It was a blast from the past when more than 40 of the original 70 James Hargest 1975 seventh form students gathered in Invercargill for their 50-year ‘Class of ’75’ reunion at the weekend, coming from as far away as Vienna, Dublin, Australia and the Far North.

1975 James Hargest 7th formers, from left front, Graeme Todd, Jill Evans and Robyn Rodgers, about to leave on AFS exchanges to the US. From left rear, Lynne Couper, Judy Rea, Shona Anderson, Debbie Bullivant, Diane Cawley and Sue Tomkinson. Photo: Supplied

Two of the organisers, Alison Broad and Jill Evans, say it was a great success, so much so that sharing stories with classmates at the 360 Bar at Langlands Hotel went on until late at Friday night’s Welcome Night.

Saturday morning produced a full roll call of sorts at their old school where they were welcomed by the current James Hargest principal, associate principal, board chairperson, a senior teacher and eight prefects, including the four head students.

Ex students included a senior European hotel manager, international tech entrepreneurs who’ve headed companies like Microsoft internationally, angel investor, educational charity founder, an undertaker, internationally renowned ceramics artist, top lawyers and a Rhodes Scholar-Oxford educated high-ranking judge.

Current principal Mike Newell says the host students, who took the Class of ’75 on school tours, were most impressed with these high achievements, but also that the First XV of 1975 beat Southland Boys High.

“That was unheard of,” he says.

James Hargets Class of '75 reunite in 2025. Photo: Supplied

Even four of the 1975 teachers – David Karran, Donald Campbell, Diane Adams and Maxine Treweek came to the event and the stories continued over dinner at 148 on Elles.

The last Class of ’75 reunion was almost 30 years ago but Alison assures they won’t be waiting that long for the next one, which they hope to hold in 2030. “We don’t think we should leave it that long again or we’ll all be sharing our telegrams from the king,” she laughs.

Some of the students had been through all of their schooling together from Waihōpai to Rosedale Intermediate, then Hargest, while others started their journeys at Waverley Park School then Lithgow Intermediate.

“Some of us even went to kindergarten together. These are longstanding relationships,” she says.

“We had a year group that was such a good team.”

It had been quite a job tracking some people down, but most of the 1975 7th Form Executive (equivalent to prefects) turned up and a number of others were “with us in spirit”, Alison says.

“We’ve had so many lovely messages saying how much everybody enjoyed it.”

Classmate Campbell Weston was on hand to ensure all reunion goers had great photos of the occasion.