Brisbane, QLD


Saturday, November 27, 2010

ASOPA REUNION SYDNEY 2010

On 12 Nov. we flew to Sydney for a 3 day reunion of the 1962/63 students from The Australian School of Pacific Administration, which is where I studied to be a teacher in Papua/New Guinea. Our first reunion was in 2002 exactly 40 years since we were at the school. That was a fun experience, trying to recognise everyone. Since then we try to get together every few years. It is a little difficult as we are scattered all over Australia and overseas now.
On Friday night we had a meet and greet session at the Mosman Hotel on the northern side of the harbour, it is the suburb where our school was situated.

After dinner we found a coffee shop to continue catching up with everyone. Wendy and I talk families.

On Saturday we met for more chit chat and lunch under this beautiful shady oak tree at The Oaks Hotel in Neutral Bay another northern suburb which was our stomping ground in the 60's as students. Many an anecdote was retold.

Henry is about to enjoy some of the great seafood sold at The Oaks. It was so good to see Henry here as it wasn't long ago since we visited him when he was very sick in hospital.

That evening we joined a Harbour Cruise for dinner.

The food was good, the company great and .......

...the views were spectacular. Well done to the organisers, Rod, (below) Keith and Dave. Unfortunately Dave couldn't attend as he was to have a big operation

On Sunday morning we finished off the reunion with a brunch at Chowder Bay overlooking the harbour. It is right next to the school where we studied but it is no longer ASOPA. After being closed for years and starting to deteriorate, it is now being renovated to be put into use again, but we are not sure what kind of a facility it will be. I'm glad it wasn't bulldozed. I had fun! Soon after this shot our Carol picked us up for a stay at their place.

22 comments:

  1. Diane, it sound slike a great reunion for you and your old school friends. The cruise really sounds like fun. Great photos.

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  2. Great to see you posting Diane. What a super time you had with your old friends and I loved all the photos.

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  3. This sounds as if the reunion was absolutely wonderful. It is always good to renew old acquaintances, especially when it can be done over good food with spectacular views.

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  4. welcome back to blog land. looks like you had a wonderful time. the oak tree is gorgeous. what a beautiful place to have a lazy long lunch. i must say your title photo is spectacular. your photography never ceases to amaze me. gorgeous. :)

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  5. Isn't it wonderful to catch up with people who have been a big part of one's life....everyone looks like they are having a good time.

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  6. I am officially renaming you "my Australian party girl friend." Looks like so much fun. It is wonderful you and Bill have all these great friends to share your life with still.

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  7. Out having fun again. Have you been to the Flinders yet?

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  8. Yes Joan we went after a week in Sydney, posts will follow.

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  9. I hope Henry enjoyed the oysters?
    What's with you and Mrs. Booth?
    Coffee - in wine glasses?????
    Good to learn that you all had a wonderful time.
    Cheers
    Colin

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  10. Reconnecting with old friends is always such great fun! Looks like you had a terrific time!

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  11. Colin we were actually in a restaurant and the glasses were already on the table while we were waiting for the Hot Chocolate.

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  12. Looks like a very happy reunion. You all do well to keep in touch like that over the years!
    The cruise sounds great too.
    Love the title pic :)

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  13. Looks like a good time was had by all - it must be wonderful to have kept in touch for all those years. I sat with a friend under that very tree last year - the Oaks is a great place to catch up.
    Wonderful shot of the Harbour Bridge too.

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  14. How wonderful ! I could never do this. When I left Germany I was only 14 and didn't keep in touch with my classmates. In Brussels I was only 4 years in the German school, but most of them stayed there only one year, being kids of diplomates. I still have one girlfriend who had the same destiny as I, she also followed her parents to Brussels and I know her since 1951 !
    Poor Toby was already "pushed" around in this cold weather ! only one week old. My son is crazy!

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  15. What a wonderful reunion and get together that looks. I'm so glad you had a wonderful time. No wonder you are finding it hard to get into the spirit of "Christmas". Pop back over and see what we go this morning!

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  16. What a fun time it looks like you had. I love that you've been able to keep all your friends for all these years. It doesn't happen all the time.

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  17. Hi diane;) I've wondered where you were, then I remembered you said you'd be at a reunion. Thanks for sharing this lovely occassion with us. Glad you got to see your family as well. Look forward to photos of the little fox. Blessings and hugs. Jo

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  18. This looks like enormous fun. You seem to be one of those people whose friendship circle just keeps on growing. You must have a massive Christmas card list!

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  19. It is great to have such old friends and share your past with them. Last year I had a school reunion too after 43 years and it is amazing to see all those classmates back. I can see you had a lot of fun.

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  20. Fun reunion and perfect ending -- seeing your kids! Glad they didn't destroy the building. It's not good when reminders of good memories get torn down!

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  21. FROM Richard.
    I see Col Huggibear posting on here, Diane and Billy

    Didn't he get to Sydney ?/

    We were in Laos, probably cruising on a 2-day "slow' boat down the Mekong River. Delightful experience.

    No wonder they call the huge Mekong the 'Amazon of Asia'. Had seen the river before of course in Vietnam (2002) and Cambodia @ Phnom Penh in March, 2008.

    But never cruised it.

    Talking of the Sydney reunion, Big Bobby Moose (aka Robert John DAVIS) looks like he has been in a r-e-a-l-l-y great paddock !!

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  22. What a wonderful time you've had, and isn't it grand that you are taking photographs and recording all these fun memories!!!! P.S. Thanks for sharing your lovely bridge image on my blog!

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