Generations of students, staff and families will return to Padua College as the school celebrates 70 years of education, friendships and community.
Held on Thursday, 15 October, The Padua Family Reunion will feature an evening of live music, historical displays, a short liturgy, food and refreshments.
Padua College Rector Bruce McPhee said the anniversary was about recognising the people and relationships behind Padua’s 70-year history.
“Our 70th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate much more than a milestone,” he said. “It is a chance to reflect on the thousands of people who have contributed to the story of the good men of Padua since the college opened in 1956, and the friendships, families and connections that have grown from it.”
The idea for the Homecoming event drew on a line credited to the college’s first rector, Fr Alban Mitchell, who is said to have remarked: “there’s no such thing as an ex-Paduan.” Rector McPhee said the saying became a starting point for the event.
Seventy Years of Growth and Franciscan Values
Padua opened in 1956 with just 89 boys in Years 4-6. Today, more than 1,500 students attend the college across two campuses, and some of the original students will return for the reunion.
The college’s Franciscan identity will also form part of the anniversary, reflecting values that have remained central to Padua throughout its history, including courtesy, joy, humility, simplicity and peace.
Padua ‘Old Boy’ Oscar Lowe, who graduated in 2025, will provide live music through the decades, while guests will be able to walk through Padua’s history and rediscover people, photographs and moments from past generations.
Old Boys, past and current families, former and current staff, friars, grandparents, friends and supporters of the college are invited to attend.
“If Padua has been part of your story, you are part of ours,” Rector McPhee said. “‘Come home. You belong here.’ is our way of saying that your connection with Padua doesn’t end when you graduate.”
“We hope people leave feeling that they have genuinely come home,” he said. “Most of all, we hope they leave knowing that they still belong to the Padua story.”
The event is free. Register here.
PADUA 70 HOMECOMING: The Padua Family Reunion
- Thursday, 15 October, 5pm-8pm
- Padua College
- 80 Turner Road, Kedron
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