Gallery | Harston Primary School’s 150-year celebration was a class act

By Taylah Baker and Rechelle Zammit

Oct 22, 2024

**Raise your hand if your school knows how to throw a party. Layla Coltish, 9, agrees.** Photo by Rechelle Zammit

The gates of Harston Primary School became a direct portal to the past on Saturday, October 19, welcoming current and former students to mark a milestone.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The school celebrated its 150th anniversary with a lively gathering on the grounds, filled with joy, nostalgia, and community spirit.

For school bus driver Paul Newman, the event was especially profound.

Mr Newman shared a heartfelt story about his lineage, revealing that his father, Vince, was the school’s first bus driver, and he continued that legacy by driving the school bus today.

Heather Stuart, an alumnus with strong ties to the school, also spoke at the event.

She reminisced about old times and expressed her pride in being one of four generations of her family to attend the school.

Among the guests were Department of Education and Training area executive director Sharon Hensgen-Smith and City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali.

Together with school principal Kaz Batson, they unveiled commemorative plaques celebrating the past and present.

News photographer Rechelle Zammit was behind the lens to capture the special occasion.