Amberley School Closure

Amberley State Primary School was one of the first 10 schools in Queensland. It was originally formed as a private school for families of workers employed at one of the local properties.  The school saw its humble beginnings in 1981 as ’Warrill Creek’, long before the invention of the aeroplane.

The School started in 1861 in a small building on a Willowbank sheep and cattle station owned by Mr Darby McGrath. Mr McGrath then donated land in Green Lane near his homestead so that a new school could be built. A weatherboard school was built on that piece of land, that is now somewhere in the southwest corner of RAAF Base Amberley. This land proved be a swamp in heavy weather; hence the school fell into disrepair and was consequently moved. There was a great deal of debate over the most suitable location, but in the end ‘Sandridge’ was chosen.

In 1903 the school was renamed to Amberley State School.

The Second World War saw the temporary closure of the School due to its proximity to the Air Force Base. The children were advised to attend Walloon or Churhill schools, or alternatively, study through correspondence. After the war the School reopened with a steady increase in attendance; for example in 1951, 91 students regularly attended Amberley State Primary School.  231 students attend the school today.

A fire in 1968 partially destroyed two classrooms and a staffroom. The Fire Station from the RAAF Base Amberley responded and contained the fire.

As time passed, the base supported more aircraft and varied types of aircraft. As a result, the issue of aircraft noise became of concern to the learning environment for the children. Eventually, in 1981, the school was re-opened on the current site.

The teachers and children held a final parade in front of the old school where the school flag was lowered and the doors were locked. Shortly after the parade, the children marched proudly, in class formation up the road to their new school.

It is now 2007. The School has been notified that the continued expansion of the RAAF Base Amberley will result in the school being surrounded by Defence buildings, and subsequently it will be enclosed within the perimeter fence of the base.  As RAAF Base Amberley is entry controlled, members of the public will not be able to access the current school site once the fence construction is completed. The School has therefore been notified to close at the end of 2008.

The School is State owned on state land. This will be the second time the school has relocated to accommodate the expansion of the Base, although during the move in 1981 the children marched proudly out together.

On the site of the old school grows an old, strong, beautiful camphor laurel tree. The tree has a plaque that reads:

“This camphor laurel tree is dedicated to past, present and future children of Amberley - 12 September 1981. The tree formed a shaded study area for the children of the State School which was on this site 1862 -1981″.

I wonder what the current students will miss most about Amberley State School as they move from this site?

Without your help, it will be their friends, teachers, and the love and support they provide each other, especially for those children with parents who are deployed overseas. The State Government will not commit to relocating the school with the school population intact.

These children may well be dispersed into other schools in the local area that are already strained for resources. The State Government will site ‘economies of scale’ and ‘best use of dollars’ to justify their decision. Perhaps, together, we can convince the politicians, both State and Federal, that this school has a proud and successful past (and indeed future) that can’t be measured in demographics or statistics. It is rich with experiences, memories and love.

This school is an established and very important part of each child’s family. Please help us to preserve the family together.