Historical Society 'Small schools bus trip'

SMALL SCHOOLS BUS TOUR

 An enjoyable day was had by all last Thursday when a group of people joined the Historical Society for a bus trip around some of the small school sites in the district.  We headed out to Woodsreef, where unfortunately we couldn’t explore the area of the site, as it is now private property.  We then headed east to the ‘T’ intersection of the Bundarra and McIntyre roads where the Shenstone school existed until the late 1930’s.  Next on the list was the location of the McIntyre School.  Our excellent bus driver, Chris, took the bus up the hill to the spot where the school used to be, and people could get out and have a look around the area.  All that exists there now are the slabs of concrete where the pylons supporting the building stood and a few clumps of iris plants, still thriving.  The school closed in 1966.

It was then all aboard, and we headed for Gulf Creek.  The school building is still standing and has been given a fresh coat of paint.  We were able to enter the building and have a good look around inside.  One of the old school seats is still there.

 Unfortunately, the tennis court is now just a grass covered yard and the shelter beside it has been squashed by a fallen tree.

From Gulf Creek, we headed on to Upper Horton where the school is now private property. 
We stopped at the Horton Club for a beautiful lunch provided by Amy Mackay.  It was an enjoyable break, and everyone enjoyed their lunch and refreshments.  Then it was back on the bus.
Through Horton and along the Currangandi road to Brigalows where all that remains of the school building is a half fallen down shed with a small tank sitting on a stand in a paddock.
Further along, we came to the location of the Plumthorpe School.  The school building is still standing but unable to be accessed as it is part of a private residence.
We then continued back towards Barraba along the Trevallyn Road and passed the site where the Hawkins Creek School was located.  Unfortunately, there is nothing remaining to indicate where the actual site was.
A big thank you to Lesley for the organisation she put into the trip, a big thank you to Chris for being such a valuable bus driver, and also to all the people who took part in the trip.
So, a trip down memory lane!