The following is a personal reflection on the early history of Willunga Waldorf School.

As such, it no doubt omits events considered significant by other people involved in the School's beginnings and over-emphasises factors that another view would deem unimportant. It forms a small part of the picture and is in no way meant to be a comprehensive historical account.

The original community of families who were present in the early years of the School were united together in common striving and total commitment toward what we believed to be right for our young children. We worked tirelessly and with unsurpassed enthusiasm, guided by angels as we crossed hurdle after hurdle.

Early foundations had been laid by a group of parents, including Marita Huxholl, who now formed the Southern Bus Group which transported children to the Mt. Barker Waldorf School. A note went up in the window of the Health Food and Organic Fruit & Veg shop that once inhabited the top end of the Willunga main street. It called for expressions of interest in finding out more about Waldorf Education.

A number of us had already been reading books and visiting the Mt. Barker Waldorf School Spring Fair with toddlers. The list grew. The lectures began. We were visited by Annette Wellman, David Skewes, Paul Rubens and others. We hung on every inspiring word, convinced that this was what we wanted for our children. Our very first 'committee' meeting was held in the mud brick house on Willunga Hill on Almond blossom Festival weekend. Present were Miriam Collett, Helen and Andrew Scott, Rita Ralph, Marita Huxholl and myself. We had the vision, the teacher, the parents and the children.

The search began in earnest for a Kindergarten site. Meanwhile, a playgroup had sprung up where Marita would visit and weave her magic, appealing to the child within each of us that yearned for this education, filled with the wonder of our first lanterns, corn dollies, rag dolls, birthday celebrations, rituals and rhythms. Meetings continued as we ascertained the requirements we would need to meet in order to gain registration as a Kindergarten. But where? The question still remained. Beverly Sharrad Jones, who was working to get the Adelaide Waldorf School up and running at that time, once informed us that it would take a minimum of 60 collective voluntary hours per week to accomplish what was required. We remained undaunted; interest grew.

One day Russell came home from a bike ride, having investigated an old church hall on Strout Rd. McLaren Vale. Apparently it was only ever used on weekends by cyclists and occasionally in the evenings by a youth group. Our queries proved fruitful and I can still remember the Saturday morning when, following a phone around and some prayers, a significant number of adults and children turned up to view the Bethany Hall. We plastered the walls of the hall with sheets of butcher's paper listing everything we would need in order to begin - painting, polishing floors, dying veils, making dolls, filling out endless forms, installing a kitchen - the list went on and on. But so too did the willingness of people to help. To add urgency to our mission, Marita had been offered a position as Craft Teacher at Mt. Barker Waldorf School. It was now or possibly never! The ensuing working bees transformed that hall and its gardens into a magical place over the next months. Many people performed wondrous feats of handiwork and every bit of it was done for love and commitment to a common vision. The details all seem a bit hazy now but the warmth and sense of working together will always be cherished by those who participated.

At last the day dawned when the Kinder was ready for our children. We all peered in reverently and deeply, enviously wishing that we too could be children again, having this wonderful beginning to our education. The children had at all times been by our sides watching their parents working together to create something for them. I will spare you the endless bureaucratic details that we endured. Suffice to say, an inspector named Manfred arrived one day at our Hall, which by now was as special to us as the stable in Bethlehem long ago, he commented with a wry smile: "Well, you can say one thing... it's at least still standing!". It was obviously one of the more rustic Children's Services facilities he had inspected. Yet we were often blessed by the kindness of these people who held positions of power could have stopped us in our tracks.

The dedication of the parents involved and the wisdom of the curriculum, as communicated by Marita, closed their eyes to floors that ran downhill and rickety walls. Safety was sufficient. They knew those children were in good hands. New people joined us. There was always someone to take over the reins when one key figure needed to withdraw for whatever reason. We met regularly because our work was far from over. We now had a school to establish! We were nourished in our continued efforts by the passing of the seasons, the celebrating of festivals, the children's joy and happiness, new friendships forged, working bees that one looked forward to, and much more.

After much discussion and planning, our first Class 1 began their primary schooling in the lounge room of Susan Greenwood and Jason Garood at McLaren Flat. The usual band of enthusiastic helpers had transformed it into a beautiful classroom and Marita had stepped out of her role as Kindergarten Teacher to try her hand at class teaching.

This group of children had an adventurous year, as later they moved up the hill to the Hope Forest Hall. Parents remember this era fondly despite the convoluted transport arrangements. What remains are the memories of all that beautiful craft work adorning the classroom and the wonderfully wild play area that the children built their cubbies in.

There are stories by the dozen about this time - ask Marita or any parent of one of the original Class1's. Meanwhile, back at Strout Rd., we had employed Alison Brooking-Payne to take over the Kindergarten. We were expanding rapidly and being called upon to meet many new challenges. The children remember Alison fondly though she did not stay with us for long. Soon Marita was back in the Kinder, Jeanne Starke was teaching Class 2 and Margie Keath began with the new Class 1 (in the 'broom cupboard' at Hope Forest, as it was affectionately referred to).

Somewhere amongst all this we acquired the land at Jay Drive. Our growth had been steady, our steps small but determined, our financial counsellors wise. We never overshot the mark as we grew. Hence the three site Open Day in 1991.

On this day visitors were invited to tour the Strout Rd. Kinder, the Hope Forest classrooms and the bare almond block at Jay Drive where a few of us sat with a sun umbrella and card table. The same group of pioneers, strengthened by those who had joined in the journey, now turned their hand to establishing the School on Council leased land. Again much hard work.

As I reflect I can see the faces and hands of families long since departed and those still remaining, who toiled long and hard to build those first classrooms and plant those first gardens. I do not wish to spend many pages documenting the remaining history of the School once classes commenced at Jay Drive.

I do remember the first time we gathered the children together in a circle on the empty land at the beginning of the year when we had purchased the property that adjoined our council lease. I remember the heated debates over which land to purchase -, that which was on our back door step or something more rural.

There was the weekend workshop with Joyce Bleby where we clarified our structure and decision making processes. Teachers came and went; families came and went; new families were welcomed. Throughout the changes, the wisdom of the curriculum, the commitment of many individuals working together and the festivals that were celebrated with reassuring regularity, sustained our struggle towards maturity.