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We are excited to invite Old Howquarians from the Class of 1999, 2009, and 2019 to return to Howqua Campus for a visit, tour and to celebrate your very special 10, 20 and 30-Year Howqua Reunions. We will also be welcoming current Howqua families, current School families and future School families to the campus on this day.
Due to the size of our community attending the campus, we will be capping numbers, so if you intend to come along, please register promptly.
Please read the following information, to make sure you're aware of the logistical aspects involved:
Arrival Time:
Please arrive at the campus as close to 11.00 am as possible.
Sign in:
Please follow the pathway up to the campus and head towards the OLA banners and the registration table. We will provide you with a name tag and you will be free to explore the campus at your leisure.
Exploring Your Houses:
We understand that you will want to explore your House and gather with your Housemates as you fondly recall the many memories you created. We know that you will also want to lift the mattresses to see all the signatures left by past House residents, including yours! This is perfectly fine, however we kindly ask that you are mindful and respectful towards the students who currently live in your house and sleep in your bunk, so please ensure you minimise disruption to the contents of the houses as you wander around. We encourage you to take photos on the balconies of the houses overlooking the magnificent mountains. A view that you won't have seen for many years!
Departure Time:
All Old Howquarians must depart the campus prior to 2.00 pm. This is so the staff and current Howqua students can return to their normal day of campus activities by 3.00 pm.
BYO Your Picnic to the Campus:
Please BYO a picnic to the campus (non alcoholic drinks please). You're welcome to coordinate sharing of platters of food and drinks.
Enjoy Delicious Food and a Winery Experience at Delatite Winery Afterwards
If you don't wish to picnic at the campus, after your visit, head to Delatite Winery for a delicious lunch, or even to just wander the grounds, and perhaps enjoy a wine-tasting.
Delatite Options include:
Cellar Door - three different experiences, including their Estate Tasting,
Reserve Tasting - includes their most perfected wines and a tasting of their schnapps.
Delatite Delights - a mini degustation that includes 5 bites worth of food, paired with 5 half-glasses of wine.
Please note - all cellar door experiences commence at 11.00am to 4.00 pm and must be booked prior to the day. Go here to book your Cellar Door Experience.
Dining Room - table service with a full menu for groups of 2 or more.
Dining Room with Feature Menu - Bookings over 8 will be offered the Feature Menu which includes off-menu items changed every week based on seasonality and availability - 5 different courses. The Feature Menu is one of the best ways to enjoy Delatite's dining experience.
Casual Dining - outside tables. Platters, without the full menu using the Mr Yum App - just QR code your order and pay as you go. The outside area is not undercover and without heaters, so lovely weather is necessary. If weather isn't favourable, you may be moved inside the winery but this is subject to availability and is not guaranteed.
Please note - all Dining Room experiences commence from 12.00 pm to the final sitting at 2.30 pm and must be booked prior to the day. Go here to book your Dining Room Experience.
Bookings are essential for all experiences at Delatite Winery. For more information, head to their website: https://www.delatitewinery.com.au/
And, please be sure to tell Delatite that you're visiting to celebrate your Reunion, and that Lauriston continues its commitment in supporting local businesses.
Join us on the Saturday night in Mansfield!
If you are staying in the Mansfield region the night before, please join us for a Pre-Reunion event at the Mansfield Hotel on Saturday 24 October from 5pm to 7pm. You’ll have the option to register for this as part of your ticket registration. Everything, pay as you go.
Dinner on the Saturday Night in Mansfield?
If you're keen to have dinner in Mansfield on the Saturday night after Drinks, you're welcome to go here to book your table, or you can email Katie at info@mansfieldhotel.com.au.
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Please read the Frequently Asked Questions, for more information:
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):
Welcome to your 'Back to Howqua' Reunion, where we're celebrating the 10, 20 and 30-Year Howqua Reunions for the Class of 1999, the Class of 2009 and the Class of 2019! This special event is all about giving past Howqua students the chance to come back to campus, relive the memories of their beloved Year 9 home, explore the campus grounds to discover what's new, and most importantly, to reconnect with old friends and Housemates in a relaxed and social atmosphere. It's a time for nostalgia and rekindling connections!
How much is it to attend your Howqua Reunion?
It’s free! However you MUST register your attendance. You can visit the campus and enjoy a BYO picnic. Delatite Winery also offers the option of you booking lunch or an experience after your campus visit. If you choose to participate in a Delatite Experience, you can book and pay for that directly through their website.
Can I bring my own picnic?
Yes! You are welcome to bring food and non-alcoholic drinks to the campus to enjoy. Due to the expected number of visitors, there will be a strict timeframe of the duration you spend at the campus, but you will have time to walk the Ring Road, visit your House, reconnect with each other and enjoy your picnic. If you don't wish to bring a picnic, you can instead organise an experience at Delatite Winery, who have a variety of options on offer.
Can I bring my partner?
Yes. You can bring your partner and close family members, however numbers are capped, so please be sure to book promptly to avoid disappointment.
Can I drive directly to the campus?
Yes. You can drive directly to the campus and park on 'the flat'. We do encourage carpooling to minimise road and parking congestion. If weather declines prior to the event, we will be in touch with a contingency plan.
Why can’t I spend longer at the campus?
We will be organising tours for all our community which will ensure a more controlled and fair experience for all who attend and this also means that we can accommodate larger numbers of attendees.
Why is there only 1 opportunity to visit the campus?
The campus is the home to over 100 students and staff and the curriculum and program means that there are no designated weekends where visitors can visit throughout the year. The School has dedicated 2 opportunities for visitors – one at the beginning of each year for current families to help their daughters transition to the campus, the 2nd opportunity each year is October on a Sunday.
I have a baby – can I bring my baby?
Yes. As you know, the campus is hilly with tracks and trails so keep in mind that navigating with prams might be a bit tricky, so we recommend bringing a carrier. For our future Howquarians, it's crucial to keep a close eye on your little ones because our campus is quite expansive, with trails and pathways that extend into more secluded areas.
I am a member of the Class of 1999, 2009, or 2019 but I didn't attend Howqua in Year 9. Can I still come?
Of course! We love any opportunity to gather our past students together, and this is a great chance for you to see the houses and visualise and almost experience what your peers experienced during Year 9.
For more information, please email ola@lauriston.vic.edu.au