Official Opening of Coolabunia State School 125th Anniversary Celebrations

Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Member for Nanango, Mrs Deb Frecklington; Mayor, Councillor Keith Campbell; our Principal, Mr Johnston; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys. Kaye and I are delighted to be with you today for Coolabunia State School’s celebration of 125 years of dedicated teaching and learning.

I acknowledge, with my respect to their Elders, the Traditional Custodians of these lands, whose contributions inform historical and contemporary developments of our State.

This is Kaye’s and my first visit to this wonderful community since my being sworn-in as Governor in July twenty-fourteen.

It is particularly fitting that at these 125^th celebrations the Governor’s personal Standard should be flying over the School. That means the Governor is in town – and I can tell you, he is extremely proud and honoured to be here, especially, as many of you know, as this is somewhat of a “coming home” for me. 

I am particularly pleased that my older brother John is also visiting today because, while I was barely a year old when our father took up his position here as teacher at the then ‘one teacher’ school, both John, and our other brother Peter, have clear memories of slates and inkwells.

Now I know that planning the many activities in today’s program will have required a sustained effort by staff, students and the P&C Association.

And the excellent result is here for us all to see. I warmly congratulate and thank everyone concerned, especially, if I may, our Principal, Mr Johnston.

Mr Johnston’s been Principal for 30 years this year – not quite long enough to remember my family’s time here! His enthusiasm and remarkable leadership will have been invaluable to the planning committee, and his leadership will have influenced, beneficially, the development of many young Queenslanders from the South Burnett.

Celebratory days like this have long been a feature of life in the district.

In 1894, only a couple of years after Coolabunia State School first opened, the local paper reported on a wonderful school picnic.

The correspondent wrote (and I quote): “Lunch was served about one o’clock, there being plenty of good things in the shape of sandwiches and cake after which games were indulged in.”

Mr Johnston, I interpolate, would deprecate ending a sentence with a proposition; but to rescue the journalist’s account: “Two swings were kept busy and … several other games occupied attention until tea-time when once more the piled-up plates of dainties satisfied the inner wants of the guests”.

And, as if that were not enough, a concert and magic-lantern entertainment were added.

In twenty-sixteen, we may not have a display of magic-lantern slides, but today’s event, we know, will be every bit as memorable as that historic picnic and has earned its own place in the history of Coolabunia.

And there will indeed be cake! – which I will be very excited to be cutting shortly together with the oldest past student here today, Mr Rhueben Pearson, in company with fifth generation student, currently enrolled in Year 1, Miss Emily Black. What a wonderful illustration of the custodial longevity and success of this school!

But before then, it gives me the greatest pleasure now to unveil this commemorative plaque, and to declare officially open the 125^th Coolabunia State School Anniversary Celebrations.

Kaye and I wish you all a most enjoyable day. Thank you.