Community & Business
9 March, 2026
Former alumni reunite at Back to Mt. Tyson Day
Eighty-five past students and community members from the Mount Tyson, Bongeen, Rossvale and Irongate communities gathered on Saturday for ‘Back to Mt. Tyson Day’.
The annual event was organised by Rhonda McGarry (nee Redding), with the Mt. Tyson State School P.&C. providing morning tea and lunch as a fundraiser for the school.
Current students provided a walk around the school grounds, served lunch and showed interest and enthusiasm in the day’s event.
There was a display of memorabilia celebrating the school’s history including old uniforms and class photos.
Mrs McGarry thanked everyone for their attendance with some having travelled from as far as Perth, NSW and regional Queensland.
She acknowledged Enid Folker and Nev Redding, both in their 90s, who continue to enjoy the event each year.
Mrs Folker was joined on the day by three of her children: Geoffrey, Jenny and Raymond.
Originally from Wyreema, Enid met and married her neighbour Roy Folker, and the couple spent ten years at Linthorpe before moving to the Mt. Tyson district in 1961.
They farmed cattle, pigs and had a dairy on their property ‘Corina’, later moving into grain farming and the construction of sheds and silos.
The family was the first to construct sheds at Beef City in the 1970s.
The couple’s four children attended Mt. Tyson State School, and so did their grandchildren.
Mrs Folker taught Religious Education for many years at the school.
In Mrs McGarry’s opening speech, she encouraged everyone to take time to reminisce, tell stories and walk down memory lane with one another, as individuals carry a treasure trove of stories that reflect their rich life experiences, offering wisdom, humour and inspiration to younger generations.
“Every older adult is like a walking library, filled with stories of joy, loss and resilience,” Mrs McGarry said.
“These narratives are not just personal anecdotes, they reflect history and culture.
“The act of sharing stories is crucial, it allows seniors to pass down valuable lessons and experiences that might otherwise be lost.
“Listening to these stories can bridge generational gaps and foster deeper connections between family members and communities,” she said.
The day finished with a game of trivia relating to the local community where lots of laughs and stories continued to flow.
It was also announced that a community ANZAC Day ceremony is to be held in Mt. Tyson at the military gun on 25th April at 8am.
