October 8, 2014
At least three school reunions were held around the South Burnett over the South Burnett and Cherbourg On Show long weekend, bringing back a flood of memories for participants.
The biggest reunion was a two-day 50th anniversary celebration of the introduction of “senior years” (ie Years 8 and 9) at the Wondai State School in 1964.
Activities kicked off with a roll-call on Saturday morning at the school, followed by school tours and inspections of historic memorabilia, and then a lunch at the school which brought back happy memories for some of the 90 former students and their partners who attended the event.
Wondai P-9 principal Ruth Miller welcomed the visitors and explained the school these days had just 17 students in years 8-9.
In the evening, guests attended a reunion dinner held under a marquee at the rear of the Wondai Hotel and Cellars.
The next day, early risers attended a special Sunday breakfast at the hotel before a bus took the visitors for lunch at Moffatdale Ridge, then on to Clovely Estate for further wine tastings later in the afternoon.
In Nanango, the Nanango State High School class of 1994 held its 20-year reunion at the Nanango Mardi Gras Cup race meeting, enjoying conversation, food, drinks and the odd bet.
In Murgon, the Class of 1952 (who graduated in 1964) held its 50-year reunion on Sunday at Murgon State High School.
About 66 former students and 12 teachers from the Murgon Primary and High Schools attended, along with husbands, wives and partners to bring the total numbers up to 120.
“The greetings between former classmates, the laughter and sharing of stories created an unbelievable atmosphere,” compere Glen Vonhoff said.
Acting Deputy Principal Tania Hawthorne took the former students on a tour of the school, which is at least twice as big as it was in 1964.
Photographs were taken, starting in 1952 and going right through to 1964.
The reunion’s principal organiser, Muriel Kefford (nee Johnson), then used a data projector to run through 13 years of photos.
“There were quite a few moments of hilarity as Muriel recalled old pranks and stories,” Glen said.
“It was wonderful to have former Deputy Principal Frank Underwood present, along with teachers Lance Kelly, Paul Sherman, Phil and Diane (Pringle) Meade, Helen Warren, Coral Johannessen (Grundy), Pat Campbell (Bourne), (High School) and Dulcie Toohey (Hertweck), Lillian Shelton, Vonnie Hanley and Pauline Forbes (Vogt) from Murgon Primary School present.”
After a barbecue lunch catered by the Murgon Lions, the ex-students wandered through the memorabilia display and continued to reminisce about old times.
- Photographs from the Murgon reunion are available to purchase from photographer Denise Keelan
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Murgon State High School Reunion
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Wondai State School Reunion
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Nanango State High School Reunion
