Class of 1967

Cheltenham High School opened its doors in 1959 and with just four staff members and 64 students began to establish the new curriculum, school programs and library resources. Also introduced was the first edition of our school magazine, The Southern Cross and our House system with indigenous names Arakoola, Killara, Pampari and Thalera, both of which we still have today. Built on crop fields once owned by the Butler family, Cheltenham High was officially opened in August of 1962.

Earlier in 1962, a nervous group of Form 1 students embarked on their first year at high school. Divided into four form groups, 1A-1D, the young students quickly involved themselves in various community fundraising activities, including donations to the school library. Form Captains were elected based on academics and sport and the students took part in school sports and excursions.  

Throughout 2025, as co-coordinator of The Exchange, I have had the privilege of meeting some of these students. Arriving at Cheltenham High in 1962 and graduating in 1967, this cohort were there, right at the beginning, for the inaugural Exchange against Gilles-Plains High School in 1965.

The Class of 1967 had a special reunion in Daylesford last year which prompted Lee Collie (nee Barnes) and Liz Silz (nee Craig) to produce their own publication. After months of hard work and dedication, Telling Tales Out Of School Is a wonderful collection of stories and memories. Each contributor has lead such a different and interesting life and describe a different Cheltenham than we know today. 

 

Foreword from Telling Tales Out Of School: 'In the 60's 'Compared with today our school lives were uncomplicated, less sophisticated with little or no pressure. The 60's were still a time of post-war revival. There would be a job for everyone!'

Lee and Liz presented copies of their book to the college on Friday 14th November. Gathered with a small group of students, who participated in The Exchange, it was wonderful to listen to very separate generations discuss their connections to the same event. As published in our 58th Exchange booklet , Lee was a prefect at Cheltenham High and was one of the first families to volunteer to billet a student from Gilles. Liz scraped into the team due to a last-minute vacancy, only to meet her future husband Manfred from Gilles Plains High School. 

Thank you to Principal Karl Russell and our 2026 School Captains Emily C. and James P. who do not appear in the photo. It was time well spent for the younger generation to put big smiles on the faces of our school alumni. Hearts melted when Shanaya G. and Charli A. offered hugs to our guests. 

— Karly Hargreaves

Class Reunion

On Saturday 15th November, I was invited to lunch at the Bridge Hotel in Mordialloc, with the class of 1967. Lee insisted that I was the guest of honour, which had others asking 'Who are you?' and rightly so. I wore my Chelt.Sec name badge with pride and watched the smiles as I responded with 'I am from Cheltenham Secondary College and I am the Coordinator of the The (Gilles) Exchange'.

Some of the '67 cohort included Peter Butler, a fourth generation vegetable grower in the Cheltenham area and Life Member of the Cheltenham Football Netball Club. Rhonda Le Page (nee Daymond) began teaching, then travelled, then bought a walnut farm. Rhonda remembers being kept behind after Monday morning assemblies for 'hem inspection'.  

On his final day of school, Andrew Barrie's form teacher, Mrs Margaret Fry, told him and the class 'Andrew will be a dustman or a judge - he hasn't quite made up his mind yet'. Andrew went on to law school, was offered a scholarship to study at Oxford University and became a Barrister. Tina Banitska was an artistic student who played softball for Australia, and is now the owner of The Convent in Daylesford. Lee Collie (nee Barnes), who sent me the invitation, is an extraordinary woman who has had more career changes than trains through Flinders Street. 

'Whilst it could be said that I've been lucky in life, I'm really just a risk-taker who grabs opportunities with one hand and crosses fingers on the other.' — Lee Collie

It was a lovely day and I genuinely appreciated the invitation. I met and heard about some wonderful former students, who have led extraordinary lives. I have been working, these last few weeks, preparing for our Class of 2025 Valedictory celebrations. This should be a reminder to our newest graduates that life, careers, relationships and pathways will all change with time. The class of '67 Matric results didn't all go to plan, just as VCE results may not. It's perfectly okay if things turn out differently than you anticipated.  

'If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.' — Milton Berle

— Karly Hargreaves