Author: John Elphinston

Photos

/ John Elphinston / 2 Comments

There’s a few changes and quite a few new photos in the various Galleries. Thanks to Rod for the new material – quite often there are better quality images of the same photo which improves the ‘viewing experience’.

There are 2 new Galleries – Rugby and Rogues.

The Fourth Class Gallery has been simplified.

Take a look – but also please see if you have any old photos lying in albums or shoeboxes. Remember, your children will put them in the skip bin, particularly if they don’t know what the context is, the date, who the people are in the photo. To preserve it for posterity, send it in and it can go on the website.

We could still use a better photo of 4-2 if anyone has one.

Cheers

Rugby ‘old boys’

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The photo below came to me by way of John Culleton (Gallipoli ’74) and Bob Brown (Gallipoli ’74) and apparently shows a number of our number who gathered at RMC to play an annual game against the current cadets. It could be the 1984 gathering.

So the challenge is to try and recognise who is in the photo! I’ll kick off with the obvious – Paddy Ryan, John Culleton, Bob Brown, Don Muirhead (also picks up the prize for the biggest shoulders), Al McMurran. So come on men – who else is in it?

Annual Class of ’73 Tattersalls Dinner

/ John Elphinston / 1 Comment

Once again we were priviledged to be invited by the youngsters to share Christmas dinner. Our numbers were down but we made up for it with style. Phil and Chris Newman, Al McMurran, Kev Loughrey and John Elphinston and Sandra Davies represented the class of ’72 but alas no photo – we’re getting forgetful. But thankfully someone remembered the camera, and there were a few other photos taken – first prize goes to the Gallipoli Survivors from ’72 and ’74.

It was somewhat special to see the class of ’74, many of whom, some of us hadn’t seen for 50 plus years. It’s pleasing to report that all our hard work paid off as they’ve turned out to be a fine bunch of young men. Well not so young anymore but . . . .They spruiked their 50th Anniversary Class Book and they’ve kindly agreed to for it to go up on our website so you can judge for yourselves.

The speeches were good – lively and entertaining and Kev did us proud with a heartfelt speech of thanks. We were also priviledged to have Tracey Spicer deliver an after-dinner talk on Artificial Intelligence. Tracey’s grandfather was a decorated WWII veteran and a very close neighbour to Peter and Rosemary Keane in The Gap.

Thanks to Peter Keane for organising the dinner and for the invitation.

SE Qld and Northern NSW Gathering

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It was time to gather at the Gold Coast so we convened on the Grand Hotel Labrador for a few Christmas drinks and lunch. Thanks to John Black and John Mac for organising it.

We are going to have to make aformal name change soon as the numbers from south of the border continue to grow. Good to see Sue and Lindsay Rowlands join us for the first time from Pottsville and also to welcome Judy and Murray Smith from Coffs Harbour and Janet and Kevin Loughrey from Ballina. Unfortunately Maurie Meecham missed out on being in the photo.

Happy Chritmas to all. . .

Great Memorabillia

/ John Elphinston / 1 Comment

At first I thought it was just another class photo and then I realised it was something I hadn’t seen before. Obviously I didn’t spend enough time in the corridors of power. Many thanks to Al McMurran for bringing it to the surface after all these years. If you talk to Al, he’ll reveal how come he managed to obtain and retain such a piece. Many thanks Al. The 56 year old original will be on display at Coffs.

John Mac and I went to Landsborough for the official handover. A nice outing to the Sunshine Coast.

If you want to see the memorabillia, click here.

Cheers

John Elph

Coff Harbour Gathering

/ John Elphinston / 5 Comments

From JohnMC

This is the final reminder that on the 19 and 20th of August, we are having a Classmates and Partners Gathering at The Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour. We have 52 attendees in total with 21 rooms booked and a few staying offsite as well. The resort (https://pacificbayresort.com.au) still has rooms available and if you decide at the last minute to book, please keep me in the loop so I can cover off the numbers for our suppliers. Remember to use the code “RMC “ to get your discount.

The list of those who have booked is below and they will receive a separate email asking them which aspects they plan to attend for catering purposes.

If anyone has any specific questions I am happy to assist; john.m.mcnamara@bigpond.com

Regards, JohnMc

Booked @ Pacific Bay:
Rod Allan and Jenny Tracy
John and Jacqui Black
Warwick and Brenda Elliott
John Elphinston and Sandra Davies
Geoff and Caroline Hay
Bill and Marina Houston
Peter and Kerry Jenke
Gerry and Annette Jones
Steve and Debra Jones
Kevin and Jan Loughrey
Jon Mander-Jones and Partner
Peter and Sue Martyn
Don and Diedre Muirhead
Duncan and Carmel McInnes
Tony and Mary McLeod
John and Margaret McNamara
Phil and Chris Newman
John and Vivienne Price
Paddy Ryan and Judy Fraser
Graham and Maxine Smith
Peter and Helen Teys
Attending but not booked at Pacific Bay Resort :
Dave and Trish Cran
Maurie and Joan Meecham
Darryl and Robyn Poole
Murray and Judy Smith
Rowan and Jane Tracey

Northern Catch Up . . .

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Thanks to John Mac for organising another great catch up. We had a good roll up, with Al McMurran attending his first lunch since relocating to the Sunshine Coast, Don and Diedre and Kevin and Jan from just south of the border, plus the Gold Coast and Brisbane regulars.

On Location in Tasmania

/ John Elphinston / 2 Comments

From John Mac

Last week Trace and I visited Michael and Annie Barrett in Richmond, Tasmania. It was our 7th or 8th trip to see them and it has now turned into an annual event. Michael is doing pretty well and is 84 and still full of cheek as you would expect. He remembers our Class with much affection and amazes us with his recall of events from our years together.

I just wanted to share this with you all and say that Michael passes on his best wishes to you all.
Regards,
John Mc