Members of Class of 1973 gather for annual get-together

June 12, 2024

This year’s group gathering at Port Campbell involving members of the Class of 1973, including, at rear from left; Bernie Altmann, Mark McCombe, Shane Wilkinson, Patrick Timmons, Marcus Carli, Michael Hickey, John Jess. Middle row, from left; Phillip Younis, Greg Butler, Paul Krelle, Neil Livingston and at front; John Nicholls.

A three-day get-together at Port Campbell has become a highly-anticipated date on the calendar every year for a group of Old Boys from the Class of 1973.

Playing golf at Port Campbell.

The annual event includes the Warrnambool races, golf at Peterborough, dinners out and a barbecue in, as well as much reminiscing and many laughs.

Beginning in 2017, our host and accommodation organiser Phillip “Fuzz” Younis (SPC 1970-73) has been most generous in facilitating the gathering.

This year two houses side-by-side were rented by the group looking out the magnificent ocean and skyline. Fuzz is very much a local identity having served on the CFA, State Emergency Service and Surf Lifesaving. He heroically survived a tragic rescue on Easter Sunday in 2019 where a father and son crew members lost their lives.

This year’s group gathering at Port Campbell involving members of the Class of 1973, included Old Collegians Bernie Altmann (SPC 1970-73), Mark McCombe (SPC 1969-73), Shane Wilkinson (SPC 1968-73), Patrick Timmons (SPC 1968-73), Marcus Carli (SPC 1968-73), Michael Hickey (SPC 1972-73), John Jess (SPC 1968-73), Phillip “Fuzz” Younis (SPC 1970-73), Greg Butler (SPC 1968-73), Paul Krelle (SPC 1970-73), Neil Livingston (SPC 1971-73) and John Nicholls (SPC 1971-73).

Some have attended every year and some this year for the first time. Marcus is the first ‘day rat’ to attend and is now an honorary boarder!

The group were reflecting on how this gathering got started. It seems some of the group were at a 1st XV111 reunion at the College in 2015 or 2016 and a couple thought it would be great to catch up with Fuzz in Port Campbell and “things happened from there”.

John Nicholls, like everyone else, looks forward to the get-togethers.

We feel so very blessed to have connected at St Pat’s over 50 years ago and been able to forge lifelong friendships.

Guys come from far and wide and we look forward to the next chapter. Next year’s gathering will include our 70th birthday celebrations.

– Thanks to John Nicholls for his help with this story