Down memory lane at Capricornia College reunion
Published on 25 June, 2009
Around 200 graduates and former and current staff walked down memory lane when they attended Saturday's (June 20) 40th anniversary reunion dinner at the Capricornia College, on CQUniversity Rockhampton Campus.
Some travelled from interstate and many came from throughout Queensland. A vibrant and light-hearted atmosphere prevailed as acquaintances were renewed. Some friendships had been forged decades earlier.
Long-serving College manager Robyn James received flowers
LINK here for some College memories on video
LINK here for ‘College romance started on cue'
Graduates encouraged to LINK here to ‘keep in touch'
A few themes emerged in conversations .... the lifelong friendships, the crazy antics, the favourite foods (including Milo and red jelly) and the caring staff members.
Paul Cochrane, now a TV sports reporter based in Sydney, helped to fuel the mirth with big-screen presentations of photos and videos. These presentations were complemented by a memorabilia display collated by Belinda Loakes and a video slideshow by Peter Lawrence.
Noted guests included original resident Philip Procopis, who recalled that the first cohort of residents were offered jobs helping to finish off the construction.
Tegan Hope (now at Blue Care in Gladstone) and Angela Holm (now a teacher at Whitsunday Anglican)
Long-serving College manager Robyn James had to cope with a flood of memories at a time when she is also planning her semi-retirement.
Vice-Chancellor John Rickard spoke highly of Robyn's achievements in caring for residents, upon presenting her with flowers.
Professor Rickard said the active involvement of alumni was critical to the prosperous future of the College.
"I am particularly grateful to Paul Cochrane, Richard Jones and Jodie O'Brien who, I'm told, deserve special mention," he said.
Chancellor Rennie Fritschy informed guests about the amazing efforts in the 1960s of the then Mayor Rex Pilbeam and his door-knocking fundraisers, who raised $400,000 from the Rockhampton community to establish the College (a huge amount in those days). Mr Fritschy also congratulated College staff members on setting high standards over the years.
"Its (the College) existence has meant that students from Central Queensland have been able to acquire a tertiary education not too far from home, and also that our region has been opened up to students from across Australia and the world.
"... I'd like to acknowledge the staff of the College and the University who over the decades, have dedicated themselves to supporting and nurturing our students so they could be who they want to be.
"It must be very satisfying for you to know that your students valued their experience enough for so many of them to want to be here tonight despite the passage of time and tyrannies of distance."
Suzi Blair, from our Office of Development and Graduate Relations, said the dinner was the University's official celebration of the anniversary and was a collaboration between staff at the University, college and alumni. It was part of part of a program of events held over the weekend, organised by alumni.
Original resident Philip Procopis, now a senior manager at University of Queensland 
Paul Cochrane, a key organiser of the reunion, is now a TV sports reporter based in Sydney 
Cheryl Mills, Karen Yellowley and Lara Saxby 
Gladstone Campus researcher Christel Catuogno and graduate Paul Hannah, who runs an industry consultancy based at the PELM Centre in Gladstone 
Former business lecturer Harvey Griggs and graduate Glen Richardson, who is now a Development Officer for Queensland Touch 
Nadine Pidgeon (now a teacher at Boyne Island) and Clare McNamara (now at the Dept of Communities in Brisbane)