The Wasleys community, past alumni and historic local family names gathered to celebrate the Wasley Primary School’s 150th anniversary on Friday within the schoolgrounds.
Guests were sent on a trip back down memory lane with historical images and documents from bygone years on display, including old class photos.
Following an Acknowledgement of Country from Member for Frome, Penny Pratt MP, guest speakers Member for Light, Tony Piccolo MP, Acting Principal Courtney Adams, Wasleys History Committee Member Lynette ‘historian’ Marker, Light Regional Council Economic Development Officer Gemma Holmes, Governing Council vice chairperson Melissa Bywater and past students Graham Hillman (alongside stepson and former school IT manager Richard Holt) and Bettie Rundle all discussed their memories of the school.
Mr Piccolo, who served as the local MP of the area between 2006 and 2018, was honoured to join in on the celebrations as a guest speaker.
“Wasleys Primary School's journey over the past 150 years is a testament to the dedication of its teachers, volunteers, and community members - their commitment ensuring the school's enduring legacy,” said Mr Piccolo.
“Despite facing challenges, including a proposal to close the school when student numbers were low, the community's resilience has kept it thriving.
“Even walking into the school, to see the names of past teachers, students and families engraved in the bricks is a reminder of the deep ties this school has to the community.
“The team of community volunteers and staff have put on an incredible event and it’s evident that a lot of love and effort has gone into the displays and the afternoon tea – a special well done to Gale, who set up the decorations and the history collection.”
Hillman attended the school from 1938 (at the age of 6) to 1945 and was pleased with the growth of the school after recalling how all students were in the one room (still in operation), which was divided into two classrooms with one teacher taking Year 1, 2 and 3s and the principal taking the other years on the opposite side.
In his early days, Hillman used to get a 3.5-mile bike ride riding donkey with his brother to school from the Roseworthy College everyday and commented on how the roads now weren’t like that back then.
World War II started during his second year and recalled how the school had its own trench as students would take cover when aeroplanes would fly over.
Fittingly, the house right behind him during his speech was later revealed to be that of his late grandmother, who he’d regularly talk to over the fence during school.
Hillman went on to secure a woodwork certificate and progress certificate, allowing him to attend Gawler and District College (formerly Gawler High School), where he finished in 1950 then became a school teacher for 44 years.
Rundle is 98 years old and recalls that while most teachers were fairly disciplined during her time, including being forbidden to write left-handed, she remembers her time fondly after all these years.
While spilling a lot of dirt on each of the teachers she had during her time, Rundle also recalled a morning assembly every day saluting the union jack and the different experiences boys had compared to the girls – growing flowers instead of vegetables, taking singing lessons instead of woodwork and wearing knee length skirts instead of knee length shorts.
Rundle also referred to a fond memory that was displayed behind her in which she was one of the girls pictured having fun playing a drum while following the school band along the schoolyard.
A school plaque was also unveiled as part of Light Regional Council’s Discover the Light app, which allows people to scan QR codes at significant landmarks in the region and uncover its history.
Following speeches, volunteers brought out cakes, including a fruit cake made by Jenny Polley, and treated guests to an afternoon tea while many reminisced about their schooling experience and fielded questions from current students.