OLD school friends who had not seen each other in more than 50 years were among the bumper crowd which turned out for a Fingal Head historical display.

The photographic, film and momento display at the local primary school last Saturday attracted more than 140 people, some of whom had travelled from interstate.

It was such a success that it's going to be repeated next month.

"We had no idea so many people would turn up," said organiser Kate McKenzie, from the local community association.

"We expected 30 or 40 people and we actually stopped counting at 140."

Many present had attended Fingal Head Public School and they had a lot of catching up to do with old friends.

Among them was eight members of the 10-strong Watt family, who were students in the 1950s and 60s.

Helen Watt, who now lives in Brisbane, said she had many happy memories of her days at Fingal primary.

"I can remember being in kindergarten playing with building blocks," she recalls.

Her family left the area when she was just eight but they still holiday at Fingal every Christmas as it holds such a special place in their hearts.

Ms McKenzie said: "There was a lot of laughter and telling of tales of old days in Fingal - many stayed for much longer than they had planned,"

A repeat performance will be staged on Saturday March 8 at the Fingal Head School.

Doors will open at 1.30 with a digital presentation of 80 photographs starting at 2pm.