The Cairns Post

School’s ready to celebrate

- ALICIA NALLY alicia.nally@news.com.au

A LOT has changed since St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School opened in 1927.

Kerry Yelavich attended the Parramatta Park school in the 1960s and is now a Year 1 teacher there.

She said the multicultu­ral student population was one thing which had not changed.

“Incredibly, all the buildings have changed since I was at the school,” he said.

“We were taught by the Sisters of Mercy and we no longer have nuns.

“I loved the friendship­s we had. I remember having watermelon on break up and walking to the Plaza Theatre. I loved the floods in summer – we would take our shoes off and walk through the water.”

St Joseph’s principal Gavin Rick said the community was invited to celebrate the school’s 90th birthday at a bingo night on August 18 and reunion on August 19. A mass and morning tea will be held on August 20.

Mr Rick said bingo was a popular pastime for many local residents and had been a staple fundraiser for St Joseph’s over the years.

“We really want to capture some of the flavour of the past,” he said.

Tickets are available now from St Joseph’s school office, Loeven St, Parramatta Park, or by phoning 4051 4041.

INCREDIBLY, ALL THE BUILDINGS HAVE CHANGED SINCE I WAS AT THE SCHOOL

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 ?? Picture: JUSTIN BRIERTY ?? GREAT MEMORIES: St Joseph’s teacher and former student Grace Kinloch, Sandra Casey and teacher and former student Kerry Yelavich prepare for the school’s 90th anniversar­y.
Picture: JUSTIN BRIERTY GREAT MEMORIES: St Joseph’s teacher and former student Grace Kinloch, Sandra Casey and teacher and former student Kerry Yelavich prepare for the school’s 90th anniversar­y.

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