Murrumburrah Public School students from Class 2A in 1960, like all other Murrumburah school students are being urged to attend the celebebrations for 150 years of public education in Harden Murrumburrah in September this year.
ONE hundred and fifty years of public school education in Harden Murrumburrah is going to be celebrated on September 8 and 9.
The Murrumburrah Public School, which was the Murrumburrah Intermediate High School until 1977, is celebrating 150 years of public education on the weekend with a range of activities planned for former students.
P&C president Samantha Flanery, who is helping organise the celebration, said a publication was being prepared for the event which will provide a history of public education in town.
Individuals or families could sponsor a page in the publication, she said, for a cost of $25.
According to records, in 1861 a group of public spirited locals applied to the government of the day for funds to build ‘non-vested national school’ in Murrumburrah.
This request was granted and the Murrumburrah School opened in early 1862 and stayed open for the full year with 10 boys and 12 girl students.
Apparently the school was not ideal.
An official wrote at the time: “The furniture and apparatus are insufficient in quantity; the occupations of the pupils have not been judiciously arranged and the records of the school are incomplete. The material state of the school is unsatisfactory.”
The school was closed in 1863 and reopened again in 1864.
Samantha Flanery said she was hoping that as many former students as possible would attend the celebrations and reunion.
There will be a gathering on Saturday night, September 8, with entertainment by the rock ban ‘Uluru’ at the Mechanics Institute.
An ecumenical service will be held at the Ross Memorial Church on Sunday, September 9 at 10.30am, followed by brunch.
Anyone interested in attending the celebrations should contact the organisers at: 150 Year Celebration Committee, PO Box 82, Harden or email: mps_pnc@y7mail.com
