Denison College Kelso High Campus' 43-year history has found a new home online and in print courtesy of a community-sourced initiative.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The initiative, lead by former teacher Hans Stroeve ['Stroevey'], saw a number of ex-Kelso High students and teachers contribute priceless items of memorabilia to the archive.
With much of Kelso High's history lost to the devastating 2005 fire, Mr Stroeve said the archive will help keep memories of the original school alive.
"Its been a long journey, but the response from the community has been outstanding," he said.
"Since we lost so much in the fire, I felt it was necessary to preserve a record of Kelso High's history for future generations."
Mr Stroeve launched the initiative in June, and has since received memorabilia from around 50 people, including old uniforms, school captain badges, pamphlets and old assignments.
In addition, the archive includes a significant collection of items donated by Kelso High's foundation principal, Norm Robinson.
"Since we lost so much in the fire, I felt it was necessary to preserve a record of Kelso High's history for future generations."
- Hans Stroeve
"There's a range of resources from 1976 to now, and it was especially pleasing to receive so much pre-fire memorabilia," Mr Stroeve said.
"The school's library has been really helpful too, as they've compiled over 30 scrap books of post-fire media articles featuring past and present students."
Mr Stroeve, along with the school's former technology support officer [TSO] Todd Miller, spent numerous hours uploading over 1400 items to the archive.
"It isn't the prettiest website ever, but it's easy to navigate and most things are date-stamped," he said.
"The reaction from the community has been positive, which has made the project worth all the time spent on it."
The archive also includes the Western Advocate's complete coverage of the 2005 fire and subsequent response from the Bathurst community.
"I hope this archive will provide some cherished memories for ex-students and staff, as Kelso High has played a major role in so many lives," Mr Stroeve said.
To view the online archive, visit archive.kelsohighschool.com.au and to contact Mr Stroeve regarding Kelso High memorabilia, email hans.stroeve@det.nsw.edu.au.