On the 23rd of November, La Trobe’s early years alumni cohort took a walk down memory lane at a very special reunion. More than 200 alumni who commenced their studies between 1967 – 1972 commemorated their La Trobe experience and reconnected at Union Hall, enjoying a 3-course dinner as part of the night. Watch our video to enjoy highlights from this memorable alumni event:
Alumni were transported back in time to the years they studied with an array of memorabilia set out by the La Trobe University Archives team. Among the relics were copies of original Rabelais magazines and photos capturing key events from their student days. La Trobe’s specialty cocktail, ‘The Gin and Plenty’, also made a come-back for the occasion.
Connecting was the theme of the evening, and those attending were excited to celebrate the 55 years of history that the early years cohorts shared.
‘I hadn’t been back on campus since 1977. I thought ‘what a great opportunity’, and I immediately emailed some of my best friends,’ said alumnus Lindsay Dann.
In his speech, Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar AO also remarked on the value of reuniting with the early years’ cohort.
‘It means such a lot to reconnect with our founding alumni – the path breakers – and to hear what they’ve been up to in their own careers.’
Alumni spent the evening rekindling the relationships they had forged while studying, and building new ones with like-minded people who shared the La Trobe experience.
‘Our University was ranked number one for fun in the whole Southern Hemisphere,’ quipped alumnus Paul Speirs.
The night also offered alumni the opportunity to see how La Trobe had grown since they commenced their studies. Professor Dewar AO acknowledged that although it was bigger now, the University was still focused on its original values.
‘La Trobe has stayed true to its founding mission to be an inclusive university and to make a positive in difference in the world.’
