Vincent Massey class of ’75 to reunite in Brandon

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This article was published 16/06/2025 (293 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Vincent Massey High School class of 1975 is returning to the Wheat City this weekend for a reunion five decades after walking across the stage as graduates.

Organized by Seema Roberts and Judy Whittingham, the multi-day event is expected to draw 73 participants, including 51 alumni, 17 guests and two former teachers. They will travel to Brandon from across Canada and the United States, with attendees coming from Vancouver Island, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Kamloops, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Texas.

“It’s been 50 years since we graduated, and many of us haven’t been back in Brandon for decades,” Whittingham told the Sun. “This is a chance to reconnect, reflect on our roots and celebrate the lives we’ve all built.”

Festivities begin Friday afternoon with a guided tour of Vincent Massey High School, allowing attendees to see how the institution has evolved since their time as students. Later that evening, the group will gather for a welcome dinner, giving them a chance to break the ice and relive old memories.

Saturday kicks off with a group photo at 11 a.m. at the scenic riverfront golf course, followed by lunch at the Eagles Nest. From there, the highlight of the weekend unfolds: a nostalgic car rally and scavenger hunt designed to showcase the evolution of Brandon.

“We’ve created a tour that not only highlights how much Brandon has grown, but also takes them back to the 1970s,” Whittingham explained. “They’ll have to find places as they were and as they are now — using paper maps, no phones allowed! It’s like going back in time.”

The rally, which encompasses sectors such as education, industry and residential development, will include stops at new schools, the expanded Assiniboine College campus, industrial parks and neighbourhoods that were once open fields. Participants will also visit legacy businesses and new establishments as part of the challenge.

“We’ve formed teams of four, with at least one local or recent visitor per group, to make it both competitive and fun,” she said.

Whittingham explained that Brandon businesses have rallied behind the event by donating prizes. Supporters include local dealerships like Murray Chevrolet, Kelleher Ford, Precision Toyota, Forman Honda and others. Brandon First, the Riverbank Discovery Centre, Mayor Jeff Fawcett’s office and Brandon West MLA Wayne Balcaen have also backed the event with resources and goodwill.

Saturday evening will feature a formal banquet where retired teachers have been invited to speak and reconnect with their former students. The event wraps up Sunday morning with a farewell brunch for those staying in town a little longer.

While the Class of ’75 has gone on to make its mark in fields ranging from education and health care to business, law enforcement and the military, “the weekend is less about accolades and more about community,” Whittingham said.

Attendees have been uploading then-and-now photos and life updates to a dedicated reunion photo website.

“Some are still married to their high school sweethearts,” Whittingham said, noting three or four couples met at Vincent Massey and have stayed together since.

Several alumni also remained in Brandon and became active members of the local business and civic community, including the owners of Lindenberg Seeds and Lady of the Lake, and Whittingham herself, who served as executive assistant to Brandon’s mayor and council.

“This weekend is a testament to how far we’ve all come — and how much Brandon has grown with us,” she said.

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