For Coleen Gilmore, returning to Fiji after decades away has felt less like visiting a country and more like coming home.
Gilmore, who now lives in Australia, first came to Fiji in 1956 and later attended St Joseph’s Secondary School for two years.
She says some of her most treasured memories are of the friendships she formed, during her teenage years at the school.
Gilmore says those friendships have lasted through the years, describing her former classmates as her family.
She says one of the memories she holds closest is sitting on the grass during lunchtime, sharing food and stories with her friends.
Gilmore says those simple moments helped create friendships that continue to this day.
She says the school’s multicultural environment also brought students together as sisters.
Gilmore left Fiji in the late 1960s after spending almost 13 years in the country, but says she still feels a strong connection whenever she returns.
She says growing up in Fiji made the country home for her.
As part of St Joseph’s 70th anniversary jubilee celebrations, Gilmore and other old scholars have reunited to reminisce about their school days and celebrate the friendships they have carried through life.
Today’s programme included a bus tour around Suva, taking the old scholars along places connected to their school years before visiting the University of the South Pacific.
The group also visited the USP Book Centre, where they bought books written by some of their fellow alumni, as well as Corpus Christi, which has links to some former St Joseph’s teachers.
The bus tour is also giving old scholars an opportunity to see how Suva has changed over the years.
For Gilmore, however, the most important part of the reunion is being together again.
She says the memories created at St Joseph’s remain special, with friendships that began over shared lunches and school days continuing decades later.
Her message to current Saint Joseph’s students is to discover who they are, recognise their strengths and embrace challenges.
Gilmore says everyone has a talent, and the skills developed during childhood can stay with a person throughout life.
The jubilee celebrations continue this week, with a march and school activities tomorrow, followed by a market and jubilee ball on Saturday.
