Old mates reunited
HE HAS crossed continents and oceans to be here this weekend and for one former Warwick State High School student the centenary celebrations could not be a more fitting reason to return.
John Baart said he and his wife Bertie had travelled 24 hours and 16,183km.
"It wasn't difficult to decide to come back," Mr Baart said.
"I came back because I have always been very attached to WSHS and have kept all my mementos.
"This is purely a sentimental journey to meet up with people and visit the places I lived and the schools I attended.
"One memory I have of going to school here is that every morning we used to have to greet the flag and all the classes were in rows before we would march from the oval into school."
The avid WSHS sports player, who left in 1964 when his parents decided to relocate back to their native Netherlands, said he continued to remain involved with the school.
"In the early 1970s I started donating trophies to the school for the WSHS road race," he said.
Schoolyard friend from the year above Rick Telford said it has been great to relive the past with Mr Baart.
"When I picked him up from the airport it was really good to see him after 48 years but I remember him having a lot more hair last time we saw each other," Mr Telford said.
"We have kept in touch via letters, emails and phone calls and have sent photos so we did know what each other looked like before now."
