School friends meet for 50th reunion

The 60th reunion of Emily MacPherson College’s class of 1956/57 was held at Neerim South recently.

Neerim South resident Shirley Trenery hosted 11 past students at her property “Balgowan”.

The group enjoyed a four-course meal by Shirley’s son Simon and his partner Carla as well as music by local harpist Ethelwyn Kent.

A celebration cake was also cut by Shirley, reunion organiser Judy Cuddon and teacher Sylvia Mason.

Several visitors stayed in the region overnight.

The Emily MacPherson College of Domestic Economy was situated in Russell St, Melbourne. It no longer exists.

For 50 years, some 12 to 15 members from a trade dressmaking class of 28 have been meeting for a reunion every year. This year marked 60 years since they left the school in 1957.

“We believe that it is unique that so many of one class of school friends have been meeting consecutively for 50 years, and at present see no reason why we should not continue to meet each year as health and circumstances permit,” said Ms Cuddon.

A $2.5 million project aims to eliminate sewer spills in a lowlying area of Drouin.

Heavy rain and resultant high stormwater flow has caused some problems in the Settlement Rd area.

Gippsland Water will increase capacity of the network in the area by installed a new higher capacity 450-millimetre pipe from the north-east corner of Bellbird Park to the waste water treatment plant in Settlement Rd.

General manager customer service and communications Paul Clark said work was due to be completed by mid-year.

He said the wet weather reliever pipe would have the capacity to meet a one-in-five year rain event and greatly reduce the risk of overflows from the sewer network onto residential and other properties.

Installation of the pipe will involve trenching and underground drilling.

Mr Clark said Gippsland Water was advising Baw Baw Shire and nearby residents of changes to public access to Bellbird Park during the work.

Care will also be taken to avoid native vegetation.

Mr Clark said the authority was working to ensure it had the infrastructure in place to meet the requirements of a growing population.