The origin of the mystery photograph published in The Weekend Sun's April 14 edition has been discovered – as well as some of the faces in it!

After The Sun ran a story last week about an old photograph that was discovered recently in St Michaels Ave, Bethlehem, the newsroom has received an outpouring of messages.

And after viewing all, there is a clear consensus of exactly where and when the photograph was taken.

'It's the first intake of students to Hamilton Teachers' College, which had its beginning at Melville High School before moving to the newly-built University of Waikato four years later,” says Mount Maunganui resident Patrick Dunn, who was 19 at the time of the photo.

The mystery photograph was found in St Michaels Ave, Bethlehem.

Five other Sun readers confirmed the fact, saying the photo was taken in 1960.

'Quite a number of those in the photo are currently living in and around Tauranga and Bay of Plenty. I am in the photo and know all in it, though it would take me more than five minutes to name them all 63 years on,” says Patrick.

The originals

Another Tauranga resident can make herself out in the picture of student teachers.

'I'm in the row behind the front row, 16th from the left,” says Bethlehem resident Raewyn Phillips.

Patrick remembers studying with Raewyn.

'We're still one big family in New Zealand…in the line-up of the ‘Originals'. I taught all my life,” says Patrick, who's last education job was at Matamata Primary School as principal before he retired in 2005.

Now 80, Patrick still has his copy of the photograph from more than half a decade ago.

Who this particular copy belongs to remains unanswered – however Patrick will be taking good care of it in the meantime.

He is part of the reunion committee for the alumni of Hamilton Teacher's College that studied at the Melville campus, where reunions are held every February.

'I've got about 20 display boards that we take around to all the reunions, and pop up for people to see the old photos and newspaper clippings… [this photograph] would create a bit of interest at the next reunion,” says Patrick.

'The photo find has created an enjoyable stir!”