Community & Business
6 September, 2022
State Governor celebrates 150 years of Jondaryan School
On Saturday, guests battled against the rain and celebrated 150 years of Jondaryan State School.
Two pandemics and two World Wars later, Jondaryan State School has stood the test of time and celebrated its 150th year servicing the local community.
Queensland Governor Jeannette Young attended the school’s celebrations last weekend and thanked the school staff, the P&C and volunteers for their tireless efforts in organising such a momentous event.
“The longevity of the school and the attendance of some many people here today, is testament to the affection in which Jondy is held,” she said.
“Jondaryan Provisional School opened its gates on February 12th 1872 to the children of the
workers of Jondaryan Station and since that date, over 3,100 students have passed through those school gates.
“That’s what makes the P&C’s gift of new school gates to commemorate their 150th anniversary so fitting.
“The gates are a beautiful symbol of the enduring welcoming that Jondy has given to children of the district for a century and a half.
“It’s my great honour to be here with you all today and inspiring to hear what a classroom education looked like over a century ago!” the Governor said
“Today’s schooling would be unrecognisable to the students of 1872,” Her Excellency said.
She said while the roll out of Wi-fi, smart whiteboards, robots and laptops among other new technology has changed the learning environment dramatically, the care and concern for students throughout the years has remained the same.
Celebration Committee member Steve Martin gave an overview of the school’s fascinating history.
“During the second World War from 1939 to 1945, students practiced air raid drills,” he said.
“Diving into trenches which had been dug out in the school.
“They were also involved in growing cotton which was used to fill ammunition cartridges for the war effort.
“The school has witnessed so much change, including the start of the communication era with the introduction of the first telephone.
“Today we’re following in that history by celebrating 150 years of education at Jondaryan State School.”
