Former students of Parade’s final year class of 2009 have joined teachers and staff past and present in a 10-year reunion recently held at the Bundoora campus.

Amongst them was the 14-game Essendon backman Ben McNeice, pictured here at the far left with Will Botoulas flanking Marisa Cora – one of seven current teachers/staffers in the house, together with John Cornish, Carla Di Vito, Ivan Kummerle, Russell McKenzie, Anne-Marie Morello and Andrew Walker.

Also present was former teacher Marija Sika, with fellow former teacher Craig Seckold an apology.

James Belcher, the 2009 College Captain, remembered with affection the friendships forged with fellow students and teachers alike, amongst them the late Paul Crowe who was such a positive influence. As he said: “a lot of us had a very good relationship with ‘Crowey’”.

“It’s great that the boys still see eachother, whether through footy, through work or through mateship generally,” James said.

“The days at the College were great days. Parade was a great place to start out in life because it taught you a lot of things. Putting to one side the education, Parade pretty much taught you how the world worked, because it was built on community and comprised so many from different walks of life. In so many ways, Parade was home.”

A minute’s silence was also observed for a former class member of 2009, the late Tristan Cosgriff.

Images Kylie Hannam