Historical information

A reunion gathering for past students of Cheltenham State School held in November 1936

Physical description

A black and white photograph of a large group of men and women in a semicircle on a school play yard beside a weatherboard building .They all appear to be smartly dressed, many women wearing hats and the men in suits.

Cheltenham School Reunion.
The third annual "Back to Cheltenham State school" reunion attracted an attendance of 600 former scholars to the school on Saturday afternoon. The proceedings were opened by tho mayor of Moorabbin (Cr. J. W. Allnut). The oldest teacher present was Mrs. Grant, of Sorrento, who, as Miss Fraser, had charge of the school from 1880 to 1883. Another old identity was Mr. T. Evans, of Kew, who is 82 years of age — he was the head teacher from 1802 to 1800. Photographs were taken of Mrs. Grant with fifteen of her former pupils, and of Mr. Evans, who mustered 72 of his old scholars. The roll call showed that there were 50 pupils present who attended tho school more than half a century ago. Mrs. Buckley, of Mentone, who is 84, and Mr. W. P. Fairlam, of Cheltenham, 80 years, were the oldest former scholars in attendance. Mr. Fairlam, notwithstanding his age, still carries on the business of an auctioneer. Bouquets were presented to Mrs. Grant and Mrs Buckley by the president of the mothers' club (Mrs. Marshall). An enjoyable day was wound up by a dance at night in the mechanical institute, when 200 attended. (Age, Monday 30 November 1936, page 5)