Squeezed into a school desk in the spot where he sat as student from 1944 to 1950, Mr Roth recited from Eurunderee, Henry Lawson’s tribute to his boyhood home. 

Mr Roth recalled that the Eurunderee students recited the poem during the dedication of the Henry Lawson Memorial in 1949, an event he remembers as the highlight of his time at the school.

Mr Pyne was among the first students to attend Eurunderee Public School in the existing building, which was relocated from Canadian Lead in 1930, replacing an older  slab school.  

The slab school, built by Henry Lawson’s father, Peter, had replaced  the first bark school built in 1876. 

Henry Lawson was among the 45 students who enrolled at the  bark school on the first day, October 2, 1876. 

Mr Pyne recalled that when he attended the school from 1933 to 1939, the small verandah  where the children hung their hats was not enclosed, allowing cold wind to blow into the school. 

During Mr Pyne’s time in the school, around 20 students learned their lessons in the single classroom. 

Mr Pyne’s father also attended Eurunderee School 

The school was also at the centre of community life in Eurunderee.  

Mr Roth, one of five generations of his family to have attended the school, recalled annual concerts at the Eurunderee School of Arts Hall, and Mr Pyne and Mr Roth both remember the annual picnic day and cricket matches. 

However, by 1970, numbers had dwindled and the school closed. 

The Eurunderee Provisional School Foundation for many years maintained the site and opened the school, containing a collection of memorabilia, to the public, but the school has been closed and neglected for many years. 

Members of the Eurunderee Provisional School Committee,  now the trustees of the property, hope to restore and re-open the school building and gardens and grounds as part of a long-term  plan to develop the site as an education centre and tourist attraction. 

With Mr Pyne’s help, the committee has identified the site of the slab school, which the committee hopes to recreate eventually. 

Committee president David Mayson said the committee had received encouraging support from the community, including former students of the school. 

Both Mr Roth and Mr Payne are excited about the prospect of seeing the classroom and grounds open to visitors.

“It’s a shame to see it like it is,” Mr Pyne said.  

“It’s real history and it would be a good tourist attraction.” 

n  The Eurunderee Provisional School Committee will hold its first fundraiser at Roth’s Wine Bar this Friday evening, November 22.   The fundraiser will be a poetry evening and auction, with items to go under the hammer to include a family holiday in Canberra, a family package to Dubbo including a two-day family pass to Dubbo Zoo, and much more.

All proceeds will go to save the Eurunderee School. Call Jenni on 0412 091 710 or Helen at Fairview Artspace to book a ticket.