WHEN the Rosewood State Primary School students moved from their temporary classroom to a purpose built school house in 1875, it was a quiet affair – the community welcomed the change but there was no time for celebrations.
Leap forward 150 years to Saturday, September 13, and the celebrations marking the sesquicentenary were a very different, and very big, affair.
“There was a much larger crowd than we’d expected,” reports P&C Vice President, Nicole Davis, who was one of the organising committee.
“We’re not sure how many attended but during the official ceremony later in the day, there was a capacity crowd of around 300 in the school hall, the library was full of people watching the livestreaming of the ceremony and there were a lot of people still out on the oval.”
A shotgun start by the Queensland Colonial Association was sounded at 10am and Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann, stepped onto the outdoor stage to announce the 150th anniversary fete was officially open.
“We were all busy from then on. We’ve received some great feedback, so we know the town was busy all day too,” Nicole said.
“It was a really good community event and there were a lot of returning students and teachers, which made it even more special.”
One of the attractions that drew a wealth of positive feedback was set up in the library by the Queensland Colonial Association.
Half the library was staged as a classroom of the past and the other half as a classroom of the present.
“The Colonial Association really embraced the past – there were even enactments of the classroom operating as it would have back then – such as students getting the cane,” Nicole said.
The contents of the time capsule buried 50 years ago were also on display in the library.
“We decided to open it ahead of the event as we were worried the contents may have been damaged,” she explained.
“It was a good decision as it took us two-and-a-half hours to open it.
“And we found no water had seeped in.”
The market stalls, the rides, the fundraising stalls organised by each class and the stalls operated by other community groups all attracted a lot of attention.
While sales of the school history book and memorabilia went well, Nicole said not all sold out and would be made available at a later date.
The official ceremony acknowledging the past and current achievements of the school community was led by P&C President Jenna Culley.
Special guests included representatives from all levels of government.
“Lockyer MP Jim McDonald was there to represent the Premier, Councillors Dave Martin and Jim Madden represented the Mayor, Ipswich West MP Wendy Bourne was there as well as Blair MP Shayne Neumann,” Nicole reported.
“The students were involved too.
“The students leaders welcomed everyone and two of the oldest former students with two of the youngest students cut the anniversary cake.”
The former students were Mrs Barbara Johnstone (nee Sellars) who was a student in 1936 and Mrs Lurlene Gardner (nee Murphy) who was a student in 1939. The ladies were joined by current students Stormy and Harper.
The event may have begun with a shotgun start but the signal that it was coming to an end was unique.
Money raised on the day will go towards improvements at the school and the Principal played her part in the fundraising.
“The gates were set to close at 3.00pm, so about 15 minutes before that our Principal Georgia O’Shea stepped onto the outdoor stage,” Nicole said.
“The Year 6’s water balloon ‘dunking’ inflatable was on stage and the chance to pop the water balloon and ‘dunk’ the Principal was auctioned.
“It certainly added to the fundraising tally.”
