Students past and present, families and visitors gathered at the school for the unveiling of the railway carriage kitchen on Tuesday.

The old train carriage was donated by the State Rail Authority of NSW in 1997 and was once used as an Aboriginal Resource Centre on the school’s grounds.

The carriage was almost auctioned off online until community project coordinator Gaye Dufty convinced principal David Munday to turn it into a practical kitchen.

“I was almost going to sell the train on eBay but Gaye said ‘no, please give me one more chance’,” Mr Munday said.

“Gaye had a few goes of trying to make it work, she was unsuccessful but she kept going, so I believed in her when she asked for another go at it. 

“Her two and a half years of hard work is what has got us here today.”

The unveiling of the railway carriage kitchen came about after the school joined the national Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program.

The program began in 2001 when renowned cook and food writer Stephanie Alexander joined forces with a Melbourne school to educate children about food.

The program encourages schools to construct a home-style kitchen so cooking classes and gardening education can be provided for students.  

“I really think it’s got the potential to change the eating habits of a generation of kids going through the school,” Mr Munday said.

“It’s about the kids being able to produce a healthy meal at school and at home.”

Ms Dufty said the concept had been in the pipeline for a few years and she was delighted by the transformation.

“I’m thrilled with it, it’s definitely what I envisaged it to be,” she said.

“When we found out we had been accepted for it (Stephanie Alexander program) we were so excited but overwhelmed at the same time.

“So many businesses and people in the community have supported us, it probably wouldn’t have happened without them.

“It feels like a real sense of community has come from this, it’s quite touching.”

Year 6 student Hollie Cashin said she was excited to get into the kitchen and start cooking.

“We normally have lessons in the class room and it just got too crowded,” she said.

“I really enjoy cooking and we’ll have so much more room now.”

After an overwhelming amount of support and help from the wider community, the school held a “thank you for your support” dinner and drinks celebration on Tuesday night at the school.

Ms Dufty said she would like to thank all the businesses involved and the Coastline Credit Union for donating $8000.