1974: CENTENARY WEEK
Centenary Week Celebrations were scheduled for the week beginning Sunday, September 21-28.
Mr Fitzgerald presided as Principal and proceedings were organised by Mr Ross Vickery of the Centenary Committee.
An invitation was published in the ‘Courier Mail’ in June 1974, for those interested to contact the school.
20 June 1974
COURIER MAIL – SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS
The last week of September has been set down for the celebrations of Petrie State School’s Centenary. Those interested are invited to contact the school, Dayboro Road, Petrie. – R Vickery, Centenary Committee, Petrie State School.
Source: Moreton Bay Regional Council Local History Library, Strathpine.
A photo article was published in the local paper, ‘The Near North Coast News’, just over a week before the event was to begin. Featuring pupils who were practicing their singing for the centenary variety concert, the photograph shows the centenary banner flying in the front of the school on Dayboro Road.
11 September 1974
THE NEAR NORTH COAST NEWS
Petrie School today (above) … Note the centenary banner flying at right of the picture in readiness for September 21-28 Celebrations. Petrie school pupils were singing loud and clear at a practice last week of songs they will present at the school centenary variety concert of Tuesday, September 24. The children are (l to r) Greg Ferguson, Julie Lenton, Debra Thompson, Leanne Griffiths, Tracey Chester, Chris Payne, Gail Townsend, Bethnie Scheer, Anne Norris, and seated in front, Maureen Crouch and Michelle Randall.
Source: Moreton Bay Regional Council Local History Library, Strathpine.
In the same edition, a second article describes that descendants of early day pupils will be involved in the celebrations, presenting a variety concert in the RSL Hall. A ball will trigger the week-long program, followed by a parade from Matheson Park (along Dayboro Rd) to kick off “Back to Petrie” day in the school grounds. A costume ball was held in the RSL Hall and the ending of the celebration was a spring fete at the school.
11 September 1974
THE NEAR NORTH COAST NEWS – PETRIE SCHOOL CENTENARY
Petrie State School is to celebrate its centenary from September 21 to 28 with a week of festivities involving families of the district whose descendants were early day pupils of the school. A ball will trigger off the celebrations on September 21. The next day – Sunday – will be “Back to Petrie” day in the school grounds, preceded by a parade from Matheson Park. Early pupils of the School will present a variety concert in the RSL Hall, Petrie, on Tuesday night, September 24. A costume ball will take place in the RSL Hall on Thursday night, September 26, and a spring fete will conclude the week on September 28.
Photo Caption: Petrie school pupils in 1910. All the names of pupils in the picture are not known but some are Violet Leis, Ellen Ebert, John Bray, Mable Skinner, Eric Baldwin, Cyril Lear, Harold Carstens, Gladys Hunter, Frank Skinner, Billy Bray, Billy Geiss, Doris Twible, Hilda Gilliland, Hilly Leis, Edna Jones and Myra Bress.
Source: Moreton Bay Regional Council Local History Library, Strathpine.
In the lead up to the week-long festivities, the ‘Near North Coast News’ ran another article hyping the activities.
It is announced that the formal opening was to be given by the Mr Hooper, the Regional Director of Education with special guest speakers from local and state politics. Headmaster, Mr Fitzgerald had been presented with a plaque commemorating that Tom Petrie had given the land for the school.
One of the main events of the opening ceremony was a combined outdoors church service. Promised also was a procession of vintage cars, the Naval Reserve Band, displays and projects by the children, the library, early photographs, the pages of the first school register and the teaching equipment of the era.
“The weather was reported to be of light rain with a cool breeze.”
CENTENARY WEEK EVENTS TIMELINE
15 SEPTEMBER 1974 (SUNDAY): CENTENARY BEGINS WITH VINTAGE CARS, NAVAL RESERVE BAND, DISPLAYS AND RAIN
Celebrations began as reported in the Near North Coast News on the 2 October 1974.
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2 October 1974
THE NEAR NORTH COAST NEWS – PETRIE STATE SCHOOL’S CENTENARY
Vintage Cars (left) were part of an enthusiastic procession to start a week’s centenary celebrations at Petrie State School on Sunday, September 15.
Following a combined outdoors church service at the school the celebrations were officially opened at 2 pm by the Regional Director of Education, Mr Hooper.
Other speakers included the Member for Pine Rivers, Ken Leese, and Pine Shire Chairman, Les Hughes.
A plaque showing that the land on which the School stands was gifted by Tom Petrie in 1874 was presented to the present Headmaster, Mr Fitzgerald.
Light rain and a cool breeze which appeared in the afternoon deterred neither the crowd nor the Naval Reserve Band.
On view for the day were children’s projects, the library, early photographs and pages from the first school register, and present-day teaching equipment.
The day was obviously well organised thanks to the direction of Ross Vickery.
Source: Moreton Bay Regional Council Local History Library, Strathpine.
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21 SEPTEMBER 1974 (SATURDAY): BALL TRIGGERS THE CELEBRATIONS
22 SEPTEMBER 1974 (SUNDAY): ‘BACK TO PETRIE DAY’ AND PARADE FROM MATHESON PARK TO SCHOOL
24 SEPTEMBER 1974 (TUESDAY): CENTENARY VARIETY CONCERT
26 SEPTEMBER 1974 (THURSDAY): COSTUME BALL
28 SEPTEMBER 1974 (SATURDAY): THE CENTENARY WEEK SPRING FETE
2 OCTOBER 1974: LOCAL MEDIA REPORT ON CENTENARY WEEK
2 October 1974
THE NEAR NORTH COAST NEWS – ATTENDED PETRIE SCHOOL 85 YEARS AGO
Some members of the earliest families in the Petrie district attended the centenary celebrations at Petrie State School – among the Mr Owen Leis after whom Leis Parade is named. Mr Leis, who will be 90 next year, attended the Petrie School 85 years ago. He said children in his day did not have things as easy as present day school-goers. They had no cars, buses or bikes and sometimes had to walk long distances to the school, past the camps of aboriginals about whom many frightening stories were told. Children, he said, could see the aboriginals foraging for food down by the North pine River and had their camps, among other places, in the spot where Wylie Park is today. There were only 30 children in the school when Mr Leis started there and the area was a quiet farming one. Now there are thousands of children attending schools in the Pine Rivers area and the farms are almost extinct.
Photo Caption 1: Eighty-nine years old Mr Owen Leis (story right) chats with “The News” Pine Rivers correspondent Mrs Celia Maddison.
Photo Caption 2: Father D M Long of Our Lady of the Way Catholic Church Petrie, Father C Ware of Petrie Church of England, and the Rev C Baster of Kallangur Methodist Church conducted an open air centenary service in the Petrie school grounds.
Source: Moreton Bay Regional Council Local History Library, Strathpine
2 October 1974
THE NEAR NORTH COAST NEWS – PETRIE STATE SCHOOL’S CENTENARY
Vintage cars (left) were part of an enthusiastic procession to start a week’s centenary celebrations at Petrie State School on Sunday, September 15. Following a combined outdoors church service at the school the celebrations were officially opened at 2 pm by the Regional Director of Education, Mr Hooper. Other speakers included the Member for Pine Rivers, Ken Leese, and Pine Shire Chairman, Les Hughes. A plaque showing that the land on which the Schools stands was gifted by Tom Petrie in 1874 was presented to the present Headmaster, Mr Fitzgerald. Light rain and a cool breeze which appeared in the afternoon deterred neither the crowd nor the Naval Reserve Band. On view for the day were children’s projects, the library, early photographs and pages from the first school register, and present-day teaching equipment. The day was obviously well organised thanks to the direction of Ross Vickery.
Source: Moreton Bay Regional Council Local History Library, Strathpine
1994: 120 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Seemingly, the 120 year celebration of Petrie State School was somewhat more low-key that the 
centenary week of 1974. The first mention of the planning of the event was recalled by David Stephenson (Principal, 1991 – 2007) in his memories published at the 125th anniversary publication in 1999:
11 May 1993: “… first meeting of 120th Celebrations Committee.”
– David Stephenson, 1999 – Principal, 1 Jan 1991 – 2007
Source: Commemorating 125 Years of Service: Petrie State School 1874-1999, pp50-53.
1994 was to be the anniversary year, allowing a year to plan the event. It isn’t clear if there was more than two events, or if there was more to the formality of the occasion, however a bush dance was held on the 16th April 1994. This was also mentioned by David Stephenson in his memories in 1999:
16 April 1994: “16 April Bush Dance.”
– David Stephenson, 1999 – Principal, 1 Jan 1991 – 2007
Source: Commemorating 125 Years of Service: Petrie State School 1874-1999, pp50-53.
“1994 sees the celebration of 120 years’ service to the community. Such celebration will be highlighted with a Fete on May 19, 1994.”
“NEXT [sic] [THIS] YEAR THE FOCUS IS ON OUR SCHOOL FETE CELEBRATING 120 YEARS SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.”
Source: 1994 Petrie State School Prospectus, From the Collection of Jean Charters.
1999: 125 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Commemorating 125 Years of Service: Petrie State School 1874-1999
1998: “Organisation well under way for the celebration of the 125th in 1999.”
– David Stephenson, 1999 – Principal, 1 Jan 1991 – 2007
Source: Commemorating 125 Years of Service: Petrie State School 1874-1999, pp50-53.
As early as July 1998 Mr Stephenson was setting out ‘feelers’ to the community in order to engage them with the idea of the upcoming celebration and to gather the older members of the community together with their memorabilia. The Anniversary Committee were seeking the oldest past pupil of the school.
Source: The Village Pump, 24 July 1998, Petrie State School 125th Anniversary, Courtesy Moreton Bay Regional Council Local History Library, Strathpine.
Presumably, the article below was published before the event held in October, 1999, and gives insight into the connecting of the older and younger generation students of the past and the modern classroom. This was a lead up to the anniversary and Petrie State School expressed that they were keen to connect with former pupils who were willing to contribute photos and memorabilia.
Unreferenced article published in Commemorating 125 Years of Service: Petrie State School 1874-1999.
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EX-PUPILS SHARE SCHOOL MEMORIES
A 91-year gap was bridged at Petrie State School on Friday.
Eight former pupils returned to the school to talk about their childhood days and to see how times had changed.
All agreed the changes were considerable, as the youngest ex-pupil started school in 1930.
The oldest former pupil at the reunion was 96-year-old Maggie Barber who started school around 1902.
She was joined by Rill Herrmann (Nee Lancashire, Joyce Skinner (Nee Herrmann), Rene Daly (Nee Skinner), Sybil Chilcott (Nee Kroning) and Ken Chester who all started school in the 1920s.
The group was given a tour of the school’s newer building and shown a video before they spoke to pupils from Years 3 & 4.
Petrie State School is preparing for its 125th anniversary to be held next October and is looking to contact former pupils for photos and memorabilia.
Phone 3285 2265
Source: Commemorating 125 Years of Service: Petrie State School 1874-1999.
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1999: 28 OCTOBER – PETRIE RUMBLINGS 16/99
FETE WRAP UP
Well the fete is over for another year and wasn’t it a great day. We were so lucky with the weather, with showers and storms being reported in the surrounding suburbs, yet Petrie stayed dry.
The day was a great success and it really was fantastic to see so many families there enjoying themselves. Many past pupils attended the day and by all accounts thought the fete and more importantly the memorabilia display was excellent.
Many people put a lot of time into making the day and the weekend of celebrations the great success that they were and although too numerous to mention – you know who you are – we say thank you very much.
There is only one really sour note to report with regard to the fete. It is very disappointing to advise that three of the Giant Cent Auction prizes (2 Nutri-Metics Gift Baskets and 1 Gift Pack containing 2 prints and a crystal vase) were STOLEN from Greg Gibson’s classroom before the winners had a chance to claim them. It is sad to think that someone felt the need to steal something that did not belong to him or her.
The year level productions (from Preschool to Year 7) were well organised and the children certainly did themselves proud with their performances and their behaviour – you are all great ambassadors for our school. To the teachers who put in so much work to make sure these performances were so polished we also say a big thank you.
As you will notice most of this edition of The Rumblings is photographs taken on the day of the fete. I believe that a picture paints a thousand words and they can express just how enjoyable the fete was – better than I can.
The final figures on the financial success of the fete are not available as yet but we assure you that as soon as they come to hand we will let you know the outcome. There is a post fete meeting on Monday 1 December at 7:00 pm in the staffroom to discuss all aspects of the day. It is important that all fete convenors and committee members attend this meeting to report on the success of their stall.
Once again than you all for your support throughout the year to make this fete the success it was. Without your donations, support and help the school would not be able to raise the money necessary to purchase the much-needed resources. – CHRIS WILLETT
A NOTE OF THANKS FROM JEAN BELL
I would sincerely like to thank anyone in the School Community who has helped to promote the 125th Anniversary Fete to family, neighbours and friends. In particular I would like to personally thank Maxine Barnes, Kylie and John Bayly (Junkyard Dog), John and Stephen Weerden, Kaylene Zeller, Marianne Daniec, Beth Small, Brian Andrews, the Pine Rivers Shire Council, Cr. David Dwyer, the Kallangur Library, Northern Times, Radio 4KQ and North Pine Country Park.
Special thanks to Kim Llewellyn and Graham Fisher for producing the seven free-standing fete signs which surrounded the school and looked absolutely wonderful.
I would also like to thank a very hard-working lady who has given so freely of her own time over a period of months to keep us fully informed with fete updates. Chris Willet you are incredible.
Lastly I would like to thank Mr Greg Gibson for doing such an excellent job as MC through a very long day and his assistant Miss Wendy Rose for coordinating the entertainment. Cheers Everyone – Top Effort! – Jean Bell, Promotions
RECIPE BOOK
There has been some confusion over orders for the recipe book. When the first order form was sent home it’s purpose was to try and get an appropriate number for printing purposes.
When the second form was sent home asking form money to be sent in – most of the money received was from people who had not ordered a book the first time round.
The recipe book has been so popular that is sold out at the fete but orders were taken. We are preparing to complete a third and final print next week. If you would like a copy or copies of the book please send your name, child’s name and money to the office by Friday. Thank you for your support with this book.
SOUVENIRS AND WINES
There is some Commemorative Wine still available for sale at $10.00 per bottle. There are still stocks of all souvenirs also available. Pens – $2, Pencils – $1, Stubby Cooler – $7. Spoons – $6, Coffee Mugs have been reduced to $5.
Copies of the 125th Magazine are still available at $12 per copy. If you would like to purchase any of these items please call in to the office.
2014: 140 YEAR CELEBRATION DINNER AND FESTIVAL TO COME
