WHEN Marianna Browne was commissioned to produce a centenary booklet for Jimboomba State School 25 years ago, the task at first seemed daunting.
Looking back, the now deputy principal says she could not have imagined how rewarding the experience would be.
Having started at the school just months before its centenary celebrations in 1990, Ms Browne was excited to uncover what she could about its history.
She said as a young teacher she had a background in high school history and the new appointment was her first in an administrative role.
"I learned so much through it," she said.
"And I didn't have the resources we have now."
The centenary booklet explored the history of the school decade by decade and included old photographs, photocopied images of school records and old newspaper articles.
Ms Browne said the human stories were among the most interesting aspects of her research, uncovered as she explored dusty cupboards, visited the State archives and travelled around the region interviewing past staff and students.
"One past principal was really memorable, Lloyd Elton," she said.
"He just loved this school and it really grew under him (from 1966 to 1978).
"He attended the centenary celebrations."
She said along with the written records and her interviews, the photographs she found told stories of their own.
"They were fascinating even in terms of what the children were wearing, some of them didn't have shoes," she said.
"There was also a photograph of the Jimboomba cenotaph in our school grounds, that was a discovery for me.
"Apparently Beaudesert Shire council moved it elsewhere despite strong objections at the time."
Ms Browne said she had re-discovered many of those old photographs again this year, for inclusion in the school's 125th anniversary.
"We will have these photographs up on the walls again," she said.
"For an old school, it's got a lot of personality, its exciting to celebrate that."
For more information phone the school on 5548 8333.
