It all started with a random conversation between two former Saint Patrick's Technical School students.
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Former Goulburn man Greg Quilter and John Bensley, of Queensland, were in the Royal Australian Navy together in 1967 and 1968. In 2015, Mr Bensley contacted Mr Quilter via Facebook and the two met up for a "coldie."
"After a few meets we wondered who else from Goulburn who went to the Tech lived in Queensland," Mr Quilter said.
They managed to track down Wayne Phillips, Mike McDonald, Paul Wales and Alan Cheeseman (now Alan Mann). A subsequent lunch at the Buderim Tavern started the ball rolling on a "get together" with 17 Tech 'old boys' at Kawana Waters.
Several Our Lady of Mercy College 'old girls,' Michelle Ingram and Margaret Hogan, turned up and Mr Quilter said they fitted right into the concept.
"Now we have about a dozen ladies that are part of it all. Our website and our planning makes sure we recognise and incorporate OLMC and St Joseph's Convent connections," he said.
The get-togethers continued at Mount Tamborine, Queensland over the next two years. On February 28, 29 and March 1, 2020 they gathered again at the same location, which offered a "panoramic view" of the Gold Coast.
They came from Queensland, northern NSW, the Newcastle/Hunter region, Canberra, Sydney, Tasmania and Goulburn.
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Seventeen people attended on the first day, with many not seeing their old schoolmates for 55 years. The following day, 41 ex-students turned up. It included the traditional cake cutting, meals, drinks, a continuous slide show and collections of old school photos and books with a walk back down memory lane.
On the Sunday, the group enjoyed breakfast together before saying their goodbyes.
"All were glad they made the effort for the trip and thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and plan to return for the 2021 'Get Together,'" another organiser and ex-stident, Peter Watts said.
"It was unfortunate that Greg Quilter who put some much time organising these get-together event was unable to attend this year."
Many expect to meet up again in Goulburn for an official St Pat's Tech school reunion on November 5 and 6.
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The Saint Pat's Tech was located in Verner Street, opposite Sts Peter and Paul's Cathedral. Mr Watts said it opened in 1915 and changed its name to Saint Patrick's Technical School in 1938. It closed as a secondary school in 1965 and from 1966, all classes were held at Saint Patrick's College. The primary section continued for some years until merged with Sts Peter and Paul's Primary School.
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