Salmon Gums Primary School Centenary

Celebrating 100 Years: Salmon Gums Primary School Creates a Lasting Community Legacy

Salmon Gums Primary School celebrated an incredible milestone this year, marking 100 years of education, community and connection with support from the Mt Burdett Foundation’s Esperance Community Advisory Committee (ECAC).

With support from an ECAC grant, alongside cash and in-kind contributions from the Salmon Gums P&C, the community created a permanent centenary garden and sculpture by local artist Malcolm Longbottom.

The garden and sculpture were unveiled as the centrepiece of the school’s centenary celebrations, providing a lasting space where past and present students, staff and community members can reflect on the school’s history.

The celebrations also included a special school assembly and the launch of the commemorative book, Chalk, Dust and Country Roads, which proved so popular it sold out on the day.

Around 70 to 80 past and present students, staff and community members came together for the occasion, with many returning to Salmon Gums for the first time in years.

“We are a small school and a small P&C, but we created something big, and that was a space people can visit to reflect and reconnect,” the P&C said. “What we created with the support of Mt Burdett will help preserve our history and strengthen our future.”

Through its Arts & Public Amenity focus, the Mt Burdett Foundation supports projects that strengthen community connection and contribute to vibrant, meaningful public spaces. The centenary garden and sculpture will ensure this important chapter of Salmon Gums’ history can be celebrated for generations to come.

Find out more about ECAC grants for the Esperance region: https://www.mtburdettfoundation.org.au/esperance