The little bush school
27 Sep 2015
Dot Whitehead from the Ocean Grove on Barwon Ladies Probus Club reflects on her days at school.
The little bush school - it is no longer there
The land which it stood on is barren and bare
But memories come back as I view this sad sight
Of days of good learning which is everyone’s right.
The school ground’s still there, with majestic tall trees –
So elegantly towering above in the breeze
Small pine trees, along with their crop of pine cones
The wild flowers all blooming in varying tones.
Some spinifex mounds all stiff and so prickly
I walk about – my steps moving quickly
For tears, you see, are not far away
When thoughts go back to another fair day.
The year was 1932
The day was hot – the sky so blue
When off to school life I did start
Though as Daisy left t’was not easy to part.
The next few years went quickly enough
With ink wells and books and all that stuff
The pupils – all twelve – some big and some small
Just enough there to keep the roll call.
As time went by and pupils left
The numbers left the school bereft
And so “the school must close” they said
We’ll take the school and shelter shed.
Officials in suits, down in the city
Have no thoughts or have no pity
Of kids whose needs are just the same
As city folk – by any name.
Yes, Gypsum State School was its name
It had no riches or claim to fame
Except of all the schools around
It won the prize for the Best School Ground.
And so the memories come flooding back
As I pause beside the overgrown track
A sign depicts – for all to see –
This is the school that used to be.
Dot is now in the running to win the annual Paul Henningham Award for Literary Excellence. Put pen to paper and send your work to Active Retirees. EMAIL: [email protected].
POST: Smile! Active Retirees, 369a Darling Street, Balmain NSW 2041.
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