Preparations are underway to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Austinmer Public School.
300 past and present Austi parents, students, supporters, staff and teachers are expected to attend a gala dinner at Headlands Hotel on April 1.
MC will be Austi parent Scott McRae, with entertainment provided by a live band. Tickets are selling fast so anyone planning on attending is being encourage to get in quick.
The dinner was originally planned for the school hall however was moved to a more prestigious location when organisers determined the level of interest.
Then on April 6, an assembly will be held to mark this enormous milestone.
Current principal Paul Peterson says it’s going to be a great week. “People feel a strong connection to Austinmer Public School,” he says. “The P&C and staff are all putting a lot of effort into planning, to make the celebrations special.”
The ceremony will be attended by the school’s oldest living former student, Gloria Murray” he says. “We also have a huge contingent of former Austi families coming from interstate to help us celebrate, including a group from as far away as Western Australia!”
It’s no surprise that 96 year old Mrs Murray says the school has changed a lot since she started there in 1927.
“We lived right near Headlands,” she says. “In fact, when I was at primary school I watched the hotel being built, so there have been a lot of changes in my time. But I’m looking forward to attending the assembly in April and having a look at the old photos, and at how the school looks now.”
And Paul says there are students currently at the school who are the third generation to attend!
“One of the highlights of the ceremony will be the opening of a time capsule which was buried 25 years ago,” he says. “We will also have a classroom set up as a museum, with all the old photos and mementos we have managed to collect on display.”
Meanwhile school librarian Bronwyn Gleeson is compiling a book filled with old photos that will be available for purchase on the day.
“We have thousands of photos already,” she says, “so the book is going to be a lovely history of the school.”
There is also the opportunity to buy a brick, which will see students and former student’s names placed permanently on a wall at the school. These can be purchased for $39 through the school office.
If you’d like to find out more have a look HERE
To book your ticket to the gala dinner click HERE
Photos thanks to Wollongong City Library
