They have pursued careers in a range of industries and now live all over Australia and even overseas, but friendships forged more than 50 years ago remain as strong as ever for this group of UNE graduates.
Gerry Fogarty, now an Emeritus Professor at the University of Southern Queensland, kindly shared this photograph of the latest gathering of the group, who first crossed paths in the late 1960s and early 1970s while living at St Albert’s, Mary White and Duval colleges. Seven of the couples went on to tie the knot and every two to three years about 20-30 individuals gather.
This year, the reunion brought them back to where it all began, with the friends meeting in Armidale and at nearby Black Mountain, the second home of Andrew Macpherson and Judi Ward. In 2016, a smaller party travelled to Andrew and Judi’s first home in Harare, Zimbabwe.
“We’ve kept pretty close and have had reunions all over,” said Gerry, who studied psychology at UNE from 1969-73. “Thirteen of the men were foundation members of Albies and instrumental in establishing its rugby club. We’ve gone on to work in sectors ranging from agriculture and research to education and commerce, with our group including farmers, geologists, school principals, business owners, academics and accountants.
“Most are now retired, and each time someone puts their hand up to organise the next get-together. We’ve been fortunate to have had some good organisers and that people are prepared to make the effort to maintain the connections.”
This time around the New England reunion included a golf game, meals together, and a visit to Dangar Falls and Hillgrove.
“Revisiting those places we went to as students reminded me just how spectacular some of that New England country is,” Gerry said. “Back when we were students, they were just places we shared a keg. It was fantastic to once catch up again and reminisce.”
