1965 and 1966 were the last years that students sat for what was called the Leaving Certificate (LC). In 1967 the new Higher School Certificate (HSC) commenced. Of those who sat for the LC in 1965, some 24 students chose to repeat the Year at 'View and so formed the small 1966 Leaving Year. The two Years were thus closely bound together in studies, sport and friendship. 

So, on 10 October this year, as in years past, they were happy to celebrate together their 60th Reunion. A beautiful Mass was celebrated by OIU Chaplain, Fr. David Strong. The chapel roof was lifted by favourite old hymns with the organ played at full throttle by Christine Moriarty. College Principal Mr Mark Tannock was a welcome visitor and completed the ceremony with a brief address. After Mass a group photo was taken, before the gathering of fifty-six moved to the Ramsay Hall foyer for lunch, looking out over Second Field. 

Masterful MC, Dick Lyle, demonstrated he's lost nothing since his accomplished schoolboy concert performances sixty years ago. Immediate past president of the OIU, Dan Bolger, provided us with an overview of the commendable activities of the OIU before Nick Braham, 1966 school captain, who is visiting from UK on his first time back to the College since leaving, offered a reflection and recognition of those whose time at 'View was not as happy as it might have been'. School Captain 1965, John Tancred, then lead the room in reciting the Prayer of Saint Ignatius. Lunch followed a poignant Grace by Fr Strong. Following lunch, the toast to the College was delivered by Rick Brennan, who regaled the room with a colourful account of school life sixty years ago. 

One thing that stood out to young Rick arriving from St Patricks Strathfield was the ubiquitous use of the nickname. "Another difference was the fact that everyone seemed to have a nickname. Being a Brennan, though not related to those from Warren, I became temporarily "Bones". So, on the nickname theme, hello and welcome to Zook, Snout, Olive, Whack, Flow, Mole, Harry, Jake, Duff, Tree, Sam, Filthy, Freddie, Cosby and Don!"

Rick finished by reflecting on the wonderful teaching staff. "We were blessed with brilliant teachers. For English, there was Mel Morrow, Julian's father, and Tony Gallagher. You all know Mel's various careers, subsequent to wasting his efforts on us. When he kicked off, he was a very young looking fellow in early 20's with a BA and not much else, but boy, could he teach. 

The essay subjects Mel set were not like anything we'd seen before. They allowed open slather with your imagination, the limited amount of which we used at the beginning to year had turned into a torrent by the end. We well remember his encouragement of a few of our fellow students who wrote for the Mavis Branston Show, Nick Enright, Dave and Rick Lyle and others. Mavis used their writing. The highlight of the week there for a while was being allowed to watch the show when it aired on television in the adult time of 8.30pm". 

Many thanks to the college for its generosity, and special thanks to Christine Zimbulis and Heather Mitchell for assisting in the organisation of the day.