Padua College is calling its community back to Kedron this October, inviting generations of former students, staff, and families to reunite as the school celebrates its 70th anniversary.
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The Padua Family Reunion will bring together people whose connections to Padua span different generations, with live music, a walk through the school’s history, a short liturgy, food and refreshments planned for the evening.
The event invites former students and the wider Padua community to return to the school, reconnect with old friends and celebrate the people who have shaped its history.
An Invitation to Come Home
Organisers are encouraging Old Boys, current and former parents, staff members, Friars, grandparents, friends and supporters to attend the reunion.
The event draws on a sentiment attributed to Fr Alban Mitchell, who is credited with saying, “there’s no such thing as an ex-Paduan”. The phrase reflects the college’s invitation to people whose lives have been connected with Padua to take part in the celebration.
Former students will have an opportunity to catch up with classmates they may not have seen for years. Others can return to campus to reconnect with family members and former colleagues and reminisce about their time at the college.
Padua College has also used social media to encourage attendance, sharing photographs of familiar faces from the 1990s and asking followers to tag people they recognise or former classmates they have lost touch with. The message is simple: spread the word, find old friends and make plans to come home together.
Music, Memories, and Milestones
The evening will feature live music spanning several decades, including a performance by Padua Old Boy Oscar Lowe. A walk through Padua’s history and a short liturgy will also form part of the programme.
Food and refreshments will be available, with time set aside for guests to catch up and reconnect. The reunion places personal connections alongside the celebration of the college’s history. Padua College Rector Bruce McPhee has described the anniversary as an opportunity to recognise the people and relationships behind the institution’s 70-year history.
From Early Classes to a Lasting Community
Padua College’s Old Boys’ Association began in 1964, the year after the first senior class completed its studies in 1963 with 14 students. The association started with RJ McCart as president, helping establish an organised connection between former students and the school.
By 1965, the association had 40 financial members, which the college’s historical account describes as a good effort given the small number of junior and senior classes that had passed through the school. Activities included helping clear Gibson Park for a fourth oval and holding an Autumn Fair.
Looking Back and Ahead
The 70th anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on the individual stories that make up Padua’s history. Former students, staff and families have experienced the college at different times, contributing to its wider community history.
The reunion offers an opportunity to renew those connections and celebrate the wider Padua community. Organisers are encouraging attendees to contact former classmates and friends, particularly those who may not yet have heard about the event.
The Padua Family Reunion will take place on Thursday, 15 October 2026, from 5pm to 8pm at Padua College, 80 Turner Road, Kedron.
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After seven decades, the invitation extends to the wider Padua community: return to the Hill, reconnect with old friends, and celebrate the memories that link generations of Paduans.
Published 9-October-2026
