Wheatlands SS principal Daniel Bishop with the centenary cake
November 18, 2013
Wheatlands State School marked its centenary on Saturday with a celebration that attracted more people than the tiny rural school would have ever seen on one day.
Former pupils came from all over Queensland for the big day and the opportunity to catch up with friends and family members.
Administration officer Jenny Allan, who was manning the gate, said at least 500 people had signed in by lunchtime, but the real number – including parents, current students and people who just walked in – would probably push the attendance figures well over 600.
South Burnett mayor Wayne Kratzmann got proceedings underway in the morning with a welcome speech which was then followed by the oldest former pupil present at the celebrations, Alice Wessling, 98, cutting the cake.
Alice (nee Rosenblatt) was born on July 26, 1915, at Byee, and used to ride her horse or walk to school.
Alice’s connections with the school run deep and continue to the present day.
Her sister Agnes was a first-day pupil in 1913 and her future husband, Arthur Wessling, also attended along with his brother and sisters, Eric, Margaretha and Muriel.
Her eldest great-grandson, Cooper Mollenhauer, is currently in Grade 1 at the school.
There was plenty of school memorabilia on display including items from a time capsule buried in 1983.
Marked envelopes from this capsule were distributed to descendants.
A new time capsule will be buried in the same location on December 1.
Souvenirs were on sale on the day, including a special Centenary book and envelopes for the new time capsule.
Also being sold were pavers for the school’s memorial pathway which is slowly growing and recognising former pupils.
Current principal Daniel Bishop “called the roll” for each year, with pupils posing for “class photos”.
Entertainment, which included performances by the Wondai Town Band and local duo Bruzz, continued into the night after a pig-on-the-spit dinner.
Margaret and Kevin Jones, from Redcliffe … Margaret is the youngest daughter of the first principal at Wheatlands School, Albert Ruge; she was born in the area but left when she was just three weeks old. INSET: A medal presented to Albert Ruge by the residents of Wheatlands after he returned from active service in World War 1. The medal reads: “Duty Bravely Done Returned” and on the reverse “Presented to Sgt A.H.A. Ruge 6612 26th Battalion from the residents of Wheatlands”.
Ted Zillmann’s father (also Ted) was a first-day pupil at the school; he’s pictured with Eric Cridland, from Castra
Arthur Bond (who was a pupil in 1937), from Cooyar, with Wilma and Debbie Beitzel, from Murgon
Cr Kathy Duff with Bruce and Jenny Bishop, from Cloyna
Gladys and Dudley Sippel, from Murgon, were enjoying the Centenary celebrations
Siblings Des Goltz (1937), Val Garland (1940) and Kay Wendt (1948) all attended Wheatlands
Everyone was having fun … Garry Sippel, from Dreamtime Reptiles, with Lawson Schloss, 7; Curtis Nichols, 11; Hayden Bell, 12; and an albino carpet python
Neil Kratzke travelled from Goondiwindi; the former Murgon Commonwealth Bank manager attended the school between 1956-60
Eddie Wessling (1929) from Murgon has had children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at Wheatlands School
Welcoming visitors at the main gate were parent Leah Sells and school administration officer Jenny Allan
Dorothy Enkelmann, Wondai, had five children attend in the 1940s-50s: Barry, Janette, Judith, Peter and Debra
Ted Zillmann and Brian Cotter read a letter from Ted’s father Ted – a first day pupil – which was in the time capsule; they donated it back to the school to be buried in a new capsulePrincipal Daniel Bishop handed over an envelope from the time capsule marked for the descendants of Ray and Clara Muller … accepting it were Tahlia Yesbery (2006-12), Sue Yesberg (1982), Hayden Yesberg (2005-10) and Billy Muller (1980)
