The Class of 1973 gathered in the McBride Room in the RED Centre on Thursday 20 July 2023 for their 50th reunion. Sixty-One Old Reds met with some being hard to recognise! However, the group loved catching up with each other as equals with great camaraderie and friendship being shown.
Being organised by steady hand of Mary-Ann Standish and having the catering staff tend to the participants’ every need made the lunch go smoothly with more time for conversation and reminiscing.
After some had chosen a broad tour of the school, proceedings kicked off with Mike DeGaris (Captain, second half of 1973) as MC. David Raggatt, Captain of the 1973 football winning Intercol side, gave an impassioned presentation summarised below. The Old Scholars’ report by Fred Hamood also brought “Mano” into our minds as he had died a couple of weeks earlier.
The Toast to the School was delivered by Mark Waters (Captain first half of 1973) who made a heartfelt and inclusive speech that focused upon story telling but also wove in men’s health, suicide prevention, bullying and memories of men who weren’t in the room.
Deputy Headmaster Greg Atherton responded to the toast on behalf of the school and then the microphone was passed around for some spontaneous responses from the gathered crowd. One legendary story regarding the school dark room and Mr “Smiley” Baker will go down as one of the most unforgettable contributions to the day.
The mood and “vibe” of the crowd was greatly appreciated, and attendees walked away wanting to meet again sooner than their 60th reunion in 2033.
1973 First XVIII
A presentation was made on the very successful year 1973 was for our First XVIII. It culminated in a two- point win in the Intercol against the archrivals down the road.
The win was sweeter as that Saints team had not lost a game in their Senior school years. In addition, Saints (expecting a win) had their photo taken with the Intercol Cup and published it in their 1973 School Magazine (printed in December 1973)!
And the win was achieved despite the loss earlier in the season of one of our highly rated players, Grant Dalwood, who undertook a major spine operation. Overcoming this Grant played in the victorious 1974 First XVIII team and went on to have a very successful career with the Norwood Football Club.
Our thanks go to the late Chester Bennett and Johno Johnson and the entire support team for assisting during the season. Not forgetting the great backing of the entire school who supported the team on that memorable day on Saint’s Main Oval in 1973.
"Tis the Princes First XVIII"
Mark Waters and David Raggatt (1973)
Class of 1973 Reunion Committee
