Ruby Reunion- 40 years on!
A Ruby Jubilee Reunion for the Classes of 1967-70 took place on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October 2009. Graduates and guests from all over the world were welcomed back to Queen’s by Sir David Fell, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Senate.
"A lively debate in the Great Hall!"
“This House believes that the next forty years couldn’t possibly be as good as the last forty”
The Reunion commenced with a ‘return to a Literific’ debate in the Great Hall expertly chaired by Ted Graham and Peter Cush. Peter, the inaugural President of the Union Debating Society, went on to become a barrister and later President of the Bar Council. Ted was President of the New Ireland Society before becoming a journalist and was Assistant Editor of the Daily Mirror when he retired.
The motion “This House believes that the next forty years couldn’t possibly be as good as the last forty” was ably and colourfully proposed by Derick Bingham, a pastor with Christ Church and an academic with John Brown University, Arkansas, and by Barney Turkington, a successful Belfast solicitor.
The contentious motion was opposed in style by newspaper men Brendan Keenan, group business editor for the Irish Independent and by Ed Curran, former editor of the Belfast Telegraph. The debate, and a number of interruptions from the floor, made for lively conversation over supper where several points were thrashed out and friendships renewed.
Campus Tours
On Saturday morning guests were treated to a tour of the campus, including the spectacular new Library. While the Library and refurbished Great Hall were admired by all it was the memories evoked by the old Students’ Union (now the School of Music) and the Drill Hall which raised the biggest smiles! A convivial lunch in the Canada Room was followed with entertainment provided by students from Spark Opera and Queen’s Big Band.
Return to ‘The Hop’
The event culminated with a Reunion Dinner in the Great Hall. Norma Sinte, Director of Development, thanked all who had attended and paid particular tribute to the nine graduates who endorsed and supported the event: Lord Kerr, Lady Brenda McLaughlin, Sir Nigel Hamilton, Mr Alan McKelvey, Mr Gordon Burnison, Captain Bill Hagan, Ms Anna Carragher, Mr Geoffrey Ruddock and Mr Mervyn Millar.
In addition, a Ross Wilson portrait of Hugh Bevan, the highly regarded former Permanent Secretary of the Students’ Union was formally returned to the University at the Dinner.
After the formalities the ruby jubilarians spent the evening reminiscing and dancing to the sounds of the 60s with music provided by Bill Morrison and "The Group". With the Great Hall reverberating with tunes from The Beatles and The Beach Boys some of the couples wouldn’t have looked out of place on Strictly Come Dancing!
By chance the photograph which appeared on the front of the booking form was of Harry Oliphant, a 1970 BSc graduate now living in England. Harry, who attended the reunion, took great pleasure in re-staging the photograph forty years on – this time with his wife Rosemary!
The Reunion was a great success with many new memories created and old friendships rekindled over the weekend.
If you are interested in organising a reunion please contact Adele McMahon, Events & Reunions Officer.
