The contents of a hand-made copper box buried in Baradine 50 years ago has been put on public display.

Wet weather did not dampen the excitement that had been building in the community over some weeks over the unearthing and opening of a time capsule buried in 1972 by former Baradine Central School Form three students (Year 9).

Members of the public and the school community gathered at the Baradine Lions Park on Thursday 15 September to watch former class captains, Loren Eastburn (nee Davies) and Graeme Wilton dig up the box of memorabilia.

Funded by the NSW Government Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program, with support from the Baradine & District Progress Association, a formal program of events followed at the Baradine memorial hall where around 300 people attended a celebratory barbeque lunch cooked by secondary students. 

Master of Ceremonies, Richie Milgate gave an Acknowledgement of Country and school principal, Chris Clarke gave an address comparing the school system of fifty years ago to the system of today.

Following a roll call of names, 15 former students lined up to receive a memento of the occasion from Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor, Cr Ambrose Doolan and Cr Denis Todd.   

The former school captains dig up the time capsule. SOURCE: BCS facebook

A celebration cake, decorated with the school logo and in the current school colours of green and gold, was cut by former school captains, Loren Davis and Graeme Wilton to a round of applause.

Reminiscences of fifty years ago were given by Cr Doolan, Don Walton, a former Lions Club member, and former students Becky Featherbe and Graeme Wilton. 

Magen Brazier, Baradine Central School history teacher itemised what was going to be put in a new time capsule to buried in the school grounds, including references to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, Covid implications, photographs, and information on Baradine today.  

Class members of the group who buried the capsule in 1972 were on hand to see it retrieved. SOURCE: BCS facebook

Attendees were then given the opportunity to view the time capsule contents as they were unpacked. These included three 1972 newspapers, two copies of the school newsletter the ‘Cypress Post’, a cassette tape recording of students with best wishes for 2022, historical photographs and drawings from students predicting what fashions in 2022 might look like.

The event concluded with Year 5/6 students demonstrating the games of Captain Ball and Tunnel Ball, which were popular games fifty years ago. 

Visitors were invited to view a display of school memorabilia and take the opportunity to look at school classrooms.

All the items found in the time capsule can be viewed on the Baradine Central School class of 1972 time capsule Facebook page.

Viewing the treasures revealed from the Baradine Central School time capsule. SOURCE: BCS facebook.