Memories spanning 80 years of school life in Warkworth have been captured in a documentary that will have its world premiere at the Warkworth Town Hall on Saturday, June 29. Bullrush & Mudpies is a 70-minute-long film, produced by local filmmaker Jon Waters, assisted by volunteer Nicola Jones. Three generations of the Waters family and two generations of the Jones family attended the school so the project was dear to both their hearts.
The idea for the film emerged when the decision was made in 2016 to demolish the original Warkworth School buildings, which had stood on the site since 1947. “I was gutted when I heard the old school was being ripped down,” Jones said. “It was an iconic building of our town and so significant in so many peoples’ lives.
” Every time I watch it, I laugh and I cry ...
it is such a heartwarming experience. PTA chair at the time, Georgia Barnes, supported the idea of recording the significance of the old buildings and their place in local education, and Jones says it just snowballed from there. The film is a montage of images and interviews with former pupils and teachers, some of whom have since passed away.
Among those remembering their school days are Don Sinclair, Maureen Young, Warren Agnew, Judy Waters and Jamie Thompson. Although it is specific to Warkworth School, many of its themes will strike a chord with anyone who was at school in NZ in the 1900s and early 2000s. There are stories of milk monitors, Marmite and chip rolls and, of.
