1. About This Book

Acknowledgments
1. Mr. Alby Armstrong, who has spent countless hours researching, compiling and gathering information for this book.
2. Those people who have made available relevant material and photographs for use in this book, particularly Lou Fury who spent many hours with Mr. Armstrong relating relevant history of Marrar since early 1900's.
3. Public Authorities which have supplied information contained in this book -
(a) Department of Education, especially Bryan Cowling.
(b) Australia Post.
(c) Australian National Library, Canberra.
4. All other people who have given assistance in ways too varied to detail here.
5. 'Back to Coolamon' Souvenir Publications 1934 and 1956.
6. Those people who have contributed special articles.
7. Mrs. Mildred Spiatt, who taught at Marrar for many years, for the cover of this book.

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Foreword
With one hundred years of education in the Marrar District being celebrated in March, 1979, this book is an attempt to record some of the history of the Village of Marrar and District during that period.

It is not a complete history as we have dallied too long before making an attempt to put it together.  We have allowed too many of our old pioneers to pass on taking with them their stories of the development of this virgin country, the hardships and tragedy, the joys and satisfaction as they tamed a new and exciting land.  With their horse and bullock teams and a few essential tools, they cleared the land of heavy timber, built their homes, and raised their families.  They settled into a way of life that has endured now for over a hundred years.
Marrar has grown and prospered and will continue to do so, thanks to those grand old people who came here before us and left us a legacy to carry on where they left off.

What a fitting tribute, the poem, 'The Pioneers' written by Frank Hudson and printed in the School Magazine back in 1927.
 
Tribute
The Marrar District Education Centenary Committee would like to acknowledge with gratitude the amount of time and effort put into the researching and compiling of the Marrar Historical section of this book, by Mr. Alby Armstrong.
The Committee records with sadness, and sympathy for his family, the sudden and untimely death of Mr. Armstrong on 9th December, 1978, having only just, completed his manuscripts on the history of Marrar.