By Callum Ludwig
The historic Wandin Yallock Primary School (WYPS) is set to celebrate their belated birthday on Saturday 5 November, recognising 150 (plus 2!) years of history.
The initial anniversary was delayed due to Covid over the last two years but finally, the school community will be able to gather for the occasion.
Nicole Hartley
WYPS Council President Nicole Hartley said they are keeping it simple for the event, a nostalgic nod to the school’s history.
“We are putting on a Devonshire Tea with scones and all sorts, welcoming all members of the community. We’ve reached out to past students and staff from across the state, with some even set to come down from as far as Wodonga and Wangaratta,” she said.
“We’re also working closely with the Mont de Lancey Historic Homestead to pull out as much of our historical memorabilia over the last 150 years and to turn our old schoolhouse into a makeshift museum, broken up into 10-year blocks.”
The event will be held from 1pm to 4pm and will also mark the official opening of the newly restored Jubilee gates.
Ms Hartley said for whatever reason, the school has a way of dining its way into the soul of those who have passed through it.
“I don’t know what it is about our school but it just captures you. It puts his arms around you and it gives you a hug and it makes you feel at home,” she said.
“We have staff who attended as students who have come back to teach and we’ve got parents like me, my boys are second-generation Wandin Yallock kids, multi-generational families who keep coming back through the school. We just have this connection to the school and to each other.”
There will be an opportunity for attendees to write about their experiences or memories of the school in a collective book on the day, or they can reach out and write in it earlier.
Ms Hartley said the only way that the history of the school stays alive is if we continue to pass on our stories and our memories to future generations.
“A massive part of it is sharing our stories and memories so that our kids can then continue that legacy on through their children. My boys may choose to send their kids to school in the future, you never know. 150 years of history is pretty incredible,” she said.
“I’ve got no doubt in my mind that the school is on an upward trajectory, our numbers have been steadily growing over the last seven years since I’ve been back at the school. I definitely think that our school will continue on its journey.”
Anyone interested in attending can find more information at www.fb.me/e/332EHEXdV.
