A decades-old mystery has sent former students, teachers and locals digging through memories after a buried piece of school history seemingly vanished without a trace.
Currimundi State School has put out a public call for help after records revealed a time capsule was buried on school grounds in 1990, but no one knows exactly where it is – or if it is still even buried.
The search has taken on new urgency ahead of the school’s 50th anniversary celebrations next year, with staff hoping the capsule can be found and opened as part of the milestone.
Principal Aaron Willis said the school had a hand-drawn ‘map’ showing its original location, but years of redevelopment had complicated the search.
“There was a letter left behind in 1990 by the principal, including the map, which a student must have drawn, saying it was buried and it should be opened in 2010, but we’re not sure if that happened.”
That uncertainty has fuelled plenty of theories following a Facebook post by the school asking if anyone had useful tips or information.
The school’s social media post sparked more than 85 comments in less than 24 hours, with former students sharing memories and offering clues.
Some former students believe it may already have been dug up. Most insist it is still out there. A few have even suggested there may have been two capsules.
One commenter claimed to know at least one item hidden inside.
“There is a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle in it. That was our class contribution. I was there when it was buried and have a rough idea where but I haven’t been back to the school in decades.”
Mr Willis said former students and past staff had already started offering to visit the school grounds and point out where they think the time capsule may be buried.
“We’ve had people who used to work here walking around trying to find it,” he said.
The capsule is believed to contain contributions from every class, including magazines, football cards, exercise books, pop star posters, family cartoons, media clippings and even a class video.
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A metal detector may not solve the mystery either, as staff aren’t sure if the capsule was created from timber, metal or plastic.
For Mr Willis, the hunt has become more than a search for old memorabilia.
“It’s a bit of fun for the school and the community,” he said.
And if the mystery remains unsolved?
“If we don’t find it, we’ll bury one and do a better map,” he said with a laugh.
“We’ll leave a letter and they can open it at the 75th anniversary or the centenary.”
Anyone with information can contact the school office or email administration@currimundiss.qld.
