P&O Oceania
The recent series of Australian reunions have proved to be very popular with all who have attended with a desire for them to continue on an annual basis.
It started with an informal gathering in Sydney at the Orient Hotel (where else !) in February 2024 attended by 8 retirees plus a number of wife's / partners, it was then unanimously decided to hold another reunion in a year’s time but this time it was agreed to hold it in Brisbane & to have the reunion publicised as much as possible, so with the help of the P&O Facebook administrator we managed to distribute e mail updates via the vast distribution list that had been established over many years.
As part of the organisation, it was agreed that the reunion would be held over a two-day period as it was felt with so many people travelling from overseas & interstate that one day was not enough to rekindle old relationships. The 2025 Brisbane reunion was held on day 1 at the Breakfast Creek Hotel, a watering hole known by a number of old seadogs when the old cruise ships would navigate the Brisbane river & dock close by, Day 2 involved a river cruise along the Brisbane river terminating at Felon's Brewery for lunch, the two day format has been carried forward to future reunions. Brisbane proved popular as a total of 44 people attended to include retirees & wives / partners.
Subsequently, it was decided that the 2026 reunion would be held in Perth, Western Australia in February 2026, so 4 individuals set about organising the two day event, The "lucky Shag" was identified as the venue of choice for day 1 & again a river cruise on the swan river terminating at Gage Roads brewery for lunch was the itinerary for day 2. Again, a very successful reunion was enjoyed by all 60 attendees with a number travelling from overseas & interstate with just over half also attending day 2.
As the expectation is to continue with the annual Australian reunion into the future & following the Perth reunion an organising committee has now been formed which forms the associated organisation chart. One of the major feed backs received was that people really enjoyed the informal nature of the events.
We are already in the process of organising a reunion in Sydney 2027, dates and venue to be advised in due course. We also propose to create regional WhatsApp groups so that more frequent informal gatherings can take place as and when. We look forward to seeing you at any future reunions.
The Committee
P&O Pensioners
