By Jolene Ogle
FINDING more than 500 students and staff at school on a Saturday is a rare sight, but the Kin Kin State School’s 100th birthday brought past and present students from far and wide to celebrate the milestone.
Principal Trent Shaw said the day on Saturday 22 October was all about sharing a yarn and reliving days spent at Kin Kin’s four schools, while P and C president Anita Poteri said it was amazing to see everyone’s long-standing connection with the hinterland township.
The Kin Kin State School started in the Hall of Arts in 1916 before moving to the school building that still stands today in 1921. It was once one of four schools in the Kin Kin district.
Kin Kin Junction School’s oldest student Iris Collett who was a student in 1940, attended the celebrations with her sisters, including Heather.
One of nine children in her family, Heather attended the Junction School in 1948, and recalled how she rode her black pony to school every day. Invariably, she would often arrive just as the bell was ringing because she would get caught up milking the cows in the dairy before school.
“It’s very good to be back in Kin Kin,” Heather said. “A lot has changed but it’s great to be back.”
Today, there are 67 students at Kin Kin State School, who all came together in a heart-warming display of school spirit by singing a special song to those gathered to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the school.
Students and teachers sang the national anthem along with musicians Hat Fitz and Cara Robinson, while the school’s kitchen sold baked goods and event-goers browsed photos from as far back as the early 1900s.
The contents of the time capsule were dug-up by Mr Shaw on Tuesday 18 October, the official 100-year birthday of the school.
Special guests on the day included Tom and Lyn Grady. Mr Grady’s family moved to Kin Kin more than 100 years ago as dairy farmers and Mr Grady, who was one of 14 children, attended Kin Kin Junction School until 1959.
Mr Shaw said it was with thanks to Mr Grady that since 2010 the school had held bi-annual reunions for all past students and teachers.
A long list of local businesses also supported the day including the Cooroy and Pomona branches of Bendigo Bank, who sponsored the event and were delighted to attend on the day.
Manager Geoff Edwards was there along with staff member Karl Doss who works at the Cooroy and Pomona branches.
Karl was a student at Kin Kin State School along with his siblings, and said he was chuffed to attend the celebrations.
