Currumbin Primary School has celebrate 100 years as Gecko House opens doors to its past

A Gold Coast school which has become one of the city’s most important community centres is about to celebrate its 100 birthday — and former students have revealed a few secrets.

The Currumbin Primary School in 1924. It is now Gecko House.

A Gold Coast school which has become one of the city’s most important community centres is about to celebrate its 100 birthday - and former students have revealed a few secrets.

The Currumbin primary school built in 1924, overlooking the creek, now operates as Gecko House and home to Gold Coast environmentalists. It was previously used by the Country Women’s Association.

On Saturday there will be a free open day between 9.45am and 2pm to celebrate its 100th birthday and also Gecko’s 35th.

Gecko Environment Council president Anna Itkonen said the celebrations would offer insights into the history of the school building along with the environmental campaigns.

The Currumbin Primary School in 1924. It is now Gecko House.

“The old building has served the community of Currumbin since 1924, first as a primary school until 1962, then as a home for the Country Women’s Association and since 1995 as the headquarters for Gecko members,” Ms Itkonen said.

“Throughout its history Gecko House has been a community focal point.”

Gecko had sought information from past students who attended prior to 1962, when the

school moved to Phillip Street at Currumbin.

“We have been fortunate to get a number of past students to tell their stories of the school beside the creek and these will be on display on Saturday for all to read,” she said.

Their research revealed there were once two school buildings on the site. The second facility was moved in 1962 to the new school grounds.

Environmental advocates including leader Lois Levy (front left) outside Gecko House at Currumbin on the Gold Coast.

“On display will be a photograph sent in by a past student confirming this,” Ms Itkonen said.

Students from the current primary school will hold an art exhibit in the hall, depicting

scenes from the school and it green surrounds.

Planned entertainment includes an award-winning school jazz band playing from 10am. An eight-metre-long mural of fabric and origami fish, showcasing the Creek, will be on an outside wall.

“Gecko members will be present with their own displays of the work they have done over

the past 35 years for the community in protecting the Gold Coast natural environment and

environmental education programs for all ages,” Ms Itkonen said.

The group evolved from the Friends of Currumbin after Lois Levy and Philip Follent researched creating an environmental centre.

The Gold Coast 's Currumbin Primary School is celebrating its 100th birthday. It's now the hub for Gecko the environmental group where advocate Lois Levy has led many campaigns.

Visitors can buy native plants, get drinks from a “solar powered” coffee cart, eat home-made cakes and chat with members.

“The Gold Coast is a young city and few of the original buildings are left and while Gecko

House is modified since its start as a primary school, the upstairs hall and office retains the

same features as it did when it housed classrooms and the staffroom,” Ms Itkonen said.

“Gecko House was a community asset when it was a school, and it remains an asset to the

community serving not only Gecko Environment Council but also the many community

organisations which use the hall for their activities.

“We are looking forward to meeting our visitors on Saturday and sharing the experiences of the venerable old building.”

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