By KATH GANNAWAY
THE story of Badger Creek State School No. 3309 is now an open book for visitors to Badger Creek.
Two history boards launched on Friday 7 March, in the grounds of the original school building tell the story in words and pictures of the school’s history from when it was opened in Badger Creek in 1899 to the present day.
The boards were an initiative of the 1940s/50s Ex-students Group who got together after a reunion in 2011 and worked with the Badger Creek Primary School (BCPS) and the BCOSB Committee of Management to research and design the boards.
The grounds of the BCOSB were packed with current and former students and teachers, and members of the 40s/50s group and the BCOSB committee.
Special guests included Yarra Ranges mayor Fiona McAllister and local CFA captain Joshua Martin representing the many CFA members involved in the restoration and continued operation of the old school.
The boards were launched by BCPS captains Milla and Tom, Mervyn Bullas representing the reunion group and Kevin Mason representing the BCOSB committee.
Mr Bullas thanked the Grade 5 and 6 students and teachers who worked on the board and the Museum of Victoria for making historic photographs available.
He said the school was a very special place with wonderful memories for members of his group and a history that would be of interest to visitors to the area and the local community.
BCOSB member Ray Frogley spoke of the fight to save the original school building and how it was dismantled, moved and restored for on-going community use as a Shire of Yarra Ranges facility.
See more photos of the launch and former student Lynette Kennedy’s article ‘Badger Creek – The Place And The People’ online at mail.starcommunity.com.au
