Image: James Bannerman, James MacDonald (bag-piper), students Riata and Ashley; during Senior Citizens Week event at the school in 1997.
Photograph from school archive.
Image: Principal Dr Neil Lavitt planting a new memorial tree for James Bannerman in 2018.
REMEMBERING JAMES BANNERMAN – Notable school volunteer
Born in Glasgow in 1905, James Bannerman emigrated to Australia in 1925.
James had lived adjacent to the school in Florence Street since the mid-1930's. And, after retiring (a fitter by trade, James worked at General Motors for 43 years), James toiled on school grounds for about four hours per day for ten years.
The school held a big party for James' 90th birthday, and our school playing field 'James Bannerman Reserve' was named in honour of James in 1995.
In 1997, James was a recipient of the Director-General’s Award for Excellent Service to Public Schools, which was awarded to him for voluntary work and maintenance of the school grounds.
James passed away in 2001 at the age of 96. A malaleuca tree, planted in memorium to James, became unstable during a long period of rain and was lost in 2017. However, a new lilly pilly tree was planted in 2018 to replace the original one. This new tree was kindly donated by Inner West Council.
The school funds the annual James Bannerman K-2 award in memory of his long service to public education.
Image: News clipping from 1997, held in school archive, publication unknown.
Image: James Bannerman memorial tree, Dec 2022.