Close to 95 current and former Richmond residents celebrated their shared memories and caught up with friends and relatives in Townsville from Friday, July 1 to Sunday, July 3 during the second Richmond Reunion.
Reunion coordinators Lyn Day and Ian Pilcher were very happy with the turnout and Mr Pilcher hopes the event turns into a regular biannual gathering.
“We had more people attend the inaugural event in 2013, but we still had strong numbers this year even though the dates conflicted with several items on the Richmond social calendar,” Mr Pilcher said.
“We’ve had people travel here for the reunion from all over Queensland and from out of state.
“Bringing together such a scattered group of people creates a wonderful opportunity for friends and family who in some cases haven’t seen each other since leaving Richmond to find out what others have been up to and how their children are going,” he said.
“On Friday night we had drinks and a catch-up at the Victoria Park Hotel, on Saturday we had a lunch gathering at The Strand and on Sunday we held a farewell lunch at Tom’s Tavern.”
Long time Richmond resident Joy Baillie launched her book Coachtracks, Kids & Cappuccinos at the reunion with a donation to be sent to to ovarian cancer research from profits made by the sale of the book.
“The reunion provides a wonderful way to catch-up with friends and acquaintances, I haven’t seen some of these people in decades,” Mrs Baillie said.
“It’s can be a bit of a sad occasion as well, as some of the people who are here today might not be alive when we have the next reunion,” she said.
Mr Pilcher said there really isn’t another town quite like Richmond.
“Once you’re a Richmondite you’re always a Richmondite, even when you leave the town, it doesn’t leave you.”
