Thirty years of memories
Thirty-four students from the Class of ‘87 at Trinity Anglican School gathered in Cairns recently for a 30-year reunion.
THIRTY-four students from the Class of 87 at Trinity Anglican School gathered in Cairns recently for a 30-year reunion.
The gathering of 40 people, including some partners, began with a tour of the school’s White Rock campus on a Friday evening, followed by drinks at the school and a reunion dinner at the Pacific Hotel. It was the same venue they held their valedictory dinner in 1987.
TAS principal Paul Sjogren joined the Class of 87 on the tour of the school, which opened its doors in 1983 with 125 pupils in Grades 7, 8 and 9.
“We were delighted to have these past students back at TAS,” Paul said.
“There was so much passion, camaraderie and excitement in the group.
“These students have gone on to become successful professionals, proud parents and strong role models.
“Their TAS values show in that many of them also contribute to our wider community in a wide variety of ways,” he said.
Past students travelled from Tasmania, Canberra and Perth to attend the reunion.
The organiser, local businessman and Cairns Chamber of Commerce president Nick Loukas, said he had great memories from his time at Trinity Anglican School, where he was a student for three years from 1985-87.
“I have lifelong friends from TAS,” Nick says.
“Personally, TAS did wonderful things for me.
“It elevated me academically from an average student to achieving a great TE (tertiary entrance) score and allowing me to get into pharmacy at the University of Queensland.”
Nick says his favourite teacher, Brian Springell, is still teaching maths at TAS.
Of the 50 of so students in Nick’s grade, about 10 still live in the Cairns region.
However, the 30 year reunion was the first held by his cohorts since they left school in 1987 and became the second group to graduate from Year 12 at TAS.