Generations of Baptist Preschool graduates and affiliates gathered at the Gunnedah Town Hall to officially celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary on Sunday.
Picture albums were spread out across tables next to an afternoon tea fest that would interest anyone’s inner child (and the many under five-yearolds present).
The formalities started with Gunnedah Shire Council mayor Jamie Chaffey speaking before church minister and board chairperson Robert Griffith spoke about the history of the school before it was the room leaders’ turn.
Children took to the town hall stage for what might have been some of the youngsters’ first time performing in front of the large crowd.
Speeches continued from past staff, board members and church representatives along with former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson and a past student.
Seven-year-old Annabelle Goldrick spoke beautifully with the support of her mother Katie and brother Horatio, beside her.
She recounted her favourite memories as a graduate of the preschool during her two years, one which was learning to spell her name. Annabelle’s brother said he enjoyed playing and kicking balls at the school.
Another recognisable name for plenty of past students and parents was Ellen Mitchell, who was introduced as someone whose involvement with the school could be traced back to its early days.
Mrs Mitchell recounted some of the “interesting” memories of her time at the school, pulling out a scroll that almost hit the ground.
Her first day in the full-time role as a teaching assistant in 1981 (which was described as the “most wonderful job in the world”) began by having to be ushered across the flooded river to get to work.
She recalled a fond memory of reading a story to a classroom of tots when a three-year-old had to correct her.
“Mrs Mitchell, you are not reading those words properly,” the child told her.
“I am not sure where he is today, but I guess he is doing lecture work at some university,” she said.
The official anniversary ticked over earlier in the winter months this year, as the preschool had opened in June 1974 in the former hall of the Gunnedah Baptist Church.
It started with just 20 children enrolled but has seen a steady incline of students, staff and classrooms during those 50 years. Now, 118 children attend.
It was in 1998 when the new extension was completed and the old classroom became office space.
More recently, the preschool had another expansion in 2017 with a new room and a number of renovations that followed.
Annabelle Goldrick went up in front of the masses to speak about her past education at Baptist preschool. She is pictured with proud brother Horatio.
