Community Events

On Friday 2 December 2022, the Barker Community Canberra Event was held at The Commonwealth Club with Alumni from the Class of 1951 through to the Class of 2016 attending. Thank you to Andrew McColl (74) for hosting this and many events over the past two decades. He has now passed the baton to Jeremy Talbot (16) who is happy to share the role of local contact for future events.

After a year’s delay due to the spicy cough, the Class of 1986 had a fabulous night catching up and celebrating at the Greengate Hotel on 16 November 2022.

After the initial “hey, I remember you”, the venue became filled with broad smiles, warm hugs and happy reminiscing.

As the evening progressed, the room swelled to 60 people and became a wonderfully loud orchestra of joyous stories and happy laughter; overlaid by some banger 80’s tunes from our amazing DJ, Nathan Heinrich.

Everyone loved the little mixed lolly bags being handed around, a throw-back to popping into the corner store at Waitara Station on the way home from school.

Lynette Fejo travelled down from Darwin and kept us enthralled with her fascinating experiences as a senior aboriginal woman of the Saltwater People. Many of us are keen to go “on Country” with Lynette and experience aboriginal culture and celebrations with her later in the year.

A huge thank you to everyone for making it such a fabulous night, especially Gaille Smith, Jodie Eliott and Karina Drummond, who helped make it such a memorable evening!

Can’t wait for our 40th!

Mark Cooper

Eleven 1961 leavers and a number of wives and partners attended the annual ‘61 Christmas lunch at the home of Michael and Valeria Noyce at Wahroonga. Phil and Julie Benjamin flew down from Caloundra QLD, Bruce and Jenny Higham drove from Gunnedah and Brian and Ruth Wilshire drove from Maitland. The ‘chefs’ were Bob Green and Bruce Higham and those toasting ‘good health’ were Bruce Higham, Phil Benjamin and Geoff Cooper. A lovely day with much reminiscing and ‘tall’ stories and it was nice to see a number of day boys catching up with the boarders!

In November 2022, the Class of 2017 got together for our very first Reunion - 5 Years! It was lovely to reconnect and overcome once held friend groups and circles, coming together as one to hear about the travel adventures, study stories, and first ‘real’ job experiences. I’m happy to report the year truly is thriving after COVID and taking on all life has to offer, as Barker taught us to do so well.

An informal gathering of a few “old Barker students” enjoyed lunch together at Lennox Head near Ballina on 10 November 2022.

Alumni attending were: Graham Lawson (62), Robert Raymond (62), Jim Poulos (61), Dick Ash (62), Phil Bailey (62), Tim Hoyle (67).

On Saturday 11 February, 42 spry octogenarians gathered at The Blue Gum Hotel for their 65 year reunion, a great result considering our diminishing numbers and the tyranny of distance for many. Nonetheless, some came from the bush, Victoria, Queensland and as far as Canada. Many were the happy memories shared in a most convivial atmosphere.

Bill Manning and Richard Walsh both spoke entertainingly leading up to the proposal of the toast to the School. Perhaps the yarn of the day came from Richard Walsh, told against himself. Richard, because of his diminutive stature and the danger he thus represented to the eyesight of other cadets when marching with rifle at slope arms position, had been

OBA Seniors, members of OBA Theatre and alumni from the cast & crew of the Beauty & the Beast musical in 2022 were invited to attend a special preview performance of Les Misérables on Sunday 12 February 2023.

The guests were treated to a Director’s insight to the production by Head of Barker, Phillip Heath, before enjoying this year’s fabulous Musical.

appointed Quartermaster, out of sight, out of mind. With the approach of the annual cadet ceremonial parade, his marching represented a threat to the military precision expected. Moreover the reviewing dignitary was a WW II, knighted Major General. What to do with Richard? Solution, he would greet the great man as he arrived in his limo.

The great moment arrived. Richard stepped forward, flung open the door and smartly saluted the lowly driver who emerged. The great man stepped out, unaided and ungreeted from the other side of the limousine.

What price a 70-year reunion?

Paul McCarthy

After two years of failed attempts, the Class of 1990 were able to celebrate their 30-year reunion at the Greengate on 21 October 2022. A great night was had by all who attended.

Nathan Deveson

The Barker Community in Perth met at Steve’s Bar & Café in Nedlands on Friday 2 December 2022, with many regulars attending. Alumni ranged from the Class of 1968 through to the Class of 1992. Thank you to Gus Elliot (92) who organised this event as well as previous ones.

On Saturday 3 December 2022, alumni from the Southern Highlands joined the Head of Barker College, Phillip Heath and Barker's Director of Alumni & Community Relations, Karina Drummond, for lunch at the Ethos Restaurant at Links House. A lovely afternoon with alumni sharing stories from their time at Barker and beyond the Mint Gates.