Historical information

This photograph, taken during the 1990 Jacana Primary School Christmas picnic, captures children participating in a piggyback race in a park setting—likely Greenvale Reservoir Park, a well-known recreational area in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. The image shows students actively engaged in playful competition, with a red cone marking the race course and groups of children and adults scattered throughout the background.

Jacana Primary School, established in 1959 and closed in the early 2000s, was a central institution in the Jacana community. Events like the annual Christmas picnic were key to the school’s culture, offering students opportunities to celebrate the end of the school year through games, social interaction, and outdoor fun. These activities fostered a sense of camaraderie, physical engagement, and community spirit.

The use of Greenvale Reservoir Park reflects the school’s commitment to accessible, natural spaces that supported inclusive and active learning experiences. The park’s open layout and family-friendly environment made it an ideal venue for school-wide gatherings that encouraged participation across age groups.

This image is historically significant as it illustrates the role of public education in promoting social cohesion, physical wellbeing, and community identity in Melbourne’s outer suburbs during a period of suburban development. It also serves as a visual record of Jacana Primary School’s emphasis on joyful, shared experiences that extended beyond the classroom.

Significance

This photograph, taken during the 1990 Jacana Primary School Christmas picnic, is a vivid representation of the school’s commitment to joyful, inclusive, and active community events. It captures children participating in a piggyback race on the grassy grounds of what is likely Greenvale Reservoir Park, with other students, families, and staff visible in the background enjoying the day’s festivities.

Jacana Primary School, established in 1959 and closed in the early 2000s, played a vital role in the social and educational life of the Jacana community. Annual events such as the Christmas picnic were central to the school’s culture, offering opportunities for students to engage in physical play, build friendships, and celebrate the end of the school year in a relaxed, outdoor setting.

The image is historically significant as it reflects the broader role of public education in Melbourne’s outer suburbs during a period of suburban expansion. It illustrates how schools like Jacana Primary fostered social cohesion, community identity, and intergenerational connection through shared traditions and accessible public spaces. The photograph stands as a testament to the enduring values of fun, participation, and community that defined the school’s legacy.

Physical description

Photograph on glossy paper of a group children in the park.

Inscriptions & markings

PH18289 (crossed out)
PH-4209 (crossed out)
PH-4868