Geham State School celebrates 150th anniversary with former students

It was on for young and old – literally – at Geham State School’s 150th anniversary celebrations on Saturday.

It was 90 years ago that May Ford first stepped foot on the grounds of Geham State School.

And she returned as a guest of honour on Saturday at the age of 96 to celebrate the school’s 150th birthday.

Geham State School celebrate 150th anniversary. Visitors enjoying the markets and anniversary celebrations, From left; Clara Cherry, Lilith Aitken and ZeeZee Aitken.

As part of the celebrations, Mrs Ford (nee Patzwald) as the oldest former student, stood alongside the school’s youngest student, Sofia Drazic, to cut the birthday cake.

The moment was made extra special by the fact that Ms Drazic’s first day at Geham State School came exactly 90 years to the day after Mrs Ford’s.

“It wasn’t a big school,” Mrs Ford recalled of her time at Geham in the 1930s.

“It was lovely. I enjoyed it.

Geham State School celebrate 150th anniversary. Past student, John Welke and his son Samuel Welke, currently in year 2 look through items after the opening of the time capsule from the school's 125th anniversary.

“But there was no comparison of when I went to school as when they go to school now,” she said.

“It is totally different. We had one teacher, she used to ride about five mile … I used to catch her horse and then I’d say – now can I have a ride around? And I’d ride around the school paddock and that.

Geham State School celebrate 150th anniversary. Peter Patzwald (student in the 1960s) with his aunt Mrs May Ford (nee Patzwald student in the 1930s) and daughter Jayne Charles (nee Patzwald student in the 1990s).

“But you know, it was just normal. If you told a kid now to go and catch a horse …”

Shelley Tompson, who has been principal since 1999, said the first thing that hit her when she arrived was the sense of community.

The 150th celebrations drew people from all over to Geham.

Festivities included the opening of the 125th anniversary time capsule and a roll call of past students.

Geham State School celebrate 150th anniversary. From left; Tina Cherry, Frankie Aitken and her son Killian Aitken.