The annual Albany Coastal Branch Seafood Lunch once again proved to be one of the highlights of the calendar, with a record 170 Old Andreans, Old DSG Girls, Parents, families and friends gathering on Sunday, 12 July 2026 for a wonderful day of fellowship and outstanding hospitality.
A special moment during the lunch was the announcement by Peter Amm (Upper 1980, Chairman of Council) that Wallo Currie (Upper 1978), who has served as Chairman of the Albany Coastal OA Branch since 2018, is stepping down from the role. On behalf of the branch, Peter thanked Wallo for his years of dedicated leadership and commitment to the Albany Coastal community.
Taking over the reins as Chairman is Robin Murray (Armstrong 2011), who will be supported by committee members Chris Ford (Upper 2012) and Luke Birrell (Espin 2016). We wish Robin and his committee every success as they lead the branch into its next chapter.
One of the reasons this event has become such a favourite is the incredible effort of the local volunteers. Di Ford and her team of ladies, together with the men led by Wallo Currie, once again prepared an exceptional seafood feast that was enjoyed by all. Their dedication and teamwork have helped establish this gathering as a much-anticipated annual tradition.
The family-friendly atmosphere was evident throughout the day, with activities for all ages, including a jumping castle that kept the younger guests entertained. A special word of thanks was also extended by Mark Ford (Upper 1979), who acknowledged the many volunteers who had spent countless hours sourcing, preparing and cooking the seafood.
Guests were delighted by an unexpected visit from Headmaster Tom Hamilton, who arrived directly from Australia after concluding the successful 1st XV Rugby Tour. His presence was warmly welcomed and provided an opportunity to share news from College and reflections of his Australian trip where three OA/ODSG events were held.
Sincere thanks are also extended to Bridget Rippon for coordinating the event and ensuring another seamless and memorable occasion.
As attendance continues to grow each year, the Albany Coastal Seafood Lunch stands as a wonderful example of the strength of the Old Andrean network and the enduring friendships that connect our community. Our heartfelt thanks go to the many ladies and gentlemen whose generosity, hard work and hospitality made Sunday’s gathering such a resounding success.
