Yeronga State High School has marked six decades of student service and leadership with a special anniversary celebration and the dedication of a new Peace Pole, bringing together students, staff, former Interact members, Rotary representatives and community guests.
The celebration was held on Friday, 28 August, recognising 60 years of Interact at the school and the generations of students who have taken part in community service through the program.
Six decades of student service
Interact is Rotary International’s service program for young people aged 12 to 18, combining community projects with opportunities to develop leadership skills and build connections with others. Yeronga State High School describes its Interact Club as the longest-running service club in the school’s history.
School records show the club has maintained a longstanding association with Rotary and has been involved in fundraising and volunteering projects in the Yeronga district. Activities have included primary school fetes, fundraising barbecues, Christmas raffles, chocolate drives and other service projects. The school’s broader Community Participation Program also includes school fetes, primary school activities, student leadership appearances and Interact events.
Peace message reflects Yeronga’s diversity
A central part of the anniversary was the dedication of a new Peace Pole carrying the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth.”
During the ceremony, students and staff shared the message in Yagara, English, Dari, Arabic, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Somali, Swahili and Spanish, as well as Auslan. The languages reflected the diversity of the school community and formed part of a celebration of service, leadership, diversity and inclusion.
Rotary and local volunteers support the milestone
The Rotary Club of South Brisbane, the Rotary Peace Pole Project and Beenleigh Men’s Shed were among those involved in the anniversary, alongside school staff and students.
Peace Pole projects elsewhere in Queensland have also involved partnerships between Rotary clubs, schools and Men’s Sheds, with the Beenleigh District Men’s Shed involved in producing poles for school projects.
Students and staff at Yeronga also prepared and served refreshments during the anniversary gathering.
A service tradition spanning generations
Yeronga State High School itself opened in 1960, placing the Interact club’s six-decade history across almost the entire life of the school. The milestone also allowed current and former members to reflect on the generations of young people who have participated in the program.
The new Peace Pole will remain on the school grounds as a lasting reminder of the anniversary and its message of peace. The school said it would stand as a reminder to future generations of Yeronga students of the words, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.”
Published 30-Aug-2026
