THE 40^th Anniversary of the Tea Gardens Primary School Art and Craft Expo was a spectacular success last weekend.

It was estimated more than a thousand people made their way through the gates over the five day event.

“As a result of the wonderful volunteers, staff and ex-parents that always help us out it’s always a success,” Principal Mark Clemson told News Of The Area.

In the week prior to the Expo it was organised chaos at the Primary School as dozens of volunteers worked tirelessly to display more than 500 works of art and craft.

“Some of the artists who dropped off their works, stayed to help,” P&C President Fiona Mobbs said.

The event kicked off with an over 18’s dinner last Thursday night.

“We’re way up on previous years in regards to numbers,” Fiona said.

There were so many people at the dinner that more tables and chairs had to be found, the evening full of laughter and good cheer.

The doors of the school were then opened to the public from Good Friday to Easter Monday.

In anyone’s language it was a mammoth effort making sure the event went off without a hitch.

“We had over a hundred volunteers, lots of people who give their time every year, staff as well,” Trudy Brumby said.

Trudy, herself a former Art Expo Co-ordinator still volunteered her time in the run up to the event.

‘’Students came in and manned stalls, even ex-students volunteered their time.”

Reactions from visitors to the Expo ranged from “it’s fantastic” to “overwhelming and amazing works art”.

The Expo is the school’s major fundraiser for the year and when the final numbers are counted it’s hoped to have raised around $15,000.

“It’s really about community coming together,” Principal Mark Clemson said.

By Margie TIERNEY