It was the year the last man was hanged in Australia, The Duke of Edinburgh toured down under, Aboriginals were first included on the census, we introduced a postcode system, and singer Johnny Farnham first released Sadie (The Cleaning Lady).
The year was 1967.
Inside an East Maitland classroom of what was once the only high school in Australia outside Sydney, a group of girls were studiously undertaking their first year of secondary school.
And while some left the education system in fourth form in 1970, others remained until sixth form, graduating in 1972, but all will wear the idiomatic label of ‘Old Girls’ forever.
Fast forward half a century and half-a-dozen Maitland Girls’ High School Old Girl’s Union members, now aged in their sixties, have formed The Golden Reunion Team and are in the final stages of planning a 50-year anniversary for the 1967 ‘first form’.
Anne Robinson (nee Stephens) is one of the members encouraging former classmates to attend the event on Saturday 12 March from 12pm to 4pm at the East Maitland Golf Club.
“A high school year reunion gives everyone a chance to reconnect with old friends, to remember the fun times in school, and celebrate with people you may not have seen for many years and, sadly, may have lost touch with,” she says.
“Many Maitland Girls High School students who started high school in 1967 and left in 1970 or 1972 are getting excited about coming together this year for their Golden Reunion in March.
“Facebook has seen a flurry of activity from ex-students who will meet at East Maitland Golf Club for lunch and are now communicating from all areas across NSW. People who have moved far away are now hoping they will be able to make travel plans to attend, despite the current COVID-19 restrictions.”
Mrs Osborne, formerly Miss Moore, was not only a school prefect ‘back in the day’ but also became a careers advisor on the teaching staff, a role she held from 1990 until her retirement in 2017.
“Life takes funny turns,” she said.
“I loved my job. And it was fantastic to be here and help students find their chosen career paths.”
Maitland Girls’ High School was established in 1884 with 17 enrolled students.
“It’s one of the oldest high schools in NSW,” Mrs Osborne said.
In 1987 the school became co-educational, changing its name to Maitland Grossmann High School.
“The name went to and fro because we wanted to keep the initials MGHS,” she added.
“It was named after the longest running principal Miss Grossmann, who served from 1890 to 1913 and although it changed names we kept the motto; Labor, Omnia, Vincit – work conquers all.”
The Maitland Girls’ High School 50 Year Reunion will be held on Saturday 12 March at the East Maitland Golf Club from noon.
The event costs $55 and includes a light lunch.
Contact Lee Osborne on 0412 156 692 for further details.
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