While present day Matamata College students were busy preparing for upcoming exams and looking ahead to their futures, 105 students from the third form class of 1964 spent time looking back at their school days, writes Lesley Johnston of the Matamata Historical Society.
Meeting at their old stomping ground, men and women from Invercargill in the south, to Coopers Beach in the north, as well as Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane, shared memories of their formative years, laughed, cried, told stories of their adult journeys, and expressed gratitude at being able meet together to do so.
Gary Bunning (Ashburton), Maurice Gabriels (Kerikeri), Diane Walsh nee Tremain (Auckland) and Pauline Gabriels nee Pollack (Kerikeri) have had no contact since school and were enjoying catching up and sharing stories. Gary and Maurice reminisced about working on the Kaimai Tunnel at the time of its collapse. Matamata College third formers 60th anniversary reunion.
279 wide eyed pupils started as third formers in 1964, having come from the many outlying areas around Matamata, about to begin the learning that would lead them into careers, family, travel and adult pursuits.
Of this number 49 have since passed away, and were remembered fondly as part of the group. Beth Hooper (Marr) from Woodgate, Queensland, observed that “knowing and seeing how many of our year have passed, it makes you realise how important it is to look after each other”.
Kevin Wicks (Rotorua) and Peter Wilcox (Matamata) from 3G2 had not seen each other since their last day at school. Together again, in alphabetical order! Matamata College third formers 60th anniversary reunion.
With 69 apologies and 56 students who couldn’t be located, the proportion of original students attending was outstanding and showed how important the friendships formed in their school years remained. Many of the group had not returned to Matamata since leaving school. Lynette Adams (Simpson), from Adelaide, was amazed at how beautiful the town looked: the streetscapes, parks and gardens.
Starting with morning tea, attendees, who began by sitting in groups according to their class ‘stream’, had the remainder of the day for catching up and renewing acquaintances. It included the obligatory ‘class photo’ and a lunch box each. The day concluded with afternoon tea and a dinner for those who could attend. All photos, life synopses and other resources will be donated to the Matamata Historical Society for future generations to peruse and enjoy.
Bill Conning (Motueka) and Christine Price (Tirau) connect at the Matamata College third formers 60th anniversary reunion through shared acquaintances. Bill has had 40 years flying helicopters all around the world.
Over half of the attendees were men, many of whom were concerned they wouldn’t be recognised with their loss of hair, beards and moustaches. Warren Feek (Matamata) joked that he” had long blond hair at school and it’s all fallen out! “. Conversation topics included rugby, past and present day, and not doing their homework.
Terry Doherty (Auckland) and Maurice Williamson (Auckland) reminisced about their time with ‘The Debonairs’, a local band who backed NZ greats such as Lee Grant, Ray Wolfe, Sandi Edmonds, The Chicks and Shane as they performed around the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Terry played bass guitar and Maurice was the band roadie, running the dances. Background music for the reunion day was all well known songs that were released in 1964.
Neil Adams (Tauranga) and Garth Fawcett (Walton) recall their primary school days at Walton at the Matamata College third formers 60th anniversary reunion.
With comments such as ‘we’re having a wonderful time’, ‘this is awesome’, ‘it’s so great to catch up’, and ‘I’m really glad I came’, thoughts are already turning to the next reunion. Rangi Douglas (Winiata), Matamata, commented that, “When you see a face, all the memories come flooding back. They help to fill your bucket”: an apt summation of the day.
Maurice Williamson (Auckland). The t-shirt says it all! “Made in 1951”. The Matamata College third formers 60th anniversary reunion.
