Former student Frank Gaudion, 100, and great-great-uncle of current students, cut the celebratory cake.
By Mara Pattison-Sowden
PAST students and teachers returned to Wandin Yallock Primary School to celebrate 140 years of history and learning.
There were four generations of former and current students who took part in the day on Sunday 7 November at the school.
Principal Christine Shiel said it was a magnificent party celebrating 140 years.
“Where else but Wandin Yallock could you meet a happy and healthy group of former pupils from early last century?”
Ms Shiel said Wurrundjeri elder Murrindindi, who performed a welcome to country, was able to link his own family history to Joseph Wandin, a pupil at Wandin Yallock Primary School in 1903.
School chaplain Vonnie Sharpe said the day was a wonderful celebration of the school’s history with so many coming from far and wide to join the festivities.
“There was a wonderful sense of community, with all age groups intermingling, past students sharing their stories, current students performing their pieces,” she said.
“It was particularly interesting to notice the many young students listening to older folk recalling how the school used to be in their day – the little faces were lit up with intrigue – and children are still asking questions like, ‘how big was the school when it was just one year old?’” Prep student Ava had a turn with the hoola hoops and said it was difficult.
“I had a turn of the sack races and I didn’t fall over – it was fun!” she said.
“I ate some scones with jam on them, with my mum. I saw people that were 100 years old.”
