Fairholme celebrates a century

MEMORIES were shared between the young, and the older, when Fairholme College celebrated 100 years.

Yesterday was 100 years to the day since the Toowoomba school was opened at its current site on Wirra Wirra St.

A commemoration service was held at Hume Ridge Church yesterday before the present and past Fairholme students gathered on the school’s oval to form a “100”.

Principal Dr Linda Evans said it was an exciting day for the college.

“We are celebrating 100 years to the day, on site, where the first three students walked up the stairs of the homestead,” Dr Evans said.

“Two seven-year-olds and one four-year-old.”

Fairholme College had its origins in Spreydon College, which was located at Newtown. But it soon outgrew where it was and moved to land offered by Margaret Cameron in 1917. “I think there were 58 students in 1918 when the school was officially opened by the governor of Queensland. But the first student started this time in 1917,” Dr Evans said.

Today the school has about 800 students from prep to Year 12.

Dr Evans is in her 15th year of working at the college and her ninth as principal.

“I think the incredible spirit of the school is the thing that has endured,” she said.

“I think girls are tenacious. They don't necessarily choose the easy over the hard.

“I think that has been the legacy from Mrs Cameron who bequeathed the homestead and the land.”

The college has also celebrated its 100 years with a ball and the unveiling of two sculptures by Grant Lehmann.

I think girls are tenacious. They don't necessarily choose the easy over the hard. — Dr Linda Evans

PHOTO: BEV LACEY FAIRHOLME BIRTHDAY: Current Fairholme College students along with staff and Fairholme old girls joined together on the college’s oval to create a “100” for a special aerial photo to celebrate 100 Years.

PHOTO: LUCY RC PHOTOGRAPHY FROM ABOVE: Past and present students and staff at Fairholme College form a 100 to celebrate 100 years.