Clontarf Beach State School is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a morning of festivities and community spirit, honouring decades of memories and milestones.
Taking place on Saturday, 25 October, the event will bring together past and present students, staff, and families for a day of nostalgia. From reconnecting with old classmates to reflecting on the school’s history, the anniversary promises to be a meaningful occasion for the entire Clontarf community.
Principal Penny Callaghan said the anniversary was about honouring both the school’s past and acknowledging its role in the community.
“The school is marking 75 years since its opening in January 1950,” Penny said. “Celebrating this milestone is about recognising generations of learning, community connection, and evolving school life. It’s a moment to reflect on past achievements while reinforcing the school’s values.”
Officially opened on 31 January 1950 with just 64 students, the school quickly grew, enrolling 85 children in its first week and around 150 by the end of that year. Today, Clontarf Beach State School educates approximately 430 students from Prep to Year 6 and is recognised as one of the Peninsula’s most respected primary schools.
Celebrating the School’s History and Future
Over the decades, the school has achieved many milestones, from the appointment of Head Teacher Bill McGladrigan in 1951 and the opening of its first library in 1957, to the introduction of the school uniform in 1961. By the mid-1970s, enrolments had surged past 950, and the community rallied to fund major projects, including the swimming pool in 1975 and the grandstand in 1979, both of which remain lasting reminders of the strong partnership between school and community.
Penny said the 75th anniversary was more than just a celebration; it was a chance to look to the future.
“We want to celebrate the school’s heritage and identity, reinforcing a shared narrative across generations,” Penny said. “The anniversary provides opportunities for community building, connecting alumni, current families, and staff.
“It also inspires future engagement by acknowledging the school’s past and its collective legacy.”
The celebration program will feature food, games, rides, a sideshow alley, a dunk tank, a bake stall, pick-a-box raffles, market stalls, class art auctions, and live performances.
Beyond the carnival atmosphere, visitors can rediscover the school’s story through guided tours, historical displays, memorabilia, and reunion spaces designed to bring old friends, families, and teachers back together.
Free entry. For more information, visit their Facebook page: Clontarf Beach State School.
Clontarf Beach State School 75th Anniversary Celebration
- Saturday, 25 October, 10am-2pm
- Clontarf Beach State School
- Elizabeth Ave, Clontarf
Read more stories from our Redcliffe Guide print magazine here:
- Reddy Roundup: Updates from the Community
- What’s Hot Around Town
- Podcast Review: The Big Pitch with Jimmy Carr
- Chamber Chat – October 2025
- Business Needs Rest
- Strong Is the New Skinny
- What’s On This Spooky Season
- Barred Javelin fish (Grunter) – Pomadasys kaakan
- Organic Gardening in October
- Jacaranda Festival Branches Out with Two-Day Bloom
- Brad’s Business Tips
- Bay Cruise to Explore Olympic Tourism Potential
- Stacked Stones a Stirring Sight
- Brisbane Writers Festival Brings Literary Legends to Moreton Bay
- Annual Convoy All for the Kids
- From Cow Pats to Footballs
- Team Utopia to Play Final Show After 15-Year Run
- Be a Citizen Scientist in the Great Southern BioBlitz
- Halloween Haunts Take Over Redcliffe
- Judith Newton Peirce – Piercing the Veil on Modern Slavery
- Moreton Bay Dancers Take on the USA Stage
- Romance in Redcliffe
- Rick Price Brings Nostalgic Tour to Redcliffe
- Shakespeare in Love Comes to Redcliffe
- Improving Mental Health One Meal at a Time
- ZEPPLIN Set to Rock Redcliffe with Unmissable Tribute Show
