Is it just me or does everyone think it’s by honouring our past that we best take care of our future?

Mooloolaba State School is 75 years old. And doesn’t she still look great? There are lots of celebrations planned for the year, including a dedicated Festival Des Arts titled “From fishing nets to internets”. I love it.

I know the school is really keen to hear from past parents and students. Vice principal Bob Craig asked if I would dedicate this column to the event and hopefully get your attention.

So, I thought I’d tell you a little about the school and its humble beginnings.

In 1933, on May 2, 17 students gathered at the door of the Methodist Church Hall in Meta Street to receive instruction from a certain Miss Alexia Callow.

This was back in the day when Mooloolaba was little more than a collection of waterfront houses owned by net fishermen, a boarding house, corner store, a post office and jetty.

In 1936 the man we now know as the father of Mooloolaba, Arthur Parkyn, was appointed to the provisional school.

He says: “I still remember how pupils would be required to stack all the desks and forms at the rear of the hall every Friday afternoon, and arrange the church seats in rows ready for the Sunday devotions. Of course, come Monday morning the situation would be reversed, and the church seats stacked at the rear.”

He’s famous for it now, but back then, Mr Parkyn was busy getting things moving in Mooloolaba. By 1938 he saw the school move out of the Methodist Church Hall and across the road to its current site, where it was officially gazetted by the state.

Mr Parkyn was principal until 1948 and built strong links with the rapidly growing surf club, a link that stands strong today.

The kids at Mooloolaba State School probably have no idea how idyllic their childhood really is.

Three hectares of prime land, less than one hundred metres from one of the most popular holiday spots in Queensland. But I wonder if they appreciate who went before?

Past students include our favourite Olympian Clint Robinson, surfer Gary “Kong” Elkerton (although the way Kong tells it, I don’t think he went much), Kira Llewellyn, Kristy Munroe and all the Boyd kids (Alana Boyd is off to her first Olympics this year, we’ll keep you posted on Matt and Jacinta).

There’s even a rumour that Diane Cilento’s children attended Mooloolaba State for a while.

1980s were the boom time for Mooloolaba State School. In 1985 enrolment peaked at around 1000 students. Not long after however, Mooloolaba West was opened, better known as Mountain Creek State School.

Between the new school and the explosion of high rise buildings and resorts, enrolment has slowly decreased to the current 450 students. But you know what? That just makes Mooloolaba one of the more personal state schools on the Sunshine Coast.

Today, students no longer have to stack seats in the back of the church hall. Instead, they have two large ovals, 120 computers and a teaching staff dedicated to educational excellence (although I suspect students rarely crossed Miss Alexia Callow either).

In 1983, to celebrate the school’s Golden Jubilee, a time capsule was buried. It contained photos and work samples from students who attend in that year or before.

This morning that capsule will be officially “unearthed” by the 1983 Principal Mr Pat Wark and P&C President of the day Alison Quirke. It’s going to be a very special assembly with other past principals and students in attendance and absolutely everyone is welcome.

Shortly, Festival Des Arts will be launched, where past and current students, their families and staff members will be invited to view memorabilia, photographs and video images spanning the 75 years at Mooloolaba State School.

If you’re a past parent or student at Mooloolaba, especially one who has photos, a good yarn or memorabilia to contribute, vice principal Bob Craig would love you to get in touch.

Check out www.mooloolbss.eq.edu.auor call 5457 7222.