50 Years of McDowall

McDowall State School was constructed in 1974 and was named after Colonel John McDowall, a distinguished early settler to the area. Other names considered for the new school were Rode, Grand and West Chermside.  The school was opened on 28 January, 1975. On the first day there were 38 children and 6 teachers.

By the end of the first year there were 140 children. The first Sports Carnival was held at Bunyaville State Forest and was like a family picnic.  The Principal and parents established the school uniform that same year. In 1978, new House T-Shirts were added to the school uniform. Trees to match each House: Acacia, Banksia, Grevillea and Melaleuca were planted at the front of the school by the House Captains.  

“One vivid memory I have of this first year is of the brother of one of the Year 1 children galloping up to the door of the classroom on his horse when it was time to go home. He assisted his brother to climb on board and then off they galloped into the sunset.”  

2025 will be the 50th Birthday of the School and to celebrate, the P&C Association will hosting a Spring Carnival for the first time since 2017.