This September 20th, the Boorowa Central School will commemorate a remarkable milestone, its 155th anniversary. Originally founded in 1870, the school has been a pillar of the local community, supporting generations of students and adapting to changing times. The upcoming celebrations will not only honour the school’s storied past but also its promising future. The school has long been more than just an educational institution. It has been a place where families gather, memories are made, and traditions are passed down.
This year’s 155th celebration is particularly meaningful, as the event was delayed twice due to the global pandemic, with the 150th anniversary celebrations postponed by the interruptions of COVID-19 in both 2020 and 2021. But as Boorowa Central School Principal, Graham Jones, puts it, “Better late than never.”
This milestone event will take place on September 20th, offering an exciting line-up of activities for all to enjoy. Jones and the organising committee have carefully crafted a series of events designed to reflect both the school’s historical roots and its modern-day transformation. The day will kick off with an Open School event starting at 10 am. The school will open its doors to alumni, current families, and members of the community, offering guided tours of classrooms and other spaces around the campus. These tours will serve as a unique opportunity to explore both the old and the new.
“We want to show the school as it is today,” says Jones. “This will include visits to some of the specialist teaching areas that give insight into what a modern, 21st-century learning space looks like. At the same time, we will offer a nostalgic look at classrooms that have changed little over the years but have been adapted for current needs.”
The school’s rich history will be celebrated through a heritage trail that guides visitors through the grounds, offering them a chance to reminisce about their own time at the school. A special feature of the trail will include a memory board where visitors can share thoughts and stories from their school days.
We’re inviting people to write down their memories on little cards and pin them to a display frame,” says Jones. “It’s a way for people to interact with the school’s history and contribute to a living record of our shared past.”
Over the years, Boorowa Central School has seen significant growth. What started as a small institution with just 50 students in 1870 evolved into a Central School in 1927, eventually expanding its offerings to include secondary education. The school’s enrolment today stands at around 260 students, though it has had a peak enrolment of 360 students in the past.
“We’re currently a bit below our peak, but we’re hopeful that as our new preschool facility is built, we will continue to grow,” Jones shares. “By 2027, we’ll be able to educate children from 4 years old all the way to 18, offering a more comprehensive learning experience for the community.”
One of the most exciting aspects of the celebration will be the unveiling of a legacy wall, which will serve as a permanent tribute to all those who have contributed to the school’s history. “We’ve sold 500 bricks for the wall, far more than we expected,” says Jones. “It’s amazing to see how much interest there’s been in this project. It’s a way for people to leave their mark on the school and ensure that their connection to Boorowa Central School is remembered for generations.”
Bricks for the wall were sold to community members, former students, and families of current students, creating a tangible representation of the school’s enduring legacy. Each brick will have the name of its purchaser engraved on it, making the wall a truly collective project. The official ribbon-cutting and cake-cutting ceremony will follow the formal assembly at the school, symbolising the unity of the community and the school’s deep-rooted history.
“We’re going to have our youngest current student and our oldest living ex-student cut the cake together,” says Jones. “It’s a symbolic moment connecting the generations of students who have passed through this school over the years.”
The day’s events won’t end with the ribbon cutting. After the school tours and ceremonies, the celebration will continue with a gala dinner at the Boorowa Ex-Services Club in the evening. The dinner will offer a chance for former and current staff and students to reconnect, reminisce, and reflect on the school’s evolution.
“It’s going to be a wonderful evening. We’ll have a PowerPoint presentation showcasing old photos, and the atmosphere will be filled with a sense of nostalgia and excitement,” says Jones. “It’s all about bringing people together and celebrating everything that Boorowa Central School means to this community.”
This anniversary celebration has been 18 months in the making, with the planning committee working tirelessly to bring the event to fruition. “There’s a lot of work that goes into something like this, but it’s so worth it,” Jones reflects. “The community is really rallying around this event, and I think it’s going to be something special.”
For Jones, the 155th celebration is not only a time to reflect on the school’s history but also to think about the future. “My kids have been at the school since Kindergarten, and I want them to have a sense of ownership of this place,” he says. “This wall represents more than just the school’s history; it’s about the future too. It’s a chance for everyone who has been a part of this school to feel connected to it in a very real way.”
The wall, with its collection of names and memories, will serve as a permanent reminder of the school’s legacy, one that continues to grow and evolve with each passing year. As Boorowa Central School celebrates 155 years of learning, it does so with an eye firmly on the future and a heart full of gratitude for the community that has supported it along the way.
-Liam Stuart
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