To kick off the year, the Mumbulla School is marking its 30 years of growth and progress with a party for anyone connected to their school on Saturday, February 17.

The idea for Bega’s Mumbulla School was born in the early 1980s when a small group of young parents, interested in Steiner Education and keen to take responsibility for the education of their children, gathered in Bega.

Years of learning and planning followed and in late 1987 an unlikely school site was found and secured, a derelict laundry in a forgotten corner of Bega.

The group of parents could took possession of the building at the beginning of a blisteringly hot January in 1988 with classes scheduled to begin at the end of the month.

The volunteers worked every day and many nights to achieve the seemingly impossible.

Two new classrooms were completed, approved and opened for the first class of 22 students, many of whom helped throughout the build.

The original optimistic plans were for a school of up to 70 students. That vision has been repeatedly revised and today Mumbulla School has nearly 200 children.

The campus has expanded but still contains the original building.

Mumbulla School is now part of the fabric of the Bega Valley Shire, embraced by the local community and contributing to the richness and diversity of the area.

The school’s true legacy, however, is in the spirit of its students past and present.

Known for their independence, love of learning and ability to work with others, more than 1000 former students are spread throughout the shire and the world with achievements in arts, music, crafts, trades, sports, sciences and humanities.

Mumbulla School want to celebrate the 30 year anniversary with all former and current students, parents, staff members and interested others on the school grounds from 3pm on Saturday, February 17.

Memories will be shared through speeches, photographs, films and artefacts charting the school’s history and a bush dance and evening disco.