By: Irene Christie11th Aug 2025 4:20PMThe bus driver was Alexander Chapman of Pomona. In the back row, 7th from left is probably Jan Sealy, then Cecily Davis, Annette Peterson, Irene Playford, Gloria Galloway, - Hose?, Irene Lally wearing a beanie, Lola Lally in hat Noel Galloway, Ron Williams, ? , Ray Hempsall, Noel Playford directly in front of Mr Chapman. In the front row, 9th from left is Valerie Playford, 19th from left Trevor Playford with finger to his mouth. The third and 4th boys from the right might be Col and Bill Hempsall.
I have many memories of our travels in the school bus, including transport to sporting events during school hours. This was the third Cootharaba school bus I remember. The first (in 1950) was an old cattle carting truck with a new canvas hood. After transporting cattle during the day, the bus was hosed out and planks pushed through from side to side to provide seating for the children. Stepping over these planks was an adventure when getting in and out of the bus. Waves of dust rolled in at the open back as we drove over the unsealed corrugated roads, Soon the increased numbers of children meant a larger new bus that was not used to transport stock. It was still like the first cattle truck, only the floor was not wet and there were rolled down canvas sides. Eventually the bus in this photo was in use. The sides rolled down in wet weather. The seats were still planks from front to back, but padded with vinyl covers. Luxury.