Issuu

2026

SPOSA Bulletin

Issue 2

Once an Old Scholar, Always Connected No matter where life takes you, we’d love to stay in touch. Update your details and share your milestones — new job, wedding, baby, or big move! Update here bit.ly/StPeters-Stay-Connected Got news to share? Email sposa@stpeters.qld.edu.au sposa@stpeters.qld.edu.au | stpeters.qld.edu.au | bit.ly/st-peters-linkedin facebook.com/sposa45 | instagram.com/splc.sposa

From the SPOSA President August always brings a change to the air with the beautiful sunny Brisbane winter weather, westerly winds, the Ekka! And this time around, a new SPOSA President article in the Bulletin! At this year’s SPOSA AGM, I accepted the role of President. I am honoured to have been placed in this role and hope that I can fill the very capable shoes that Llew stepped out of. I want to thank Llew for his excellent leadership; he has been such a steady, caring presence for us at SPOSA and guided us on our journey of growth to where we are today. A little bit about me: I attended St Peters for my entire school life from Years 1–12 and graduated in 1991. A fun fact — in that time I got to wear the Peter Pan collar uniform, the ‘checkout chick’ front-zip uniform, the pinafore and tie, and the white dress. I graduated with a Bachelor of Regional and Town Planning (Hons) from The University of Queensland and currently sit on the School of Architecture, Design and Planning Industry Advisory Board. I also guest lecture to planning, architecture and design students. Whilst juggling kids and home life, I also work as an urban planner in Brisbane.

Contents

SPOSA Update and 2026 Events

Celebrating Our Old Scholars

Reunion Weekend 2026

SPOSA Tennis Tournament

Trivia Night brings the P-Factor

Celebrating 80 Years

St Peters You’ve Got Talent

SPOSA Merchandise

In Memoriam

Get Involved with SPOSA

I now have twins at St Peters in Year 9 and have been active again in school life since they started in Prep, so in a sense, I feel as though I have never left. I have been a member of the SPOSA Committee since 2019. I can say that whilst some things are very different about the school from when I was here, some things are not — the sense of community, support for students and the dedicated staff. I very much enjoyed my time at school and have wonderful memories and lifelong friendships. There is a lot of messaging about how we should embrace change, and that change is good for us. In many ways, this is true; it keeps us on our toes and keeps our brains firing; however, it is always useful to learn from the past and to keep traditions alive. SPOSA is an entity that seeks to keep us connected to the values and traditions of the past, but it is also a living entity that has evolved and continues to evolve in how it does this. In recent years, SPOSA has embraced change with new events, new ways of connecting our Old Scholars, new merchandise, modernising our database and recording our archival material (to name a few). I am proud to be a part of this wonderful group and look forward to continuing our evolution. Cass Sun (1991) SPOSA President

Issue 2, 2026 | Editorial Team Lead Writer and Editorial Coordinator: Amanda Osborne Editor: Shannon King Designer(s): Clarissa Szepski Photographer(s): Anthony Cox SPOSA Office 66 Harts Road, Indooroopilly Qld 4068 | 07 3377 6592 St Peters Lutheran College 66 Harts Road, Indooroopilly Qld 4068 | 07 3377 6222 reception@stpeters.qld.edu.au stpeters.qld.edu.au facebook.com/stpeterslutherancollege instagram.com/splc.official

Save the date | 2026 Events Upcoming Events

10 Year – 2016

Volunteers Thank You

23 October

Carols Under The Stars

29 November

14 November, from 6:30pm | The Regatta Hotel Coordinator Chris Meyer | ch.meyer1998@gmail.com

5 Year – 2021

2026 SPOSA Committee Meeting Dates

17 October | The Regatta Hotel, Studio Exclusive from 6:00pm Coordinators Josiah Ruthenberg | josiah.ruthenberg@gmail.com Maddie Rushmore | madelinerushmore@hotmail.com

Boardroom, Centre for Learning and Innovation (CLI) 6:00pm. SPOSA members are welcome to attend. • Monday 14 September 2026 Monday 19 October 2026 • Monday 16 November 2026

1 Year – 2025 31 October | Centre for Learning and Innovation (CLI) from 6:30pm - 9:00pm Contact SPOSA for more information

Reunion Events There are several groups planning their reunions. Please get in touch with the following co-ordinators if you need to update your details or require further information.

Coordinators needed for the following reunion years: 1986 – 40 years

50 Year Ironbark Reunion – 1976–2026 Dido and Aeneas

25 – 27 September 2026 | Ironbark Marie-Louise Trusler (Miller) Ironbark2026@outlook.com

Saturday 19 September | 7:00pm | The Dron Auditorium Tickets: $45.00 | Student tickets $20.00 SPOSA members discount code: DIDOSPOSA bit.ly/dido-and-aeneas-stp

45 Year – 1981 Venue and time to be confirmed Coordinator Simon Gribben sgribben4@gmail.com

30 Year – 1996 31 October from 6:00pm The Regatta Hotel, Glenolive Room Coordinators Liz Gaffney | lizgaffney@me.com Nicky Robinson (Jurkschat)

25 Year – 2001 Time and date to be confirmed Coordinator Chris Hassall | cthassall@gmail.com

20 Year – 2006 24 October | St Lucia Golf Links from 5:00pm Register via the link: https://saints-06-reunion.base44.app Coordinator Rachael Sellars | rachaelhsellars@gmail.com

15 Year – 2011 Venue and time to be confirmed Coordinators Jemma Power | jemmason.power@gmail.com Megan Danslow | megdanslow@hotmail.com 4

SPOSA’s 2026/2027 Committee At the June SPOSA AGM, we acknowledged three outgoing Committee members for their years of contribution and commitment. Thank you to Ailsa Wood (Patterson 1992), Jennifer White (Dalrymple 1996) and Philip Woo (1975) for your support and volunteering throughout your time on the committee. We then welcomed three new members, Andrew Corkery (1995), Sarah Logan (Trenfield, 1991) and Richard Abraham (1983), and our new SPOSA President, Cassandra Sun (1991). Outgoing SPOSA President Llew Jones (1983) will remain as a committee member. SPOSA is led by an elected committee of 15 representatives who shape the direction of your Association. It is a community-focused group that enables our Old Scholars to maintain a link to old friends, network with over 8000 other members and give back to the community. As an Old Scholar you are welcome to join any of our monthly Committee meetings (dates listed for the rest of the year on the opposite page). Your 2026/2027 SPOSA Committee members are listed below.

Connecting with our Old Scholar community

Patron: Margaret Curnow (OAM) (Neumann 1960)

Committee Members 2026–2027: Julie Ross (1969) David Jones (1969)

President: Cassandra Sun (1991)

Bradley Porter (1975)

Vice President: Rowena Lester (Fulton 1991)

Llewellyn Jones (1983)

Update your details bit.ly/StPeters-Stay-Connected

Vice President: Rob Barber (1990)

Connect with us sposa@stpeters.qld.edu.au Facebook @SPOSA45 Instagram @splc.sposa LinkedIn (St Peters Lutheran College)

Treasurer: Simon Gideon (Mafi 1994) Secretary: Anne Fulton (1988)

Karel Baum (1976) Richard Abraham (1983) Sarah Logan (Trenfield, 1991) Andrew Corkery (1995) Zoe Truesdell (Wihardjo, 1998)

SPOSA Office Update As SPOSA’s 80th anniversary celebrations continue throughout 2026, it’s wonderful to see that the connections formed at St Peters are as strong as ever.

You can read more about the weekend and browse the photos in the Bulletin. And there’s plenty more to come! SPOSA has another nine Peer Year reunions on the calendar, bringing together the classes of 1976 Ironbark, 1981, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021 and our newest Old Scholars, the Class of 2025.

In June, we welcomed nearly 70 Old Scholars to SPOSA President’s Drinks, followed by more than 120 Old Scholars and guests for our Reunion Lunch. It was a fabulous weekend of catching up, reminiscing and sharing plenty of laughs, with some Old Scholars returning to the College for the first time in many years. Just as importantly, new connections were made across generations, a lovely reminder of what makes the St Peters community so special.

There are plenty of opportunities to catch up, have some fun and reconnect with old friends, or come and volunteer as we’d love to see you! Amanda Osborne Alumni and Archives Officer

Old Scholar Applications

Old Scholars who wish to enrol their children or grandchildren in the following year levels are reminded to submit an online application by the end of Term 4. • Prep 2028 • Year 5 2029 • Year 7 2030 Due to the high demand for College places, applications from Old Scholars must be received by Wednesday 2 December 2026. Submit an Online Application https://bit.ly/StP-enrol 6

Celebrating Our Old Scholars Music Composition Accomplishments for William Clegg

Old Scholar John Radel (2020) Makes NRL Debut St Peters Old Scholar John Radel (2020) has achieved a lifelong ambition, making his NRL debut for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in their Round 15 clash against the Brisbane Broncos.

Congratulations to Old Scholar William Clegg (2025) on two outstanding achievements that highlight both his academic excellence and creative talent. William received a QCAA Sub Achievement Commendation after achieving the highest result in Queensland for both Music and Music Extension (Composition). This remarkable accomplishment places him among the very best in the state.

A boarder at St Peters from Year 7 to his graduation in 2020, John’s journey to rugby league’s biggest stage has been one of determination and perseverance. After representing Queensland Schoolboys, he progressed through the Queensland Cup with Wynnum Manly and the Mackay Cutters, where his consistent performances earned him the club’s Player of the Year award and caught the attention of Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett. John joined South Sydney on a train-and-trial opportunity before earning his place in the NRL squad.

William’s outstanding skill and passion for composition were also recognised at the 2025 Australian National Youth Composition Competition, presented by the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors Association (ABODA). Competing in both the Wind Band and String Orchestra categories, William was awarded first place.

John marked his debut in memorable fashion, scoring a try in the Rabbitohs’ convincing 48-6 victory over Brisbane. Speaking after the match, he reflected on the setbacks and hard work that eventually led to his opportunity, crediting his persistence and work ethic for helping him reach the game’s highest level. Congratulations to John on this outstanding achievement. The St Peters community is incredibly proud to see another Old Scholar fulfilling their dream on the national stage, and we look forward to following his NRL career in the years ahead.

William Clegg

John Radel (2020) NRL debut

Torrie Lewis (2022)

Mills Roberts (2024)

Amaya Mearns (2025)

Photo credit Australian Athletics Queensland Association

St Peters Athletes Continue to Shine on the World Stage

placed sixth in the 200m and helped Australia to a fourthplace finish in the 4x100m Relay.

Congratulations to three outstanding St Peters Old Scholars on their recent achievements in Athletics on the world stage.

Following in her footsteps are two of the College’s newest graduates. Milla Roberts (2024) and Amaya Mearns (2025) have both been selected to represent Australia at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, USA, this August. Milla will compete in the Women’s 1500m, while Amaya has earned selection in both the Women’s 200m and the Women’s 4x100m Relay. Their selection is a testament to their dedication, talent and hard work.

Leading the way is Torrie Lewis (2022), who continues to establish herself as Australia’s top sprinter. Earlier this year, Torrie helped the Australian Women’s 4x100m Relay team deliver an outstanding performance at the 2026 World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana. The team recorded the fifth-fastest time in Australian history, securing qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing.

The achievements of Torrie, Milla and Amaya highlight the exciting future of Australian athletics and the proud tradition of St Peters athletes competing at the highest level. SPOSA congratulates all three Old Scholars and wishes Milla and Amaya every success as they continue to represent Australia on the world stage.

Torrie then enjoyed a remarkable Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow, where she cemented her place in Australian athletics history. Torrie is now the fastest Australian woman ever over 100m, setting a new Australian women’s national record of 10.99 seconds at the Games. In doing so, she became the first Australian woman to break the 11-second barrier. She finished with bronze in the 100m,

SPW swimmers at Commonwealth Games

Ella Ramsay (2022, Springfield)

St Peters Old Scholar Swimmers Excel at the Commonwealth Games

Freestyle and helped Australia to gold in the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle and 4x100m Medley relays, while taking silver in the 100m Freestyle.

What a Games it was for our St Peters Old Scholars representing Australia at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow!

For Amelia, it was a memorable Commonwealth Games debut. The 2023 Old Scholar finished fourth in the 400m Freestyle, narrowly missing a podium in a strong field.

A huge congratulations to Amelia Weber (2023), Kai Taylor (2021), Jenna Forrester (2020), Mollie O’Callaghan (2022, Springfield) and Ella Ramsay (2022, Springfield), who all proudly wore the green and gold in the pool.

And congratulations to Ella, who also made her mark for Australia with a bronze medal in the 400m Individual Medley.

Kai enjoyed a standout Games, taking home an incredible four gold medals. He won the men’s 200m Freestyle and helped Australia to gold in the 4x100m Freestyle, 4x200m Freestyle and Mixed 4x100m Freestyle relays.

Adding to these remarkable achievements, a record 17 St Peters Western athletes represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games, an outstanding indication of the strength of the program and the dedication of its athletes and coaches.

Jenna also excelled, finishing the Games with three gold medals and a bronze. She claimed gold in the 200m Backstroke, 200m Individual Medley and 400m Individual Medley, as well as bronze in the 400m Freestyle.

Pictured: Amelia Wever (2023), Kai Taylor (2021), Jenna Forrester (2020) and Mollie O’Callaghan (2022) with Head Coach Dean Boxall.

Mollie added three gold medals and a silver to her remarkable international medal tally. She won the 200m

Reunion Weekend 2026 Pictured above: Tristan Jones (2020), Llew Jones (1983), Ruth Radke (1983), Alex Patalano (1983, Hinz), Andrew Corkery (1995), Leith Woodland (1976)

A Night of Reconnecting at SPOSA President’s Drinks Reunion Weekend got off to a great start in June this year, with close to 70 Old Scholars gathering for the annual President’s Drinks on Friday night. With graduates from the 1960s through to the 2000s in the room, there was plenty of catching up, reminiscing and laughter. For some, it was the first time they had seen each other in decades, and the conversation certainly picked up where it left off!

Adding to the atmosphere was the wonderful Symphoria String Quartet, which provided a beautiful musical backdrop to the evening. Many guests then headed across to the Performing Arts Centre afterwards to enjoy the spectacular Disco Symphony performance — a fantastic way to kick off Reunion Weekend. A big thank you to everyone who joined us. It was a wonderful night of old friends, new memories and plenty of SPOSA spirit!

Class of 1976

Class of 1966

Timbi Poon (2002) and Stephen Catchpoole (1983)

Leigh Staines (1997), Bruce Lin (1997), Felicity Rose (1998), Sam Chenoweth (1998), Renata Rankin (Curnow, 1996)

SPOSA Committee and Alumni Officer

Jane Arden (1990), Renata Rankin (1996), Margaret Curnow (Neumann 1960)

Presidents’ Drinks, Reunion Weekend 2026

Symphoria Quartet

Richard Abraham (1983), Sarah Kell, Llew Jones (1983)

Julie Wilson (Rohde, 1976) and Suzanne Hewett (1976)

Robyn Prebble (1971), husband Jeff Prebble and Virginia Flynn (1971)

Kathryn McCook (1969), Jennifer White (Dalrymple 1996), Julie Ross (Hillman 1969)

Michael Fenwick (1976)

Lorna Heslop (Kratzing 1966)

A Reunion Weekend Celebrating Old Friends and New Memories! It was wonderful to welcome our Old Scholars back to the College for Reunion Weekend 2026. The celebrations began with morning tea in the gardens of Ross Roy, the original home of St Peters, where over 40 Old Scholars gathered on a beautiful Brisbane winter morning. With Old Scholars from the 1940s through to the 2000s, there was no shortage of stories and memories to share. For some, returning to Ross Roy was especially meaningful. Anne Kotzur (Francis, 1961), mother of Head of College Tim Kotzur, Wilma Marsh (Zimitat, 1952) and Eric Beutel OAM (1949) were among those who had boarded and studied in the historic building during the late 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Current St Peters boarders then led a tour of the College, giving our Old Scholars a chance to see how much has changed and share stories of how things used to be. The morning continued with Songs of Praise led by Pastor Tim Jarick in the Chapel, followed by lunch, where close to 120 Old Scholars came together representing eight decades of St Peters history. We celebrated those marking 70, 60, 55 and 50 years since graduation, with reunion presentations, badges, great food and wine, cake, plenty of laughter and, most importantly, lots of time to catch up.

1976ers - Joanne Ede (Porter), Adrienne Stark (Atkinson), Maree Johnson

And the feedback says it all. Peter and Dale Hamlyn (1966 and 1967) said: “We are still basking in the joy of reacquainting ourselves with people who used to be ‘like family’. SPOSA did an amazing job of corralling us all and putting on a fabulous array of activities.” They particularly enjoyed the Disco Symphony performance, admitting they even managed “a bit of shaking our tail feathers”, before reflecting on the lasting impact of their time at St Peters: “St Peters gave us such a wonderful foundation for life — and not the least, each other.” Ruth Radke (1983) appreciated the opportunity to revisit some of the College’s most familiar places, saying, “I thoroughly enjoyed the tour of Ross Roy and the Girls’ Dormitories, the Chapel service and lunch. It was a lovely experience reminiscing”. For Ros McCourt (Lau, 1966), the weekend was especially memorable. She described being welcomed “back into the fold” and “treated like royalty” by the SPOSA team. One of her highlights was reconnecting with friends from 60 years ago and unexpectedly seeing three former teachers, Year 8 teacher Jennifer Kleinschmidt (Chandler 1956), music teacher Leonie Hansen (Brindley 1956) and Senior English teacher Robin Kleinschmidt (1954), who had also returned to the College to celebrate their 70-year graduation as an Old Scholar. “It was just so special,” she said, 13

Eight decades of history. A lifetime of connection. particularly noting the significance of being together again with Janet Eupene and Peter Schindler, who, like Ros, began their St Peters journey in Year 7 under Lois Dron (Eckhardt). The AGM on the Sunday, which wrapped up the weekend, marked a change of leadership for SPOSA, as we thanked Llew Jones (1983) for his dedication and leadership as President for the last seven years and welcomed Cassandra (Cass) Sun (1991) into the role. A huge thank you to the SPOSA Committee and everyone behind the scenes who helped make the weekend such a success, as well as the St Peters Food Services team for keeping everyone so well fed! Most of all, thank you to everyone who travelled near and far to be part of the weekend. It was a wonderful reminder that the friendships made here really can last a lifetime. We look forward to welcoming everyone back again next year.

Reunion Weekend 2026

1976, Rita Mechielsen (Van Der Zwaag), Jan Schilling (Homann), Pam Carden (Ford)

Lyn Bateson (Hauser 1966)

1956ers - Leona Brindley (Hansen), Jennifer Challenger (Kleinschmidt), Pam Champion (Caldwell)

1983ers enjoying touring the library

Dale Hamlyn (1967), Peter Hamlyn (1966) Don Sargeant (1966)

Tim Kotzur (Head of College) and Anne Kotzur (Francis 1961)

1971, Peter Bulley, Roberta Bonnin, Simon Foo, Robyn Prebble (Miles), Ros Keay (Taudevin)

Karel Baum (1976)

Cheryl Harvey (Wandel 1976), Russell Williams (1967)

Morning tea - Class of 1966

Ladies from 1976 on library tour

1956

1966

1971

1976

Margaret Curnow (1960), Anne Kotzur(1961), Joan Grace (1956)

Touring Girls boarding

Wilma Marsh (1952) and her grandson

Susan Blaikie (1976) and Alannah Emmerson (Grice, 1976)

Songs of Praise

1976ers -David Kernke, Theodore Radke , Heather Sheeran (Pringle), Amanda McAully (Hannan)

Class of 1991 Reunion Top left: Sue McNaught, Kay Khoo, Rowi McIntosh.

The month of June was packed with reunions. The Class of 1991 celebrated 35 years on 20 June by catching up for drinks at the Hundred Acre Bar. The get-together was a spontaneous event for anyone who could make it on the day. It was a lovely afternoon and evening at the same place where the Class of ’91 held their Valedictory Dinner and 10-year reunion. The 20-strong group shared lots of stories and laughs, reminiscing about school antics, teachers and Ironbark. Thanks to everyone who came — it was a blast! Thank you also to those who emailed or messaged in their absence. It was so nice to hear from you. See you again at the 40th!

Top right: Sarah Trenfield, Kimberley Robinson (Shearer), Jeremy Wicks, Declan Dart, Shana Sessarago (Ellison), Cassandra Sun, Jacob Cooney. Bottom left: Row Lester (Fulton), Ingrid Richards, Michelle Terry Bottom middle: Oriel Morrison, Ally Blake, Megan Brock, Jae Lancaster

St Peters Old Scholars on the Darling Downs Continue the Tradition

The St Peters community on the Darling Downs continues to grow stronger, with another successful catch-up held in May this year at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church hall, Toowoomba.

The catch-up proved so popular that plans are already in place for another gathering at the same venue in October. If you’re a St Peters Old Scholar living in Toowoomba, the Darling Downs, Crows Nest, Fernvale or surrounding areas, keep an eye out for details of the next reunion. It’s a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends, make new connections and celebrate the enduring St Peters spirit.

Close to 30 Old Scholars representing a range of generations came together to enjoy an afternoon of sharing stories over a casual lunch. A heartfelt thank you to Garry Hauser (1967) for once again organising the event and bringing the St Peters community together.

Class of 1973

Enjoys Riverfront Reunion In June this year, thirteen members of the Class of 1973 caught up for brunch at the Officers Mess in New Farm. This cohort has regular mini reunions throughout the year, open to anyone free at the time. Set against the picturesque Brisbane River, this venue provided the perfect backdrop for an impromptu catch-up. While many classmates were unable to attend, the response was positive, which is indicative of the strong connection shared by this group. They welcomed two ‘newbies’ who reconnected with the group for the first time since their 50-Year Reunion three years ago. The group is already planning to meet at the Southport Yacht Club for lunch on Wednesday 11 November, followed by breakfast at the Southport Surf Lifesaving Club on Thursday 12 November. Here’s to many more years of friendship and shared memories for the Class of 1973.

Top left: Joan Hirsimaki (Hartwig), Dirk Bowen Top Right: Bissie Roberts (Schmelzer), Katie Yeowart Bottom Left: Jill Hepburn (Sheeran), Helen Heathwood (Harbison) Bottom Middle: Gordon Stone, Ken Chee Bottom Right: Peter Kruger, Ben Seeto, Dirk Bowen

SPOSA Tennis Tournament As part of the annual SPOSA Tennis Tournament in August this year, over 12 doubles teams consisting of Old Scholars, current students from Years 4–12 and their parents, hit the courts competing for the trophy. The standard of tennis throughout the tournament was impressive. Congratulations to our 2026 Champions, Braydon F (Year 9) and Old Scholar Luke Dyer (2023), and Runners-Up Mia S (Year 10 Boarder) and Old Scholar Verdant Mange (2021). It is always a joy to see the St Peters Tennis community come together! See you in 2027. A huge thanks to the Tennis PSG, Coach Mark Lewis and St Peters Old Scholars Association for their continued support of this event.

P&F and SPOSA

Trivia Night brings the P-Factor Trivia Night returned to St Peters on Saturday 8 August, with Old Scholars and friends coming together for a fun-filled night of puzzles, prizes and pure fun.

theme — the letter ‘P’. From pyjamas to pirates to pink flamingos and everything in between, everyone embraced the brief with plenty of personality and flair.

Hosted by SPOSA and the P&F Committee, and expertly MC-ed by Caleb Greyman (2002) from BrisQuiz, the night featured plenty of friendly competition, creative costumes and impressive table decorations, all inspired by this year’s

Congratulations to our winning team, Playing in Puddles, whose chosen charity Orange Sky Laundry will receive the $1,000 donation. The Flocking Pink Flamingos took out Best Dressed Team, while the Pyjama Posse won Best Dressed table. A huge thank you to everyone who came along and helped make the night such a success, and especially to the wonderful volunteers who gave their time to help behind the scenes. We couldn’t do it without you!

Celebrating 80 Years The Stories That Stay with Us For 80 years, the St Peters Old Scholars Association has helped generations of Old Scholars stay connected to the College, to one another and to the friendships and experiences that began here.

Their stories also reflect the impact of a St Peters education long after leaving the College. Among them were teachers, a social worker, local government leaders and a highly regarded dairy farmer, with each acknowledging the important role St Peters played in their lives.

As part of our Celebrating 80 Years series, we’ve been asking Old Scholars to look back and share the memories that have stayed with them. Their stories span the decades and, while St Peters itself has changed considerably, some familiar threads run through them all — family, friendships, music, teachers, traditions, a little mischief, and the people who left a lasting impression.

For 55 consecutive years, there was a Kleinschmidt at St Peters, a remarkable family legacy woven into the history of the College.

For the Kleinschmidt family, St Peters has been part of their story from the beginning. Between 1945 and 1999, there was at least one Kleinschmidt enrolled at the College every year for 55 years, with 42 family members attending during that time. It began with Gordon in 1945 and continued through generations, with five siblings, Rex, Robin, Jennifer, Colin and Geoffrey all attending in the early years. Seventy-two years later, the five were photographed together again at a family lunch.

For Robin Kleinschmidt (1954), one of the most influential figures from his school days was the College’s first Headmaster, Wilfred Schneider. Years later, when Robin became the founding Headmaster of Redeemer Lutheran College, he found himself drawing on many of the qualities he had admired in his former headmaster: calmness, kindness, discipline, and quiet care for his students.

For Peter Roennfeldt (1974), St Peters was already woven into his family history before he arrived in Year 11. His grandfather had been involved in the planning committee, his mother attended the College’s opening in 1945, and several aunts and sisters had followed in the years after. Music became a big part of Peter’s own St Peters story. He joined the Chapel Choir, toured regional Queensland, performed at teachers’ weddings and even found himself in the title role of the Operetta, Tom Jones. Decades later, he returned to the College as Queensland Conservatorium Director for the opening of the Dron Performing Arts Centre, a particularly special moment given that the site had once been home to the Seniors’ Common Room.

Looking back, Robin recognised that Mr Schneider had been a role model in ways he could not fully appreciate as a young student. It’s a reminder that a teacher’s influence can last beyond the classroom and, sometimes, well beyond the years spent at school.

Peter’s story captures something that comes through again and again in these reflections: the places and experiences of our school days can take on new meaning when we return to them later in life.

Llew Jones (1983) remembers a very different St Peters, one with dirt roads, World War II-era wooden huts and even a pet emu in the nature reserve where the Harts Road oval now sits. As a boarder from Hong Kong, the rustic campus was a long way from home and initially felt rather exotic.

Music was growing too, with bands, strings and choirs becoming an increasingly important part of College life. For Llew, the Chapel Choir was a highlight, with students travelling around Queensland in their maroon cassocks and singing four-part harmonies wherever they went.

His memories paint a lively picture of a College still finding its feet. Students were involved in everything from laying turf on what became Stolz Oval (albiet so badly it had to be re-laid by professionals) to watching international gymnasts train at the Gymnasium ahead of the 1982 Commonwealth Games. Dr Dron and the St Peters teaching team pushed the envelope with initiatives such the German Gymnasium; a computer lab which Mr David Woodrow pioneered; planting small saplings in what is now Mr Barry Jahnke’s well established rainforest; the beginnings of Ironbark and, of course, the famous school War Cry, which Llew can still remember in Māori all these years later.

Looking back, he describes the 1980s as a coming-of-age period for St Peters — a time when the College was still experimenting, building and improving, with plenty of homespun fundraising and a fair amount of do-it-yourself work along the way. The College may be bigger and more polished today, but Llew sees the same spirit of striving for a better future that was there in his time. And sometimes, the memories that stay with us are much smaller.

For Rob Barber (1990), one of his most enduring St Peters lessons came from an Ancient History assignment. After submitting work that he had copied from textbooks, Rob was summoned to the Langer Library by Mr Friedemanis, who calmly produced five textbooks and showed him exactly where the words had come from.

History lesson, these stories are all different, but share something at their heart. They remind us that St Peters is more than buildings, classrooms and school years. It is the people we meet, the lessons we carry with us, the traditions we pass on and the connections that somehow endure, even decades later.

Needless to say, the assignment didn’t go particularly well, but the lesson certainly did. More than three decades later, Rob still remembers it as an important reminder to do things properly, not take shortcuts and, perhaps most importantly, never underestimate a teacher’s ability to know exactly what you’ve been up to.

That is the spirit we are celebrating as SPOSA reaches 80 years — and there are many more stories still to tell.

From the Kleinschmidt family’s seven decades of connection, to Peter’s music-filled school days, Llew’s memories of a young and evolving College, and Rob’s unforgettable Ancient

St Peters You’ve Got Talent Finale 2026 Winner

St Peters You’ve Got Talent (SPYGT) rocked the Performing Arts Centre on 14 August. Organised by the College Captains and Year 12 Prefects, the annual talent competition features performances by students from Years 7-12. This years event raised more than $8000 through ticket sales and the canteen with all proceeds donated to the Red Kite Foundation which supports families facing childhood cancer. Sponsored by SPOSA, prizes were awarded to the first, second and third place winners. This year’s theme, Pitch Perfect, set the stage for a highly entertaining evening.

Noise Complaint Lachie C (Year 12) Caleb H (Year 12) Desmond N (Year 11) Brayden F (Year 9) Performed ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ by Guns N’ Roses Donating to the Red Kite Foundation

2nd Place Annika S (Year 11)

The talent on display at the Grand Finale was exceptional, with the audience enthusiastically cheering on their favourite performers throughout the night. Thank you to our College Captains, prefects, staff and everyone who worked behind the scenes to deliver such a spectacular event.

3rd Place

Congratulations to all performers for their outstanding efforts, and a special congratulations to the 2026 SPYGT champions Noise Complaint, , second place Annika S (Year 11) and third place Eva C (Year 7). 29

Eva C (Year 7)

SPOSA Merchandise SPOSA is excited to share our brand-new range of merchandise — perfect for showing your College pride or gifting to a fellow Old Scholar. Each item has been thoughtfully created so you can take a little piece of St Peters memorabilia home with you. As part of the merchandise line up we now have a new range of SPOSA jerseys which you can choose to personalise with your graduating class year on the back and sleeve or just leave blank.

$90.00 $12.00 $20.00 $20.00 $6.00 $7.00 FREE

Jersey Sports towel Cap Portable powerbank Pen Key chain with bottle opener Tote

Email sposa@stpeters.qld.edu.au to place an order

In Memoriam

Ronald Walter Bahnisch Remembered by Dr Ulf Metzner (1955)

Many of us remember Ron Bahnisch as we reflect on his final farewell. Born on 7 June 1935, Ron’s life ended here on earth on 6 February 2026, some eight months after his 90th birthday. He began life’s journey in a Christian family on a Queensland farm and from here he went to St Peters Lutheran College in 1949, when the school was just four years old. During his three years here, he was known as a keen sportsman, especially in rugby and tennis, but also as a high achiever academically.

paying tribute to Ron at his funeral. Several regional papers published eulogies honouring Ron Bahnisch’s achievements on regional and national levels. Mirani MP Glen Kelly said, “Standing up for our farmers was always Ron’s biggest motivator”, and Capricornia MP Michelle Landry described him as a “true champion, a principled Australian, who never did anything by halves; who never wavered in his beliefs”.

After Junior in 1951, Ron returned to the farm ‘Martindale’ in Downfall Creek near Guluguba to help his parents, who were among the pioneer farmers in the area. Some years later, Ron, together with his wife Lorna (they married in 1962), moved to Marlborough in Central Queensland, and more recently to Gracemere, where they became one of Queensland’s successful cattle producers. Here Ron and Lorna continued as faithful members of the Calvary Lutheran Church congregation in Rockhampton.

Ron was also known for his wonderful bass-baritone voice. He was asked to sing at weddings and many other festive occasions. The mourners heard his voice for the last time at his funeral service, where his rendition of ‘Ol’ Man River’ and ‘Goodbye’ from the White Horse Inn were played.

As a farmer and cattle producer, Ron’s life was also characterised by his active involvement in fighting for country people. This began in the seventies when a collapse of prices in the cattle industry highlighted serious deficiencies in the marketing system. In 1976 Ron played a part in establishing the Cattlemen’s Union of Australia with 3000 attendees at the inaugural conference. Ron also became a founding member of Property Rights Australia. As chairman, he helped build a legal fighting fund to defend landowners unfairly prosecuted. He left his mark on Central Queensland and beyond, ensuring that all levels of government heard the voices of farmers.

St Peters Old Scholar and Ron’s life-long friend Ulf Metzner (1955) preached at Ron’s funeral and officiated at his cremation service on 20 February, where he gave thanks for Ron, for his love and life, for his faithfulness as a child of God.

At Ron’s funeral on 19 February 2026, Calvary Lutheran Church overflowed with more than 300 people. Many of the attendees had travelled long distances to show their respect and to farewell one of Central Queensland’s most passionate advocates for primary producers. National Party MP Senator Matthew Canavan was among the many speakers

At SPOSA we remember that early in his remarkable journey Ron was a student at St Peters in those early years 1949– 1951.

We respectfully acknowledge the passing of the following Old Scholars. Help us honour and remember members of our St Peters community. If you know of an Old Scholar who has passed, please contact us at 3377 6592 or sposa@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Until he admitted to his family that he needed to go to hospital, Ron continued to be very much involved in all aspects of farm life, including attending cattle sales, buying and arranging transport, branding, etc. Ron is mourned by his wife Lorna, his three sons Peter, Nigel and Tony and their families. Together with Lorna, Ron had 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren (one deceased).

God grant him peace, peace eternal.

Erik Finger (1955) Derek Wan (1961) Tim Battle (1973) Garry Boshammer (1973) Tony Gribben (1974) Michael O’Brien (1987) Selwin Brindley (former maths and science teacher)

1938 – 2026 1942 – 2026 1956 – 2026 1956 – 2026 1956 – 2026 1970 – 2025 1940 – 2026

Saint for Life

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