Federation Peak Expeditioners Reunite

By Phil Taylor (OGC 1973), Head of McArthur and 1999 Expedition staff member

A very special reunion took place in The Geelong College Dining Hall on Sunday 3 February to mark the 70th anniversary of the first ever ascent by a party of Geelong College staff, students and Old Collegians of Federation Peak in Tasmania.

Prior to 29 January 1949, no one had ever managed to successfully find a route to ascend to the top of Federation Peak, a much revered and difficult climb in the South West National Park.

We were fortunate to have two members of that expedition at the reunion in February, Bill Huffam (OGC 1944) and John Varley (OGC 1944). Also in attendance were four members of the 1999 50th anniversary re-enactment climb that took place 50 years to the day of the first ascent: Richard Selman (OGC 1998), Nick Tischler (OGC 1999), Nadine Blyth (OGC 1998) and Emily Benson (OGC 1998), as well as long-time supporter and staff member/ expeditioner, Rob Kayler-Thomson. Staff attending from the 1999 expedition were Marg and Gary O’Loughlin and Phil Taylor (OGC 1973).

A photograph from the original expedition of Federation Peak, Tasmania, in 1949.

The Exploration Society re-enacted the Federation Peak climb in 1999. Bill Huffam and John Varley with newspaper clippings of the historic 1949 expedition.

Staff and students from the 1949 and 1999 Exploration Society groups came together to share memories over lunch at the Dining Hall.

The group shared many memories of hiking through that pristine part of the world in very challenging conditions, carrying packs of 25kg and more. But the one unifying memory was of the serenity and unique, harsh and rugged beauty of Federation Peak and south-west Tasmania. Another Exploration Society reunion lunch is planned for Sunday 1 March 2020. We encourage Old Collegians who have participated in a hike or expedition over the past 90 years to consider attending and taking the opportunity to celebrate and rekindle experiences gained in search of adventure. The luncheon will be held in the College Dining Hall and bookings can be made in the new year. We look forward to a strong attendance to what will become a yearly function.