Call to mark school anniversary

FORMER members of the Maude Primary School community are invited to gather and reminisce on the institution’s history next month.

To celebrate what would have been the school’s 150th anniversary this year, a reunion event is being held at the Maude Tennis Pavilion.

Co-organiser Gail Platt said the event will be a casual opportunity to catch up with former classmates.

“It’s the chance to reflect and get back together,” she said. “It would’ve been the 150th so we thought it was an opportunity to make a big deal about it.

“It’ll be very casual. We’ll have a bit of memorabilia and it’ll be a coffee and a chat and afternoon tea.”

Replacing the town’s original institution, the Glen Darriwil Church of England School, Maude Primary was opened in 1874 and closed its doors in 1989.

The school’s former site is now the Maude Recreation Reserve.

Having attended Maude Primary in the 1970s, Ms Platt was also involved in organising the school’s reunion event in 2015, which saw between 50 and 80 attendees.

“Me and all five of my siblings went to the school,” she said.

“Our farm actually bordered the school property so we’d walk to and from the school, and in the later years, ride our motorbikes up there.

“Over the years, the school probably averaged between 25 and 30 children all up.”

Memorabilia will include archival photos dating as far back as the early 20th century, as well as school merchandise, and old uniforms.

The event will run from 1pm on Sunday 24 November.

Attendees are encouraged to bring memorabilia as well as afternoon tea.

Contact Ms Platt on 0437 194 131 for more information or to express interest in attending.