Memories flowed thick and fast as former students of the old Saint Patrick's Technical School gathered recently for a reunion.
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Some 29 ex-students attended the sixth annual reunion at Queensland's Mount Tamborine motel from February 25 to 27. Twelve travelled from Goulburn, 10 from Queensland, six from other NSW areas and one from Tasmania.
COVID restrictions and horrendous weather conditions didn't deter, however about 10 people were unable to make the function.
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Three of the Goulburn travellers had a lucky escape south of Coffs Harbour when their car aquaplaned in the heavy rain and spun into a ditch, resulting in only minor damage to the vehicle.
The school's last principal before its 1965 closure, 96-year-old Brother Matt McKeon, had planned to come down on the Saturday from Oxley (Brisbane) but that area was one of the worst flooded.
The constant heavy rain caused trouble. There were dangerous roads and flooding getting to and from the hotel and motel, which was close next door. The heavy rain also caused a few bad leaks in the hotel.
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Regardless of all the adverse conditions, everyone had a fantastic weekend meeting old friends from last year and, for newcomers, a few new ones, who hadn't seen each other for about 60 years.
The weekend seemed to pass very quickly and everyone left in great spirits and looking forward to next year's reunion.
Returning home south was also very difficult, as the flooding rain moved in that direction. A few drove home in the bleak conditions. Others who stayed a bit longer were faced with long detours or waited for the highway to reopen.
A much larger reunion will be held in Goulburn on May 6 to 8, including St Pat's Tech, St Joseph's College/Sacred Heart School and Our Lady of Mercy College/St Brigid's/Our Lady of Sorrows schools.
The Saint Pat's Tech College was located in Verner Street, opposite Sts Peter and Paul's Cathedral. 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.
- Peter Watts is a former Saint Patrick's Technical School student.
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