Ross McDougall, student 1965-69:

I have many fond memories of attending this school. Some of the teachers that come to mind were Miss O'Brien, Mrs Swift and Geoff Bohringer who I had in my final year before heading south. The teaching standard was excellent, allowing an easy transition to secondary schooling in Melbourne.

I remember well the school layout and the construction of the new building. School hours were from 8:30 am till 2:30 pm. That didn't stop many of us arriving at 7:30 am to partake in some early morning cricket or soccer practice. Living at the cul-de-sac end of 10th Street meant school was only a minute away.

Scott Martin (cont'd):

Teacher Jean Stephens…I was fortunate to be taught by her in 1966, when I was in Grade 2. I even have my Report Card from that year (see below). I recall that she retired sometime between 1968 and 1970, with the entire school attending a farewell function held under the new classroom building.

After completing Grade 6 in 1970 I went off to Boarding School and when home on holidays never paid much attention to my old primary school. My family shifted to Moresby in 1974 and whilst I made a few trips back to Lae in '76 and '77, I continued to ignore Lae Primary. I now realise, some 33 years after finishing primary school, that I owe it to myself to one day go back and walk through what are left of the classrooms and play areas, to stand in the assembly area and close my eyes, and remember great days, great years, great friends.

Coronation Primary 1966 Grade 2 with Mrs
Stephens (3rd right) and her famous blue hair rinse.  Photo courtesy  of  Scott  Martin.

New school building, taken from Ross's house
in 10th Street, overlooking Bretag Park, the
green belt that ran behind the school.

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The school rugby league days will remain with me forever. Teams were determined by weight, as their age was unknown by many of our opposition. We had 5 and 6 stone teams and most matches we played at Bugandi High, losing somewhere in the vicinity of 30-nil...not good considering matches consisted of only 5 or 10 minute halves!! I seem to remember the only team we could beat was Bulae. Thankfully our cricket team enjoyed more success!

Another great memory is the Botanical Gardens, a great place to find fresh fruit on the various trees. Some that come to mind: lau laus, 5 corner or star fruit, rambutans and pomalos. Stealing the fruit was frowned upon by the "diddy men" (gardens workers), who would chase us away, only for us to return another day.

From L to R:  Robert Meuser,  Ross McDougall,  Michael Natera and Francis Stehr, taken for Roberts birthday picnic on 30/1/66 at the Lae Botanical Gardens. We were all in grade 3 at the time.