Reunions

2019 Old Aquinians & Friends Reunion Tour

In January 2020 the Foundation and the College were delighted to welcome back the Old Aquinians & Friends Reunion Tour group for their annual thank you luncheon in the Waterford Room.

Dick Nulsen (’54) presented Principal David McFadden with a cheque for $5,120 for the Foundation’s Bursary Fund, the proceeds of their 2019 bus tour. David thanked the group for their significant and ongoing support of Aquinas College, which has contributed more than $57,000 to the Aquinas College Bursary Program over the past fourteen years.

The 14th annual Old Aquinians & Friends Reunion Tour, conducted during October 2019, saw a healthy contingent of 45 Old Aquinians and friends take part. The idyllic Esperance was the ultimate destination. The itinerary was devised by the tour group’s local Esperance resident, Dick Nulsen, with input from Terry Young (‘54) and Brian Kirkwood (‘59).

Stops along the way included a visit to the Williams Woolshed, Wagin’s Giant Ram, and for a lunch consisting of yabbies at Kukerin. Whilst in Esperance, the group enjoyed visiting Esperance Stonehenge (a full-sized replica of England’s Stonehenge), the picturesque Cape Le Grand National Park, the beautiful Lucky Bay and the Esperance Museum - which displays many components of the infamous Skylab that crashed to earth nearby in 1979. The return journey included stops at Ravensthorpe to see the world’s biggest lollipop on a 7.5-metre structure, and Hyden to visit the famous Wave Rock.

As per usual, the annual tour auction was the main source of funds raised for the Foundation, with all items donated by tour members. Additional monies were also received from surplus tour fees and a number of generous donations.

Plans for the 15th Old Aquinians & Friends Reunion Tour, which was to take place in the beautiful Margaret River Region in October 2020, were postponed due to Covid-19. Anyone interested in joining this intrepid group’s 2021 tour should contact Jack Bana (‘54) on 9275 2883 or j.bana@bigpond.net.au.

1959 Reunion

A regular down south ‘get together’ was held this year at Xanadu Winery by a few of the old boys from Leaving Year 1959. Gerry McGarry Jnr told the story of the boys leaving school on the last day of the year (and were not returning the next year) – ‘whilst riding their bikes out the front gate they would throw all their Aquinas belongings in the bush’.

Frank Cusmano and Peter Fornero

1969 Reunion

The Class of 1969 held its 50th Reunion on Saturday 19th October 2019 at the wonderful Royal Perth Golf Club. It was a night of much laughter and reminiscing about school days, as well as subsequent years.

Forty-four classmates travelled from overseas and throughout Australia to celebrate the occasion. Special efforts were made by Dr Simon Dolin who came from Scotland, Bruce Shanahan travelled from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and Dr Graeme Bradley made the trip from Melbourne.

Three teachers who taught us some fifty years ago were also invited. We were very pleased that Max McAppion, Basil Warner and Bob Stanley accepted and added a great deal to the evening.

In what is a fantastic achievement for one of our class, in May 2017, Pope Francis appointed Father Michael Morrissey as the Bishop of Geraldton. During the evening, Michael conducted a prayer service for the nineteen of our classmates who have sadly passed away.

The Class of 1969 wishes to sincerely thank Nichole Rowson at Aquinas College for all her help in ensuring the reunion was such a success.

Bob Stanley and Tim Coakley Br Max McAppion and Simon Dolin

Peter Mackin (’69)

Bob Stanley, John Sheridan and Gerry Hu Stephen Wyche, John Benari, Frank Treasure and Les Bonser

Neville Pozzi, Richard Norris, Leo Seward and Mark Wilson Peter Mackin, Graeme McKeown, Ian Howlett, Mark Fitzhardinge

Class of 1980

Class of 1970 Reunion

Plans for a fully blown 50th-year reunion of the class of 1970 were thrown into disarray, like most things in 2020. As a result, it was decided to defer the big event until next year, when it is hoped that more of our eastern states and overseas members might be able to join us.

But rather than let the year pass by without acknowledgement, a hardy band of around 30 former classmates gathered at Steves Hotel in Nedlands on 14th November to reminisce about times gone by. Although that was only about one-third of the class, the total weight of those attending probably equalled the total weight of the whole of the class in 1970. Notwithstanding some increased bulk, most were readily recognisable, including those who had moved their hair from the top of their heads to their chin.

The passage of time had not dimmed the memories of good times (and some not so good) at Aquinas in the sixties. It was remarkable how easily the conversation flowed as did the laughter as stories were told and events were remembered.

One subject of universal interest was what classmates who could not make the function were now doing and where they are living.

Hopefully, when the full reunion is held in 2021, many of those who could not make it this time will be there to fill in their own stories. The organising committee will be meeting early in 2021 to begin planning and setting the date. The warm-up event at Steves suggests that there is a good time to be had when the “proper” reunion happens.

Class of 1980

After a COVID delay, the reunion for the Perth group took place on Saturday 10th October 2020. A group of old boys started the day with a tour of the College hosted by Peter Robertson and Nichole Rowson from the Development Office. It is safe to say that things have changed at the College in 40 years!! Lots of stories were shared, teachers and friends remembered, while we walked around the College. The reunion then moved to the Manning Bowling Club and was joined by more old friends. If COVID restrictions and borders permit, we have plans to hold a full reunion for the year group later in 2021.

Class of 1985 Class of 1970

Class of 1985

On Saturday, 28 November, members of the Class of ‘85 got together at Ascot for an informal 35-year reunion. The combination of COVID and harvesting impacted the numbers but there was still a good turnout with the group suggesting that the Mackinnon Stakes at Ascot every year would be a good yearly catch up - so Class of ‘85 members keep that date in mind in 2021.

Welcome back Class of 2019!

The Class of 2019 returned to the College on Friday 9 October 2020 for the annual Aquinas College Foundation Leavers’ Function. Like most events this year, the format was reimagined, offering the boys an evening sausage sizzle instead of the usual breakfast in the Churack Pavilion.

The event kicked off with a tour of the new River Centre conducted by Head of Rowing Nick Collins. The boys were suitably impressed and undoubtedly a little envious of the current rowing cohort. They then headed back to the Staff Common Room where they caught up with class tutors and classmates and poured over their last College Annual.

Peter Robertson warmly welcomed the graduates back to Aquinas, congratulating them for their generous contribution to the College by way of the Class of 2019 Scholarship Gift.

“This year, as I’m sure you’ll appreciate, has been an unusual year,” said Mr Robertson. “One of the significant impacts this year for the College has been the way we have had to support families. There are now a whole lot of families who simply cannot afford to have their sons at school here,” he said.

“Last year, you guys were good enough to put a contribution into the Scholarship Fund by way of the Class of 2019 Scholarship Gift – that gift is now helping a boy to be at Aquinas this year.”

The plaque commemorating the Class of 2019 Scholarship Gift (which hangs in the Heritage Room alongside previous Peer Scholarship Gifts) was unveiled on the night and will be a permanent reminder to the community of the generosity of the Class of 2019.

To round off the evening, Old Aquinians’ Association (OAA) Committee Member, Michael Flower, also addressed the boys, encouraging them to join the OAA to take advantage of the wonderful social and networking opportunities available to them through membership.

Good luck to the Class of 2019 as you navigate the next exciting stage of your lives. We look forward to many more opportunities to welcome you back to Aquinas College.

Class of 2000 Reunion

To celebrate 20 years since leaving Aquinas College, the Class of 2000 was looking forward to seeing each other again. Unfortunately, COVID cancelled the original plan to hold the reunion in April 2020. Those based in WA we were lucky enough to be able to hold a catch up. 40 Old Boys from the Class of 2000 turned up to the Broken Hill Hotel on Saturday 28th November 2020. It was a great night with lots of laughs and stories shared. We hope to be able to have a full class reunion in late 2021 that will include those who are interstate and overseas.