Bells ring at Mittagong Public

A FORMER student has refurbished the Mittagong Public School bell.

The bell has been missing from the school for 10 years.

Grahame Andrews refurbished and reinforced the bell with his son and another man re-erected it in the grounds.

When Mr Andrews went through Mittagong Public School, the bell was where students had to stand when they were naughty.

Mr Andrews is part of four generations who have gone through the school and was born in Mittagong.

"I rode a horse to school and it's my home," he said.

"My dad went here, I went here, my children went here and now my grandson is here."

The refurbishment of the bell has been a 'spare time' job for Mr Andrews for the past five years.

"The original wrought iron that framed the bell was discarded, which was an absolute crime,' he said.

"What has been built is identical to the millimeter and it's there as a memento for times gone by."

On May 8, Mittagong Public School will turn 150 years old.

One week later, there will be a range of celebrations and activities, which will kick off with a reunion dinner on May 16.

For more information, or to book a ticket, call Ann Dawes on 4878 5176.