Hurlstone Alumni News

Sale of Hurlstone Farm (and Memorial Forest)

Nathan Rees claims that the Memorial Forest will be staying with the school

Alan Jones: Yesterday morning I spoke about Hurlstone Agricultural High School. Who has decided to sell 120 of their 140 hectares and who has decided that amongst this land the memorial forest, Australia's first living war memorial, is to go as well?
Nathan Rees: Alan, I had a look at this, I know it was raised yesterday. The bit of land we're talking about, Hurlstone Agricultural High School, is the size of 10 ANZ stadiums put together, it's 160 hectares. I spoke with Minister Firth yesterday, and the memorial forest will be staying with the school.
Alan Jones: But how can you have an agricultural high school if you cut out most of the land that they need to service the school?
Nathan Rees: "Well, we'll take advice from the department on that. The college remains an agricultural college and we'll make sure that that's accomodated"

In case you haven't heard anything yet ...

The purpose of the sale is to raise revenue for the recent mini-budget (see page 5-6 of the mini-budget document under Asset Divestments). The DET has confirmed that the "surplus land" mentioned in the mini-budget refers to Seaforth TAFE and Hurlstone farm.

Of the current 160ha school property, 140ha has been designated as "surplus to future educational purposes" and is to be sold. This is basically the entire farm, leaving only the area "currently used for teaching purposes and agricultural study".

Information is sketchy at the moment. Further info is available at the following links ..

• BONWAG - Hurlstone blog site
• Maralyn Parker blog - Daily Telegraph
• SMH November 11, 2008
• ABC news item November 12, 2008
• Macarthur Chronicle front page article, November 18, 2008

If you are concerned at this action, I suggest you contact your local member and/or the office of the education minister to voice your concerns

Also, please share your opinions / suggestions on this matter by posting a nessage of the alumni forums for this topic.

Reunions

• Class of 1959      (50 year re-union)
  Date: Some time in 2009
  Organiser: Jim Christenson
  
  
• Class of 1969      (40 year re-union)
  Date: June long weekend 2009
  Venue: Penrith Panthers
  Organiser: Rob Gay
  
  

• Class of 1984      (25 year re-union)
  Date: Friday 25th September - Sunday 27th September, 2009
  Venue: Point Wolstoncroft Sport & Recreation Centre, Lake Macquarie
  Organiser: Richard Withycombe
  
  
• Class of 1989      (20 year re-union)
  Date: October 2009
  Venue: around Parramatta area
  Organiser: Sandra de Gravisi
  
  

Sorry if you missed it ... (but the following reunions were held earlier in the year)

• Class of 1958      (50 year re-union)
  Date: Easter weekend, 2008
  Organiser: Ken Fishpool
  
  
• Class of 1975      ("turning 50" re-union)
  Date: July 11-13, 2008
  Venue: Harbour cruise on July 12
  Organiser: Murray Picker
  
  
• Class of 1978      (30 year re-union)
  Date: November 15, 2008
  Venue: Hunts Function Centre, Casula
  Organiser: Colin Watts
  
  
• Class of 1987      (21 year re-union ... does that make it a 'coming of age' party??)
  Date: Saturday 1st November 2008
  Venue: Moreton's Hotel, 20 Sussex Street Sydney
  Organiser: Ross Pitman
  
  
• Class of 1988      (20 year re-union)
  Date: Saturday 4th October 2008
  Venue: Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club
  Organiser: Melanie Reardon (Isherwood)
  
  
• Class of 1998      (10 year re-union)
  Date: Saturday 18th October 2008 (from 6pm)
  Venue: Forresters Pub in Surry Hills
  Organiser: Claire Marshall

Anzac Day

Country Fair

Farewell, Anne McLeod

Other items of interest include:

• Centenary 2007
  Sorry if you missed hearing about it, but the centenary of the school was celebrated in 2007. See "Centenary News" for more details.
  
• Student Heritage Group
  A group of current students seeking to preserve the school's history. See "Student Heritage Group" for more details.
  They are currently looking for people to sponsor the plaques to be placed on the heritage walk.
  
• Hurlstone Foundation
  The school has re-established the "Hurlstone Foundation". Click here for more details.

If you have any news that might be of interest to other alumni (eg reunions,etc), please post it on the alumni forums, or send an email to admin@hahsalumni.com

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