Pickering Brook History

>Pickering Brook History - School Sites

Schools

Home NEW Updates About Us Historic Sites Consultants Contact Us Terms/Conditions

PICKERING BROOK SCHOOL'S 100th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Research by Gordon Freegard

CENTENARY SCHOOL PHOTO

Despite Sunday 17th May 2015, being a very wet day, a huge crowd of former and current students attended to have a group photo taken. Although they were very hard to organise Julie eventually interrupted their chatting by loudly ringing the school bell. All Kids whether young or old still respond to THE BELL. After much shuffling around and squeezing together they finally arranged themselves in some sort of form so this commemorative group photo could be taken. Many family group photos were also taken on the day. One of the oldest attendees was Hazel Hodgson (nee Weston) who attended the school under Headteacher Miss Catherine Lugg. Hazel won a scholarship in 1932 to go on and eventually became a teacher herself, returning to actually teach at Pickering Brook School in 1946 & 1947. A scrumptious morning tea was provided by the P. & C. Association

HAZEL HODGSON (nee Weston) AND HER SISTER MERLE sitting
VIEWING THE WEBSITE #2

JULIE HOLLAND TRYING TO BRING EVERYONE INTO ORDER #1

THE HUGE CROWD PREPARING FOR THE PHOTO #3

THE HUGE CROWD PREPARING FOR THE PHOTO #4

References: Article: Pickering Brook Heritage Group
Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, Gordon Freegard

CENTENARY OPEN DAY CELEBRATIONS

A huge celebration day was organised on Saturday 5th December 2015, to mark the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Pickering Brook Primary School in 1915. Although the start of the day was threatened by a thunderstorm and a hailstorm that passed through Lesmurdie earlier in the day, reasonably fine weather prevailed for most of the day.

One of the largest crowds ever to attend a school function was there, included many past students and teachers. One of the oldest attendees was Hazel Hodgson (nee Weston) who attended the school under Headteacher Miss Catherine Lugg. Hazel won a scholarship in 1932 to go on and eventually became a teacher herself, returning to actually teach at Pickering Brook School in 1946 & 1947. Mrs. Dulcie Hale, wife of former headmaster Robert Hale who taught from 1963 till 1967 was there with her son, Lindsay who now holds a prominent position in the Education Department.

THE CROWD #1

Many events were organised by the very hard working committee led by Julie Holland, Co-Chair of the Centenary Committee and supported by Danielle Della Franca, President of the local P. & C. Association and her many hard working members. Jams, Preserves, Plants and many other items were for sale.

Two really tremendous items were produced especially for the day. The first being a small booklet called "The First 100 Years" covered the history of the school over these years including copies of the first letters sent requesting a school for Pickering Brook. It lists all staff employed, major events and even some entries from the "Punishment Book, sporting achievements and the growth of the school through the turbulent years when the Catholic Church commenced a small school which took a lot of children from the school, but the recovery with increased numbers when it closed a few years later. A great souvenir to treasure.

The second was a cook book entitled "The Pickering Cook a Centenary in the Making". It contains 128 pages of favorite family recipes collected from the children attending the school. Very nicely put together with lots of full colour pics of the end products. It covers everything from wholesome main course through to scrumptious desserts topped off with delicious sweets.

Also produced for the day were tea-towels and linen shoulder bags printed with an early image of the school on them

THE CROWD #2

NOONGAR ELDER MARIE TAYLOR #3

NOONGAR ELDER MARIE TAYLOR #4

PRINCIPAL DERRICK ERNST #5

The openning address was given by Noongar Elder Ms Marie Taylor entitled "Welcome to Country". This was a very interesting talk some of which was in the local native tongue and translated into English. She was a very accomplished speaker. A welcome speech followed given by the School Principal Mr. Derrick Ernst.

The Junior Choir and the Senior Choir, both gave a great performances led by music teacher Jeen Golden. The Year 2/3 Junior Choir was very neatly presented in uniform complete with black satin waistcoats emblazoned with the school logo. They preformed "The National Anthem"/ "A Home amongst the Gumtrees" and "The School Song".

Whilst the Senior Choir were decked out with bright green satin waistcoats also with school logo printed on them. Very smart. They presented "A Century of Song".

MUSIC TEACHER JEEN GOLDEN #7

THE JUNIOR CHOIR #8

THE JUNIOR CHOIR #9

THE JUNIOR CHOIR #10

THE JUNIOR CHOIR #11

THE JUNIOR CHOIR #12

THE JUNIOR CHOIR #13

One of the major highlights of the day was the opening of a capsule that had been buried in the school grounds many years earlier. It contained sealed envelopes from students that attended the school then. Each envelope contains various items including schoolwork, art, coins and many other treasures. Great excitement as they signed off to be presented with their own envelope they had placed in the capsule so many years age.

Keynote Speaker was Ms. Beverley Giumelli, President of the Pickering Brook Heritage Group gave a lengthy talk on the relevance of remembering and preserving our history. She spoke about how active the local Heritage Group was in saving and preserving the past history of our area. From the timber industry and its sawmills, the railway lines and the log trains, the soldier settlements and the early pioneering families through to our thriving community that we have today. A very interesting talk that covered so many important areas of our past history that must never be forgotten.

BEVERLEY GIUMELLI PRESIDENT OF HERITAGE GROUP #14

THE SENIOR CHOIR #15

THE SENIOR CHOIR #16

THE STALLS #17

THE STALLS #18

THE CENTENARY CAKE #19

FORMER STUDENT & TEACHER HAZEL WESTON #20

GENERAL VIEW #21

GENERAL VIEW #22

MACHINERY PRESERVATION CLUB OF W.A. DISPLAY #23

MACHINERY PRESERVATION CLUB OF W.A. DISPLAY #24

MACHINERY PRESERVATION CLUB OF W.A. DISPLAY #25

MACHINERY PRESERVATION CLUB OF W.A. DISPLAY #26

MACHINERY PRESERVATION CLUB OF W.A. DISPLAY #27

Many exhibits were arranged on the school oval including a bouncing castle for the kids. A very interesting display of a huge range of small machinery engines by the Machinery Preservation Club of Western Australia was also there with their many exhibitors very happy to talk about and answer questions about their particular machine. Unfortunately, because of the threatened thunderstorms and rain, so of the planned exhibits were unable to attend, including the vintage car club.

MAGNIFICENT RESTORED VINTAGE TRUCK #28

FORMER HEADMASTERS WIFE, DULCIE HALE & SON LINDSAY #29

BOUNCING CASTLE #30

GENERAL VIEW #31

GENERAL VIEW #32

References: Article: Gordon Freegard

Photos: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 Gordon Freegard
2, 4, 21, 22, 23 Julie Holland