55th school reunion

 For the last 15 years, ever since our 40th anniversary school reunion, I have organised an annual school reunion of my 1965 Leaving Certificate class.

There were about 140 girls in my year. Five years ago for our 50th we put together a small working group to organise the 50th extravaganza. We also had a second team of 16 'researchers'. We gave each of them a portfolio of girls to find. No easy task after 50 years when most of them had changed their surnames. They did a remarkable job and perhaps we should write a book about how they did it. Anyway, we found 114 of them scattered all over Australia and 84 of them travelled from all over the place for a joyous reunion full of warmth, affection and laughter. We even found six of our teachers.

Since then there's usually about 30 or so who get together for an informal lunch each year. Not always the same 30 - just whoever is able to make it. Then came Covid-19. Well, you can't keep good women down. This year we took to Zoom and it worked really well.

The girls are always pleased to catch up with each other. There's a strong bond there. I sometimes wonder if it's because we lived through puberty together. That is, we've seen each other at our worst and we all survived it.

Why is it my job? Well, I was the Head Girl and they frequently remind me - "Smithy, once a Head Girl, always a Head Girl - so it's your job!!"