The building, which was built in 1908, was saved from demolition and has undergone a $193,000 restoration.

It was officially reopened on January 26 at the Greater Esk Tourism Information Centre.

Former schoolmates of the old Avoca State School Noel Broomhall, of Launceston, and Roger Freeman, of Bicheno, took their seats and stepped back in time to remember their formative school years.

Mr Freeman attended the opening with his granddaughters including young citizen of the year, Ellen Freeman, 19.

"It's funny what comes back into your memory," Mr Freeman said.

"I remember one student was misbehaving and of course the cane was regularly used.

"He was taken out to the passage way there, and the teacher brought the cane up to bring it down on to his hand and (the cane) hit the light globe ... it shattered."

Mr Freeman said in those days the teacher was strict, "there was no answering the teacher back".

Perhaps their was a need for this.

One teacher, and an assistant, were in charge of up to 40 students of differing age groups and education levels.

Noel Broomhall said she found this learning environment stimulating.

"It was an interesting way of going to school. I think I learnt more from other people's lessons than I did my own," Ms Broomhall said.

"I (also) spent a lot of time sitting and reading books under the desk ... and getting into trouble."

Such reminiscing was made possible through the dedication of Northern Midlands councillor Mary Knowles who helped organise the restoration project.

"(The schoolhouse) was condemned. The council wanted to have it demolished, it was really, really bad," Cr Knowles said.

Five years after first deciding to embark on the project, numerous funding knockbacks and issues with builders, the historical building has been restored to its former glory.

Cr Knowles said it was possible with the combined efforts of the Northern Midlands community and "a little bit of true grit".

"The mayor helped scrub the floor, people from St Mary's came and helped to paint, a chap from Fingal came down several times, people from Royal George, and my family from Launceston," Cr Knowles said.

"People in a small community sometimes find it hard to work together, and this has brought them together."