Year in Focus

This week we are taking a trip back to 1996 to reflect upon some of the biggest local, national and global ‘happenings’.

 In 1996, the school magazine, Binalong, was published for the first time since 1987 and it has provided us with a summary of annual highlights ever since. A quick glance through the magazine offers an insight into the teenage lives of students who are now aged in their late thirties and early forties- some who now have children at HHS and some who now work here!

The Student Representative Council worked very hard and fundraised to support the school and local charities. Notable achievements included raising enough money to purchase a tape player for the school bus and paint for the basketball backboards. How times have changed! Mixed tapes were made for trips in the bus and HHS students cruised ‘down the line’ listening to ‘The Macarena’, ‘Killing me Softly’ and the Spicegirl’s debut song ‘Wannabe’. 

The internet had only just arrived at HHS and it was available on just ONE computer in the entire school. Students were required to book this computer if they wanted to explore and experiment with the new and futuristic world wide web. Junior Information Technology classes focussed on learning how to type and thanks to Mr Duke’s energy and ability to frighten his students into submission, past students of this generation are proficient touch typists. Thanks, Dukey.

The Healesville Swimming Club was in the middle of one of their glory periods and the Jack Hort Memorial Pool was a thriving place. Super fish students at the time included; Danielle Honeycombe, Josh Eaton, Joe Peterson, Alison Withers , Luke Bergin, Brodie Ewen and Natalie Irvine. Impressively, some of the swimming records set by these students in 1996 are still in place 24 year later! Josh Eaton still holds the 14 year old boy’s Butterfly record (40.27) and Natalie Irvine still has the 15 year old girl’s Freestyle (32.03), Breaststroke (43.00) and Bufferfly (35.87) records. What an achievement!

In other sporting news, Damian Jones ran his way to the State Cross Country championships and Rohan Sharp, Kyle Stewart, Sean Lockwood and Glen Stevenson played in the State Squash championships. Year 11 student, Brodie Ewen, was not only selected in the Victorian School Girl’s Water Polo team, but she also competed in the State Swimming championships. Wow!, 

Luke Dennehy, a successful entertainment journalist, graduated. Following his journalism degree at RMIT he went on to work at the Herald Sun and currently has regular segments on 3AW and various other television programs. Recently he has worked on publicity for highly reputable (?) television shows like ‘Love Island’.

On a national level, Paul Keating’s Labor Party were defeated in the March election and John Howard and the coalition formed government and maintained power for a further 11 years. Sadly, the Port Arthur massacre took place and 35 people lost their life. This event prompted changes to gun laws and these have proven successful in preventing another incident like this from occurring in Australia since.

Pokomon was introduced to the world, although it certainly wasn’t available to play on a smart phone, because these didn’t exist. The first DVD player was developed in Japan. Fashion trends included Levi 501 jeans and Doc Martin 8 Up boots were the shoes of choice. Tencel jeans made an appearance towards the end of the year and Converse shoes were starting to re-emerge as a crowd favourite. ‘Friends’ was one of the most popular sitcoms and girls of all ages tried, often miserably, to replicate Jennifer Aniston’s iconic layered haircut. 

The Atlanta Olympics took place and Australia won nine gold medals. After almost failing to qualify for the 1500 metres freestyle, Kieran Perkins swam to victory from lane eight and defeated fellow Australian, Daniel Kowalski, in the process. Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls were in the middle of their second ‘3 peat’ and they won the 1996 NBA final against the Seattle Supersonics. North Melbourne defeated Sydney in the AFL’s ‘last dance’ (19.17-13.10).

There we go- 1996 over and out. I’m feeling inspired to drag out my old Doc Martens and enjoy a 90s day in iso.

Laura Mitchell