Committee member Barbara McClintock made the presentation.

The book was published, after many months of hard work by the committee, and includes historical information, photos and stories from former teachers and students.

It was sold at the celebrations over the long weekend.

About 200 people travelled from as far as Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland and across New South Wales (including those living locally) to attend, and included former students and staff of the Jones Island school, which opened its doors in 1863.

This month's celebration was held in the grounds of the Cundletown and Lower Manning Historical Society at Cundletown, with the society doing the catering.

Visitors enjoyed displays of school photos, memorabilia of school suitcases, school magazines and books, ink wells, former student artwork, needlework and more.

An honour roll was on display with all the names of students who had enrolled at the school from 1921 to 1975

Former students Gary Gill and Sally Haggarty (brother and sister) welcomed everyone.

MC was John Hryzak.

Special guests who spoke on the day were John Hoy (former school inspector), Frank Atkinson (former district inspector), Len Chapman (last teacher of the school before it closed in 1975) and former students Bruce Dun, Vanessa Kennedy and Maree Green.

They recalled some great stories about the school and gave the crowd much laughter along the way with some of the things they mentioned.

The oldest and youngest ex-students in attendance, Daphne Horsburgh (Everingham) who enrolled in 1927 and Vanessa Kennedy enrolled in 1970, cut the sesquicentenary cake

Dawn Ruprecht made and decorated the cake.

Books are still available to purchase for $25. Contact Howard Hammond on 0407 532 812. The book has also been donated to the State Library, State Archives and the National Library.