In 1968 there were 160 students enrolled in first form at Macksville High School, and in future years many came to the school, others moved on to different schools or went on to training or employment. By 1973, the Higher School Certificate Sixth class representing the 1968 first formers (as it was then) was only 53 students - 27 girls and 26 boys.

“We have been able to trace many through family connections in the Nambucca Valley and through social media, but there are still some that can’t be found,” reunion co-organiser Dianne Potter (nee Gleeson) said.

“We are hoping that through the newspaper we may reach a few more people via old family connections, and friends of friends.”

“It has been fascinating finding people - what they’ve been doing, where they’re living. We know a few now live overseas, some have retired and a few are ‘grey nomads’, and most have grandchildren. Sadly we have lost 16 of our mates along the way,” Dianne said.

“This may be the last organised reunion, so we encourage everyone from our group to take the opportunity to catch up with old school mates!”

The organising group have a private Facebook page called Macksville High School Class of 68 - 73 (2018). It has attracted 54 members who are rekindling old friendship and sharing stories and photos of their school time. The reunion celebration dinner is on Saturday, June 2 at the Macksville Ex-services Club from 6.30pm. Purchase your own meal, but RSVP to the number below to allow the club to adequately provide for the night. Partners are welcome. There will be a recovery brunch at 10.30am on the Sunday morning at Bellwood Park and we encourage extended family and friends to come along.

There are a number of students that organisers haven’t been able to contact (included in brackets are the girls’ last known married names). Brian Allan; Denise Arnett (Thomas); Allan Ballard; Christine Close; Jennine Cohen (Newman); Myra Goody; Marc Haines; Maureen Hendry; Shirley Anne Holme; Carol Hudson (Ingram); Trevor Jeffrey; Howard Jones; Irene Miles; Barbara Morgan (Morris); Barbara O’Donnell; Grahame Parkins; Carol Reedy; Colin Reichel; Barry Ryall; Roseanne Ryan; Bronwyn Sharmon (Wilson); Gayle Shipp; Paul Stibbard.

If you have any information on these people, contact Dianne Gleeson (Potter) on 6564 7303; 0439 873 627; dideepotter@hotmail.com

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