’ll also be able to zoom the Monday night dinner.

The Order of Service is attached.

Plans are underway to zoom the dinner on Monday night – all or in part, depending on the ability and sobriety of the operator.

The zoom link will be posted on the website and FB page if we can get all the ducks in a row.

The quality might be ‘ordinary’ as it will be done using an iPhone and iPad, but I hope it allows those unable to attend to at least join in from home. Please note that if you are watching from home that the Dress Standard does not apply but we do request that you are dressed.

More to follow,

Tom, John and Pat’s Araluen mission took place yesterday. A great catch-up and a very relaxing day in good weather.