Spotlight on Alumni

There’s something special in returning to a place that helped shape who you are. As our upcoming reunion approaches, we are reminded that ‘coming back’ is never just about revisiting buildings or retracing old routines - it’s about reconnecting with a chapter of your life that continues to show up in ways you may not always notice.

Why attend a reunion? The answers are as varied as the people who walk through the gates on Wooralla Drive after 20, 30, 40+ years, but they all point to something meaningful.

First and foremost, it’s about connection. School is a place where friendships are forged, identities begin to take shape, and memories are created. Returning offers a chance to reconnect with a community that, in many ways, still belongs to you. It’s stepping back into a shared history and remembering that you were, and still are, part of Peninsula. 

Then there are the memories. Some sit close to the surface, while others are tucked away, waiting for a familiar face, a laugh, or a story to bring them back. There’s something special about reliving those moments with the very people who were there, seeing how the smallest recollections can spark the biggest laughs. It’s as if you’re back in your blazer, standing side by side in the Ansett Hall, singing Lord of the Dance with Wendy Leaver’s unmistakable energy on the piano leading the way.

Finally, there are the staff. Time has a way of giving perspective, and what might once have felt like everyday guidance often reveals itself as something far more lasting. Reunions offer a meaningful opportunity to say thank you, and to recognise the impact of those who supported and believed in you, often long before you fully understood what that meant.

One thing we hear time and time again is this: people never regret attending their reunion. The only regret is not coming. There’s a quiet reassurance in that. Even for those who arrive feeling unsure, the experience quickly becomes one of ease, warmth, and belonging. Whatever your reason for attending, it’s a good one.

So, come back, reconnect with old friends, with your own story, and with the place that helped shape it. Rediscover just how much this Peninsula community still feels like home.

Upcoming Milestone Reunion

We warmly invite the Classes of 1986 and 1996 to join us:

Venue: Harry Macdonald Pavilion

Date: Saturday 22 August 6.00pm 

Optional school tour from 5:00pm

Tickets: www.opga.com.au/events 

Laura Vatousios

OPGA Alumni Liaison Officer