THE Gravesend Public School community has delivered a big ‘thumbs-up’ to the many sponsors, businesses and guests who opened their hearts, dug deep, and generously contributed to the school’s 100 Mile Long Lunch fundraiser earlier this year.
The ‘Gravo’ school bus will now hit the road in September to Canberra, embarking on an excursion that will give country kids new learning and educational experiences in the national capital.
Co-organiser Polly Quinn said the biennial long lunch was again a stellar success.
“A massive thank you to our amazing sponsors and everyone who attended the 100 Mile Long Lunch,” Ms Quinn said.
Treen Barwick, a member of the event’s founding committee in 2016, said the 2024 edition was one of Gravesend’s most successful.
“The committee was very happy with the fundraising outcome,” Ms Barwick said.
Punching well above its weight, the tiny town showed it has a big heart.
Although the school of 23 students might be considered small, its mighty community spirit shone through, with the school’s powerhouse Parents and Citizens Association rallying support and raising an impressive $34,000 – and booking tickets to Canberra.
Most rural people, lucky enough to grab a seat on the Canberra excursion bus during their schooldays, assure it’s a trip that creates treasured and lasting memories.
And it’s an excursion the GPS community truly values.
“The students, parents and school are thrilled about this fantastic opportunity,” Mrs Quinn said.
“This was the fourth 100 Mile Long Lunch and previous funding has gone towards play areas, undercover walkways, and even an alfresco kitchen, where students learn to cook for their mates, using produce from the school’s vegie garden – it’s pretty unique.
“Gravesend Public is a beautiful little school where students are encouraged and nurtured.
“They are provided with so many opportunities that only a small school can provide, from sport to cooking, music and leather work, just to name a few,” she said.
“Gwydir Mobile also conducts pre-school there once a week and the school holds a transition program in Term 4.
“The school is similar to a family; we are so lucky to have it as our local school.”
And, just like a family, the Gravesend community pulled together to put on this year’s 100 Mile Long Lunch.
“Parents of past students were kind enough to come back on board and help,” Mrs Quinn said.
“They made up the ‘citizen’ part of the P&C – Karen Withers, Toy Barwick and Kerri-Lynn Peachey – and current parents on the P&C included Treen Barwick, Loretta Turnbull, Amber Lucas, Kate Warby, Krystal Brennan, Dina Brazel and me,” she said.
As the name suggests, the foodie and fundraising affair celebrates the community’s love of local produce and showcases its agricultural splendour.
“The majority of the produce is sourced from a 100-mile radius of Gravesend,” Mrs Barwick said.
Gathering fresh and high-quality bounty from farmers, growers and graziers, the lunch serves up an exceptional ‘from-paddock-to-plate’ experience and promotes some of the best in the north-west.
“Each lunch we try to find more local producers.”
And every year, the 100 Mile Long Lunch produces a mouth-watering menu that not only reads well but tastes even better.
The three-course feast of local culinary delights included a 12-hour, slow-cooked lamb sourced from award-winning Amarula Dorper Stud, premium pork from the Horton Valley, bread from Bingara, Guyra tomatoes, Grove oranges, plenty of Pally pecans, and more.
“Seeing the menu and food come to life on the day from The Goods Catering is always a highlight along with catching up with friends,” Mrs Barwick said.
Held at the Gravesend Recreation Grounds, the Long Lunch attracted nearly 200 patrons and had all essential ingredients of a fabulous day out – glorious weather, a picture-perfect setting, sensational tunes by Kurt Larkham, cool drinks flowing, champagne corks popping, tantalisingly tasty food, and plenty of fun and laughter with both old and new mates.
All while raising money for a worthy cause.
“Antony Glynn did an entertaining and clever job of running the auction,” Mrs Barwick said.
“This year it was very special to have Elleanor Lyons, a GPS parent, paint a picture taken from a previous Long Lunch, which was used for the poster and menu design, and it was one of the highest priced auction items.
“The school captains’ speeches were another highlight of the day; it is great to involve the kids and they enjoy helping – there really were so many highlights.
“Decorating the marquee with the committee the day before is crazy busy but also very rewarding.
“We decorated the marquee with small Ironbark trees and flowers from the school and parents’ gardens,” Mrs Barwick said.
“We put a lot of time and creative effort into making the event look beautiful and reflect our local area,” added Mrs Quinn.
“As a committee it is very rewarding to know that improvements and reflections on how to run a better event each year result in raising more money for the school.”
Like most rural towns, the school is the heartbeat of the Gravesend community and much more than an education setting.
It is a meeting place for parents and carers, a local hub where connections and friendships are formed, and a vital part of what makes ‘Gravo’, as it is affectionally known by locals, such a wonderful place to live and work.
‘Always Our Best’ is the GPS motto and the overwhelmingly positive feedback from this year’s 100 Mile Long Lunch shows it’s a sentiment that stretches far beyond the school gate. Tireless and enthusiastic P&C members are already planning another fundraiser in 2026, following the signature event’s success and popularity on the region’s social calendar.
In the meantime, look out Canberra: the Gravo students are heading your way!
Words: Ali Smith
Images courtesy of Kim Miller
