The school photo shows a typical class of 11 and 12-year-olds at Aramoho School in 1942. Except for the monochrome picture, it could be a class of today. What's different about this class of standard five and six pupils is that they still get together regularly, keeping alive friendships formed
at school during the war.
There's an obvious Mainstreet connection, with Viv Perry's dad Peter Anderson in the photo. So is Ritchie Minnell's mum, June Wenham.
"In 2001 they had a reunion at Papamoa," says Viv. "It would have been organised by Graham Benbrook [front row, left]. They meet twice a year and it was very exclusive."
"It was the 125th anniversary of Aramoho School," says Graham Benbrook. "I've got 12 brothers and sisters and we all went to Aramoho School. We had such a good time at the reunion we decided that those from our class who wanted to could meet every year. And we did. We met the next year in Wanganui and had a meal there, then we decided we'd have an actual reunion every year. On one trip we went to the Marlborough Sounds and stayed in baches organised by the classmate who lives down there, Barbara Garner. We went out on the boats and were there for about four days. We went all over; Tauranga, Havelock North, Mt Ruapehu ... we went to Wanganui several times because a lot live there. They came to Waikanae where I live three times, because they liked it here. Wherever we went, the classmates who lived there had to organise the four days. That's been going on for nearly 20 years."
Their ranks have thinned and some live elsewhere now, but their gatherings are still held regularly.
"We've got to the stage now as our numbers are getting fewer that we generally meet in Wanganui and we have two luncheons a year in March and November to miss the winter."
Graham still produces the newsletters and notices on his computer.
"We started inviting other people because when we went to hire the RSA they said we need a minimum number of 20."
This year, the Aramoho School class of 65 was included in a get-together at the RSA in Whanganui. That meant Viv could attend and the class reunion looks like it may continue.
"The younger ones will take over now and keep it going," says Graham.
