It's been almost 30 years since Tim Heaney saw all his former classmates at a 1997 reunion and he hopes to see them again to celebrate 50 years since they left Benalla High.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
Former Benalla Boy Tim ‘’Chopper’’ Heaney cannot believe it’s been almost 30 years since he last arranged a reunion for his Benalla High School, form five, class of 1976.
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And is in even more shock when he ponders the fact that makes it half-a-century since he was a student.
“I organised a reunion in 1997, that was 21 years,” Ian said.
That was held in the former Rafferty’s reception centre and saw former students come from far and wide, includig Kewarra Beach, Rockhampton, Byron Bay, Bittern, Sydney, Melbourne, Hamilton, Werribee, Mildura, Tocumwal, Bendigo, Mansfield, Shepparton and Wangaratta.
Benalla High School, Form Five C, pictured in 1976,
Ian thinks his former class might be spread even further across Australia than back then, but hope all his former classmates find out about the upcoming reunion and are willing to travel back to the Rose City once again.
“We’re inviting everyone from the Benalla High School, Year five, class of 1976,” he said.
“Plus, their partners are also welcome.
“We’ll have a display of old photos.
“It’s a great chance for people to chat and catch up.”
As he did in 1997, Ian said he will then do up a little booklet with a spiel on everyone and what they’ve been up to over the past few decades.
“There will be drinks at bar prices, and people can order a meal from the bowls club bistro if they wish,” Ian said.
Reflecting on his time at Benalla High School, he said it was a memorable time.
“There were the cool kids, and the not so cool kids,” he said.
The Benalla High School, form five, reunion held in 1997 at Raffety's reception room.
“A lot came in by bus from smaller towns.
“We loved to shoot hoops after school.
“I remember one of the teachers, Denzel Mortimer, he taught German and science.
“Then there was the principal, Robert Borschmann.
“He was fantastic. A real people’s person. He used to just tell us to call him Bob, and was easy to speak to.
“His son was in our year.
“Then there was Peter Reid, he was a disciplinarian.
“If you crossed him, he’d give you a kick up the bum.
“But, he played footy for Goorambat, and so did I, so I think he let me get away with a bit.”
Ian said he couldn’t wait to reconnect with long-lost classmates and reminisce on all these things.
“If anyone is reading this and knows anyone from Benalla High’s 1976 form five, please let them know about the reunion,” he said.
For more information, you can email ian@heaney.com.au or visit heaney.com.au/
The reunion will take place at the Benalla Bowls Club, on Saturday, November 14 from 6pm.
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