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CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON 2009

A small but cheery group of St Faiths past pupils gathered at The Cambridge last week for their Christmas Luncheon. Photographs and details of the recent SFS, reunion in Clermont were shared and discussed. The loyalty, camaraderie and friendship developed between students, whether primary or high school, is second to none. This bond of sisterhood is cherished by them all, and some friendships have remained close for more than 50 years.

Edna Hill and Dell Peters exchange Christmas Greetings Rae Ross, who was not only a student but also a teacher at St Faiths, and Yvonne Llewellyn, both of Rockhampton, enjoyed lunch at The Cambridge
Edna Hill and Dell Peters exchange Christmas Greetings Rae Ross, who was not only a student but also a teacher at St Faiths, and Yvonne Llewellyn, both of Rockhampton, enjoyed lunch at The Cambridge
Betty Spring (left) travelled from Clermont especially for the day and shares some Christmas Cheer with Alison Briggs of Rockhampton. Betty was the organiser of the recent SFS reunion in Clermont Betty Rixon (Left), secretary of SFS local domicile committee, Sharyn Frisch (Right) roll keeper, and Jill Ruig all enjoyed themselves at the get-together
Betty Spring (left) travelled from Clermont especially for the day and shares some Christmas Cheer with Alison Briggs of Rockhampton. Betty was the organiser of the recent SFS reunion in Clermont Betty Rixon (Left), secretary of SFS local domicile committee, Sharyn Frisch (Right) roll keeper, and Jill Ruig all enjoyed themselves at the get-together

CLERMONT REUNION 2009 - 3rd & 4th OCTOBER

On the recent traditional St Faith's Day, over 60 past pupils of the former St Faith's School, Yeppoon, gathered at the Blair Athol Centre, Clermont, for a wonderful weekend of reminiscing. This year's organiser, Betty Spring, and her band of helpers did a wonderful job organising the weekend and ensuring that the participants were accommodated, fed and entertained in the best fashion. At registration each participant was given a beautiful handkerchief embroidered with "SFS" and a bottle of Golden Whiskey Marmalade as mementos of the reunion. Morning tea and lots of excited discussion followed. For a couple of ladies it was their first reunion in 40 years! An informal meeting took place during morning tea and after lunch the ladies were taken on a most interesting and informative tour of the Blair Athol Mine.

Dinner was served at the Centre where the participants thoroughly enjoyed hearing Guest Speaker Beryl Dyer, a past pupil from Pine Hill, near Alpha. Beryl spoke of her life experiences as a "bushy", from childhood to motherhood and her recent involvement in local politics. She presented a most entertaining insight into an interesting life. A multi-draw raffle ensured that most participants returned home with an additional memento. Pride of place at the dinner was taken by a truly beautiful cake that had been baked by Betty Rixon and iced by Betty Spring. The cake was in the shape of a suitcase and overnight bag, suitably labelled "Yeppoon to Clermont". Table decorations took the form of wheat sheaves and train engines all tagged with the relevant whistlestops from where the girls once travelled to school. These whistlestops included Alpha, Springsure, Capella, Wowan and Blackall. The evening was complete when the cake was cut by Ina Kirby (St Faiths 1937-39) from Brisbane and Hope Heelan (St Faiths 1936-38) from Rockhampton.

Sunday's gathering was heralded by a Service conducted by Bishop Alf Chipman at All Saints Memorial Church where past pupil Marion Cullen from Toowoomba and her husband Merv, renewed their wedding vows. They were married 50 years ago in this same church and their vows were read from the same handwritten page they had used all those years before. Many ladies returned to the Blair Athol Centre for brunch before saying "Goodbye, see you next year in Longreach!"

Photos

  1. Two of the oldest past pupils to attend, Hope Heelan of Rockhampton (left) and Ina Kirby from Brisbane, cutting the cake.
  2. Front Row, Mavis Griffiths and Daphne Clews both of Mackay with Elspeth McKenzie from Boondall (standing).
  3. Merv and Marion Cullen of Toowoomba renewing their vows to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Marion's sister, Estelle Baccon of Clermont and also a St Faiths Past Pupil, is looking on.
  4. Christine Farr, Marlborough, Sharyn Frisch, Rockhampton and Lynne Fritz, Emerald travelled together to Clermont to enjoy the celebrations.
  5. Dot and Ron Hyslop from Yeppoon enjoying the dinner on Saturday night.
  6. Front Row -Guest Speaker Beryl Dyer, Pine Hill, Dell Stephensen, Townsville, Jan Rodgers, Mittagong, NSW, and back row Dawn Robinson, Wulguru, and Sheila Stack, Bribie Island, renewed friendships.
  7. Jenny Cruickshank, Clermont, Shona Rosser, Mackay and head girl in the closing year, and Betty Carrige also from Mackay at the dinner on Saturday evening.
  8. Back row: Christine Farr, Marlborough, Delwyn McNeill, Mackay, and Estelle Baccon, Clermont, Front Row: Judy Stephenson, Helensvale, Bev Olive, Alice Springs, Penny Purkis, Forest Lake and Yvonne Caton, Clermont, were all at school together in the early 60's.
  9. This year's organiser, Betty Spring of Clermont and Rae Ross of Rockhampton, with the Crick House and Halford House banners.
  10. Sisters Jean Lawson and Gladys Ford travelled from Bundaberg for the reunion.
  11. Sisters Sheila Stack (left) and Yvonne Powell from Bribie Island and Ball Bay respectively, made the trek to Clermont for the reunion.
 1. Two of the oldest past pupils to attend, Hope Heelan of Rockhampton (left) and Ina Kirby from Brisbane, cutting the cake.  2. Front Row, Mavis Griffiths and Daphne Clews both of Mackay with Elspeth McKenzie from Boondall (standing).  3. Merv and Marion Cullen of Toowoomba renewing their vows to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Marion’s sister, Estelle Baccon of Clermont and also a St Faiths Past Pupil, is looking on.
 4. Christine Farr, Marlborough, Sharyn Frisch, Rockhampton and Lynne Fritz, Emerald travelled together to Clermont to enjoy the celebrations.  5. Dot and Ron Hyslop from Yeppoon enjoying the dinner on Saturday night.  6. Front Row -Guest Speaker Beryl Dyer, Pine Hill, Dell Stephensen, Townsville, Jan Rodgers, Mittagong, NSW, and back row Dawn Robinson, Wulguru, and Sheila Stack, Bribie Island, renewed friendships.
 7. Jenny Cruickshank, Clermont, Shona Rosser, Mackay and head girl in the closing year, and Betty Carrige also from Mackay at the dinner on Saturday evening.  8. Back row: Christine Farr, Marlborough, Delwyn McNeill, Mackay, and Estelle Baccon, Clermont, Front Row: Judy Stephenson, Helensvale, Bev Olive, Alice Springs, Penny Purkis, Forest Lake and Yvonne Caton, Clermont, were all at school together in the early 60's.  9. This year’s organiser, Betty Spring of Clermont and Rae Ross of Rockhampton, with the Crick House and Halford House banners.
10. Sisters Jean Lawson and Gladys Ford travelled from Bundaberg for the reunion. 11. Sisters Sheila Stack (left) and Yvonne Powell from Bribie Island and Ball Bay respectively, made the trek to Clermont for the reunion.  

SHOW DAY LUNCHEON 2009

On Wednesday 3rd June a group of 14 ladies gathered at the Cambridge Hotel in Rockhampton for their annual St Faith's Past Pupils get together. A very tasty lunch was enjoyed and many past memories of school days were discussed. Those attending were Yvonne Llewellyn (Lawrence), Jenny Elliot (Hannah), Kay Smith (Anderson), Alison McKenzie, Pat Bauman (Bell), Margaret Kavanagh (Fryer), Alison Briggs (Marshall), Hope Heelan (Hewitt), Joyce Lawrie (Dyer), Jill Ruig (McDonald), Sharyn Frish (Mellenson), Edna Hill, and Betty Rixon (Lawless-Pyne).

Yvonne Llewellyn, Jenny Elliot, Kay Smith   Alison McKenzie, Pat Bauman   Margaret Kavanagh, Alison Briggs, Dell Peters
Hope Heelan, Joyce Laurie   Jill Ruig, Betty Rixon, Edna Hill   Jill Ruig, Sharyn Frisch, Betty Rixon

DEIRDRE MORRISH VISITS LONGREACH

During May Deirdre visited relatives in Longreach and caught up with some Past Pupils who have a wonderful collection of memorabilia and are preparing it for the 2010 reunion. Pam Anderson (Stieglitz) has volunteered to dress a doll in the uniform valid during her years 1955-57, blazer, red striped dress and fittings. Pam's work is incredible, with everything handmade and crafted.

Group Photo is back left, Shirley Ross (Watts), back centre Pam Anderson, back right Joy King, front left Patty (Watts), front centre Deirdre Morrish, front right Judy Sedgewick (McIntyre).

Photo of two people is Jill O'Brien (Owens) and Deirdre Morrish.

Shirley Ross (Watts), Pam Anderson, Joy King, Patty (Watts), Deirdre Morrish, Judy Sedgewick (McIntyre)   Jill O'Brien (Owens) and Deirdre Morrish

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Upcoming Events

⇒ Toowoomba's SFS Past Pupils meet for Lunch on the Last Thursday of each month at Two Birds Café in Toowoomba.

⇒ Mackay's SFS Past Pupils meet on the last Sunday in July each year. Contact Shona Rosser for details. (See Contacts section on front page)

If anyone has details of upcoming event which they would like included, please contact the secretary, Betty Rixon, whose contact details can be found on the first page of this website.

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Upcoming Reunions

Longreach 2010

Date: 2nd & 3rd October 2010
Contact: Joy King
Phone: (07) 4958 0082
Fax: (07) 4658 0230
Email: kinggully@bigpond.com
Further Details: We are organizing a bus to go from Rockhampton to Longreach, departing Rockhampton on Friday 1st October and return on Monday 4th October. This bus can be timed to connect with the bus from Mackay in Emerald. Costs not available at present, but will be decided by the number of people travelling. Please contact either Dot Svendsen or Betty Rixon as soon as possible, if you are interested. Phone numbers and email addresses listed on page 1 of this website.

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