It was a big day for Moffatdale State School stalwart Marilyn Sippel … and possibly even a bigger day for school principal Aaron JonesPrincipal Aaron Jones, the oldest ex-student Keith Haager, 91, and the youngest current student, Maddison Watcho-Page, 4, cut the Centenary Cake
November 3, 2015
Moffatdale State School principal Aaron Jones admitted he would be happy when the weekend’s Centenary celebrations were all wrapped up … but admin assistant and teacher’s aide Marilyn Sippel was probably even more relieved.
Marilyn, who has been at the school for more than 30 years, unexpectedly found herself the centre of attention at Saturday’s celebrations.
She was called to the stage and presented with a Certificate of Service by Education Queensland Assistant Regional Director Debbie Hails.
Mr Jones then handed her gifts as well as a big bunch of flowers.
Marilyn was also selected to receive the plaque marking the school’s centenary from Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss.
And a special camphor laurel bench at the school is now also bearing her name as a tribute.
It was also a big day for the Moffatdale pupils who had the opportunity to present two songs live on stage as well as enjoy rides on the Murgon Lions merry-go-round.
Guest speakers included Mr Truss and local councillor Kathy Duff, who said her late mother Lorna (nee Sippel) and aunty Nola had both attended the school.
Cr Duff also took the opportunity while she was on stage to officially open a new council park at Moffatdale. The 3.5ha “Brydges Park” in Verdelho Drive is on land donated by the Brydges family, from Bridgeman Downs winery.
Prep student Maddison Watcho-Page, 4, cut the Centenary cake with help from the oldest ex-student present, Keith Haager, 91.
Brothers and sisters reunited on the steps of the old Moffatdale State School building … from left, Errol McCullagh (Kingaroy), Eloise Blanch (Proston), Dell Rasmussen (Wondai), Cressie Bird (Scarness), Nelma Hansen (Murgon) and Essie Bird (Gympie); all the McCullagh clan attended the school except for EssieSpecial guests at the Moffatdale State School Centenary celebrations were local Federal Member and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss and his wife LynNicole Chapman, who did the Welcome To Country, with her children Ngaire, Nikita, Jack and Jo-Wellah SpeedyDeputy Prime Minister Warren Truss presented plaques to recognise, left, Redgate State School (Colin Sippel); centre, Moffatdale State School (Marilyn Sippel); and, right, Johnstown West State School (Valda Weaver)
Steve Eagers made a camphor laurel bench to recognise Marilyn Sippel’s service …
… and Marilyn was presented with a Certificate of Service and gifts on stage
The school choir sang a couple of numbers they had been practising for weeks, including a new school song
Keith and Gwenda Steinhardt, from Chelmsford … Gwenda started at the school in 1953
Damien Sippel and Ashley Hankinson were manning the barbecue
Local boy – and Golden Guitar winner – Dean Perrett entertained the crowdLocal cooking legend Edna O’Neill made the Centenary Cake … she also baked the cakes for the 75th and the 50th centenary celebrations!Allen Wilkinson, president of the Goomeri Chrome Bumpers car club, with his 1962 Corvette … the club started in February this yearGwenda and Dennis Wolter (started at Moffatdale in 1958) with Keith Haager, 91, from Tewantin, who started at the school in 1929Andrew Beckett and Sean Nicholson, from Murgon … Andrew, from Jemalong Productions, was looking after the sound on stage
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Brydges Park Opening
TOP: Cr Kathy Duff, Jan and Alex Brydges “open” the park on stage at Moffatdale State School BOTTOM: Jan Brydges, Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss, Alex Brydges and Cr Kathy Duff reprise the opening at the actual park
We apologise Aaron. At events like this it is very hard to acknowledge everyone who has contributed in some way … We probably should have also mentioned Murgon Lions, who supplied the merry-go-round; Guy Davis, who sang on stage, and Goomeri Lions, who had their chip van there. I imagine there were other community groups digging deep to help, as well.
What a lovely day it was. We really enjoyed ourselves. Congratulations to all who contributed to the planning and presenting.
Sadly yet again Murgon Apex and Ba Ba Bounce jumping castles did not get a mention yet again! It was a fantastic day and very well organised
We apologise Aaron. At events like this it is very hard to acknowledge everyone who has contributed in some way … We probably should have also mentioned Murgon Lions, who supplied the merry-go-round; Guy Davis, who sang on stage, and Goomeri Lions, who had their chip van there. I imagine there were other community groups digging deep to help, as well.