St Vincent's College
50 Year Reunion
Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 October 2005 saw the return to Junortoun of hundreds of former students of St Vincent’s College to celebrate 50 years since the foundation of their school.
The reunion weekend began with a dinner for over 220 past students and their partners, as well as some former staff. They enjoyed an evening of story-telling and memories as well as a presentation of photos prepared by the archivists from CCB.
On Sunday, an estimated 400 people gathered in the spring sunshine at the former St Vincent’s College (now La Valla) to celebrate Mass led by past St Vincent’s President, Fr John O’Keefe. Fr O’Keefe was supported by Fr Greg Cooney, Fr Hugh Murray, Fr Anthony Dean, Fr Paul Maloney, Fr Denis Crameri, Fr Matthew O’Hagen, Fr Kevin Canty and Fr Xavier Barry.
During the closing stages of Mass, Mr Darren McGregor reflected on the way in which the legacy of St Vincent’s had carried through to the current school. Not only in the continuation of Catholic education on the site, but also in the determination to provide an education firmly founded in the Gospel Values.
In an emotional gesture, founding-year student Mr Frank Harrop then presented Mr McGregor with the original St Vincent’s College banner to be cared for by Catholic College Bendigo in perpetuity.
At the conclusion of mass, a plaque was unveiled at the front door of the College to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the opening of St Vincent’s College and to recognize the significant contribution to Catholic education in Bendigo by Vincentian Priests, Brothers and their staff.
With official proceedings finished, past students and their families enjoyed a barbeque lunch supplied by the CCB Parents and Friends, toured the grounds and buildings and inspected a display of memorabilia. For many past students it was the first opportunity to return to their old school which had also been their home.
The weekend was hailed a great success by all who attended and was the culmination of many hours work, particularly by the St Vincent’s College Past Students Association.
The Reunion weekend gave the St Vincent’s College Past Students Association an opportunity to expand their database with the aim of keeping members in touch through a regular newsletter. Any past students are invited to contact Catholic College with their details which will also be passed on to the committee.