Hannam Vale Public School began as Upper Stewarts River Half School in 1892. Its name was changed to Hannam Vale in 1904. 

The Quasqui Celebrations took place on the recreation reserve, at the school and also at the community hall.

Weekend celebrations began with a parade through the town from the hall, which wound up in the recreation reserve for the official opening.

The parade was led out by local identity Jono Enmark followed by the Camden Haven Community Band. Current students and previous students also marched in the parade.

Connor Mcinnes, a previous student now Year 8 at Camden Haven High, compered the parade. Floats represented local rural businesses, an old milk truck, various vintage cars and the Hannam Vale horse riders.

Teaching Principal Pamela Everingham said the history of Hannam Vale Public School illustrates the pioneering spirit and innovative capacity of Australians.

“In 1890 the Education Department purchased a block of two acres to become the site of the school and playground,” she said. 

“A further six acres became the school paddock.

“A creek runs along the back of the school site – with the school paddock – now recreation reserve beyond it.”

Pamela said the school has two classrooms, a hall (once St. Pauls Anglican Church relocated from Waitui) and administration block. At the event the hall was jam packed with historical memorabilia from the old days.

The previous teacher’s residence is now a library, kitchen, meeting room, utility room, plus cleaner’s store. The gardens reflect the history of the school also and a vegetable garden is currently being developed and maintained by teachers, parents, community and students.

“Students enjoy the space, tennis court, garden, kitchen, sandpit, oval and natural surroundings,” Pamela said. 

Hannam Vale’s hinterland is ever evolving.

“Beginning as a saw milling and then farming community, the focus shifted fully to dairying and orchards,” Pamela said. 

“Market demand and changing farm practices have further modified land usage, the dairies that remain are predominantly large producers.”

The official opening on Saturday featured special guests including Local Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams, Hastings Public School director Graham Small with Ada Bird 102-years-old and Jean Emerton 97-years-old (the oldest students present) to cut the Quasqui Cake with the youngest student Elizabeth Vine Hogan five-years-old.

There was a jumping castle (provided by Rural Fire Service), pony rides, a maypole dancing demonstration and a charity auction.

In the evening the P&C organised a bushdance with music from a Newcastle band.  

Sunday began with a very moving church Service hosted by the local Salvation Army chapter. Following on there was a picnic day and sports such as tennis, handball, soccer, skipping and hopscotch.

The Quasqui Committee was formed in July 2016 and was dedicated to organising the September event.