A group of former Perth Academy pupils are planning what they consider may be their ‘last’ reunion 50 years after leaving their old school.
There’s sure to be lots of fond reminiscences at the function at the Cherrybank Inn on May 25.
After lunch and a meet and greet, the long-ago leavers will set off on a tour of the school as it is today.
A dinner at McDiarmid Park is planned for later.
Day two, on Thursday 26, will see them take a ‘quiz-based’ walk around Perth in the company of tour guide Jeremy Duncan.
In the afternoon they get the train to Blair Atholl to explore the delights of the Wasted Degrees Brewery. There will also be an opportunity to play golf before or after the reunion.
The Perth Academy leavers of 1972 met in large numbers to celebrate their companionship when 25 years had passed and then in 2017 they had another bumper get-together.
Now the near-pensioner-age Academy boys and girls are calling all remaining troops for a “last hurrah reunion”.
“Unfortunately, since our last reunion, many of our number have retired and so e-mail addresses have changed and sadly Friends Reunited is long gone,” said Kate Mathieson who was closely involved in the past.
“We all attended Perth Academy between 1966 and 1972. It was an interesting time to be a teenager with the world changing around us.
“The school offered many sports, special interest clubs, events, trips and outings.
“We were very lucky with the teachers we had and these were indeed formative years for many of us.
“On the lighter side we had school discos, dances and other social events which ensured at least a few “courting couples” amongst our number - some of whom are still together around 52/53 years later.
“Over the years we have had a few reunions, the first of which celebrated 25 years and was the largest, held at Bells Sports Centre. Since then, we have held a few smaller get-togethers with up to 40 participants and the latest event was five years ago held in McDiarmid Park. We had a group photo taken in the stand.
“I helped organise a few of these events but this year have handed the reins to Moira Smith ( Rennie) and Barbara McKenzie (Beaton).
“Moira has taken this on despite living in Calgary, Canada. Many of our school year moved abroad to work after further studies and some have stayed.”
The PA contacted Moira to find out about her Perth Academy past. She revealed: “I was dux of geography, prefect, house captain, colours for tennis and badminton.
“I really enjoyed my six years at Perth Academy - I remember lots of inspiring teachers like Barclay Miller and Mr McAlpine.
“Mrs Booth gave me a lifelong love of reading and exploring the past.”
If anyone reading this wishes to get involved and meet old pals, Moira can be contacted by email: alamo4smith@gmail.com
