Neil’s comments and next reunion

Thank you.

I wanted to say a bit more at the night but my son’s Karaoke machine, which manages to blast our play room was a bit limited with so many people. (Jenny and I will just have to enjoy singing Bye Bye Birdie Karaoke at home).

After all the work, emails, phone calls, searching and admin behind the scenes I have to tell you it was worth it. The reason is because relationships are important and all too easy to forget. As this year started I knew I would regret it if I didn’t at least try to see if a reunion could be arranged. I aim to live a life without regrets so am thrilled it came together, and amazed at the response.

Thank you to Nyrie McDonald and Melissa Murray for arranging the 10 year reunion. Thanks to Kathy Baker for talking to me on that night because without it this 20 year reunion may not have happened.

My goal was not so much for the night but to simply give people an excuse, and a reminder to reconnect. I am thrilled that this has happened, even for people who could not attend the functions. For most of you your reunion was just four hours on one night. For me I have had the great benefit of spreading it over several months and catching up with so many people – including many of my own friends who couldn’t attend.

On Sunday morning a few hours after the reunion I took my two daughters to church at 8.00am. (Jenny and my son were in bed after vomiting through the night – which is why Jenny disappeared early in the night). In church I felt extremely grateful for my life, my family, my friends, having a home on the Northern Beaches, and the positive impact that my years at school had – not just finding my wife!! I am grateful also that Wes Dart and I continue to meet for an hour one morning a week to talk, walk and pray. We have done that at least 45 times a year since we left school.

As I saw many of you I was reminded again of some of the decisions I made during my time at school. Let me tell you a story about a significant weekend way back in October of 1984.

Friday night: For six months I had worked very hard to make the most of our Young Achievers company. As a result of this company I decided not to be an architect and study business. I was the Managing Director with Debbie Moers, James Rutherford, Robert Campbell, Miles Rooke, Wes Dart and other students from Killarney and Davidson. The Friday night was our end of year celebration. Many people got drunk and I actually had a completely miserable time.

Saturday night: I went to the Year 11 formal with Jenny Long and sat at a table of Christians. We had a such a fun night and there was no alcohol in sight.

Sunday night: I went to church with Wes Dart and Rodney Davidson. I didn't understand it all, but that night I invited Jesus into my life. Whatever these Christians had I wanted.

It has been in church that I receive ongoing education about life – how to give and receive forgiveness, to not be a spectator in life, to be grateful and generous, build a strong marriage, and how to raise children. It is the sort of stuff I never learned in all my years in the classroom. (My church for the past 20 years is Christian City Church Oxford Falls. Check it out at www.ccc.org.au or set the video recorder for Channel 10, 5.30am Saturdays. For those with kids Wes Dart runs a brilliant 10 week course on parenting called Childwise. It is highly practical and a course that is taught around the world http://www.bridgeway.cc/).

On the reunion night I was also reminded of fun times, acts of friendship, and acts of cruelty – the pain of which, even 20 years later kept at least one person away. We would hope that 20 years would heal hurts, but for some being contacted has opened old wounds. Another person expressed new admiration for those students who had the confidence in school to be themselves and not just fit the mould.

Mr Duck Chong was a big hit. I am SO grateful he came, appreciate his encouragement, and that he was willing to come to a hotel of all places! (In his words it was a "It was a truly memorable and magnificent night").

I was also encouraged that many people developed their giftings during school years. Khalil Abdallah, Louise Ramsay, Fatima De Assis, Kristina Hjorth and Graham Hilgendorf all now earn their living from music. Angela Leith and Tania Wursig are artists. Many who did Enginering Science with me are architects and engineers.

So will there be another reunion? No promises, but judging by the response this year I think it is a pretty safe bet. 20 years ago we sang Auld Lang Syne “should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind”. The real reunions are now up to you. Have some friends over for dinner, meet in a park with the kids, make a phone call or send an email. Make use of http://www.aussieschoolmates.com.au/ so that those who want to contact you can. (See some photos from the 30 year reunion from the class of 1975 at http://members.optusnet.com.au/~foresthighreunion/photo_gallery.htm)

If I do not have a postal address for you PLUS your parents or sibling, PLUS which other students you are in touch with to help track you down in five or ten years, please send an email to reunion@gdaymate.com.au today.

Put Saturday 13th November 2010 and Saturday 14th November 2015 in your diary just in case!! See you then– if not before.

Phew – aren’t you glad now the microphone didn’t work :)