GOLDEN JUBILEE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 29, 16 May 1947, Page 4

GOLDEN JUBILEE

OPOURIAO SCHOOL. LARGE CROWD ATTENDS On May 10 the Opouriao- School celebrated its 50th anniversary with a full day and evening entertainment. Excellent arrangements and a tremendous amount of work had been done by the Secretary, Mrs E. Hill, assistant secretary, Mr W. Davies, president Mr R. McGougan and an energetic committee to ensure that nothing had been left undone to provide a thoroughly enjoyable time for the large crowd which attended.

Probably the highlight of the day was the seven aside football match between two teams of “Old Boys” with Harry McGougan in possession of the whistle. Well what a match it was. A really classic example of “football as she should be played.” We wouldn’t knew who won and neither did they. Rumour had. it that Tom Garlick’s football trousers were of 1925 vintage and he has grown a bit since then. All the spectators held thejr breath to help him over the tough spots. All old pupils were given a coloured disc to wear denoting the year of their attendance at Opouriao. The roll was called Mrs Jennings (nee Rust) being the first to answer and then a parade was formed of tenyear groups, in some cases with the teacher who was in charge at that time.

All those present stood in silence as a mark of homage as the roll of honour of the school for both wars was called.

At the conclusion of this ceremony Mr McGougan asked Miss Prideaux, teacher at Opouriao for the past 15 years/' to accept a framed jubilee certificate and requested that it should be hung in the school. Mr T. Wardlaw spoke on behalf of the old pupils and thanked those responsible for providing such an enjoyable day, and Mr J. H. Hill spoke on behalf of the “old” teachers. Speech by Mr Sullivan, M.P.

Mr L. Sisam who had carted all the timber for the building of the school was present and disclosing that he received the munificent sum of £lO for carting*the timber (in horse-drawn vehicles of course) from Whakatane. Many were the hearty hand, shakes and jolly reminiscences exchanged as people met who had not seen each other for many years. A splendid lunch and afternoon tea was provided, while the present day pupils were regaled on ice cream and bottles of fizz.

At 6 p.m. a high tea for ex-pupils and their wives and husbands together with ex-teachers was held.. There was a large crowd present, among the ex-teachers being Mr J. H. Hill, Mr C. J. Rogers, Mrs Lane (nee Carmichael), and Mr and Mrs Haeusler. After the meal was finished there .were several impromptu speeches. Here Mr T. Garlick had a “crack” at the “old” teachers and what satisfaction it must have been to him to get some of his own back after so many years. A well attended dance concluded what must have been a really memorable day to all those ex-pupils and ex-teachers who were . lucky enough'to be able to be present, and credit is due to all those who by their efforts and work made such celebrations possible.