TO THE swirl of the bagpipes playing the school’s song, the students of Bega West Public School marched into the assembly area on Saturday for the start of the school’s 50th anniversary.
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Principal Alana Lockerbie told the assembled crowd of present and past students and teachers, as well as parents and friends, that the school had “officially achieved 50 years of educational service to the Bega community on Sunday, October 10”.
“This once in a century 10.10.10 date may be significant in bringing luck to our school and its community as we combine with Bega Public School in 2012 and open Bega Valley Public School to provide our town’s future public education,” she said.
“However Saturday the ninth is the date Bega West is celebrating its 50th birthday and looking back with nostalgia to honour its past.
“Bega West has always been an open, friendly school earning strong community support and it is great to see so many gathered together on Saturday to celebrate their school.”
Mrs Lockerbie spoke about her years at Bega West, which have spanned the last 35 years.
In particular, she remembered the professional highlight of her career being when Bega West was announced the winner of a National Literacy Award in 2003.
This competition was open to all NSW schools, public, religious and private, and to be the one chosen as the winner was a great achievement for a little remote country school.
“Of course this achievement did not happen overnight but was the culmination of eight years of hard work,” she said.
“Throughout this work Bega West developed its motto of ‘Working Together to do The Best’ and in the end this motto truly reflected a whole school community of students, families and staff working together to achieve the best.
“One of the prizes for this national award was a gift from Australia Post, who produced $500 worth of Bega West stamps.
“There are not many schools who can boast of having their own Australian postage stamp and it was the best prize I could ever imagine.”
Mrs Lockerbie said the sheets of stamps had been tucked away in a safe place for the last seven years and at the assembly she had the great honour to present a sheet of Bega West stamps to those who played a significant role at Bega West Public School over the years.
Recipients of the stamps and a certificate of appreciation were Mary Pearce, Ray George, Denise Perry, Kitty Leighton, Pat Hood, Pam Murray, Jenny Munro, Mandy Legge, Rosie Barnden, Marj Bower, Lee Robson on behalf of the late Alan Robson, Debbie Tatzenko, Yvette Ringland, Judith Reid, Joanne Rodely, Anne Kearney, Allan Slater, Trish Warby, Bryan O’Meara, Lisa Freedman, Warren Poole, David Wilson, Jenny Garden, Wayne Dunning, Sally Burns, Bev Parker, Ruth O’Meara, Rick Macfetters and Barry Lawrence.
Special recognition was then given to Norma Hayes, Hazel Ahkin, Pat Hood and Gordon Williams who, along with the first school girl captain of Bega West, Patricia Blackman cut the 50th birthday cake.
Another highlight of the day was Melissa O’Meara and Matthew Wilson digging up the time capsule that had been laid for Bega West’s 25th birthday celebration. Contents of the time capsule were also on display through out the day.
They included a 25th anniversary invitation, a school book mark, tapes of interviews, the school newsletter, the canteen roster and price list, badges, lists of singers, TV shows and movies of 1985, a school assembly tape, prefects’ and captains’ names, the 25th history book, samples of work, lists of favourite books, assembly format, punishments, map of the school and photos.
At the conclusion of the assembly Mrs Lockerbie said: “This is a significant birthday celebration for Bega West as it will be her last.
“It is wonderful to pay tribute to this great little school and all the people who made her what she is.
“The last 50 years was her time.
“When we say goodbye to her tired buildings, demountables and tiny playground and make the move to our new school we will make sure that we take the spirit of the place with us and of course keep her memories alive in our hearts and minds,” she said.
At the barbecue after the assembly, past students, families and former teachers chatted together about their experiences at Bega West and all had the opportunity to view a display of memorabilia including a CD with 815 photos from the early 60s through to current days.
This CD, that ran as a slideshow throughout the day was extremely popular and is still on sale at the school for $5, along with a school 50th birthday magazine for $20 and a commemorative Bega West key ring also $5.
A 50th anniversary dinner was held on Saturday night at the Bega Country Club.
