The local primary school which my children attended, Mudgeeraba State School, was planning its centenary celebrations. I offered, having already published one local history, to write a booklet to commemorate the event.
I knew, from my previous research, that four other schools had existed in the local area, at various times. These were Bonogin Creek State School, Neranwood Provisional School, Austinville State School and Upper Mudgeeraba Provisional/State School. Knowing that this was the perfect opportunity to include their histories as well, the ‘booklet’ began to grow. During the course of my research, I contacted many ex-pupils, asking them to write their own reminiscences for the book. This would make it a more personal account. Many also had old photographs, and the history section of the Queensland Department of Education came up with lots of information, such as teachers’ records, and school plans, etc. I decided to include the names of every known pupil who had enrolled at these schools during their operation. This involved over 5,000 names and, as I am only a 2-finger typist, many hours of hard work. Bush Schools & Golden Rules was released to coincide with Mudgeeraba State School’s centenary celebrations in March 1992. In addition to the usual reunions, we contacted as many ex-pupils from the other four (now closed) schools as we could find. One highlight was the gathering of about forty of the Austinville State School pupils at the old Mount Nimmel hall near the site of the original school and settlement. Most of them hadn’t seen each other since their school days, in the 40s, so there was a lot of catching up to do. Copies of Bush Schools & Golden Rules are available from Mudgeeraba State School. Cheers... Robyn Lee Burrows
© Robyn Burrows - 2000
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