Metal gates weld Murchison Primary School generations together

By Taylah Baker

Mar 29, 2023

**Gateway:** Murchison Primary School principal Karen Goodwin with students (back row, left to right) Max Ewart, Charlotte Sumner, Ned Bathman, (front row, left to right) Isabella Robinson, Jet Williams and Frankie Ewart.

Former students, staff and families returning to celebrate Murchison Primary’s 150th anniversary on Saturday, April 1 might do a double-take on entering the old school yard.

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The school has faithfully reproduced its famed World War II memorial gates to create a second memorial entry — this one dedicated to youth in the region who served Australia in World War I.

“This has been a school council project made possible with a $10,000 grant from the Department of Veteran Affairs,” Murchison Primary School principal Karen Goodwin said.

“The actual cost to rebuild these gates was much higher but we had some goodwill along the way.”

That “goodwill” came from historic school connections and talented locals, including stonemason Jason Webb from Webb Stonework.

Mr Webb said his business enjoyed the challenges and historic importance of the project.

“I understand the original gate was designed by a bricklayer who has passed on but apparently he had sourced the stone locally,” he said.

“We found a good match between Murchison and Nagambie and chose stone that will weather nicely to match the original in years to come.”

**Antique:** The original gates built in 1949 at Murchison Primary School.

Meanwhile, the school turned to one of its skilled parents to reproduce the ironwork fencing.

Pete Cantlin has had three children attend Murchison Primary over the years and reproduced the intricate metal feature fencing in his spare time.

“Pete saved us thousands of dollars with the project, thanks to his talent in working with metal,” Ms Goodwin said.

“Before we began this project the main entrance to our school was a horrible old farm gate.

“Now we have two very special entrances that our community, including the Murchison RSL sub-branch, can be really proud of.

“Some of the names on the memorial gates directly link to local families, including several students of today.”

The gates will be a central feature of the school’s long-awaited 150 Third Time Lucky event in November to commemorate the school’s official opening of its gates in November 1871.