But it was made even more special for a group of former Wingham High School students.

Eleven students from Years 2 and 3 in 1944 and 1945 celebrated their 70th reunion on September 13.

Verna O’Neill was one of the former students in attendance, and said the group had made it an annual event to catch up.

“Every 12 months we get together for a reunion and this was our 70th one,” she said.

“We’ve held them every year for a long time, and at least seven of us still live around here and we try to catch up every year.”

Mrs O’Neill said their 70th reunion just happened to fall on the 150th anniversary of public education in Wingham.

“We had no idea it (150th anniversary) was happening, and we arranged for that weekend a long time before,” she said.

“It was a coincidence they happened to be on the same weekend.”

The Taree resident said the group spent the night reminiscing at Wingham’s Australian Hotel.

“We all just talked about when we went to school and it was good to catch up as most of us have forgotten it.”

Verna said the group had already chosen a date for next year’s reunion.

“We’ve chosen to have one on September 13 next year,” she said.