Old classmates to marry at Killarney Vale Public School

AFTER years of playing catch and kiss, Mel Hopwood and Mat Bull have reunited and will hold a special event at Killarney Vale Public School on Sunday.

Former Killarney Vale Public School students Mel Hopwood and Mat Bull are getting married at their old school this weekend after reconnecting last year. Pictures: Sue Graham

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MEL Hopwood and Mat Bull used to play kiss and catch together at Killarney Vale Public School.

“I remember Mel used to wear piggy tales and she couldn’t run very fast,” Mat said.

Now, 36 years later the pair have ‘caught’ each other again and will get married on the school

grounds this Sunday afternoon.

Mat and Mel were in the same primary class from Years 2 to 6, and went to Berkeley Vale High School together until Year 9.

Melanie Hopwood and Mat Bull's Year 3 class photo from Killarney Vale Public School

They knew each other, however weren’t close friends, and went on to live their lives. When

Facebook started, they became friends and ‘liked’ each others photos every now and then.

When Mel broke up with her ex-partner she wrote on Facebook, ‘feeling heartbroken,’ to which Mat, who lives in Bribie Island, immediately replied ‘Are you all right?’

“We started chatting and immediately knew there was something there,” Mel said.

“I flew up to Queensland last July. We hadn’t seen each other since high school and were so nervous. It was our first kiss at the airport. I quit my job at The Entrance Hotel after 19 years and moved up.”

Mel Hopwood and Mat Bull are getting married on Sunday. Picture: Sue Graham

The pair used to play catch and kiss at school

From then on it the pair knew it was meant to be, and Mat proposed last New Year’s Eve.

Mel said a school friend Deonne Smith had the idea to get married at the school. When they approached Principal Jonathan Moxon he was more than happy to accommodate.

“This is definite the first time I’ve had this request,” he said. “But we are more than happy to help out.”

Mel said she remembers Mat being “naughty” and spending a lot of time outside the principal’s office in school, while Mat said he remembers Mel being a “goodie two shoes” who was also nice and softly spoken.

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