Back to Howqua 2023

We are excited to invite Old Howquarians to return to Howqua Campus for a visit, tour and to take part in a special commemorative assembly in celebration of 30 Years of the Howqua Campus. We will also be welcoming current Howqua families, current School families and future School families on this day.

Due to the size of our community attending this celebration, we will be capping numbers, so if you intend to come along, please register promptly.  

If you already registered and paid for a ticket prior to 8 September, it will have now been refunded, but your booking is still valid!  You can re-register here only if you wish, and/or you can register family members, etc.  Please read on for new details about the day.

Please read the following information, to make sure you're aware of the logistical aspects involved:

Arrival Time:
Please arrive at the campus as close to 10.00 am as possible.

Departure Time:
All Old Howquarians must depart the campus prior to 2.00pm.  Afterwards, why not head to Delatite Winery for an experience (see below), to continue connecting with each other.

BYO Your Picnic to the Campus:
Please BYO a picnic to the campus (non alcoholic drinks please).

Enjoy Delicious Food and a Winery Experience at Delatite Winery Afterwards
If you don't wish to picnic at the campus, after your visit, head to Delatite Winery for a delicious lunch, or even to just wander the grounds, and perhaps enjoy a wine-tasting. Bookings are essential, pre book here:

Delatite Options include: Cellar Door - three different experiences, including their Estate Tasting - normally $10, but for Old Howquarians, it's free on this day! Reserve Tasting - includes their most perfected wines and a tasting of their schnapps - $20. Delatite Delights - a mini degustation that includes 5 bites worth of food, paired with 5 half-glasses of wine - $60 Please note - all cellar door experiences commence at 11.00am to 4.00 pm and must be booked prior to the day.  Go here to book your Cellar Door Experience. Dining Room - table service with a full menu for groups of 2 or more.  Dining Room with Feature Menu - Bookings over 8 will be offered the Feature Menu which includes off-menu items changed every week based on seasonality and availability - 5 different courses.  The Feature Menu is one of the best ways to enjoy Delatite's dining experience - $95 pp. Casual Dining - outside tables.  Platters, without the full menu using the Mr Yum App - just QR code your order and pay as you go.  The outside area is not undercover and without heaters, so lovely weather is necessary.  If weather isn't favourable, you may be moved inside the winery but this is subject to availability and is not guaranteed. Please note - all Dining Room experiences commence from 12.00 am to the final sitting at 2.30 pm and must be booked prior to the day.  Go here to book your Dining Room Experience. Bookings are essential for all experiences at Delatite Winery.  For more information, head to their website:  https://www.delatitewinery.com.au/

Join us on the Saturday night in Mansfield!

If you are staying in the Mansfield region the night before, please join us for the Mansfield Meetup event at the Mansfield Hotel on Saturday 14 October from 5pm to 7pm. You’ll have the option to register for this as part of your Back to Howqua ticket registration.

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Commemorative Howqua Beanie!

We are thrilled to offer Old Howquarians a limited edition 30th anniversary "Howqua Beanie" for you to pre-purchase for only $20.  It will be ready and waiting for you to collect when you come 'Back to Howqua' on 15 October. Please remember that since there won't be any Wi-Fi options available at the campus, it's essential to pre-purchase your beanie(s) before they run out. Don't miss out!

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Please read the Frequently Asked Questions, for more information:

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):

Welcome to the 'Back to Howqua' Experience, where we're celebrating 30 years of our Howqua program! This special event is all about giving past Howqua students the chance to come back to campus, relive the memories of their beloved Houses, explore the campus grounds to discover what's new, and most importantly, to reconnect with old friends and Housemates in a relaxed and social atmosphere. It's a time for nostalgia and rekindling connections!

How much is it to attend Back to Howqua?

It’s free!  However you must register your attendance here. You can visit the campus and enjoy a BYO picnic.  Delatite Winery also offers the option of you booking lunch or an experience after your campus visit.  If you choose to participate in a Delatite Experience, you can book and pay for that directly through their website.  If you would like to commemorate your Back to Howqua experience you can purchase a limited edition Beanie via this registration page or go here to purchase Jibbitz to adorn your crocs!.

Can I bring my own picnic?

Yes!  You are welcome to bring food and non-alcoholic drinks to the campus to enjoy.  Due to the expected number of past Howqua students attending, there will be a strict timeframe of the duration you spend at the campus, but you will have time to walk the Ring Road, visit your House, reconnect with each other and enjoy your picnic. If you don't wish to bring a picnic, you can instead organise an experience at Delatite Winery, who have a variety of options on offer.

Can I bring family members?

Yes.  You can bring partners and family members, however numbers are capped, so please be sure to book promptly to avoid disappointment.  If you wish to register another Old Howquarian, please encourage them to register themselves.

Can I drive directly to the campus?

Yes.  You can drive directly to the campus and park on 'the flat'.  We do encourage carpooling to minimise road and parking congestion.  If weather declines prior to the event, we will be in touch with a contingency plan.

Why can’t I spend longer at the campus?

We will be organising tours for all our community which will ensure a more controlled and fair experience for all who attend and this also means that we can accommodate larger numbers of attendees.

I am a past Howqua student and also a current mother at the school and wish to come with my family.  Is this possible?

Yes.  You can come with your family and register as a 'current family' via SchoolBox, or you (as an OH) can register here and enjoy the campus experience with your peers.

Why is there only 1 opportunity to visit the campus?

The campus is the home to 100 students and staff and the curriculum and program means that there is no designated weekends where visitors can visit throughout the year.  The School has dedicated 2 opportunities for visitors – one at the beginning of each year for current families to help their daughters transition to the campus, the 2nd opportunity each year is October on a Sunday.

I have a baby – can I bring my baby?

Yes.  As you know, the campus is hilly with tracks and trails so keep in mind that navigating with prams might be a bit tricky, so we recommend bringing a carrier. For our future Howquarians, it's crucial to keep a close eye on your little ones because our campus is quite expansive, with trails and pathways that extend into more secluded areas.