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Nostalgic Reflections

A chance encounter at the memorial of Old Boy Ian Revie transformed into a remarkable and heartwarming gathering for the Class of ’62.

Organised by Robin Plaisted, Alastair MacLeod and Kem Schmidt, the gathering saw 26 Old Boys come together for lunch at the Lilley Centre’s Function Room on 4 November 2023.

The decision to gather the group arose from a shared realisation among Robin, Alastair and Kem that with the passage of time, chances to reconnect grow scarce. “As we get older, we come to understand the importance of time,” noted Robin, emphasising the significance of fostering relationships and staying in touch.

Forming a small committee to coordinate the event, Robin, Alastair and Kem extended invitations to over 50 classmates with the intent of reuniting with old friends, reminiscing about old times and celebrating significant milestones.

Among the attendees was Howard Stack, who served as School Captain in 1962 and Chairman of Brisbane Grammar School Board of Trustees for nearly 30 years.

“It was interesting to hear what everyone has done with their lives,” remarked Robin, celebrating the diverse paths taken by the Class of ‘62.

During the event, Old Boys fondly recalled various moments from their BGS days, including the cherished tradition of the Cascara Cup on Melbourne Cup Day.

Many of the Old Boys recalled their time on the sporting field, and how it was the camaraderie and teamwork that characterised those moments rather than victory: “Playing sport remains one of the highlights of my time at BGS,” Robin said. “The invaluable lessons I gained in teamwork and competition during this time went beyond the field and guided me later in life.”

Amidst laughter and nostalgia, conversations veered from tales of those classmates who hadn’t changed since their days at BGS, to reflections on school facilities compared to the present day.

Alastair shared sentiments about the supportive learning environment fostered by the School’s Masters: “Moving from Victoria to Brisbane Grammar School, I found myself behind in English and Science,” Alastair recounted. “Yet, the School Masters went above and beyond to ensure I caught up. Their unwavering support was invaluable to me.”

The general sentiment shared at the event was one of deep gratitude, to have the opportunity to catch up with old friends, share stories and take a trip down memory lane.

In the spirit of maintaining connections, the organising committee is enthusiastic about ensuring more frequent events for the Class of ‘62 in the future, with the goal of at least one annual get-together.

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