Catholic Education, Diocese of Cairns

Queensland, Australia

(07) 4050 9700
  • Home
  • About
    • Catholic Education in the Cairns Diocese
    • The Catholic School Difference
    • History
    • Bishop’s Message
    • Executive Director’s Welcome
    • Reconciliation
    • Vision, Logo and Motto
    • Strategic Directions
    • Church Structure and Governance
    • Catholic Education Services
    • Funding
    • Policies, Directives and Guidelines
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Conduct, Complaints & Grievances
    • Safeguarding Children
    • Links
  • Our Schools
    • Search Catholic Schools in the Cairns Region
    • Newman Catholic College
    • Outside School Hours Care
    • 2021 School Annual Reports
  • Enrolling
    • Mythbusting FAQs
    • Who can Enrol?
    • Apply to Enrol
    • Fees and Discounts
    • Starting Prep
    • Early Learning & Care
  • Your Education
    • Religious Education
    • Curriculum
    • Contemporary Learning
    • Assessment and Reporting
    • Languages
    • Vocational Education & Training (VET)
    • Diverse Learners
      • Enrolment Support and Transitions
      • Students with Disability – Education Adjustment Program
      • Planning for Students
      • Specialist & Support Services
        • Cairns Catholic and Independent Schools Therapy (ACCIST)
      • Therapy and Disability Awareness
      • Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)
      • Gifted and Talented
      • English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D)
    • International Education
    • First Nations Peoples
    • Resource Centre
    • Continuity of Learning
  • Our School Communities
    • School Boards and P&F Executives
      • Constitutions
      • Formation Readings
      • The modern Catholic school
      • Formation Videos
      • Code of Ethics
      • Templates
      • Grants
      • Prayers for Meetings
    • Information for Parents
      • Term Dates and Pupil-Free Days
      • Scholarships and Bursaries
      • School Transport Assistance
      • Student Care Insurance
    • The Reading Room
      • Raise Magazine
      • Links to best practice in parent engagement
      • Student Health and Wellbeing
        • A modern Catholic guide to the mass media
      • Ideas for the modern Catholic school
      • Inclusive Education
    • Parent Engagement
      • Parent Involvement at School
      • School boards and P&Fs
      • Parent engagement in student learning at home
      • Getting ready for Prep
      • Volunteer Training
    • Catholic Faith Perspectives
      • The modern Catholic school and religious education
      • Information for non-Catholics
      • Reflections on Faith and the Catholic School
        • Readings and commentary
        • Prayers and Reflections
          • Prayers and Reflections 2021
          • Prayers and Reflections 2020
        • Pope Francis
    • Education Updates
  • Careers
  • News & Events
    • Media & Communications
    • Critical Incidents & School Closures
    • Coronavirus COVID-19
      • Coronavirus COVID-19 Archived Updates and Advices
      • Coronavirus COVID-19 Resources
    • Raise Magazine
    • Latest News
    • Catholic Education Week
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Details
    • How to make a complaint
Home > Latest News > Saints Boys Reunite After 30 Years
post

Saints Boys Reunite After 30 Years

23/10/2019 By Stephanie Meekings

The St Augustine’s College class of ’89 gathered on the weekend for an emotional, all-boys school reunion. Despite the 30 years that have passed since graduation, it was the first reunion for the cohort and one of the biggest 30th school reunions ever held at St Augustine’s College, Cairns. 

The St Augustine’s College, Cairns class of ’89.

“The class of ’89 were a very close bunch so it was a very special and emotional day,” tells former student Brett Goodman-Jones, who helped to organise the reunion with four of his former school mates. “We had 77 fellas come, many of whom haven’t seen each other since 1989.” 

Of these 77 former students, 30 flew in from around the country and even overseas to attend the special event, which also attracted nine of the students’ former teachers and the Year Master for Year 11 and 12, Mr Czek Kersevani. 

“Many of us had tears in our eyes as our old teachers were brought out one-by-one in a game of ‘guess the voice’,” tells Brett. “There were many hugs and smiles as old friendships reignited, and everyone was careful to include the guys who were quiet at school or may have felt like they didn’t belong. One guy wasn’t going to come because he didn’t think many would remember him, but later said he felt so welcome and would remember the night forever.”  

Two of the attendees on the day came out of hospital for the event, including one former student who is currently being treated for throat cancer. “The day was very uplifting for both of these men, as it was for us all,” Brett added.  

The ’89 cohort was the first to study film and TV in Year 11 and 12 and Brett, who is now a video editor, used old photos and video footage to produce a video that was screened on the night. 

The first reunion in 30 years for the class of ’89.

“The final four minutes of the video was a montage of photos that were handed to us by the school to include in the video. Throughout that sequence, everyone was very quiet in the room. Everyone was speechless, looking back on never-before-seen photos,” tells Brett. “Robbie O’Kane said two days after the event, his head was still spinning from seeing photos of himself from 30 years ago that were new to him.” 

Adding to the emotion on the day, the class of ’89 also acknowledged those who were no longer with them, including former student Clayton Adam, whose death last year from cancer inspired the boys to organise the reunion. 

“The class of ’89 will continue to work with St Augustine’s College to honour Clayton, who dedicated his life to helping children with spinal deformity and disorders. The school specially created a plaque to present to us as an example of what they may be able to do for Clayton once their new science block has been built,” tells Brett, who said the boys have made a vow to be there for one another after the reunion.   

“We all embraced as one that day. No groups, no clicks, no colour, no judgment, just a heap of different men with one thing we share in common: we are the class of ’89. Cool guys were hugging the quiet blokes, the toughies were softies, the quiet ones came out of their shells, we sang our old war cries, and the laughter was like fireworks all night long.” 

Find out more about St Augustine’s College, Cairns.  

Back

Filed Under: Latest News

Latest News

  • Principal Profile: Narelle Hunt, Mount St Bernard College, Herberton
  • Future-Proofing Teaching in the Far North 
  • Stage Two of State-of-the-Art Catholic College Underway
  • Staff Spotlight: Shana Backshall on Changing Careers
  • CES Farewells Lifelong Contributor
  • Principal Profile: Ruth Mallon, Mother of Good Counsel School, North Cairns
  • Novel Idea: Students Share Love of Books
  • Staff Spotlight: Shannon Grantley, Highly Accomplished Teacher
  • Principal Profile: Glen Seivers, St Augustine’s College, Parramatta Park
  • Official Opening of Cairns’ Newest Catholic College
Policies Safeguarding Children Conduct, Complaints & Grievances

Enrolling

  • The Catholic School Difference
  • Our Schools
  • Search Catholic Schools in the Cairns Region
  • Who can Enrol?
  • Apply to Enrol
  • Fees and Discounts
  • Scholarships and Bursaries

For Parents

  • Term Dates and Pupil-Free Days
  • Parent Engagement
  • School Boards and P&F Executives
  • The Reading Room
  • Critical Incidents & School Closures
  • School Transport Assistance
  • Student Care Insurance
  • Federation of Parents & Friends Associations
  • Cairns Diocesan P&F Council

Quick Links

  • Links
  • Resource Centre

Staff Links

  • Staff Portal
  • Staff Email
  • School CMS
  • Help Desk
NCSS
  • Aboriginal Flag
  • Torres Strait flag
  • We acknowledge the First Nations peoples of Australia, the traditional custodians of the land, seas, skies and waterways on which we reside, work, travel and meet. We pay our respect to First Nations elders past, present, and emerging, and support the Uluru Statement From The Heart. We acknowledge that the land, seas, skies and waterways of Australia were, are and always will be, that of the First Nations peoples.

Copyright © 2023 Catholic Education, Diocese of Cairns | Log in | Copyright | Privacy | Web Disclaimer | Conditions of Use

Join Us!

(07) 4050 9700