AUCKLAND-based Marist Brothers' High School former student Hamilton Samuels joined the MOB celebrations on Friday evening, happy to be "back home".
Mr Samuels was part of the class of 1963, having attended Marist Brothers High School (MBHS) from 1960 to 1962. He studied from Form Four through to Form Six in that period.
"I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for Marist Brothers' High School. Marist gave me every break that I've had in my life," he told this newspaper.
Mr Samuels was born and bred in Fiji and spent most of his childhood at Suva's Struan Street.
After MBHS, he left for Auckland and joined the New Zealand Air Force.
He spoke very fondly of his years at Marist and recalled being taught by four Marist Brothers in particular "Brother Cletus, Brother Walter, Brother Placid and Brother Eugene," he said with a smile.
Mr Samuels describes Fiji as "home".
"It's why I keep coming back here, I'm so fond of my home that I keep returning and I'll continue to do so," he said.
Mr Samuels last visited Fiji a year ago and is here with his brother Rodney and his family. The brothers are in the country to celebrate the school's 75th anniversary, which continues this week, in Suva. Mr Samuels works with the Prisons Department in Auckland, and has a son.
"I would've loved to have brought him with me but what can I say, he's a busy man," he concluded.