Sydney Adventist School (SAS) Auburn celebrated its 100th birthday on Sabbath, July 22.
The school campus buzzed with visitors throughout the day and evening events, with more than 400 people responding to the invitation to join in the festivities.
SAS Auburn principal Danyel Efstratiou said it was exciting to see so many people who were once part of the school reunited. “I was so happy to see so many people come join us on the day, young and old, to honour those who worked with blood, sweat and tears to help create the school that is still standing after 100 years. I was very humbled and blessed.”
The morning service included reflections from alumni who shared how their time at the school left an impact long after they had left. Adventist Schools Australia director Daryl Murdoch highlighted how the centenary was a wonderful achievement for Adventist education in Australia and for the small primary school.
Old photos flashed across the screen had the audience smiling and laughing throughout the service. Flowers were presented to some of the oldest alumni in attendance and those who had travelled the furthest.
The afternoon consisted of lunch, cake cutting and the unveiling of a plaque by Pastor Michael Worker, Australian Union Conference secretary and former Greater Sydney Conference president, and NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley. Mr Foley delivered a speech before the unveiling to commemorate the longstanding place the school has held in the Auburn community. In a letter to the school he wrote, “We are so fortunate here in Auburn that this community has been served by an Adventist school continuously for over a century.”
Time was set aside in the afternoon for friends and families to catch up before a barbecue was held in the evening along with a program of performances to highlight the multicultural diversity of the students, families and communities that make up the school.
