Tales of ice cream once a year at the break-up picnic, games of marbles in the schoolyard and riding ponies to school will be among memories shared at the Innisplain State School 100-year reunion.
The school, which closed in 1962, will be remembered at a reunion on 7 November, 100 years to the day since it opened.
It was a school built off the back of community self-determination, like the many one-teacher schools once spread across the district.
Locals made quick work of establishing the school, seeing it open on 7 November 1921, one year after they first met to discuss it on 3 November 1920 at the Innisplain Tramway Station.
It was a place where childhood memories were made, of splashing about in the Logan River, playing marbles under the trees and keeping an eye out for snakes in the old dunny up in the horse paddock.
Some children rode their horse or bicycle to school while others walked barefoot, and some even hitched a ride on the cream truck.
Lifelong Innisplain local Catherine Drynan, who used to ride her pony named Fairy to school, said the school was testament to the strength of the community.
“Our parents built the tennis court and the fence on their weekends, and we must thank them for their hard work, because there were no grants like there are today, to fund projects like that,” she said.
After its closure, the school building was relocated to behind the Rathdowney Post Office, where it has had several uses over the years.
The Innisplain State School reunion will be at 10am, 7 November from 10am at Rathdowney Information Centre. Tea and coffee will be provided, and guests are invited to bring a picnic lunch or plate to share.
For more information, phone Catherine on 0447 441 139 or Maureen on 0419 715 980.
