Historical information

This is a photograph of a group of students of the Orbost Higher Elementary School dressed in costume performing "The Poppy Song:" on a stage.
In the photograph are: Dolly Broome; Mary Reynolds; Lily Perry; Hilda Guy; Rene Parker; Madge Grose; Audrey Cameron; Annie Gibbs, Zenie Irvine and Violet Gibbs.

This is probably the song connected with a poem called “In Flanders Fields” written by Major John McCrae, a Canadian surgeon attached to the 1st Field Artillery Brigade and stationed at Ypres salient, Belgium, in the spring of 1915.
During 1910-11 the first approaches were made to the Department for the establishment of a HES in Orbost and this became a reality in 1912. Orbost HES supplied post-primary education in the district until a high school was built in 1948.

Significance

Orbost High School / Orbost Secondary College has played a significant part in the education of senior students in the Orbost district . It is the sole senior educational institution. This item is representative of its history.

Physical description

A black / white photograph with a label attached. It is of a group of students in costume on a stage. Each figure has been numbered 1 - 13.

Inscriptions & markings

on label attached to bottom - "POPPY SONG ORBOST HES ?1915" with a list of names.