Romeo Jr recreates Dad’s glory for Beelbangera school centenary

Eleven-year-old Barry Romeo Jr has relived his father’s glorious 1973 soccer schoolboy premiership win to kick off celebrations for Beelbangera Public School’s 100^th year.

It was in 1922 that 50 farming families got together to plant shade trees, build fences and construct a new one-room Beelbangera Provisional School on Rankins Springs Road, which opened with an enrolment of 22 students.

Present day Assistant Principal Lorene McRae has recognised the centenary year by converting the school hall into a museum – showcasing photos and memorabilia dating back to the earliest days. The museum includes the school’s infamous “Punishment Book”, a written record of every student who was caned between 1922 and 1979, including reasons for punishment.

The centenary will be formally celebrated on Friday, 14 October to Saturday, 15 October, when all past, present and future students and anyone else interested is invited to a barbecue lunch, school tour, history museum visit and dinner at the Coro Club.

One of the school’s proudest days occurred in 1973, when their soccer team won the provincial primary school premiership.

Star soccer player Barry Romeo Snr was aged 11 on that winning grand final day. Coincidentally, his son Barry Romeo Jr is now aged 11 and attends the school as a year 5 student. Barry Jr squeezed into a 1973 premiership jersey and recreated his Dad’s tough guy pose for a photo at the school.

“I don’t usually like to be in photos,” Barry Jr said.

“But if it’s going to be in the news, I’ll let you take it.

“I’m going to be famous,” he yelled to his classmates.

Barry Romeo Snr was also recorded in the punishment book. On 24 March, 1972 he received one “cut” of the cane for “fighting on bus”.

“I remember that, yes,” Barry Snr said.

“I remember one little cheeky bloke who used to call me names and I didn’t like it. They used to try to fire me up so I gave them the fire they needed – then I’d get the cane.”

According to the punishment book, other students were caned for offences such as “teasing crippled girl” and “calling teacher a pig”. The front of the book notes strict guidelines for corporal punishment – “the boxing of pupils’ ears and the tapping of children on the head are strictly forbidden”.

The infamous book will be on display at the school museum, though Ms McRae said names of punished students may be hidden to protect their identity.

Beelbangera Public’s kindy, year 1 and 2 in 1988. Photo: Supplied.

The hall museum also chronicles the school’s darkest chapter. In 1931, a diptheria epidemic resulted in the death of two students. A memorial tree planted at the entrance of the school in honour of the deceased students remains there today.

“We are still looking for our oldest living student. If that is you or you know who it might be, please let us know,” Mrs McRae said.

“We can’t wait for the oldies to get together in October. The children will be all dressed up in olden day outfits on the Friday, year 6 leaders will show guests around.”

Anyone interested is the school’s 100^th year celebrations is invited to follow the Beelbangera Public School Centenary Facebook page or to contact the school.