From John Mac.

The Queensland Contingent are gathering again soon so just in case there are any interstate travellers around the details are:

Marios Italian Restaurant ,Shop 48 – 52 , Oasis Shopping Centre ,Broadbeach 12 noon , Friday 30 October.

We have 22 coming , all with Partners , which is a great roll up. Gibbo was in town last time so who knows what other Class of 72 Nomads could be sunning themselves on the Gold Coast.

A lovely, easy catchup with a few Brisbane based classmates and wives as we passed through Brisbane. Possiby we were not well organised – should have firstly given more notice, and secondly arranged to be in the Gold Coast to catch up with others – but that’s what happens when you don’t have an itinerary or a schedule (ie no organisation!). We’ll do better next time.

On Friday 14 August a class lunch was held at the Grand View Hotel at Cleveland by the Bay in Queensland.  Attendees, (mostly with wives), included regulars John Black, Ian Callan, Rick Davies, John Elph, John McNamara and Peter Teys.  Earlier classmates John Price and Jon Mander-Jones who love to stay in touch with the class also attended.  A pleasant surprise was the attendance of normal Young, NSW residents Chris and Sue Gibson.  The Gibbo’s regularly escape to the Sunshine Coast for mid-winter and this time beat the Covid border closure.  Apologies from regulars Phil Newman and Maurie who had prior engagements.  Kev Loughrey from northern NSW initially accepted, but piked out due the 2 week quarantine requirement.  The weather was a typical Qld winter day of 24 degrees and of course a good time was had by all. As the afternoon wore on, the temperature dropped to 23 degrees and a couple of the ladies reached for their cardigans.  Gibbo was heard to mutter something about Qlders tolerance of the cold.  Good to see Callo who is going through Chemo, and it must be serious because he didn’t have a beer in his hand.  Mac pushes these lunches and mumbled something about next time in November.  If the borders are open (or you can sneak through) please get in touch.  These get-togethers reinforce how important your old mates are.

Peter Teys

Maurie has posted on Facebook a couple of photos (stolen for this post) of the attendees at the Brisbane catch up on 6 March. Callo and Barb attended ‘virtually’ via a video cross, and Rod Allan made an appearance up from Melbourne. I’m sure a more detailed report will be posted soon (hint!).

Received the following (edited) email from John McNamara about the next catch up in Brisbane. Everyone is welcome to come if you’re in the area at the time.

From: John McNamara

Date: 29 January 2020 at 1:15:58 pm AEST

Subject: Dunners and Partners Lunch – The Normanby Hotel / 1 Musgrave Road  , Red Hill – 1230pm 6 Mar 20

Good Afternoon ,

I have been to The Normanby Hotel today in preparation for our lunch and was given a tour of their renovations and was most impressed . Our old lunch venue is now a Pokie Room and for those who attended this venue last time “ Trunk “ ( the previous Owner ) has moved on but is fondly remembered by the old staff members.

Here is The Plan :

– I have booked a table for Friday 6 March for 16 which is a flexible number to be confirmed a couple of days out ,

– Arrive around 1230pm and ask for “ The Hounds Lounge “ ( I thought this was fitting ) where we will have arrival drinks . There is a big car park with loads of free parking at the back of the pub and you enter this from Kelvin Grove Road as the place is on a corner,

– Food and Drinks will be pay as you go , and

– Lunch will be in a Private Room on the Top Floor called “ The Valentine Room “ and The Menu is attached

Please let me know if you are available (you meaning both of you ),

Hope all is well at your place ?

Regards,

John Mc

The menu is at this link: NEW MENU

Twenty two classmates and partners gathered in Sydney last week for the annual “grad” dinner.
From left to right John Croxson, Rosanne Croxson, Stephen Despoges, Giulana Despoges, Yvonne Goggin, Bernadette Blue (front), Dave Goggin (rear), Bob Blue, Gail McCann (rear), Peter McCann (mid), Larry Park, Janice Park (front), Duncan McInnes, Carmel McInnes, Diedre Muirehead, Judy (Paddy’s partner), Don Muirehead, Sue Martyn, Peter Martyn, Paddy Ryan ….. missing Peter and Anneliese Lawrence.

The Sydney classmates gather four times each year around Easter rec camp, QB, 100 DTG and grad. If you find yourself in Sydney at these or any other time and at a loose end, join us or at least let us know. There is always a group who are happy to have lunch with any out of town classmate(s).

Thanks to Peter Martyn for the update.

Our Brisbane group had a very enjoyable Christmas lunch at The Plough Inn, Southbank on Thursday. The photo below was taken after Phil and Chris and Trevor and Ainslie had departed….

Unplanned catchup of Blacks and Crans in Armidale, as a result of John & Jacqui having engine problems en route to Tasmania, and T & D heading north at the same time and being about to shift slightly east.

A message from Frank Edwards:

“It was a great pleasure to catch up with John and Sandy Elphinston and Phil and Chris Newman in Margaret River last week. A winery tour and lunch followed the next evening with dinner at Frank and Pamela Edwards home.
A great night was had by all!
Time has changed nothing. Good times!”