Community
23 August, 2024
Reunion for former CBC students
FORMER students from Warrnambool’s Christian Brother’s College (CBC) are invited to a 50-year reunion later this year.
A group of former students, including David Hudson, Peter Carmen, Chris Earls, Brian O’Keefe and David Earls, are currently planning a special celebration, to be held on Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19 in Warrnambool.
It is anticipated the Friday evening will involve informal drinks and a social get-together while on Saturday the group is planning to hold a morning tour of the Canterbury Road site followed by an evening function at the Lady Bay.
Reflecting on his time at CBC, David Earls recalls the ‘White House’ – one of the buildings on the grounds of the Canterbury Road site.
This was where he and his fellow form one classmates (in 1969) began their secondary education at CBC.
“This building seems to have had a bit of a make-over since then but it would have seen thousands of students pass through its doors over its long history,” Mr Earls said.
“We all crammed into one of its rooms to watch the July 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing on a tiny black and white TV.
“Wooden-lidded desks and a lunchtime boxing match between two boys (refereed by a Christian Brother) also spring to mind. I have many varied memories and events from between 1969 and 1974.”
According to Mr Earls, about 80 students began form one at CBC in 1969 and continued all, or part way, through to their HSC (now referred to as year 12) in 1974.
Between those years over 30 additional boys also joined the initial group at various times.
“All these boys/old blokes are the ones we are seeking to join us for a once-only reunion to remember the days of the old school yard while we still can,” Mr Earls said.
“These people are scattered far and wide (sadly quite a few have passed away) but many still have family connections in Warrnambool and we’re hoping to be able to reconnect in time for the reunion.”
CBC and St. Ann’s College amalgamated in 1991 to form Emmanuel College, and CBC Canterbury Road was adapted to accommodate this change.
“Emmanuel College is evolving to a one campus school and so the old CBC site is set to be decommissioned at the end of the year.
“Emmanuel College plans to hold a ‘Farewell Canterbury Road’ on Wednesday, December 4 to say goodbye so our planned CBC reunion in October takes on a special poignancy. “
Anyone interested in attending the October reunion is encouraged to contact Candice Hampstead (alumni coordinator at Emmanuel College) via email at alumni@emmanuel.vic.gov.au or by phoning 5560 0845.
Further details about the reunion will be distributed closer to the event.
