Old Eastbournian
ES and OE get-togethers
Gatherings across the world
Following in the footsteps of David Winn and David Stewart, Emma Garrett headed to Australia in February 2024. She writes: Thanks to the rather conveniently timed wedding of my goddaughter, I was Sydney-bound and so very soon plans took shape to reconnect with some of our antipodean friends during my visit. While a drinks reception and dinner were the ‘official’ events of this trip, there was also a lot of reconnecting with those unable to join us for these occasions which has been wonderful.
Events in Sydney
On Sunday 25 February Mary Butler (Nugent 1984–86), Jamie Nicholson (Blackwater 1981- 86), Jonathan Winchester (Craig 1980–85) and I met at Manly Pavilion which was a very special reconnection of old friends after many years.
Mary, Jamie, Emma and Jonathan
Later in the week Emma caught up with Kim Deshayes, who was development director at the College between 2005 and 2008, and his wife Alison (née Townley) (Nugent 1970-72) in Sydney’s botanical gardens.
On Tuesday 27 February , a group of 30 Eastbournian Society members with an age range between 18 and 80 gathered in the magnificent Cranbrook School overlooking Sydney on a balmy summer evening. Michael Brown, head of classics 1977–84, was present, as was Matt Banes, another former teacher at Eastbourne (2006–15) who is now head of boarding at Cranbrook. In my short talk, I paid tribute to longstanding Sydney OE rep Sam Miller (School House 1960–65) and to Mary Butler who have been instrumental in pulling the group back together after a slight Covid-induced hiatus.
On Friday 8 March , the final Sydney event was held at Bentley restaurant. James Muirhead (Gonville 1991–96) told us that OEs in Australia ‘remain connected with strong links to the College and cherish our memories of that time.’ He continued: ‘This was illustrated by each of the alumni who spoke passionately during the evening, with very heartfelt messages. It was a pleasure to meet Philip Spanton (School 1972–77) and to hear him talk about how his time at Eastbourne helped lead to his own success in business and in life. He joined the prep school at the age of 7 years and learnt from a very young age the importance of hard work, integrity, and ambition. Tom Holden (Wargrave 1946–49), who travelled down from Buderim in Queensland, spoke of his time being taught
at the school just after the Second World War, and how he then moved to Western Australia with his family and joined the Royal Australian Navy. Emma Garrett commented on how enjoyable her visit to Australia had been, making many new friends and re-acquainting herself with old ones. She spoke of the Blue Sky Bursaries Appeal which will support talented children who otherwise would not be able to have the education from which the OEs in the room had benefited. There was much interest from the group in perhaps joining together to help build a pot of money to put towards the Charity’s fundraising ambitions.’
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