Monday, 1 October 2007

After spending four years or so in each other’s close company, we keep in touch for a few years then some move interstate, overseas and even to other professions. A handful manage to stay friends over the years. This seems such a waste of the good friendships that are made in the hallowed portals of the undergraduate world and so it is little wonder that, at some point, someone says “We need to get together again”.
Such was the case with those who graduated as Civil Engineers in 1977. The committee of Greg Higham, Eric Hudson-Smith (nee Smith), Mick Rogers and Enzo Biagioni-Froudist (nee Biagioni) got together and enlisted the help of Paul Santillo and Rob Lyons to piece together a list of contacts. Finally we managed to get 25 along to our celebration, held in The University Club on 3 May 2007.

We had apologies from some, including Rob Jewkes who lives in England; Greg Lawrence from Canada; Dave Robinson from Melbourne; Rob Vandenberg from California; and Eng Bang Shuy, Ching Seong Yap and Heng Cheow Tan who are all in Singapore. A few others were out of town and just couldn’t come.

After 30 years, there has been a change in hair colour and density, waist size and facial smoothness but all of us, with the exception of Bob ‘Squizzie’ Taylor, are still alive. The group quickly slotted into that easy chatter that comes from knowing each other so well and our zest for fun is still clearly evident!

As expected after 30 years, we have all done great things. Many of us have gone on to become CEO’s of companies, Principal Engineers, Professors, eminent experts in their fields, people of note in state and local authorities and business owners. It kind of makes one feel old when you see how far all these people you shared lecture theatres with have progressed.

Our Year would like to thank Professor Mark Bush (Dean of the Faculty), Professor Andrew Deeks (Head of the School of Civil and Resource Engineering), Associate Professor Brett Nener (President of EGA) and Deb Bolton (President of UEC) for sharing a pre-dinner drink with us and Quang Ly (Engineering Faculty Development Officer) who did a fantastic job of facilitating the event and was a marvellous help to the organising committee.

We look forward to the next gathering.

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