“What a lovely day it was! Glorious sunshine, past pupils, teachers and principals joining today’s school community to celebrate 150 years of public education in Gunning. A pathway and school logo using bricks engraved with names of Gunning families was opened, commemorative shrubs were planted, pupils entertained the guests and the school was wide open for inspection. A crowd of nearly 400 joined in the day.

“Alby Schultz and Katrina Hodgkinson supported the day, with Alby hosting a delegation from the National Assembly of Afghanistan who were here to view Australian Education as a guide to rebuilding their schools devastated by decades of conflict in their homeland. This tour group was guests of the Australian Government. Our visitors were very happy to see a small country school in action. Mayor John Shaw shared stories from when he was a boy at the school and Jean King, the School Administrative Manager, was presented with her certificate for thirty years of service to public education by Paul Greer, the School Education Director for our area.

“The children were delighted to receive soft toys from our visitors. These toys had been gathered by Gloria Schultz, who has worked hard to bring a smile to the faces of many people in the district with her efforts in drought relief.

Special mention must go the staff and the P and C of the school who worked so hard to make the day a success – I was so proud of the way the staff and P and C (led by Brett and Michele Lees) banded together to create this event – fetching and carrying, opening classrooms, catering, teaching and guiding the performances and making visitors feel very welcome. Each one nominated themselves for a task weeks prior to the event and carried it through with enthusiasm, dedication and flexibility. Their personal support was very much appreciated.”

Former Gunning resident, and ex-student, John Plews was also in attendance, telling me that “A number of older ex-students from before World War II renewed acquaintances with former class-mates from over 70 years ago, discussing growing up in and around Gunning during the depression of the 1920s-30s, and their experiences during the War in Europe, North Africa, Malaya and the Pacific.

There were also displays of memorabilia and school photographs dating back to the early part of 20th century.

Visitors came from Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, the South Coast and from many rural centres around the state.”