THREE years in, reunions of employees of the former CSR Wood Panels (Softwoods) are going as well as ever.

About 27 people turned out to the now annual event at Hanlon Park on Sunday, to catch up and remember the old days.

As always, there was plenty of good humour.

“They’re all happy to be here and I’m pretty happy with the numbers,” said Max Oberlander, the manufacturing manager when the plant closed in 1991 and co-organiser of the function with Stan Aitken.

“A lot have passed away or moved out of town.

“All of them here enjoy one another’s company which is a great thing.”

The plant, based on Darts Rd where Keppel Prince Engineering is today, opened in 1975 as Softwoods and changed its name when CSR bought into it in 1988.

There were about 125 employees when it closed – Mr Oberlander said he estimated about 33 had passed away since.

Most of Sunday’s turnout had been at the two previous functions – the first was held in 2021 to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the plant’s closure.

However there were a few new faces – two from Warrnambool and district and Alan Felmingham, who made the trip down from Queensland.

Mr Felmingham was the laboratory supervisor at the factory and after it closed ran motels in Queensland for many years until his recent retirement.

“He’s a lovely sort of guy, easy to get along with and the people that worked for him, around him and with him all gave him a great deal of respect,” Mr Oberlander said.

Mr Oberlander said everyone was keen to come back next year for a fourth reunion.