1984

We were fortunate that many people were able to juggle their travel plans to take in the event. Amongst the long-distance travellers were Steve Gilmore from the UK, Shelley Shaddock (nee Teakle) from the US, Kathryn Davis and Serena Blumann from NZ, and Alan Hillier from Tahiti. Interstaters included Mike Bascombe, Dave Osborn, Andrew Coffey, and Cameron Mortlock from Karratha (as good as interstate). Many others had to send their best wishes and have promised to make it to the 30 year bash.

On the Sunday a very well catered for barbecue was held on the vet school grounds for families. Someone cleverly thought of bringing in a child entertainer which meant that little ones were well looked after and there was more time for serious chit-chat, or not, depending on one’s level of maturity on the previous night. John Yovich took interested parties on a tour of the veterinary school, which made us all feel a little out of date. It was here, too, that Kim Nairn launched his compilation of everyone’s 20 year history, which we’d been encouraged (or were there threats involved?) to send in before the big day. This was a great way to get news from people who hadn’t been able to make the day.

The event would not have been anywhere near as successful without the incredible organisational skills of Nathan Giles and staff from the university’s Office of Corporate and Public Relations, from Maryanne Culliver and Moya Liland from the Continuing Veterinary Education Veterinary Trust who spent many hours tracking down people through overseas veterinary registers and all sorts of internet search engines, and from the Alumni which generously subsidised the event. I’m sure there are always mixed emotions with any reunion, but I think everyone who came was pleased with the opportunity to rekindle old friendships and maybe even spark up some new ones.

Even if you can't make the day, your contact details and a few lines about what you are up to will mean you can keep in touch.