The auditorium at the Narrabri RSL Club was packed to capacity on Saturday, March 14 for the St Francis Xavier’s School reunion.

More than 160 people were seated for lunch with former pupils, teachers, parents and friends travelling from near and far to join their local friends in a celebration of times past.

Ann Terbutt (nee Brien) the organise of the event was delighted with the get together.

Ann’s meticulous attention to detail and organisation, “I live by lists,” she said, saw everyone having a wonderful time, catching up, renewing acquaintances and reminiscing.

Mrs Terbutt was ably assisted by her sister Sheryl Barnes and Ellen Gleeson as well as her niece Nicole Barnes and great niece Caitlin Barnes who put the slide show together, a highlight of the day.

Year 6, 1955 - Peter Shiels, Richard Ritter, Trevor Keys, Neville Baguley and Vince Keys. Year 6, 1955: Peter Shiels, Richard Ritter, Trevor Keys, Neville Baguley and Vince Keys.
Sr. Regina McInerney (Sister of Mercy), Sr. Helen Baguley (Sister of Mercy), Sr. Geraldine Leahy (Sister of St Joseph) and Sr. Carmel Drew (Sister of St Joseph). Sr. Regina McInerney (Sister of Mercy), Sr. Helen Baguley (Sister of Mercy), Sr. Geraldine Leahy (Sister of St Joseph) and Sr. Carmel Drew (Sister of St Joseph).
Class of 1966 - Carmel Condon (Graham), Dianne McDonald and Donna Burt (Delaney). Class of 1966 - Carmel Condon (Graham), Dianne McDonald and Donna Burt (Delaney).
Sixth class of 1960, Wayne Young, Audrey Williams (Cooper), Anne Anderson (Wall) and Bill Foster. Sixth class of 1960, Wayne Young, Audrey Williams (Cooper), Anne Anderson (Wall) and Bill Foster.
Sixth class of 1950, Mick Hensley, Allan Wangamnn, Sr Regina McInerney, Bill Gratton and Lex Keys. Sixth class of 1950, Mick Hensley, Allan Wangamnn, Sr Regina McInerney, Bill Gratton and Lex Keys.
Sr. Geraldine Leahy, Trish O'Connor (Keys), Michael Ball, Amanda Hardy (Foster), Ellen Gleeson (Corcoran) and Wanda Dunnet (Druce). Sr. Geraldine Leahy, Trish O'Connor (Keys), Michael Ball, Amanda Hardy (Foster), Ellen Gleeson (Corcoran) and Wanda Dunnet (Druce).
Leanne McDonald and her former teacher Ellen Gleeson. Leanne McDonald and her former teacher Ellen Gleeson.
Amanda Hardy (Foster), Jane Quinlan, Sr Geraldine Leahy, Alison Miller, Nicole Barnes and Wanda Dunnet (Druce). Amanda Hardy (Foster), Jane Quinlan, Sr Geraldine Leahy, Alison Miller, Nicole Barnes and Wanda Dunnet (Druce).
Brothers Wayne and Lindsay Young. Brothers Wayne and Lindsay Young.
Sixth class of 1961 - Kevin Barry, John Keys, Vince Leehy, Bill Chater, Terry Orman, Graham Smith, Ann Terbutt (Brien) and Bill Kerr. Sixth class of 1961 - Kevin Barry, John Keys, Vince Leehy, Bill Chater, Terry Orman, Graham Smith, Ann Terbutt (Brien) and Bill Kerr.
Sixth class of 1960 - Tony Shiels, Margaret O'Malley (Keys), Trish O'Connor (Keys), Peter Smith, Dianne Williamson (Kalms) and Helen Smith (Browning). Sixth class of 1960 - Tony Shiels, Margaret O'Malley (Keys), Trish O'Connor (Keys), Peter Smith, Dianne Williamson (Kalms) and Helen Smith (Browning).
Sixth class of 1963, Martin Ritter, Paul Kelly, Michelle Kalms, Rodney Jackson, Sharon Goodhew (Clarke), Helena Kneale (O'Sullivan), Cheryl Alexander (Graham), Robyn Moran (Richards), Cheryl Hitchenor (Palmer) and Margaret Douglas (Comber). Sixth class of 1963, Martin Ritter, Paul Kelly, Michelle Kalms, Rodney Jackson, Sharon Goodhew (Clarke), Helena Kneale (O'Sullivan), Cheryl Alexander (Graham), Robyn Moran (Richards), Cheryl Hitchenor (Palmer) and Margaret Douglas (Comber).
Sixth class of 1962, Tony Bourke, Justin Smith standing in for his father Dennis Smith and Jan Martin (Brien). Sixth class of 1962, Tony Bourke, Justin Smith standing in for his father Dennis Smith and Jan Martin (Brien).
Marie Coleman (Shiels) and Marie Duncan (Gleeson). Both will be turning 90 years old this year. Marie Coleman (Shiels) and Marie Duncan (Gleeson). Both will be turning 90 years old this year.
Sixth class of 1965, John Baguley, Bernadette O'Connor (Graham), Helen Bush (Comber) and Wendy Doyle (Thomas). Sixth class of 1965, John Baguley, Bernadette O'Connor (Graham), Helen Bush (Comber) and Wendy Doyle (Thomas).
Year 6, 1964, back, Sheryl Barnes (Brien), John Dewar, Lindsay Young, Paul Foster, front, Patrick Barry, Wanda Dunnet (Druce), Narelle Cuell (Foster), Wendy Doyle (Thomas), John Wightman, Jill Dafter (Hannaford), Cheryle Peno and Matt Richards. Year 6, 1964, back, Sheryl Barnes (Brien), John Dewar, Lindsay Young, Paul Foster, front, Patrick Barry, Wanda Dunnet (Druce), Narelle Cuell (Foster), Wendy Doyle (Thomas), John Wightman, Jill Dafter (Hannaford), Cheryle Peno and Matt Richards.
Wanda Dunnet, Jenny Cameron and John Dewar. Wanda Dunnet, Jenny Cameron and John Dewar.
Kathy Wood, Debbie Ciesiolka and Emily Redmond. Kathy Wood, Debbie Ciesiolka and Emily Redmond.
Ellen Gleeson, Sheryl Barnes, Ann Terbutt, with Myra Smith and MC Kevin Barry. The organisers - Ellen Gleeson, Sheryl Barnes, Ann Terbutt, with Myra Smith and MC Kevin Barry.
Class of 57 - Sr Helen Baguley, Patricia Collett (Gilbert) and Peter Keenan. Class of 57 - Sr Helen Baguley, Patricia Collett (Gilbert) and Peter Keenan.
Angela Cunningham (Gleeson), Ronnie Dewar (Shields), Kathy Wood (Gray) and Kathy Panton (Gleeson). Angela Cunningham (Gleeson), Ronnie Dewar (Shields), Kathy Wood (Gray) and Kathy Panton (Gleeson).
Angela Cunningham, Marie Duncan, Muriel Foley, Ellen and Robert Gleeson and Kathy Panton. Angela Cunningham, Marie Duncan, Muriel Foley, Ellen and Robert Gleeson and Kathy Panton.
The oldest and youngest guests at the reunion who completed their primary education at St Xavier's - Myra Smith and Emily Redmond (nee Ciesolka). The oldest and youngest guests at the reunion who completed their primary education at St Xavier's - Myra Smith and Emily Redmond (nee Ciesolka).
Margaret and Neville Smith, Janice Smith, Mabel Tucker holding Flynn Smith, Myra Smith, Neville Baguley, Sister Helen Baguley, Helen Baguley, Graham Smith and Sue Best, front, Christy Tucker, Mary Smith, Lucus Tucker, Justin and Karley Smith. Margaret and Neville Smith, Janice Smith, Mabel Tucker holding Flynn Smith, Myra Smith, Neville Baguley, Sister Helen Baguley, Helen Baguley, Graham Smith and Sue Best, front, Christy Tucker, Mary Smith, Lucus Tucker, Justin and Karley Smith.
Margaret and Neville Smith, Sr Helen Baguley, Myra Smith, Neville and Helen Baguley, Graham Smith and Sue Best. Margaret and Neville Smith, Sr Helen Baguley, Myra Smith, Neville and Helen Baguley, Graham Smith and Sue Best.
Mabel Tucker holding Flynn Smith, Mary Smith, Myra Smith, Christy and Lucus Tucker and Justin Smith. Mabel Tucker holding Flynn Smith, Mary Smith, Myra Smith, Christy and Lucus Tucker and Justin Smith.
Myra Smith with her great grandson Lucus Tucker. Myra Smith with her great grandson Lucus Tucker.
Tony Simshauser, Debbie Ciesolka (Wood), Caryn Saunders (Dewar) and Joe Morley (Graham). Tony Simshauser, Debbie Ciesolka (Wood), Caryn Saunders (Dewar) and Joe Morley (Graham).

The occasion was a very happy one and no one was happier on the day than Myra Smith (nee Bennett).

Myra, at 93 years, was the oldest ex-pupil.

She cut the cake and made a speech.

Mrs Smith said that every nun she knew was wonderful, she enjoyed her schooling and was grateful to all who turned up for the reunion and made it such a special day.

Memorabilia was on display as well as a tuck shop counter.

Kevin Barry was MC and did a great job keeping the agenda moving.

Present principal Michael Ball made a speech and Sister Carmel Drew spoke on behalf of the nuns past and present.

Ellen Gleeson gave a history of the old school to which most people related, after all the day belonged to the baby boomers.

The classes of the 1940s, 50s and 60s were well represented and of course no one had changed a bit.

Many met for breakfast at the Golfie on Sunday morning rounding off what was a weekend to remember with all saying they were very pleased to have attended the reunion, it was a real highlight and possibly look forward to the next one.

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