Reunion reports - 2007
- 1972 graduates celebrate 35 year reunion, October 2007
- 1987 graduates celebrate 20 year reunion, June 2007
- 1950 graduates celebrate 57 year reunion, March 2007
- 1952 graduates celebrate 55 year reunion, February 2007
1972 graduates celebrate 35 year reunion, October 2007
A memorable reunion was held on the long weekend in September. Graduates travelled from as far as the USA and Hong Kong as well as from interstate. The reunion was comprised of two components: a daytime 4 hour scientific conference at the magnificent Kerry Packer Auditorium Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; followed by a dinner at the Astral Restaurant, Star City.
The scientific program was of a very hïgh standard, with the keynote address given by Professor Ron Trent on "From Genetics to Genomics. The range of topics was wide and included contributions on Child Abuse Prevention in Asia to Medicine in Africa. No one fell asleep!
Astral proved to be an excellent dinner venue with spectacular views of the harbour and outstanding food and wine. There were three after dinner speakers, Les White, Judy Schofield and Harry Merkur. They were each given the same brief- to speak about their lives as students, now and into the future – all in 10 minutes each. The audience was spell bound and undistracted by the Rugby League Grand final screened silently in the background.
The only disappointment for the Organisers (Harry Merkur(Chairman), Tony Eyers and Les Schrieber) was the relatively low turn out. Nevertheless the 60 delegates and 30 partners who attended the dinner had a great time.
Photos from the reunion can be found at http://picasaweb.google.com/HarryMerkur/Reunion2007
The next reunion is planned for 5 years time and the consensus is that this should be a weekend away from Sydney.
Les Schrieber
1987 graduates celebrate 20 year reunion, March 2007
Australian Doctor medical editor Dr Annette Katelaris takes a stroll down memory lane at her 20-year reunion. Read the article originally published in Australian Doctor - PDF
1943 graduates celebrate 64 year reunion, March 2007
It hardly seems possible that another year has passed and our 2007 reunion has come and gone. We had again 12 people but some faces were different. For the first time we had an equal number of men and women graduates. In our final year we had 32 women and 104 men. But some are as far away as Darwin, Perth, Adelaide, and Rockhampton and travel is not so easy. One was too busy! Congratulations. We send best wishes to those who were unable to attend.
Once again we had a very pleasant lunch with our old friends the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, who know us so well and cater to our tastes. Very little alcohol this year and the weather was perfect. We no longer have formal speeches, just old classmates having a good old chat. We reminisced about our student days, the many directions our career paths have taken, what has happened to whom, and of course our current disabilities, failing vision and joints. Do you still play golf? seems to be the benchmark for the men. This year we managed to remember to take a few snapshots, and who knows, we might manage another reunion next year judging by the resilience of those who were able to attend.
As a result of the day we will make donations to the Medical Graduates Association and the Medical Benevolent Society.
Best wishes to those who did and also those who could not attend.
Stefania Siedlecky AM
1950 graduates celebrate 57 year reunion, March 2007
On 12 March a successful lunch was held at Concord Golf Club to celebrate 57 years since graduation, attended by 43 of those who graduated in January 1950. Some interesting statistics were produced on the day: 54% of the original 162 graduates are still alive and the whereabouts of all survivors are known, a tribute to the careful record keeping of Gordon Parkin, our organiser for many years and still going strong. Of the 88 survivors who received an invitation to the lunch, 43 attended, apologies came from a further 32, making a response rate of 73%, considered pretty good from a group with an average age of around 81 years.
Our first reunion was held at ten years, when the previous practice had been to wait until 21 years – a reflection of our eagerness to meet up again without undue delay, and this set a pattern followed by most subsequent years. It was enjoyed so much that our reunions were then held at five yearly intervals until the 50th, which was marked by two days of events and the production of a Jubilee Year Book by the late, much lamented, Sep Owen, to which all were invited to contribute their own synoptic story, together with a contemporary photograph.
At the 55th reunion, which maintained the usual high levels of conviviality, it was decided to meet again in two years, bearing in mind the hastening steps of the old codger with the scythe. So, we have just had our 11th reunion and, while not ignoring statistical probabilities, have resolved to "give it a go" in another three years.
The secret of our success is firstly, no doubt, the quality of the company but the quality and location of the venue are also outstanding, we think, and can be highly recommended.
Brian Pollard
More photos
1952 graduates celebrate 55 year reunion, February 2007
The beautiful venue of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron at Kirribilli saw a very happy 55 year reunion of the medical graduates from 1952. Of the 332 students (including overseas trained doctors) who graduated that year, 92 were present at lunch and we received 41 apologies. A large year means it becomes difficult to exchange greetings with everyone present, so it has been graduates only at previous reunions. However, the consensus of opinion was that this time it seemed appropriate to invite partners and we were delighted to welcome 40 friends and partners of graduates.
After the initial announcements, the microphone was turned off so that we could get on with the talk-fest and eating, in that order. The Squadron organized a most delectable buffet lunch and the staff kept our glasses charged with whatever we fancied.
We were pleased, and in some cases surprised, to see how well we had survived the last 55 years. Quite a few are still working, even if part-time, and at least one graduate found it difficult to arrange time away from his practice. We play bridge, bowls and golf; we garden, read, do sudoku and crosswords. Bill Lyons is building a wooden Boston Lobster Boat and is interested in the Exploration of Mars; Gil Wallace works on the separation of gases from a high temperature plasma which may lead to the development of hydrogen energy and also enjoys Scottish country dancing; Pam Donnelly, among a host of other things, is a tap dancer.
Most members of the year would like another reunion within 5 years, and the committee of Hugh Patterson, Joyce Law, Joan Croll and Monica Bullen hope to arrange it for early 2010. Please keep the University advised of any change of address.
This report would not be complete without acknowledging the kind and generous help of the Medical Graduates Association (donations always welcome.) Photographs from the lunch can be viewed on the MGA reunion photos web page.
Monica Bullen