Report

Oh What a Night...

Well yet another reunion is over, and, as always, we parted with animated discussion and eager anticipation of when and where the next reunion might be! It seems we just can't let it go - and why should we! There was some interest in a reunion in the Sydney area next year (2008).

Thanks

Firstly I would like to sincerely thank Denise Gordon for her exhaustive efforts over the last several months to plan and organise this reunion for us. She has done a tremendous job bringing it together on her own. I know it's been an ongoing project. Fun, but not always easy. From choosing a suitable date and venue, to sending invitations and arranging advertising and promotion, costings, banking and keeping accurate tabs on who was attending, was all successfully accomplished. The finger-food was delicious with plenty of variety and it was also nice to be able to go to the bar for a drink without having to fumble with purses and money each time. A terrific job Denise. I had a wonderful night and it certainly looked as though everyone else did too! Thank you.

Thanks also to our music-master, Ross White. Ross compiled the music on CD for us. He spent quite some time and effort selecting tracks which were representative of the eras we were at RAAF School - and these were mixed carefully to ensure our favourites were played towards the end. Thanks very much Ross - also for including "My Sentimental Friend"!

A big thank you to Al Sinclair for playing the bagpipes so beautifully for us at the end of the night. Always an emotional and fitting way to end a reunion evening.

AND - last but not least, our welcoming hostesses deserve a round of applause too. Denise's daughters Hayley and Kendall Gordon did a terrific job on the door greeting us and distributing souvenir trinkets and name tags.

Itinerary

FRIDAY 9TH
The Lucky Shag Bar

On Friday evening we met at the Lucky Shag Bar on Barrack Street Jetty for informal drinks. This was a good opportunity for those who were staying in town for the weekend to meet up early - or for anyone so inclined. It was a fun night and a great way to build up for the main event the following night. I was actually a little apprehensive about the name, until I was assured that "shag" in this instance was a reference to the bird, pictured below. And which, convincingly, was often to be seen in the near vicinity.

SATURDAY 10TH
The Reunion

WA Rowing Club
Riverside Drive
Perth

The West Australian Rowing Club was an absolutely beautiful venue for this occasion. The Perth evening was warm and ideal for venturing onto the balcony to enjoy dolphins swimming only a few metres away. Later in the evening, a serene crescent moon was hanging low in the starlit sky. It was truly a picture.

When it was time to vacate the Rowing Club at 11.30, several of us who just weren't yet ready to end the night, found ourselves back at the Lucky Shag for a wind-up.

SUNDAY 11TH
Picnic/Barbecue at City Beach

For those who wanted to kick on or just watch the sun go down over the water, we met at City Beach early evening. Perth had recently experienced a spate of very hot weather, so it was decided to go earlier in the evening rather than at lunchtime, as originally planned. View photographs