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Byron Shire
June 7, 2026

The class of ’79 (and ’81) ready to reunite

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Cartoon of the week – 3 June, 2026

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Does my adulthood look big in this? Some of the inaugural intake from Kadina High try out 2016 jumpers in the name of reuniting for a bit of fun – ready to party like it's 1981 are Sue Palmer, Debbie Elliott, Scott Whitby, Sherrie Viney, and Louise Somerville. Photo Tree Faerie.
Does my adulthood look big in this? Some of the inaugural intake from Kadina High try out 2016 jumpers in the name of reuniting for a bit of fun – ready to party like it’s 1981 are Sue Palmer, Debbie Elliott, Scott Whitby, Sherrie Viney, and Louise Somerville. Photo Tree Faerie.

Thirty-nine years ago Kadina High School in Goonellabah opened it’s doors to a year 8 cohort, a group of teens who were always the “big kids” as the school grew when each new year 7 class enrolled behind them.

It was always going to be big when those students hit leaving in 1979 and did their HSC in 1981. Not a group for going quietly, the kids managed all the mayhem they could including storming the 2LM radio station control room and holding Nora Vidler hostage live on air for their muck up day.

Ready to relive those halcyon days and have a much needed catch up of toilet block gossip, this tightly-knit group will reunite in October and have a look at what the last 35 years has done to everyone.

Ex-students Scott, Barry and Dan will play in their band The Tesla Coil and plans are busily being made with much secret note passing and pencil case pinching…

If you were one of that first group at Kadina who did year 10 in ’79 or the HSC in 1981, please email with the word REUNION in the subject line: Ruth McMullan (nee Swalwell) – [email protected]; Louise Somerville (nee Goldsmith) – [email protected]; Richard Howard (always Howard) – [email protected]; or Karen McCosker (nee Silcock) – [email protected] for more info.

Spread the word so no one misses out on this very special gathering.



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