MT COTTON State School’s 150th anniversary fete felt like the kind of community celebration that only a long- loved local school can pull off – warm, busy, a little nostalgic and full of small moments that showed why the school has remained at the heart of Mt Cotton for generations.
Families wandered through the grounds on Friday afternoon, stopping at historical displays, chatting with teachers and volunteers and sampling the mix of food, rides and market stalls that stretched across the campus.
Among those stalls was Monique from Bond’s Creations, who brought a splash of colour with her handmade crochet pieces.
She travelled from Beenleigh for the celebration, and said what struck her most wasn’t the size of the fete but the atmosphere surrounding Mt Cotton State School’s milestone.
She’d never visited the school before but immediately understood why it holds such a place in the community.
“It’s lovely to see people get together. It’s amazing, a 150 year old school. It definitely doesn’t look it,” she said, taking in the crowds moving between stalls and the school’s leafy grounds.
She said the event had the kind of welcoming, close- knit feel that defines many of the region’s long established schools – places that have grown alongside their communities and become gathering points for families across Redland City.
For her, the day wasn’t just about running a stall, it was a chance to be part of a celebration honouring a school that has shaped generations of Mt Cotton locals.
A few stalls over, Jules from Bayside Brownie Company offered gluten-free brownies that had people circling back for seconds.
Based in Redland Bay, her business has been running for 12 years, with Jules taking over just under two years ago.
She attends markets regularly and supplies several local IGAs, but said Mt Cotton’s fete had a particularly welcoming feel.
“It looks like a real warm and homely school, and I’ve heard nothing but good reviews,” she said.
The fete doubled as both a celebration and a showcase, a chance for past students to reminisce, for current families to enjoy the festivities, and for locals to see what makes Mt Cotton State School such a steady presence in the community.
As the afternoon rolled into evening and fireworks lit up the sky, the milestone felt well earned.
One hundred and fifty years is no small achievement, and the school marked it with exactly the kind of gathering that reflects who they are, connected, community minded and proud of their story.
