School
21 October, 2026
St Maria Goretti School Celebrates 75 Remarkable Years
What an incredible weekend it was on the 11th & 12th of October as the St Maria Goretti School Inglewood community came together to celebrate 75 years of faith, learning, friendship and memories.
The celebrations began on Saturday morning with a beautiful shower of rain. Far from dampening spirits, it seemed a fitting blessing as past and present students, staff, families and community members gathered to honour this significant milestone.
From 10:30am until 3:00pm, the school grounds were filled with laughter, storytelling and reconnections as hundreds of people joined us to celebrate.
One of the most heartwarming parts of the day was seeing former students return to walk the halls and grounds of their old school. The school tour with Principal, Liv Osborne and our Year 6 Student Leaders sparked countless conversations as visitors reflected on how much the school had changed since their time here while sharing treasured memories from years gone by. For so many people to travel great distances to be with us was truly humbling and a wonderful reminder of the lasting impact St Maria Goretti School has had on generations of families.
Another highlight of the day was the official opening of St Maria Goretti’s new outdoor teaching space and memorial garden.
In a touching moment that reflected the school’s 75-year journey, one of its oldest former students, Bill Johnstone, joined current student Zara Ramsey, one of the school’s youngest enrolments, to cut the anniversary cake. The occasion beautifully symbolised the connection between the school’s past, present and future.
Throughout the day, visitors enjoyed student-run stalls including a bake sale, lucky dip, games and merchandise, while local businesses generously supported the celebrations with stalls of their own.
A particular highlight was a special musical performance by our current students. Standing proudly in front of a large crowd, they performed three songs that have helped tell the story of our school across the decades: The SMG Song, written by Dr Colin Owen in 1960, Send Forth Thy Light by Andrew Chinn, and our current school song, Let Your Light Shine, co-written and recorded by Josh Arnold with the staff and students of St Maria Goretti. It was a beautiful tribute to our history, and our students should be immensely proud of the confidence and courage they showed.
Another crowd favourite was the incredible photo slideshow and photo wall display created by our Administration Officer, Mrs Mandy Mead. After months of dedication, Mandy compiled class photographs, enrolment lists and memories spanning the school’s 75-year history, prompting smiles, laughter and many fond memories among former students and staff.
As the sun set, the celebrations continued with the return of a much-loved tradition: the St Maria Goretti Yabby Races.
Having not been held for around 15 years, the event generated enormous excitement throughout the community. With Red Johnstone auctioneering and Duncan Braden and Wayne Fearby unleashing the yabbies for each race, the crowd was entertained from start to finish.
Community support exceeded expectations, with 38 local businesses entering the business races, resulting in the competition being split into two races.
Business Race #1
Old Mates Meat
Little Rock’s Tipper Hire
Qualipac
Business Race #2
Inglewood Pharmacy
BNS Partnership
Cadelga Cattle Co
Individual Race Winners
Tom McCosker
Chris Arnold
Shane Johnstone
Bec Trask
The evening also featured an auction of 25 individual racing yabbies, live entertainment from Stanthorpe band Cole Train, and a bar and BBQ operated by current and former families and staff. It was a fantastic night that captured everything that makes St Maria Goretti so special: community, connection and support for our students.
Our celebrations concluded on Sunday with a beautiful Mass celebrated by Bishop Ken Howell, joined by former Parish Priest Fr Brian Connolly and Fr Lalu. The church was filled with past and present students, families, staff, parishioners and members of the wider Inglewood community, all gathered in thanksgiving for 75 years of Catholic education at St Maria Goretti School.
Following Mass, guests returned to the school for morning tea, where cakes and slices generously prepared by the Ramsey family and Bev McDougall were enjoyed by all.
As the weekend came to an end, we were left with an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
Celebrating 75 years was not simply about looking back on the past. It was about honouring the people who have shaped our school, celebrating the students who are writing its story today, and looking forward with confidence to the years ahead.
To everyone who attended, volunteered, sponsored, performed, baked, donated, raced yabbies and shared memories, thank you. While buildings, uniforms and classrooms may have changed over the past 75 years, the heart of St Maria Goretti School remains as strong as ever. The celebrations were a powerful reminder of the school’s enduring legacy of faith, learning, service and community, and the countless lives it has touched since opening its doors in 1951.
Story by Liv Osborne
Read More: Inglewood