By Colin MacGillivray
A call is out for past students, teachers and families of Broadford Secondary College to contact the school as it prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
On October 8 the school will throw its doors open to the public with a special anniversary ceremony that will include a welcome to country by Taungurung elder Aunty Jo Honeysett, an address from the principal and school council president and speeches by past students and staff.
Current students will cater with a barbecue and Devonshire teas, and attendees can contribute to a visitors’ book on arrival.
The school also plans to unveil a plaque from its original opening, as well as a new logo.
Assistant principal Cathy Coppinger said she hoped to have one speaker from each of the past six decades, and called on school alumni to make contact before the event.
“We’re hoping to have representatives from each decade say a few words about their experience at the school. They might be ex-students or ex-teachers or other staff members,” she said.
“We’ve already got one of the original staff members coming from Gippsland, and she’s agreed to say a few words. She was one of the 1961 staff, and I think there were only five staff members at the time.
“We’re putting a call out for any former students, staff members or parents and families who have spent time at the school over the years. We’re opening the school up so they can have a wander around and see how it’s changed.”
Broadford Secondary College opened at its current site on October 5, 1962.
For two years prior, a Broadford Higher Elementary School operated out of the town’s Masonic Hall, incorporating year seven and eight students.
Ms Coppinger said she had worked with Broadford Historical Society to create a display of photos and other memorabilia that would include items from the higher elementary school.
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People can email broadford.sc@education.vic.gov.au for more information.
