Community & Business
19 June, 2024
Class reunion celebrates lifelong friendships for ‘Millaamates’
A GROUP of 17 former classmates demonstrated that “it’s not where you live, but what lives in you” when they reunited for a unique class reunion recently.
The past pupils, who call themselves the “Millaamates”, came from as far away as Perth, Toowoomba, Townsville, Innisfail, Cairns as well as from across the Tablelands.
Former pupil Margaret Tranter-Webb said the reunion signified the enduring bond of the class and friendships which were timeless.
“It will be exactly 70 years this year since we started school in 1954,” Margaret said.
“Everyone has very fond memories of their time at Millaa Millaa State School. It means a lot to them.”
Reflecting on her primary school life, Margaret recalled that class sizes were large and varied from between 26 to 37 pupils, with an average class size of 30.
Town children went home for lunch, farm children came to school in old cattle trucks or rode horses to meet the bus as it travelled along the few well-made roads.
Prior to their first ever reunion, Margaret reached out to classmates, inviting them to share their memories and personal experiences of their school days, which were subsequently compiled into a book.
The publication, titled “The Old School Bell's a'Ringin: Recollections from Millaa Millaa State School, 1954-1961”, provided a unique insight into the bygone era of the classmates.
“We have had a number of reunions over the years, the first being in 2004, the 50th anniversary of our beginning school in Year 1 at Millaa Millaa State School,” Margaret said.
“Our first teacher was Miss Marjorie Kelley, who later became an aunt to three of the class when she married Red Daley.”
During the weekend, classmates and their partners attended a luncheon after visiting the Millaa Millaa State School and being reminded of lessons learnt, games played and friendships initiated.
The Tolga Hotel was the venue for the evening meal when another classmate, Jenny Kneubhler (Little) was able to join the group.
Goodbyes were finally said at a brunch, held at Lyn Daley’s (Bunyan) home at Carrington on Sunday.
“The highlight was definitely just being together, reminiscing about schooling 70 years ago, and astonishment that friendships had survived for such a long period even though everyone had travelled different paths,” Margaret said.
“Another highlight, of course, was having one of our former teachers, Denise Burke, there with us to celebrate.”
