Three former Glen Innes High School teachers were joined by almost 60 former students from the 1967-1972 era when they gathered in Glen Innes for a reunion on the weekend (November 9 and 10).
For more than 6 months a small group of former students including Bill Liston, Jenny Smith, Ken Kempton, David Clarke, Colin Walker and Graham Duck, were playing private detective in efforts to track down, contact and invite their past classmates to the weekend’s activities.
Their job was made all the more difficult because they were working from old school records and other sources which were pre-internet or pre-mobile phone, as well as ageing memories.
The idea for the reunion was born after a casual drink at a local hotel following the return to Glen Innes of Colin Walker earlier this year.
Contact was made with 91 of the approximately 142 eligible ex-students from the period, 17 apologised for their inability to attend and 59 answered in the affirmative.
Almost all of the ex-students celebrate their 70th birthday this year but the age of the three teachers has been kept under wraps thus far.
The teachers who shared both good, bad and doubtful memories with their former students were Leta Kempton, Yvonne Hill and Jenny Sloman.
On Saturday afternoon, the teachers and students, along with their partners, congregated upon the hallowed grounds of the High School to refresh memories, share stories and, in many cases, catch up with long-lost friends from their Alma Mater days.
They were escorted on an inspection of the school by staff members Helen Millar (Deputy Principal) and Suzy Woods (Head Teacher) who were familiar with the numerous changes that had been made over the years
Then, on Saturday evening they gathered at the New England Club for drinks and “nibbles” before adjourning for a buffet-style dinner.
On Sunday, hangovers and adequate sleep permitting, they met at The Standing Stones for a picnic breakfast prepared by The Croft Cafe.
Former students attended from as far afield as Tasmania, Cairns, Charters Towers and Sydney.
A highlight of the weekend was the fact that Leta Kempton celebrated her 92nd birthday on Sunday and Leta was able to share her cake with the past students.
The group had held two previous reunions in 1994 and 2004 and, following the complete success of this year’s event, said they would seriously consider another in five years.
