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Newsletter 6

Again this newsletter is coming to most people by email so that we can say that collecting email addresses on the registration forms had a purpose. I know it is last minute and some people have already arrived from far off places (Australia) or are setting out around this time. If they miss this until the get back home my apologies.

Please wear your name tag/label at all times you are attending any Reunion function. Yes ladies that includes on your flash top at the Dinner!!

Registration

When you arrive on Friday evening, head to what used to be the Link Foyer and join the queue (hopefully very short). We will have several tables in operation and each table will have a complete list so that you can check in.

When you are identified and cleared to go you will be handed your name tag and a registration bag. This contains an outline of the weekend programme and a map of the College – don’t lose that! It also holds your glass for the evening’s festivities – don’t lose that!!!

Early Birds

If you live locally or even nearby or you come from out of town and have some time in hand you can collect your registration pack at the College on Thursday afternoon between 3:15 and 5:00pm. Go to the office and just ask. Members of the Organising Committee will be on hand to help.

Payments

If you have to (or want to) pay for something please be aware that we will not be accepting cheques after midday on Friday. We will only accept Visa Master Card or any eftpos card in New Zealand currency. We will have eftpos terminals available throughout the weekend. For some things cash will be the best option. This will be the situation for the whole weekend.

Nibble & Natter

Friday night. –let’s go through some of the basics.

Parking

Yes you can park on the playgrounds. There will be a couple of wardens out there in flouro jackets please do as they indicate. Please think about congestion and perhaps park and walk a couple of hundred metres from down the road.

Registration

As above. Then proceed down towards the hall. The classrooms will be open. The first one will be a cloak room for all your hats and coats. Then rooms for each of the five decades.

Bars

There will be several around the place so you wont have to go too far for that second drink.

Payment

The quaint liquor laws in this country allow us to have a full liquor licence for the occasion but you must pre-purchase tokens which will be available next to an eftpos machine. You buy tokens then head off to see the barman.

Tokens cost $2 each and you can buy as many as you need. If you have some left over they will also be in use on Sunday night.

• Fruit juice and non-alcoholic drinks are $2 (1 token),
• Beer, Wine and RTDs are all $4 (2 tokens).

Friday Refreshments

As well as the drinks set out above there will tea and coffee stations and several water coolers available to help yourself from. Large platters of food will circulate at regular intervals and a BBQ will be sizzling along.

Smoking

By law the entire College environment is smoke-free at all times.

Saturday

The first of four major events is the photo session. It will start at 11:30 sharp. Be alert to the call for any group you may be involved in so that you can move to the assembly point in an orderly manner. Several people have volunteered to be leaders in this matter so listen out for them.

The first few groups will be by year as listed on the Reunion website onslowcollegereunion.wellington.net.nz and then as the year groups get smaller we will combine them in to reasonable sizes. If any one wants a particular group i.e. members of a form class from a particular year, make the request known early.

Next is the official opening of the Arboretumup at the top field at 2 o’clock. A Macrocapa seat has been purchased and installed and trees will be available on Friday evening and Saturday morning to purchase (by way of a donation – preferably folding money) for planting. In particular a Remembrance Garden is being established and several kowhai saplings have been snapped up but there are still some available.

The top field has been considerably upgraded over the past two years. As the workers were clearing the mess caused by the big winds that blew down many of the of the pine trees, a current parent made a significant donation that meant the College replace the grass cricket wicket, install primary drainage over the whole field and extend the existing fence. Later this year a further donation will pay for more drainage. That means the 3 fields will get all year round use. In recognition of the donation the Board of Trustees has resolved to name the top fields as ‘Farnboro Fields’ as a tribute to the donor’s ancestral home town.

A short ceremony at 3:00 will see the cutting (and distribution) of the Reunion cake in the Hall. The cutting will be performed by the principal who celebrated his birthday this week and is exactly the same age as the College.

Three of the original staff are expected to attend along with the youngest student of the College. Also the principal will be presented with a framed copy of the original school photo which has all 200 foundation pupils and 10 staff in it. The presentation is to be made by the first Boy Head Prefect Don Fraser.

This will be followed by an afternoon tea in the staff room for former staff and others who supported the College through it’s early years.

Last but certainly not least there is a drama performance in the Arts Centre at 4:30. The play is ‘Camelot School’ by NZ playwright Jean Betts. Audience seating will be limited so be seated early.

In addition throughout the day the Library will be open with a selection of works by Onslow authors on display. There will also be a display of books available to purchase and present to the College. Choose your book and you will be given a slip of paper. Take the slip to the people operating the eftpos machines and pay for the book. Your name will be put inside the front cover of the chosen book to note that you donated it to the College.

Note

Please wear your name badge at all times while attending Reunion functions.

Sunday

First up, the Wellington Rowing Club on the waterfront has been booked from 10 o’clock for the unveiling of the new 8. The organisers will try and get as many people (rowers and spectators) out on the water during this time.

There will a couple of speeches and a light lunch (at cost) will be served. One of the undoubted highlights will be the world premiere of a song especially written by the legendary Noel Lynch with music by Deidre Burke-McCarthy.

Bus tour

Leaves the College 1:00pm sharp on Sunday. It’s a guided trip around Wellington including a break for afternoon tea at the Skyline restaurant at the top of the Cable Car. Only a few places left so look lively if you haven’t been in town for a few years.

Sunday dinner

For those who registered and only want to come to the dinner there will be a registration desk in operation – please check-in.

Start time around 6:30 with pre-dinner drinks. Our MC for the evening Catherine Delahunty will give a bit of a run down on proceedings and the order of business. Remember drink purchases by tokens not cash at the bar.

Tables of ten places will be order of the evening so start organising your groups now. Dinner will be served. You should note here that the Caterer is the one and only Ruth Pretty.

The guest speaker is Simon Wilson, one time student radical and now editor of the redoubtable and internationally acclaimed food and wine magazine Cuisine. Take a break because the band “Soulcake” will start to rock out the music to dance to.

There will be a special appearance by our very own Rochelle Vinsen especially for the older former students amongst us.

Photographs

As mentioned Simon Woolf is our official photographer. He’ll be with us on Friday night. Then on Saturday for Decade and Group photos. Simon will also cover the opening of the Arboretum, the Cake cutting ceremony and the former staff afternoon tea.

On Sunday he’ll be at the unveiling of the Boat and then the Dinner. To view and purchase decade and group photos limited numbers will be available to buy on Sunday night at the dinner. After that time photos can be ordered and will need to be collected by you or posted to you.

They will also be available to view on line at www.photo.woolf.co.nz. Click on weddings, events and portfolios. Click on “Onslow College Reunion”. All photos will be available to view. You can order there through their secure online ordering system.

Post and pack within New Zealand up to 3 photos $4:50. International Post and Pack service is also available. Remember no cheques on the night.

If you haven’t been to Wellington for quite a few years and have a few days spare take a look at our Wellington links.

See you at the reunion in a couple of days and just …

Remember . . . . . It's Great to Celebrate!!