Guests toured the junior campus, which opened in March 2025, to see the new disability-friendly facilities that complement the preserved library, courtyard and trees.
Acting principal Jesse Whittaker estimated that more than 110 visitors attended and said he met former Wanganui Park teachers who “were all really impressed”.
“You can tell it’s still Wanganui Park, but it’s been upgraded.
“They valued the fact that Wanganui Park is still being used for education.
“It brought a feeling of peace.”
Tour groups were treated to a barbecue run by the school staff and encouraged to walk on the grass, which had been discouraged during the days of Wanganui Park.
Across both the new junior campus and existing senior campus on Verney Rd, Banmira Specialist School provides for 260 students supported by 120 staff.
The open day also featured the release of the book Specially Educated by Peter Matthews, a local historian and former principal of Peranbin Primary Collage, and his daughter Jacqui Matthews.
The book is a history of special education in the Goulburn Valley, containing photos and personal accounts stretching back to the 1970s, and will be formally launched at the end of March.
Specially Educated is available from the Banmira junior campus reception, 1-19 Parkside Dve, for $30.
