Birdwood celebrates 25th anniversary

Changes : Rob Luisi has seen a few changes at Birdwood Primary since he was a pupil 25 years ago. Photo: Ben Watson 

By Leanne Warr

Rob Luisi got up to all sorts of things at school 25 years ago.

"We did some hard case stuff," he says.

"We'd get the strap for being silly - but it was all good."

Mr Luisi was among the first pupils to attend Birdwood Primary when it opened in in 1982 and he's looking forward to 25th birthday celebrations on November 23 and 24.

He remembers the school's early days well, including the day Governor-General David Beattie turned up to cut the opening ribbon.

"It was pretty cool," he says. "All the community turned up."

Mr Luisi is now a social worker who visits the school as part of his work. He still keeps in touch with some old classmates who'll also be attending the reunion.  They'll watch with interest as a time capsule buried in the first year is dug up and opened to reveal some of the items they put in it as children.

Mr Luisi finds it hard to believe how fast time has passed.

"You think you never grow up," he says. "It brings you back to Earth a bit.

Registrations are still open for former students wanting to attend the reunion.

Information, phone: 833-8479.

Western Leader