The two-day celebration will include a formal dinner on the Friday night and an open day at the school on the Saturday.

There will be a function hosted by the Gralee School P&C at the MIA Club from 5.45pm.

All those with a connection to Gralee/Allambie are welcome to attend.

“You are all welcome so join us and share your stories,” principal Peter Hingston said.

The evening will include the unveiling of a restored painting of the original Allambie School, which was painted by a parent at the time of its opening.

Bookings are preferred, but people can also pay at the door. Contact the school (6953 4362) to book, or contact the P&C via Facebook.

Mr Hinston said there was a buzz in the air in the lead-up to the weekend.

“(The students) are excited about the colour and what’s happening,” he said. “Past students from as far back at the 1980s are returning, as well as families. There will be people related to the children in 1968.

“The threads will go back to the start.”

Anyone associated with Gralee Infants is also welcome to attend the weekend.

“If anyone from (Gralee Infants) days wants to come along they can come to the MIA Club on the Friday night or on the Saturday, which is an open day,” Mr Hingston said. 

“On the Saturday, you don’t have to have had an association with the school, you can just roll up.

“I extend also an invitation to past or present members of the Rotary and Lions clubs, plus any past members or present members of the Inner Wheel of Leeton.

“I also invite grandparents, uncles, aunts and friends of present and past students.”

An open day host by the SRC will be held from from 10.15am until about 2.30pm.

The school will be in fine fettle, including a new pathway of inscribed pavers and there will be a display of historical items as well as tours of the school and surrounds, bike rides, a jumping castle and a P&C barbecue lunch.

“We’ve got some ceremonies planned for the Saturday,” Mt Hingston said.

Three plaques will be unveiled, including a replacement for the worn original opening plaque, which will be unveiled by Neville Hunt’s widow, Mrs Phyllis Hunt.

There will also be an opening of the new “totem area” and second flagpole. Each enrolled student will receive a totem and as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations they will paint a new “ring” around the pole. When the students leave the school, they will take the totem with them.