Community
28 August, 2024
Class act for quarter of a century
WITH events locally like the NicNak Shed Fashion Parade and Salsa Sorensen Golf Day, the weekends seemed to have been fun packed across the Douglas Shire recently.
A couple of Saturdays ago, on August 3, students and teachers past and present, together with the general community, gathered to celebrate 25 years of Wonga Beach State School. As regular readers will know, this is not the only school to celebrate an anniversary recently.
For the quarter century celebration, guests enjoyed a market evening and birthday party hosted by the Wonga Beach State School P&C. Those in attendance enjoyed live music, treats from the cake stall, games organised by students, plus art displays, delicious food, a bar and an opportunity to view items being placed into the time capsule.
Market stall holders sold a variety of goods, including pre-loved clothing, toys, books, jewellery, art and craft items and more. The school ‘garden club’ members had clearly been working hard for the occasion, selling their seedlings and homemade jams.
Although the weather was less than ideal, this didn’t keep the crowds away.
A birthday cake was shared by all, with those involved in great voice singing ‘happy birthday’ to Wonga school.
Apart from the many reasons to hold this birthday celebration, the event was the perfect opportunity to use items bought through a recent Foundation for Regional Renewal Grant, including marquees, tables, chairs and communal games.
In addition to the items bought for market days, the school now has a community accessible defibrillator and new cold-water bubblers, thanks to the grant.
After the impacts of Cyclone Jasper and subsequent flooding, the evening was a great chance for people to gather together and build on connections after a rough start to 2024.
I was asked to give out a special thank you to Johnny, Shireen and Lee for their beautiful music played throughout the evening, Kennards Hire for their donation of lighting, the team of volunteers and, most importantly, everyone for showing up.
Additionally, the P&C would like to thank the former Mossman Basketball Association for their recent generous donation which will support the purchase of new items for students.
The P&C’s goals for 2024 have included a community market day, a healthy eating initiative and tuck-shop update.
In fact, thus far, their tuck-shop program has proven to be very popular and successful and they look forward to the upgrades happening in the September school holidays.
Their first market day turned out to be fabulous despite the rain. The school also runs a daily breakfast club to set students up for learning and play with a full belly. If you are interested in volunteering to help out for an hour a week, please contact Reanna on 0497 824 163 or email wongapandc@gmail.com to find out how you can help.
I’m off to be tempted by yet another piece of birthday cake, so for now it’s Gazza signing out. Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au
