Mr HAMILTON (Groom) (13:45): Happy birthday to Bunker’s Hill State School, 125 years old—an absolutely fantastic achievement. This is a school just outside of Toowoomba, past Westbrook, in a part of the world where agriculture has been king for such a long time, and schools like this play such an important part. You find all these little townships where there’s just a school and a post office left. Bunkers Hill is one of these places, and it’s absolutely fantastic to see 270-odd children from prep to year 6 still attending, still carrying on the traditions. In these schools, it’s not just an education. You learn about our way of life—the wonderful way of life on those agricultural areas. Congratulations to Principal Sharon Wilson for keeping the school running so, so well.
I want to make a point. I think it’s great that the Queensland government has kept this model of small country schools alive and going strong, because it’s a great way for us to maintain that connection with our local communities. At the celebrations, they opened a time capsule that was laid in 1999 at the celebrations. I’m not sure much has changed since 1899, when the school started. But, when you look at the school now, see the technology that’s used in the classrooms and think about the opportunities that are there for young kids going through Bunker’s Hill State School, it’s fantastic to think of the future that awaits them. Congratulations to the P C and to everyone who makes the school such a special place, and a big shout-out to all the kids.
