By Alana Mitchelson
OFFICER Primary School will celebrate 130 years, reuniting generations of students past and present.
The original school building was 23 feet by nine feet when it opened in 1886 under the name Officer’s Siding State School, with 20 pupils and one teacher.
It was situated between a stable and a cow shed. There was no fireplace and one window.
Renamed Officer State School in 1888, it was not until 1913 that a larger wooden school was built – 26 feet by 21 feet – at the cost of £420.
The Officer township was supplied with electricity shortly after, in 1928.
Tragedy struck the school on 25 May 1961, when the headmaster of the time discovered the building ablaze a week in to a school holiday break.
Hundreds of dancers had been at the St Patrick’s debutante ball at Public Hall when the alarm had come through to Pakenham and many rushed to Officer in their best clothes to lend a hand in putting out the fire.
Despite Officer and Pakenham fire brigades working hard to save it, the building was severely damaged before volunteers were able to get the fire under control.
Only a piano and a few chairs were saved.
The fire was believed to have been caused by an electrical fault in the ceiling of the senior classroom.
The current school building was erected the year following the fire.
Officer Primary celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1986, creating a centenary garden with a time capsule to be opened in 2036.
Now 30 year later, the school will celebrate another milestone, with a sausage sizzle, old-fashioned games such as the egg-and-spoon race and a treasure hunt around the grounds for the children.
School principal Lynne Brenner said former Officer Primary students, family and friends were welcome to join the celebration.
“Officer primary school celebrates 130 years of providing education to generations of young children in the district,“ Ms Brenner said.
“We’re really excited to be celebrating this milestone for the school in the Officer community.
“The school has had a history of growing and dropping numbers and is currently in a growth stage with all the development happening in the area.
“This will be a great opportunity for children and families to mingle with each other and a chance for past students and staff to catch up with people in the community they haven’t seen in a while.“
The anniversary celebration is from 3.30pm to 6.30pm on Friday 21 October at Officer Primary School.
