2013 was the 40th anniversary of the graduating class of 1973. To mark the occasion and celebrate Flinders’ early years a reunion was held on 28 November 2013. The Class of 1973 joined alumni from 1967-1972 to revisit their time at Flinders and catch up with old friends and teachers. The event was the third 40th reunion event held at Flinders, with the first held in 2011.

Historian Dr David Hilliard, who commenced at the University in 1967, delivered a special presentation revisiting the University’s early years drawing upon his book The First 25 Years; a historical account written to celebrate the University’s Silver Jubilee.

Alumni enjoyed recounting stories such as the time in the late 1960s when a professor parked his station wagon on a hill overlooking the Lake (before the time of proper car parks) without the hand brake fully on so that it soon ran majestically down the slope into the Lake. His colleagues viewed the whole event as they ate morning tea in the school common room. In 1974, there was the infamous student occupation of the Registry building and several alumni enjoyed revisiting the Council Room, the scene of the Occupation all those years ago.

Among the prominent alumni attending were Maurice Crotti (Chief Executive Officer, San Remo Macaroni Company), Jim Howard AM (formerly Managing Director, National Pharmacies) and John Moriarty AM (Flinders’ first Indigenous graduate who is perhaps best known for creating the sensational Indigenous designs painted over two entire Qantas jumbo jets). Also, in attendance was Dr Tom Karmel, an alumnus and son of founding Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Karmel.