Lost Schools of the 1990s

This Honour Roll of lost schools has been developed in accordance with the parameters detailed in What are Lost Schools? An increasing number of entries offer expanded information – * means ‘Would you like to know more?”

• Alamein Primary School (Ashburton)

  State School 4649 opened on Samarinda Avenue in 1950, the site bounded by Victory Boulevard and Alamein Avenue. Serving the families of a new Housing Commission estate, enrolments soared to 548 by 1953. Additional rooms (i.e. Nissen huts) were added and numbers peaked at 612 in 1956, before stabilising. It was briefly rebadged as Ashburton South Primary, but declining enrolments led to the school’s closure at the end of 1993. The site was sold ($1.86m) and the buildings demolished to make way for a new housing estate.

• Alberton West Primary School

  State School 2140 opened on Tap Road in 1879. Initial enrolments of 40 increased to 60 by 1890, as new families arrived to build the railway line. The original building was replaced by a new one-room school in 1967. When Binginwarri Primary was closed end 1993 it was absorbed to form Alberton West and District Primary School. But numbers continued to decline, and Alberton West and District Primary was closed at the end of 1999.

• Allans Flat Primary School

  State School 11 opened on Wallace Road in 1859. Enrolments reached 75 in 1919 but declined as the gold dredges closed and people left the district. A new building was erected in 1952 and the small school continued until it was permanently closed at the end of 1994.

• Allan's Forest Primary School

  State School 1086 opened on Allan’s Forest Road in 1871. The school closed in 1904 but reopened the following year. In 1936 the Education Department moved the school to a new location on Great Ocean Road. Declining enrolments played into the hands of a ‘Quality Provision Task Force’ in 1993, when it was ‘merged’ with Allansford Primary and Naringal Primary to form Allansford and District Primary School. The new entity was located at Allansford, and both Allan’s Forest and Naringal were closed. A few years later the former Allan’s Forest Primary site was sold for $32,000.

• Altona North Technical School

  Altona North Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1959, moving to its permanent site on Millers Road (near Buntings Court) the following year. In 1992 a major amalgamation of schools in the area occurred, whereby Altona North Technical, Altona North High, Williamstown Technical and Paisley High merged to form the triple campus Bayside Secondary College. The unlucky fourth school was Altona North Technical, which was closed. The other three survived and are now known as Bayside P-12 College. As for the Altona North Technical site, it is now home to several entities: a Bunnings outlet, a child care centre, and a Greek Orthodox Church/community centre.

• Amstel Primary School (Oakleigh East)

  State School 4801 opened in 1958 on the corner of Clayton and Ferntree Gully Roads. Initial enrolments of 100 grew to 570 by 1968. The school was ‘merged’ at the end of 1993 with East Oakleigh Primary to form Amsleigh Park Primary School. They were consolidated on the East Oakleigh site, and Amstel Primary was closed. The site was sold ($725,500) to Monash Australia Developments and became the Crown Close & Kings Court housing estate.

• Ararat Technical School

  Ararat Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1969, moving into new buildings on the corner of Gordon and Elizabeth Streets in 1972. In 1991 it ‘merged’ with Ararat High School to form the dual campus Ararat Secondary College. This arrangement lasted until August 1997 when the College consolidated on the Barkly Street site, and the former Ararat Technical School was closed. Today, the former school site is now home to KHS Contract, a civil construction company. In a nice touch, KHS retained the original buildings, which were readily adapted to suit its business requirements.

• Ardoch High School (St Kilda East)*

  Ardoch High School opened in 1977 under unusual circumstances. The Education Department purchased 53 old style apartments around Ardoch Avenue, for conversion to a 350 student school with an emphasis on disadvantaged and homeless youth. In 1988 it was merged with Windsor Technical to become the dual campus Ardoch-Windsor Secondary College. However, this only lasted until 1992, when the school was closed and the Ardoch apartments sold off. The buildings were added to the Victorian Heritage Register in 1993. Would you like to know more?

• Ashwood Primary School

  State School 4698 opened on the corner of High Street Road and Vannam Drive in 1953. Initial enrolments of 323 grew to 630 by 1969. Ashwood became a training school for Burwood Teachers College in 1956. In 1993, a ‘Quality Provision Task Force’ proposed that Ashwood be merged with Jordanville South Primary to address declining enrolments at both schools. However, the merger did not eventuate, and both schools were closed at the end of the year. The Ashwood site was soon cleared to make way for a new housing estate. Although another primary school was opened nearby (Parkhill), this had required Hillside Special School to be closed.

• Aspendale Technical School

  Aspendale Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1959, moving to its permanent site on the corner of Laura and Glen Streets later that year. During the 1960s enrolments stabilised at around 750. However, declining enrolments led to the school’s closure at the end of 1992. Most of the site was sold ($2,101,000) to become a housing estate. The remainder was acquired by Kingston City Council and became the Glen Street Reserve.

• Avondale High School (Avondale Heights)

  Avondale High School opened on the corner of Military Road and Clarendon Street in 1972. It was rebadged as a secondary college in 1990 but declining enrolments led to closure at the end of 1991. The following year the site was acquired by the State Training Board and became the Avondale Heights campus of Kangan Batman TAFE (now Kangan Institute) until 2005. Today, the former school site features the Avondale Heights Community Precinct, Wintringham Ron Conn aged care, and the Landsby Drive housing estate.

• Bald Hills Primary School (Sulky)

  State School 2027 opened in a new brick building at 203 Schwarz Road in 1878. In 1993, declining enrolments led to a ‘Quality Provision Task Force’ determined ‘merger’ with Miners Rest Primary, at the latter’s site. Bald Hills was closed and sold to private interests ($47,500). The building was retained and resold in January 2019 for $290,000. Although in a rundown condition, at least it had survived.

• Ballarat East Primary School (Queen Street)*

  State School 1998 opened on the corner of Queen Street North and Dyte Parade in 1878. Enrolments at the red-brick school reached 300 by 1882. Some unusual ‘firsts’ followed: it was the first Ballarat school to own a piano (1909) and the first to build its own swimming pool (1926). Declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Brown Hill Primary to form Caledonian Primary School at the end of 1993. Classes were consolidated at Brown Hill’s Thompson Street site, and Ballarat East was closed. The former school was acquired by the Uniting Church and is used for its Community Access services. Would you like to know more?

• Ballarat Primary School (Humffray Street)*

  State School 34 opened as a National School in 1853. Classes were held in tents and temporary structures until 1875, when work began on a fine red-brick building on the corner of Humffray and Mair Streets. For many years enrolments were substantial, reaching 936 in 1905, and the alumni included Sir Robert Menzies. The school was prominent on many fronts, being the Ballarat centre where examinations for the ‘Certificate of a Child being Sufficiently Educated’ were held. It was also associated with Melbourne Teachers College and Ballarat Teachers College. The school was closed at the end of 1992 and sold to private interests. Until 2018 it operated as the Antiques & Collectables Centre, and there are plans to convert the former school into a luxury hotel. Would you like to know more?

• Ballarat North Technical School*

  Ballarat North Technical School opened in temporary accommodation under the jurisdiction of the Ballarat School of Mines in 1955. The following year the school moved into its permanent home on Norman Street, near Club Crescent. In 1959 it became a separate entity and went co-educational in 1969. Enrolments exceeded 900 by 1971 but gradually declined thereafter. Rebadged as Midlands Secondary College in the late 1980s, a few years later it formed part of a major rationalisation in the district. In 1994 it ‘merged’ with Ballarat East High and Wendouree Technical to form the multi-campus Ballarat Secondary College. However, the Midlands campus was for seniors only (Years 11 and 12) and did not last long, as the senior campus was relocated to Barkly Street for 2000. The former school was left to the elements for some years until the degree of vandalism led to most of the buildings being demolished. Around 2010, most of the site became the Senior School/FARM campus of Ballarat Specialist School. The remainder was acquired by Victoria Police as a training facility, and the new Ballarat North police station. Would you like to know more?

• Balliang Primary School*

  Staughton Vale Estate State School (SS3630) opened at 1272 Bacchus Marsh-Balliang Road in 1910 and was subsequently renamed Balliang. It was rebuilt in 1945 following a fire, although the distinctive shelter shed survived. The school was closed in 1995 and became a district brigade headquarters of the Country Fire Authority. The original school building and the shelter shed are subject to a Moorabool Shire Council heritage overlay. Would you like to know more?

• Bangholme Primary School

  State School 3884 opened on the corner of Bangholme and Worsley Roads in 1915. Always a small school, enrolments sat at 38 in 1964. The proximity to Dandenong Creek resulted in the school being flooded on several occasions. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure in 1992 and eventual sale ($106,000). A private residence has been built on the site.

• Banyule High School (Heidelberg)

  Banyule High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1961, moving into a new building bordering Warringal Park in 1963. Enrolments soared to 900 in the first decade, but by the early 1990s they had slumped. The school was closed in 1994 when ‘merged’ with Rosanna East High to create Viewbank College. Much of the former site became public open space (A J Burkitt Oval) while Viewbank College owns and operates the Banyule Theatre Complex, formerly part of Banyule High.

• Barkers Creek Primary School

  State School 1607 opened on Lighthorse Road in 1875. Enrolments were 59 in 1903, and 35 in 1965, but had fallen to 14 in 1993 when the school was closed. The original red-brick building was used by Castlemaine Secondary College until damaged by fire in 2008. The State Government is preparing the site for sale [as at 2022].

• Barwon Downs Primary School

  State School 2866 opened at 1595 Birregurra-Forrest Road in 1888. Enrolments varied between 20 and 40 over the ensuing years. Declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Forrest Primary at the end of 1993. The result of a ‘quality provision task force’ decision, it meant consolidation on the Forrest site and closure for Barwon Downs. The school was later sold to the former Sire of Colac ($18k). The site became the district brigade headquarters of the Country Fire Authority.

• Bayview Primary School (Mount Waverley)

  State School 4752 opened on McLochlan Street in 1956. A large Housing Commission development nearby had led to the arrival of many school-aged children, and enrolments exceeded 800 by 1963. However, dwindling numbers resulted in the school’s closure at the end of 1992, and absorption by Mount Waverley Primary. By 1996 Monash City Council had purchased the site ($1,384,000). The school was demolished and replaced by a housing estate and Bayview Park, which features a plaque that acknowledges the former school.

• Bellarine Primary School

  East Bellarine State School (SS1415) opened in temporary accommodation in 1874, moving to a new building on Portarlington Road in 1877. Enrolments in the early years sat in the 40s. In 1915 its name was simplified to Bellarine. The school was closed in 1993, sold ($122,000), and the land sub-divided.

• Benalla High School

  Opened as a post primary school in temporary accommodation in 1912. The following year the school moved into a new building on Barkly Street, and in 1916 it was rebadged as a high school. Enrolments often exceeded 500, and new buildings were added at regular intervals to meet demand. Technical classes were offered from 1917 until Benalla Technical opened in Faithfull Street in 1962. Then in 1994 they ‘merged’ to form the dual campus Benalla Secondary College. But whereas the Faithfull Street campus catered for Years 7 to 10, the Barkly Street campus was for Years 11 to 12 only. Therefore, Benalla High can be considered closed. More recently, a ‘merger’ with three primary schools created Benalla P-12 College.

• Bennettswood Primary School

  Kooyoongkoot State School (SS4693) opened off Glengarry Avenue in 1954, with the name changed to Bennettswood soon after. The school was part of a new education precinct that included Burwood Teachers College and Burwood High (closed 1987). Burwood Teachers College went through multiple identity changes over the years and absorbed the former Burwood High site along the way. By the early 1990s the Teachers College had become a campus of Deakin University. Declining enrolments led to the ‘merger’ of Bennettswood Primary with Box Hill South Primary in 1993. Bennettswood was closed and the site absorbed into the Deakin University campus (purchase price $1.85m).

• Bentleigh East Primary School

  State School 2083 opened in a two-room brick building at 643 Centre Road in 1878. More rooms and land (to Bevis Street) were added over the decades to follow, and by 1955 enrolments had reached 845. The school was closed end 1993 and sold ($1,806,084) after an application for heritage listing was rejected. A housing estate and service station now occupy the site. The long-departed school should not be confused with the current East Bentleigh Primary School, being the rebadged Moorabbin Heights Primary School on Bignell Road.

• Berriwillock Primary School

  State School 3250 opened in temporary accommodation in 1895, moving into a new one-room building on Woomelang Road (now McClelland Street) in 1907. Enrolments reached 95 in 1960 and a new classroom was then added. In 1994 it was ‘merged’ with Nandaly Primary, Sea Lake Primary and Sea Lake High to form Tyrrell P-12 College. The College was located in the Sutcliff Street buildings of the former Sea Lake High and the three primary schools were closed. The former Berriwillock Primary site was sold ($25k) to private interests by 1998.

• Binginwarri Primary School

  State School 2863 opened in temporary accommodation in 1888 and moved to a new site the following year. Enrolments varied between 12 and 26 in the years leading up to the First World War. The site was ultimately deemed unsuitable, and the school was moved to 2 Binginwarri School Road in 1922. Enrolments had increased to 40 by then and remained stable for years thereafter. Declining numbers led to a ‘merger’ with Alberton West Primary at the end of 1993 to form Alberton West and District Primary School. The result of a ‘quality provision task force’ decision, it meant consolidation on the Alberton West site, and closure for Binginwarri Primary. The site was sold to private interests in 1996, while Alberton West and District Primary closed end 1999.

• Blackburn Technical School

  Blackburn Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1959, moving into a new building on the corner of Koonung Road and Camellia Street later that year. It was rebadged as a secondary college in 1990 but closed at the end of 1992. The northern portion was sold ($1.61m) to make way for the Polydor Place/Rigani Court housing estate. The southern portion, which included the school buildings, became the new home for Old Orchard Primary School in 1995. Old Orchard had previously been known as Blackburn North Primary and moved from its Springfield Road address.

• Blackburn East Primary School

  State School 4800 opened on Vicki Street, bordered by Bindy and Sandra Streets, in 1958. Initial enrolments of 199 had soared to 727 by 1971, necessitating the addition of more classrooms. Numbers plateaued thereafter, then declined, in line with demographic changes in the area. However, Blackburn East was not included in the ‘merger’ of four other primary schools to create Orchard Grove Primary in 1990. It continued until end 1993 when it was closed and later sold ($2.25m) to make way for a housing estate.

• Blackburn South High School

  Blackburn South High School opened in 1959 in temporary accommodation, moving into a new building on Holland Road the following year. By 1968 enrolments had grown to 850. In 1989 it was merged with Burwood Heights High and Nunawading High to become a junior campus of Forest Hill Secondary College. However, the junior campuses (Blackburn South and Nunawading) were closed in 1997, and students consolidated at the Burwood Heights campus. Most of the Blackburn South High site is now the Aurora School for the Deaf, with the remainder converted to open space (Mirrabooka Reserve).

• Blackburn South Primary School*

  State School 4035 opened in temporary accommodation in 1920, in response to rapid post-war population increase in the area. In 1923 the school moved to a new site at 64 Canterbury Road. Enrolments reached 998 in 1963 but had decreased to 630 by 1969 with the opening of new schools in the district. At the end of 1989, a major amalgamation took place in the area, when Blackburn South, Warrawong, Killoura, and Mirrabooka primary schools were merged to form the triple campus Orchard Grove Primary. Blackburn South Primary was overlooked in the process and closed. The arrangement proved to be short-lived however, with only the former Mirrabooka Primary surviving past 1991. The former Blackburn South site was promptly sold to become the Bright Place housing estate, as well as Branksome Grove Reserve. Would you like to know more?

• Bobinawarrah East Primary School

  State School 3325 opened on Carboor Road in 1899. Its history was closely aligned to population fluctuations in the district: extended in 1922; closed in 1939; reopened in 1950; and extended again in 1969. But when enrolments fell below 12 in 1993 the school was closed permanently. Within a few years the site had been sold for $15,000.

• Bonbeach High School

  Bonbeach High School opened in 1957 in temporary accommodation, moving into a new building on Breeze Street the following year. By 1966 enrolments exceeded 1,000. It was rebadged as a secondary college in 1990 but declining enrolments led to closure at the end of 1991. The site became a campus of Frankston College of TAFE (now Chisholm Institute) for many years. By 2010 most of the site had become the Coast Banksia Drive housing estate. The old school hall survived as a community facility: James Hosie Hall. Former students, including VFL/AFL great Leigh Matthews, will recall the wonderful school motto: ‘Strive’.

• Bonnie Doon Primary School

  Doon State School (SS2098) opened in 1878 with an enrolment of 58. The town was renamed Bonnie Doon in 1891 and the school followed suit. When Eildon Weir was enlarged in 1953 the town was moved to be above the water line. Consequently, a new site was found for the school, in Arnot Street. After the school was closed in 1999 the Bonnie Doon Community Group campaigned for several years to retain the building as a Community Centre. They were successful and the Centre opened in 2004.

• Bookaar Primary School

  State School 3578 opened on Darlington-Camperdown Road in 1908. The picturesque location was on the edge of Lake Bookaar, a permanent salt lake. Enrolments were 21 in 1970 but declined thereafter, which played into the hands of a ‘Quality Provision Task Force’ in 1993. Bookaar Primary was closed, along with Chocolyn, Gnotuk, and Weerite at the end of the year and the remaining students ‘consolidated’ at Camperdown Primary. The community reacted angrily at the time, with 300 people attending a protest rally. On the positive side, the buildings were retained as an information centre for the Lake Bookaar Wetland Reserve, managed by Corangamite Shire Council. In 2008 a large crowd gathered to celebrate the school’s centenary.

• Boolarra South Primary School

  State School 3670 opened on Grand Ridge Road in 1910. The original building was a sub-divided shed, catering for 40 pupils. This was replaced by a more suitable structure in 1915. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure in 1990, and the site was sold ($45,000).

• Boronia High School

  Boronia High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1957, moving into a new building on Tormore Road later that year. By 1967 enrolments had approached 1,000. The school was rebadged as Tormore Secondary College in 1990 only to be closed at the end of 1991. The site was sold to make way for a housing estate.

• Botanic Park Primary School (Doncaster)

  State School 5065 opened on Viscount Drive in 1973. Declining enrolments led to closure at the end of 1993. The site was sold ($1.96m) to become the Park Hill Way housing estate.

• Box Hill Primary School*

  State School 2838 opened in 1887 on Whitehorse Road. The site proved unsuitable for growing enrolments and in 1920 was moved to a new double-storey brick building in Station Street, alongside Box Hill Gardens. Enrolments reached 946 in 1953 but had declined significantly by the early 1990s. This led to a ‘merger’ with Box Hill North Primary and Koonung Heights Primary at the end of 1993. The result of a ‘quality provision task force’ decision, it meant consolidation on the Box Hill North site, and closure for the other two schools. The Box Hill site was sold ($1,950,000) and the Uniting AgeWell facility opened in 2000. Would you like to know more?

• Box Hill Technical School*

  Box Hill Technical School opened on Dunloe Avenue, Mont Albert North, in 1943. Enrolments had reached 636 by 1967. It became a co-educational college in 1985 upon merging with Whitehorse Girls Technical School (which closed). In 1993 it was rebadged as Box Hill Senior Secondary College, only catering for Years 10 to 12. This forced students in Years 7 to 9 to move to other schools, with Koonung Secondary College featuring prominently. Therefore, Box Hill Technical can be considered closed. Would you like to know more?

• Brewster Primary School

  State School 4166 opened at 344 Kayleys Lane in 1924. Enrolments peaked at 43 in 1935 and the school building was extended. When enrolments fell below 12 in 1993 the school was closed, and within a few years it had been sold for $22,000. The original timber building was then restored and in 2005 opened as Wardlin Gallery Café. In February 2018 the property was resold ($490,000).

• Brighton Technical School*

  Brighton Technical School opened at 45 Cochrane Street in 1922. The girls’ technical school was opened in 1924 in the ‘Cora Lynn’ adjunct building. By 1926 enrolments exceeded 1,000 (including apprentices). The TAFE separation on the late 1970s and early 1980s had a negative effect on the number of secondary students, which had fallen to 356 by 1981. It was rebadged as Brighton Bay Secondary College in 1990, but the writing was on the wall due to plummeting numbers in the junior forms. Sure enough, the Kirner Government closed the school at the end of 1991, although it lingered as the Brighton campus of Ardoch-Windsor Secondary for 1992. The valuable site was sold in 1995 ($9.8m) to St James Park Estate P/L and became the St James Park Drive housing estate. Bayside City Council later paid $400k to incorporate some public open space – the Cora Lynn Park. Notable alumni included Sidney Nolan and George Johnston (and his brother Jack, a founding student). Would you like to know more?

• Broadmeadows Technical School

  Broadmeadows Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1961, moving to a new site on Inverloch Crescent, Dallas, in 1963. Enrolments reached 530 in 1965 when it became a training school for students from both the Technical Teachers College and the Secondary Teachers College. Enrolments hit 650 in 1966, but had declined markedly by 1990, when it was rebadged as Somerton Secondary College. This did not last long as the school was closed at the end of 1992. The site was sold soon after ($813,500) and in 1995 became Ilim College. Today it is the Secondary Girls Campus of the multi-campus Ilim College.

• Brooklyn Primary School

  State School 4710 opened on Millers Road (across from Eames Avenue) in 1953. The establishment of the Brooklyn migrant hostel was the catalyst for the building of the school and the source of most of its student population. However, when the hostel closed in 1967, enrolments fell away. The school was ‘merged’ with Altona Gate Primary at the end of 1993 and students consolidated at the Altona Gate site. Brooklyn Primary was closed and sold ($400k) to make way for a branch of the Driver Education Centre of Australia (DECA). As for Altona Gate, it was merged out of existence in 2009.

• Brunswick High School

  Brunswick High School opened in 1964 in temporary accommodation, moving into a new building on Victoria Street in 1967. In 1993 it was merged with Brunswick Technical and Brunswick East High to form the dual campus Brunswick Secondary College. It continued as the senior campus of the new entity until late 1999 when the decision was made to consolidate Brunswick Secondary on Dawson Street. The former Brunswick High buildings became the Brunswick Business Incubator in 2002, a joint initiative of the Commonwealth Government and Moreland City Council. However, there is no plaque or marker to commemorate its education history.

• Brunswick Primary School*

  State School 1213 opened as Brunswick Central in temporary accommodation in 1873, moving into a new Albert Street building in 1877. One of the original ‘Henry Bastow schools’ built during the 1870s, it was deemed unsuitable for surging enrolments a century later. To cope with the demand, in 1972 the Victorian Government demolished the existing buildings to make way for a three-storey modern structure. However, when enrolments fell to 120 by 1996, the school was ‘merged’ with Brunswick East Primary and closed. The former school was demolished to make way for a housing estate. Ironically, if the original building had survived it would have acquired heritage protection. Would you like to know more?

• Brunswick East High School*

  Opened in 1925 as Brunswick Domestic Arts School in Albert Street. In 1969 it was rebadged as Brunswick Girls High, and when boys were admitted in 1976 it became Brunswick East High School. In 1993 it was ‘merged’ with Brunswick Technical and Brunswick High to form the dual campus Brunswick Secondary College. The unlucky third school was Brunswick East High, which was closed and sold ($911,000). The former school was demolished to make way for a housing estate. Would you like to know more?

• Brunswick West Primary School*

  State School 2890 opened in 1888 in Victoria Street, the only metropolitan example of the ‘Horsham type’ design, which incorporated verandas. Between 1942 and 1969 it operated as Brunswick Boys’ School, reverting to a co-educational primary school in 1970. Dwindling enrolments saw the school decommissioned in 1990, but the building was saved in 1993 following purchase at auction by a local community venture: WestWyck Pty Ltd. The site is now protected by a heritage overlay. Would you like to know more?

• Buckley Primary School

  State School 1481 opened as Lake Modewarre in 1875, on the corner of Mt Pollock Road and Buckley School Road. The name was changed to Buckley’s Road State School in 1890 and finally Buckley State School in 1936. The school was rebuilt in 1965 and enrolments reached 44 in 1968. The school was ‘merged’ with Moira Primary at the end of 1993 and students consolidated at Moriac Primary’s Hendy Main Road site. The Buckley Primary site was sold to Surf Coast Shire ($35,780) and became public tennis courts.

• Budgeree Primary School

  State School 2864 opened on Roys Road in 1888. The original building was replaced in 1908, when the portable school at Yinnar was shifted to Budgeree. When enrolments fell to six in 1992 the school was closed. The local community thwarted any moves to sell the property to private interests, and Latrobe City Council purchased the site instead ($15K). Since then it has fallen into disrepair, leading to a new community campaign for restoration.

• Bulla Primary School*

  Bulla was an operational bluestone and timber school prior to the passing of the Education Act 1872. Located near Deep Creek it was transferred to the state system as State School 46. Listed on the Victorian Heritage Register in 1982, the address of 11 School Lane encompasses more than the school itself, including a pine plantation and suspension footbridge. Enrolments had declined to 46 in 1996 and the school was closed. The site was sold to private interests, initially as Sunbury Christian Community School. Would you like to know more?

• Bullarook Primary School

  State School 39 opened in temporary accommodation in 1859 and enrolments soon reached 58. The school moved to a new building on Springbank Road in 1963. When fire destroyed the school in 1873 the 125 students were forced to move to the Wesleyan Church while a replacement building was constructed. Declining numbers led to the school’s closure at the end of 1989, with the remaining students transferring to Bungaree Primary.

• Bulleen Primary School

  State School 4869 opened in 1961 on a site bounded by Pleasant Road, Bourke Street and Grant Olson Avenue. By 1971 enrolments had reached 800, but declining numbers led to the school’s closure at the end of 1993. It was sold ($2.48m) to make way for the Range View Terrace housing estate.

• Bunbartha Primary School

  State School 2416 opened at 4455 Barmah-Shepparton Road in 1881. Enrolments reached 37 in 1911. By 1997 numbers had dwindled below the acceptable level for the Kennett Government (i.e. 12) and the school was closed. The 1959 building was removed from the site. Yet memories lingered, and in 2011 past students, families and friends gathered to unveil a commemorative plaque and prepare a time capsule.

• Burramine South Primary School

  State School 2203 opened on Katamatite-Yarrawonga Road in 1879. Enrolment fluctuations saw Burramine South worked part-time with other district schools until 1909, when it was closed. It reopened in 1927. In 1935 it was moved to a new site, one kilometre to the west. The school was permanently closed in 1993.

• Burwood Primary School*

  Ballyshanassy School (SS461) opened at 172 Burwood Highway in 1865. It became a State School after the passing of the Education Act 1872 and was renamed Burwood in 1879. Many distinctive additions were made to the original brick building over the years, as reflected in its listing on the Victorian Heritage Register. Enrolments peaked at 590 in 1954, then gradually declined: around 400 in 1968, around 300 in 1971, around 200 in 1977, and under 100 by 1986. Demographic change in the district continued such that by 1989 the school requested closure at the end of the year. While most of the site became a housing estate, the heritage buildings and hall were used by various community groups for many years. These buildings were resold in 2013 ($2.398m) and by 2018 were being converted into a new Greenland Early Learning Centre. Would you like to know more?

• Burwood Technical School

  Burwood Technical School was opened on the corner of Eley and Middleborough Roads in 1956. In the mid-1980s Burwood Technical became a campus of Burwood Secondary College (along with Burwood High). But within a couple of years it was the only campus, and at the end of 1989 it too was closed. The former school buildings were demolished to make way for the College Way housing estate.

• Cabbage Tree Primary School

  State School 3812 opened in temporary accommodation in 1913, moving to a new building on the Princes Highway in 1916. Enrolment fluctuations led to several part-time arrangements with other district schools until 1927. The opening of timber mills in the area saw student numbers begin to increase. Enrolments reached 50 by 1971 but declined thereafter. The school was closed at the end of 1993 and sold ($42,300) to private interests.

• Campbellfield Primary School

  State School 143 was located at a couple of Sydney Road (Hume Highway) sites from 1846 until 1960. Hume Highway widening works led to relocation to a new site between Gentles and Augusta Avenues in 1961. Enrolments increased from 77 in 1961 to 204 in 1969 but declined thereafter. The school was closed at the end of 1992 and sold ($485k) to make way for a housing estate.

• Carpendeit Primary School

  State School 1500 opened as a one teacher school in 1875 but closed in 1890 due to low enrolments. The school reopened in temporary accommodation in 1913, moving to a new site on Bungador Road in 1915. Declining enrolments led to permanent closure in 1995.

• Carrajung Primary School

  State School 3545 opened on McDermott Street in 1914. It won the ANA prize for school gardens 15 years in succession. Carrajung was closed in 1996 and sold to private interests in 2010.

• Castle Donnington Primary School

  State School 3762 opened near Swan Hill in 1912. In 1942 it moved to a new building on the Murray Valley Highway, with 22 pupils enrolled. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure in 1993.

• Catani Primary School

  State School 4154 opened in temporary accommodation in 1923, moving to a permanent site on Taplins Road in 1927. Enrolments reached 65 in 1952, before settling back to around 50 for the next 20 years. In 1993 the Kennett Government announced that both Catani and Bayles primary schools were to close, despite each having healthy enrolments for rural schools. Both school communities fought against the edict, but ultimately settled for a compromise: merger to form Bayles Regional Primary School. As the latter’s Ballarto Road location offered better access for secondary school buses, it became the single site. Catani Primary was closed, and the buildings moved to Ballarto Road. Fortunately, the surviving school’s website includes a ‘warts and all’ history.

• Chadstone High School*

  Chadstone High School (SS7710) opened in temporary accommodation in 1962, moving into a new building on the corner of Rob Roy Road and Ivanhoe Grove the following year. Located in a rapidly growing area, enrolments reached 950 by 1968. Student numbers declined markedly in the 1980s, leading to the closure of the school in 1991. Most of the buildings were demolished, although the R K Senior Hall was retained as a community centre by Stonnington City Council. Today, Phoenix Park is a multi-purpose community facility and open space. Would you like to know more?

• Charlton Primary School

  State School 1480 opened in a bark hut in 1875, moving into a new red brick building on the corner of Learmonth and Davies Streets in 1876. Initial enrolments were 68. Declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Charlton Secondary College at the end of 1994. Students were consolidated at the secondary college and Charlton Primary was closed. The site was left to vandals and weeds until 2010. Major floods in 2011 severely damaged the Charlton Hospital, and the Victorian Government used the former school site to build Charlton Medical, a new campus of East Wimmera Health Service.

• Cheltenham North Primary School

  State School 4763 opened on the corner of Chesterville Road and Bernard Street in 1957. The school was closed at the end of 1993 when ‘merged’ with Cheltenham Heights Primary to form Le Page Primary School on the Cheltenham Heights site. The Bernard Street site was sold ($2.7m) to New Dimension Homes to make way for the Tintern Mews/Clendon Court housing estate. Although Le Page Primary has a plaque to acknowledge the memory of the former school, its website claims that “the merger was a part of the State Government’s Quality Provision Strategy”.

• Cheshunt Primary School

  Degamero State School (SS2553) opened on Paradise Falls Road in 1883. All records were destroyed in 1927 when a bushfire swept through the area. The school was rebuilt in 1929 with 17 pupils and renamed Cheshunt. The school was closed at the end of 1993 and sold ($43,750) to private interests.

• Chocolyn Primary School

  Purrumbete North State School (SS 1014) opened on Camperdown-Lismore Road in 1873 and was renamed Chocolyn Primary in 1946. The early years were tenuous, as it was closed between 1884 and 1886, reopened for a few months and then briefly closed again. The school burnt down in 1955 and was promptly rebuilt. Enrolments were 55 in 1953 but declined thereafter, which played into the hands of a ‘Quality Provision Task Force’ in 1993. Chocolyn Primary was closed, along with Bookaar, Gnotuk, and Weerite at the end of the year and the remaining students ‘consolidated’ at Camperdown Primary.

• Clarendon Primary School

  State School 2081 opened on the Midland Highway in 1878. Enrolments fluctuated considerably, sitting at about 75 in the 1890s, then dropping to the 20s from 1900 to 1933. The school was closed from 1933 to 1946, then reopened with nine pupils. Although numbers increased in the years that followed, they were never strong. It was closed again in 1993, this time permanently. The site was then sold to private interests for $30,000.

• Clayton Technical School

  Clayton Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1961, moving to a new building on Browns Road (near the Dandenong Highway) the following year. Nearby Monash University also opened in 1961 and many links were established over the years. By 1968 enrolments approached 800. However, changing demographics in the area led to a merger with Huntingdale Technical in 1990 to form the dual campus Clayton Huntingdale Secondary College. This arrangement only lasted for two years though, as the Clayton campus was closed at the end of 1991. The former Clayton Technical buildings were demolished in order that the adjacent Fregon Reserve could be moved to cater for an expansion of Monash Medical Centre.

• Clear Lake Primary School

  State School 2135 opened in 1879. For many years a poor-quality building was used, and the Education Department ignored requests for something more suitable. Eventually the Department acted, and the school moved to a new building at 4006 Harrow-Clear Lake Road in 1927. An extra room was added in 1960, at which time enrolments exceeded 50. Numbers declined to the low 20s in 1969 and continued to decline after that. Clear Lake Primary was closed in 1997.

• Club Terrace Primary School

  State School 3343 opened in a one-room building in 1900. By 1960 increasing enrolments led to the construction of a larger building on School Road, which was occupied the following year. However, by 1993 numbers had fallen below 12 and the school was closed.

• Clyde North Primary School

  State School 118 opened as Cranbourne National School in 1858. Four name changes later it became Clyde North in 1913. This small, rural school was located on the Berwick-Cranbourne Road (near Heather Grove) and was closed at the end of 1992. The site was subdivided and sold as two parcels (combined $125,353). Now the area is a major growth corridor, and the new Wilandra Rise Primary School opened nearby in 2017.

• Coburg High School*

  Opened in 1912 in temporary accommodation, Coburg was the first post primary school in Victoria. In 1916 the rebadged Coburg High School moved into a new building on Bell Street. In 1994 it was merged with Preston Secondary College to form the short-lived Coburg-Preston Secondary College on the Bell Street site. This entity only lasted until 1997 before it was merged with Coburg East Primary to form Moreland City P-12 College and relocated to a recently vacated RMIT site in Alma Grove. The original Bell Street building was sold to developers and demolished in 2001. It has been on-sold four times since then and remains a weed-infested eyesore, with no plaque or acknowledgement of its history. Would you like to know more?

• Coburg Technical School

  Coburg Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1954, moving into a new building on Gaffney Street later that year. In 1990 the school was rebadged as Coburg North Secondary College only to be closed at the end of 1992. The site was sold ($1.9m) to become a campus of John Batman Institute of TAFE (now Kangan Institute). This was also short-lived. Today the site has become Harmony Park and the Coburg Special Development School.

• Coburg East Primary School

  State School 4260 opened in 1926 on the corner of Nicholson and Harding Streets, in a building of unusual Mediterranean design. By 1997, falling enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Coburg-Preston Secondary College to form Moreland City College (closed 2004). The original red-brick building was promptly sold and reopened as the Antonine Sisters Maronite Primary School in 1998 (now the junior campus of Antonine College). The site is protected by a Moreland Council heritage overlay.

• Coghills Creek Primary School

  State School 1523 opened in a new brick building on Coghills Creek Road in 1875. Although it began with 78 pupils, enrolments declined to 51 in 1891, and 40 in 1902. By 1969 there were only nine pupils, and the school was finally closed in 1997.

• Colignan Primary School

  State School 4340 opened in temporary accommodation in 1927, to serve families recently arrived under a soldier settlement scheme. The school closed the following year, reopened in a private house in 1932, then closed again in 1936. In 1947 it reopened at a permanent site on Kulkyne Way, but enrolments remained low. In 1993, a ‘Quality Provision Task Force’ decided to ‘merge’ Colignan with Nangiloc Primary, to form Nangiloc Colignan & District Primary School. But the consolidation occurred at the Nangiloc site, and therefore Colignan was closed. In a cruel twist, ‘Nangiloc’ is ‘Colignan’ in reverse.

• Collingwood Primary School (Cambridge Street)*

  State School 1895 opened as Oxford Street School in 1877, in one of the original Henry Bastow buildings. The need was great: 1,360 children were enrolled after five days. In 1922 it was renamed Cambridge Street Central School, reflecting a change in status. However, declining enrolments led to its closure late 1992. Protected by a Yarra City Council heritage overlay, the site became Collingwood English Language School. Would you like to know more?

• Connewarre Primary School

  State School 2088 opened on Bluestone School Road in 1878 with 38 pupils. The school was closed at the end of 1993 when ‘merged’ with Mount Duneed Primary and Freshwater Creek Primary to form Mount Duneed Regional Primary School. The three school populations were consolidated on the Mount Duneed site (Williams Road). The Connewarre Primary site was later sold ($51,685) to Surf Coast Shire.

• Cooinda Primary School (Glen Waverley)

  State School 5018 opened between Elmwood Crescent and Baroda Avenue in 1972. The school was ‘merged’ at the end of 1993 with Brentwood Primary to form Glen Waverley South Primary. They were consolidated on the Brentwood site, and Cooinda Primary was closed. The site was promptly sold ($2,036.700) and became The Quadrangle housing estate.

• Coolaroo Primary School

  State School 5119 opened on Thorpdale Avenue in 1976. Declining enrolments led to its closure at the end of 1992. The site was sold ($500k) and reopened as St Mary’s Coptic Orthodox College in 1994.

• Coomboona Primary School

  State School 3093 opened in 1891. The school was closed at the end of 1993 and sold ($26,500) to private interests.

• Costerfield Primary School

  State School 1187 opened in 1873, moving to a new building on Heathcote-Nagambie Road in 1875. Initial enrolment was 118, but declined markedly when gold and antimony mining ceased. The school was closed between 1950 and 1962, then closed permanently in 1992. The Centenary plaque (1873-1973) now hangs in the Costerfield Hall.

• Crowlands Primary School

  State School 756 began life as the United Episcopalian and Presbyterian School in 1864. By 1875 it had become a fully-fledged State School, located at 27 Clarke Street. A new wooden building was erected in 1910. Enrolments rose to 34 in 1968 and 48 in 1971 but had declined to less than 12 by 1993. The school was closed, and the buildings left untouched until the site was sold in March 2015 ($80k).

• Dandenong Technical School

  Dandenong Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1954, later moving into a new building on a site that ran between Cleeland Street and Stud Road. In the mid-1980s the transformation of the technical sector led to a sub-division of the site: the major portion (Stud Road) became Dandenong College of TAFE, while the minor portion (Cleeland Street) remained Dandenong Technical School. Renamed Dandenong Valley Secondary College in the late-1980s, it was closed altogether at the end of 1991. The buildings were demolished to cater for an expansion of the TAFE College, which today is part of Chisholm Institute.

• Denison Primary School

  Wandocka State School (SS4168) opened on Sale-Heyfield Road in 1923, and was renamed Denison in 1957. Enrolments peaked at 63 in 1964, but declined thereafter. It was ‘merged’ with Nambrok Primary at the end of 1993 to form Nambrok-Denison Primary School. However, this meant relocation of students and buildings to the Nambrok site on Sale-Cowwarr Road. Therefore, Denison Primary was closed.

• Dennington Primary School

  State School 182 opened in 1858 as a National School, near the Merri River. In 1914 it moved to a new site. It was closed at the end of 1996, to be absorbed by Warrnambool West Primary School.

• Derrinallum Primary School

  State School 2050 opened in Fyans Street in 1878. The two classroom school was destroyed in the 1944 fires and rebuilt. It was ‘merged’ with Derrinallum High in 1994 to form Derrinallum P-12 College, and closed. The Fyans Street site has since been cleared.

• Diggers Road Primary School (Werribee South)

  State School 5409 began as a junior adjunct to the nearby Werribee South (Duncans Road) school in 1927. It became a stand-alone school in 1935, when it moved into a new building on Cayleys Road. Ironically, in 1994 it absorbed Werribee South Primary and was renamed Werribee Park Primary. But this did not last long, as Werribee Park closed at the end of 1997 and was acquired by Mambourin Enterprises. Mambourin operates one of its specialist schools at the former primary school site.

• Dixie Primary School

  Ecklin Common School (SS891) opened near Timboon Road in 1868. The school burnt down in 1900 and was rebuilt on a new Timboon Road site. The name was changed to Dixie in 1907 and another fire followed in 1939. It was rebuilt again (on Dixie School Road) and continued until formal closure in late 1992. The site was later sold ($19,500). Fortunately, the school building survived: it was relocated to the grounds of Terang College to become the Museum for the Terang & District Historical Society.

• Doncaster East Primary School*

  Deep Creek State School (SS2096) was opened in 1878. The location proved problematic, so in 1886 the building was relocated to the corner of George Street and Blackburn Road. In 1893 it was renamed Doncaster East State School. Enrolments reached 417 in 1968 and peaked in the 1980s. However, by 1996 numbers had fallen to 172 which led to a ‘merger’ with Waldau Primary to form Doncaster Gardens Primary the following year. Students were consolidated on the Waldau site and Doncaster East Primary was closed. The site was acquired by Australand to become the St Claire housing estate. Although the heritage listed 6^th grade building survived, it was only through being dismantled and reassembled at Laburnum Primary School. Would you like to know more?

• Doncaster Heights Primary School

  State School 4888 opened off Hislop Street in 1968, and enrolments soon reached 695. However, declining enrolments led to the school’s closure at the end of 1993. The site was sold and became the Jising Court housing estate.

• Doncaster Park Primary School

  State School 4861 opened on Stutt Avenue in 1962. Enrolments had reached 630 in 1968 but had declined to 170 by 1996. This led to the school’s closure to make way for a housing estate.

• Donvale High School

  Donvale High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1966, moving into a new building on Springvale Road the following year. In 1989 it was amalgamated with Mitcham High and Mitcham Technical to form Mullauna College. The three campus format was short-lived however, as the former Donvale High was closed in 1995 and the former Mitcham Technical a year later. The Donvale High site was subdivided to become both the Manningham Donvale Indoor Sports Centre and the Heatherwood School for children with special needs.

• Dooen Primary School

  State School 1782 opened on the corner of Henty Highway and Dooen School Road in 1876. Initial enrolments were 29. However, numbers fell below 12 by 1993 and the school was closed. The buildings were cleared from the site.

• Doutta Galla Primary School (Niddrie)

  State School 4708 opened in 1953 on a block bounded by Vaynor, Garnet, Teague, and Albert Streets. Enrolments reached 664 by 1960 before gradually declining. The school was closed at the end of 1996, with most of the site becoming the Western Autistic School. The remainder became a housing estate.

• Doveton High School

  Doveton High School (SS7780) opened in temporary accommodation in 1960, moving into new buildings on Power Road in 1962. Enrolments grew rapidly, reaching 1,097 by 1970. The school was rebadged as Joseph Banks Secondary College in 1990, but declining enrolments led to its closure at the end of 1992. The site was promptly sold ($920k) and became the Botanical Grove housing estate.

• Doveton West Primary School

  State School 4820 opened in 1959, on a site bounded by Photinia Street, Chestnut Road and Matipo Street. Enrolments grew dramatically due to the industrial development in the area, reaching 1,054 by 1964. Declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Doveton Primary to form Doveton Heights Primary at the end of 1993. The result of a ‘quality provision task force’ decision, it meant consolidation on the Doveton site, and closure for Doveton West Primary. The land was sold to Dandenong Hospital ($310k) and the school demolished. No development occurred for many years though: the site became overgrown and attracted the interest of local historian Michael Weichel searching for long-buried time-capsules. The site has been on-sold and Kinsfolk Townhouses are under construction, due to open in 2021.

• Dudley Primary School

  State School 3674 opened in temporary accommodation in 1911, moving to a new Wonthaggi site in 1914. Then in 1930 the school moved to a more central site, at 239 White Road. Declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Dalyston Primary at the end of 1993 to form Powlett River Primary. The result of a ‘quality provision task force’ decision, it meant consolidation on the Dalyston site, and closure for Dudley Primary. It was sold to Bass Coast Shire ($115k) the following year and is now the Bass Coast Adult Education Centre.

• Eastmeadows Primary School (Broadmeadows)

  State School 4865 opened on the corner of Goulburn and Cuthbert Streets in 1960, catering for families from the nearby Migrant Hostel and Housing Commission estate. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure at the end of 1996, and it became the founding campus of ISIK College (now Sirius College) in 1997.

• Eastmont Primary School (Vermont)

  State School 4789 opened on the corner of Centre and Heatherdale Roads in 1964. Enrolments reached 400 by 1969, but had declined to 140 by 1996. This led to the school’s closure to make way for a housing estate.

• Eastmoor Primary School (Bentleigh East)

  State School 4790 opened beside King George VI Memorial Reserve on Chesterville Road in 1957. Enrolments had reached 506 by 1972. It was ‘merged’ with Tucker Road (Moorabbin) Primary in 1998 and closed. Most of the site became the Southern Autistic School, while the remainder became a housing estate.

• Eastville Primary School

  Bradford Creek State School (SS1245) opened on Shelbourne Road in 1873, and was renamed Eastville in 1880. Fluctuating enrolments led to the closure of the school between 1894 and 1898, and then again between 1936 and 1940. It was permanently closed in 1996.

• Echuca Village Primary School

  Echuca Village Settlement School (SS3253) opened on Simmie Road in 1896. Initial enrolments were 70 and the school grounds were used for local events for many years. Declining numbers led to the school’s closure at the end of 1993. The site was sold ($56k) and is now a private residence. Fortunately, the then Deakin Shire Council placed an acknowledgement plaque on the property.

• Ecklin South Primary School

  State School 2647 opened on Timboon-Terang Road in 1885. The school site was moved back from the main road in 1936, and a new building was erected on Old School Road. Although numbers grew considerably in the 1940s, they halved with the opening of Timboon Consolidated School in 1948. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure in 1993.

• Eddington Primary School

  State School 793 opened in a wooden building on Playfair Street in 1867. The initial enrolment was 57, increasing to 100 in the 1880s. A substantial new brick building was completed in 1872, and the original structure was later removed. Following a devastating fire in 1890 another brick building was erected on the site. Although the school was closed in 1992, the building is now a well-maintained private residence.

• Elaine Primary School

  State School 1810 opened on Morrisons Road in 1876. The wooden barn-like building remained in use until 1966, when it was replaced by a modern structure.  Declining numbers led to the school’s closure in 1998, with the view of locals being: “it ripped the heart out of Elaine.”

• Eldorado Primary School

  State School 246 opened on Main Street in 1861. The humble wooden building proved inadequate for the surging enrolments that followed the area’s goldrush, so a new school was built in 1869. By 1875 numbers had reached 450 but declined rapidly once the goldrush had ended. Half the school was converted into a residence in the 1890s, and by the 1960s the community held fears for the future of the old brick school. This led to the formation of the Eldorado Museum Trust in 1966, with the aim of saving the old school building from further demolition. The State Government proved responsive, by building a new one-room weatherboard school to replace the original brick structure and handing the historic building over to the Museum Trust. The Eldorado Museum opened to the public in 1969. However, the school itself was closed at the end of 1993 when it ‘merged’ with Tarrawingee Primary to form Tarrawingee Area Primary School on the Tarrawingee site. This ‘new’ entity only lasted until 1998 before it too was closed.

• Elingamite North Primary School

  State School 4551 opened on Walshs Road in 1938 with 22 pupils. When numbers fell below 12 in 1993 the school was closed. The site was then sold to private interests, for only $500.

• Ellerslie Primary School

  State School 1461 opened on Sisters Road in 1874. The original wooden structure was replaced with a new building in 1929. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure at the end of 1992. The site was later sold to private interests ($22,500).

• Ensay Group School

  State School 2953 opened at 5055 Great Alpine Road in 1889, and was rebuilt in 1912. In 1972 it became Ensay Group School, by absorbing Ensay North Primary, Reedy Flat Primary and Tambo Crossing Primary. However, numbers continued to decline in the region, with only six students remaining in 1993. Consequently, Ensay Group School was closed in 1994. The property was sold to private interests in 2012.

• Erica Primary School

  Upper Moondarra State School (SS2437) opened on the Moe-Walhalla Road in 1881. It closed in 1900, reopened as Erica in 1907, and was rebuilt in 1912. The emergence of the timber industry saw enrolments increase from 40 in 1909 to a peak of 90 in the 1950s. But as the timber began to run out numbers declined to less than 40 by 1970. The school was ‘merged’ with A. G. Robertson Primary at the end of 1993 to form Rawson Primary. They were consolidated on the A. G. Robertson site, and Erica Primary was closed.

• Essendon Technical School*

  Essendon Technical School opened in 1939 in temporary accommodation until moving into its new building later that year. Located in Buckley Street, the Percy Everett designed school pioneered a new style that influenced the Australian education sector for years to come. Fortunately, the school acquired heritage protection, courtesy of the Victorian Heritage Register and the National Trust. It was renamed Queens Park Secondary College in 1989, which proved ominous. At the end of 1992, the school was ‘merged’ with Essendon High, Niddrie High and Keilor Heights High to form the triple campus Essendon Keilor College. Queens Park was closed and subdivided for sale. The heritage building ($1.48m) became the Essendon campus of Broadmeadows College of TAFE (now Kangan Institute), while the other parcel of land ($1,805,000) became the Wheeler Place housing estate. Would you like to know more?

• Eureka Street Primary School (Ballarat East)*

  State School 1071 was known as Specimen Hill when it became a Board of Education school in 1870. Located at 129 Eureka Street, it was rebuilt in imposing red brick in 1880. A major rationalisation of schools occurred in December 1993, when Eureka Street was merged with three other schools (Golden Point, Richards Street and Millbrook) to form Canadian Lead Primary. The Eureka Street and Richards Street schools were retained as campuses until the new school buildings in Otway Street South opened in 1997. The Eureka Street site was sold and subdivided for housing. Fortunately, the original brick building became a single private residence and has been lovingly restored. Would you like to know more?

• Everton Upper Primary School

  State School 1198 opened at 1639 Beechworth-Wangaratta Road in 1873. It was rebuilt twice in the years that followed. The school was ‘merged’ with Everton Primary (Great Alpine Road) for the 1994 year and closed. Fortunately, the building is still standing.

• Fairfield North Primary School

  State School 4329 opened in a new red-brick building on the corner of Station and Agg Streets in 1928. It operated as a central school for a few years in the 1950s. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure at the end of 1992, and it was promptly sold ($740k). The original school building was converted to private apartments, part of the Fairfield Views housing estate.

• Fairway Primary School (Frankston)

  State School 4830 opened on Spray Street in 1964 and enrolments had reached 316 by 1971. Declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Kananook Primary at the end of 1993. The result of a ‘quality provision task force’ decision, it meant consolidation on the Kananook site, and closure for Fairway Primary. The site was sold in two parcels: Peninsula Health established a Community Care Unit on part of the site, while the remainder was purchased ($147k) by Malsindo P/L and became a housing estate.

• Fawkner Technical School

  Fawkner Technical School opened in a new building on Anderson Road in 1961. Further buildings were added over the next few years and in 1967 the school became co-educational. It was briefly known as Moomba Park Secondary College from 1990. In 1993 it was part of a mega merger, becoming a campus of Box Forest Secondary College along with Glenroy High, Glenroy Technical, Hadfield High and Oak Park High. However, the Moomba Park campus only lasted a year. It was sold to the Urban Land Authority ($1.52m) to make way for the Dowding Close/Stanford Close housing estate. Indeed, the only Box Forest Secondary campus to survive was the former Glenroy Technical School, further rebadged in 2010 as Glenroy College.

• Fawkner North Primary School

  State School 4779 opened in a new building off Baird Street in 1957. Enrolments had reached 756 by 1970, but eventually declined. In 1993 a ‘Quality Provision Task Force’ required one of Fawkner Primary, Fawkner North Primary or Moomba Park Primary to close. Fawkner North lost out and was closed at the end of 1993. The school buildings were sold and became the junior campus of Darul Ulum College in 1997.

• Ferntree Gully Technical School*

  Ferntree Gully Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1954, moving into a new building on the corner of Willow Road and Burwood Highway later that year. In 1990 it was rebadged as Glenfern Secondary College and a few years later became affiliated with Swinburne University. However, declining enrolments led to its closure in 1996. The school was demolished and the site sold to make way for a housing estate. Would you like to know more?

• Fiskville Primary School*

  State School 4518 opened on Geelong Road in 1933, built in the grounds of the Amalgamated Wireless Australasia (AWA) telecommunications facility for the children of AWA staff. In 1946 the Overseas Telecommunications Commission (OTC) assumed responsibility for the facility, which included the school. Enrolments were 34 in 1959 and 17 in 1969. OTC closed its Fiskville facility in 1969 and it passed into the hands of the County Fire Authority (CFA), which in 1971 opened its Training College in the grounds. The primary school continued until late 1992 when it was closed and sold ($1,500). Would you like to know more?

• Fitzroy High School

  Fitzroy High School opened on Falconer Street in 1957, in the red brick building previously used for the secondary classes of Fitzroy North Central School. In 1988 the school absorbed Exhibition High to form Fitzroy Secondary College. This proved short-lived however, as Fitzroy Secondary was closed at the end of 1992. A community campaign to retain the site for education purposes followed, resulting in an arrangement whereby Kangan Batman TAFE (now Kangan Institute) utilised the site. Although Kangan Batman returned the site to the Education Department in 1999 it was not sold. The recently elected Bracks Government proved sympathetic to community concerns and a new Fitzroy High School opened in 2004.

• Flemington High School*

  Flemington High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1964. Towards the end of 1966 the new school building was ready, located on Epsom Road between Flemington Racecourse and the Showgrounds. Enrolments reached 900 by 1969, yet had declined markedly by the early 1990s. The State Government determined that either Flemington Secondary College (name change 1990) or Debney Park Secondary was to be closed, with comparative land values sealing the deal. The school was closed at the end of 1992 and sold ($1.2m) to become the headquarters of Harness Racing Victoria. Would you like to know more?

• Footscray High School*

  Footscray High School opened in temporary accommodation in January 1954, moving into a new building on Wembley Avenue a few months later. Although the site was in Yarraville, it was officially known as Footscray High. The school was rebadged as Footscray Yarraville Secondary College in 1990, but declining enrolments led to its closure in 1996. It was sold and demolished soon after to make way for a housing estate. Not to be confused with the current Footscray High School, which opened in 2019. Would you like to know more?

• Framlingham Primary School

  State School 1082 opened on High Street in 1872. The initial enrolment of 38 surged to 124 by the 1890s, but gradually declined following the closure of the local butter and cheese factory. On 16 February 1983 the ‘Ash Wednesday’ fires led to the evacuation of the school, and the students documented their experiences later on (Public Record Office, Victoria). Unfortunately, the school was closed at the end of 1993 following a ‘merger’ with Grassmere Primary on the latter school’s site. The Framlingham site was sold ($26k) to private interests.

• Freshwater Creek Primary School*

  State School 256 opened at 655 Anglesea Road in 1856. Originally a Wesleyan school, it became a State School in the early 1870s. At the end of 1993 it was ‘merged’ with Mount Duneed Primary and Connewarre Primary to form Mount Duneed Regional Primary School. The three school populations were consolidated on the Mount Duneed site on Williams Road and the other two schools were closed. The Freshwater Creek school building was later moved to the Williams Road site and the ‘surplus’ government land was sold to private interests in February 1996 ($47,080). Would you like to know more?

• Fyansford Primary School*

  State School 1691 opened in a one-room bluestone building in 1876, located on the Hamilton Highway near the Moorabool River. It was closed in 1996 but the building survived thanks to a Heritage Overlay applied by the City of Greater Geelong. The site passed into private hands and became a known source of used Kombi vans. Would you like to know more?

• Gardiner Primary School*

  State School 3888 opened as Gardiner Central in 1915, on a site bordered by Nash and Kent Streets. The school developed a rich tradition of scholarship, supplying students to both Melbourne High and MacRobertson Girls High over the years. Many prominent Melbourne citizens began their education at Gardiner Central. However, in 1987 the Years 7 and 8 classes ceased, and in 1992 the school closed altogether. The school was demolished soon after and the land sold for $1,805,000. Most of the site became the Noel Miller Centre, a mecwacare aged-care facility. Would you like to know more?

• Garvoc Primary School

  State School 996 was opened six kilometres north of Garvoc in 1870. The school moved to a new weatherboard building on the Princes Highway in 1927. Burnt down during the 1983 ‘Ash Wednesday’ fires, it was rebuilt. However, the school did not have sufficient enrolments to survive the Kennett Government’s ‘rationalisation’ plans and was closed at the end of 1993. The former school was later sold ($11,250) to private interests.

• Geelong Primary School (Swanston Street)*

  State School 1094, originally known as Geelong East New Vested School, was opened in 1871. Located on Swanston Street, the brick building was remodelled, and the school expanded in 1912. The school was closed at the end of 1993 and the buildings were acquired by the Geelong Hospital (for $950k), which transferred its psychiatric wards into the former primary school. Would you like to know more?

• Geelong Technical School (Moorabool Street)

  Geelong Technical School opened as the junior section of the Gordon Institute of Technology in 1913. It was located across various sites until moving into a new brick building on the corner of Moorabool and Maud Streets in 1927. The administrative connection to the Gordon Institute was severed in 1962, and during the mid-1970s an annex was opened in Reynolds Road, Belmont. In 1990 the original school and the annex became the dual-campus South Barwon Secondary College. However, this arrangement did not last long, as the Moorabool Street campus was closed a few years later and the site absorbed by the Gordon Institute of TAFE. Today, the heritage listed building has become luxury apartments: The Devlin, named after the former student who designed our decimal coinage.

• Geelong Technical School (Reynolds Road, Belmont)

  Belmont Technical School opened on the corner of Reynolds and Fryers Roads during the mid-1970s. It was conceived as an annex of Geelong Technical School. In 1990 the annex and the original school became the dual-campus South Barwon Secondary College. However, this arrangement did not last long, as the Moorabool Street campus was closed a few years later (and absorbed by the Gordon Institute). The Reynolds Road school went it alone for a couple of years until it too was closed at the end of 1996, and many students transferred to nearby Belmont High School. In 1998 the site became Clairvaux Catholic School, reusing the buildings of the former technical school.

• Geelong North Primary School*

  State School 1889 opened as West Geelong in 1877 on a Separation Street site. Surging enrolments tested capacity, so a larger site was purchased on the corner of Melbourne Road and Bay Street. A new red-brick building was erected and the school, now known as Geelong North, moved in 1915. The school was closed in 1996 and the grounds became a housing estate. The red-brick building was protected by a council heritage overlay and survived, to be converted into apartments. Would you like to know more?

• Genoa Primary School

  Genoa River State School (SS3112) opened in 1891 with 20 pupils. The site was abandoned in 1928 due to a combination of white ants and dry rot, and classes were held in the Genoa Hall as a temporary measure. ‘Temporary’ lasted 25 years. In 1953 a new school was built on the Princes Highway, and renamed Genoa. Declining enrolments led to closure in 1990.

• Gerang Primary School (Gerang Gerung)

  State School 2618 opened in a portable building in 1884. It moved to a permanent site near Gerang-Glenlee Road in 1891, when enrolments reached 53. Declining numbers led to the school’s closure in 1993.

• Glenburn Primary School

  Woodburn South State School (SS3344) opened on the Melba Highway in 1902, and its name was changed to Glenburn in 1905. Enrolments were 30 in 1938, reducing to 20 in 1963, and then declining further. The school was closed in 1993 and sold to Murrindindi Shire Council ($35,000). It is now the Glenburn Community Centre.

• Glengarry West Primary School

  State School 4426 opened on Glengarry West Road, near Burnet Park Road, in 1929. Enrolments peaked at 34, but gradually declined. The school was closed in 1993 and sold in 1996. Fortunately, the school building is still standing.

• Glenlyon Primary School

  State School 266 opened at 17 Barkly Street in 1861. Enrolments peaked at 80, but by 1969 had fallen to only 12. The school was closed in 1993 and sold to private interests in 2005. Now known as The Old School Gallery and Café, it is a well-maintained historic site.

• Glenmore Primary School*

  State School 3688 opened in a one-room building on Glenmore Road in 1911. The Northcote Children’s Farm for British orphans opened nearby in 1937, which saw enrolments surge and led to the construction of a new five-room building for Glenmore in 1939. Northcote Farm operated until 1976, ultimately catering for under-privileged Victorian families. Upon its closure, enrolments at Glenmore Primary declined and the school itself was closed at the end of 1993. Meanwhile, its neighbour became Lady Northcote Recreation Camp, owned by the Victorian Government, and leased by the YMCA for youth programs. The Camp is also listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Would you like to know more?

• Glenroy High School

  Glenroy High School opened in 1954 on Hilton Street, and by 1965 had over 1,000 students. Numbers had plummeted by the early 1990s though. In 1993 it was part of a mega merger, becoming a campus of Box Forest Secondary College along with Fawkner Technical, Glenroy Technical, Hadfield High and Oak Park High. However, the following year the campus had closed and been replaced by Koori Open Door Education Glenroy (and later Glenroy Specialist School). Indeed, the only Box Forest Secondary campus to survive was the former Glenroy Technical School, further rebadged in 2010 as Glenroy College.

• Glen Waverley Primary School

  State School 2219, originally known as Black Flat, was opened on the corner of Springvale and Waverley Roads in 1880. The large single-room school with tiered seating was renamed Glen Waverley in 1921. Although enrolments had exceeded 1,000 in the late 1960s, by 1993 numbers had plummeted. The school was ‘merged’ with Glen Waverley Heights Primary and the end of the year and closed, yet the Glen Waverley name was retained for the new entity. Most of the former SS2219 site was sold ($2.7m) and became Le Pine Funerals and the Larkspur Crescent housing estate. But the original building had National Trust heritage classification and has been retained as the Black Flat Community Centre by the City of Monash.

• Gnarwarre Primary School

  State School 1491 opened on Barrabool Road in 1875. The small, rural school was closed between 1879-80 and again between 1950-56. It was rebuilt in the early 1960s, but enrolments remained low, falling to 12 by 1988. Further declines led to permanent closure at the end of 1990. The site is now a private residence.

• Gnotuk Primary School

  State School 3392 opened on the Princes Highway, backing on to Lake Gnotuk, in 1902. Enrolments reached 131 the following year and averaged 50-60 for many years thereafter. Enrolments were 75 in the 1970s but declined thereafter, which played into the hands of a ‘Quality Provision Task Force’ in 1993. Gnotuk Primary was closed, along with Bookaar, Chocolyn, and Weerite at the end of the year and all students ‘consolidated’ at Camperdown Primary. The former Gnotuk school had been demolished by 2015.

• Golden Point Primary School (Ballarat East)*

  State School 1493 opened in 1875 in a new building on a site bounded by Grant, English, and Dunn Streets. Although enrolments above 900 occurred throughout its history, by the 1980s they were in decline. A major rationalisation of schools occurred in December 1993, when Golden Point was merged with three other schools (Eureka Street, Richards Street and Millbrook) to form Canadian Lead Primary. The Eureka Street and Richards Street schools were retained as campuses until the new school building opened in 1997, while the others were closed. The former Golden Point Primary site became GPlace in 2008. GPlace (Golden Point Learning and Cultural Environment) was a community consortium of three bodies: Ballarat U3A, Mount Clear College and Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council. Would you like to know more?

• Gowerville Primary School (Preston)

  State School 4675 opened in 1959 in buildings previously used as an annex of Preston Technical School. The site was bounded by Bell, Victoria and Neale Streets, and the school initially catered for families from the nearby Migrant Hostel. Declining enrolments led to the ‘merger’ of Gowerville Primary with Preston South Primary in 1993. The result of a ‘quality provision task force’ decision, it meant consolidation on the Preston South site, and closure for Gowerville Primary. It was sold ($1.5m) and demolished to make way for Bell Street outlets of the Harvey Norman and Officeworks chains.

• Granya Primary School

  Cotton Tree Creek State School (SS2250) opened on Doubleday Street in 1880. By 1882 the crude structure had proved inadequate for the enrolment of 80, and a new wooden school – renamed Granya – was built in 1883. More rooms were added in the 1890s as the bustling mining town continued to increase pupil numbers. By the 1930s enrolments started to decline, and continued to do so until the school was closed in 1994. The local community took the opportunity to lobby for a district museum, and in 1998 the Granya Pioneer Museum opened.

• Gravel Hill Primary School*

  Gravel Hill State School 1566 opened at 65-71 Mundy Street in 1875. It succeeded the former Sandhurst school (586) and the name lingered for some time. The Henry Bastow red-brick building was designed to accommodate 1,000 pupils, but that was immediately exceeded. By 1972 enrolments had declined to 500, a downwards trend that continued until the school was closed at the end of 1992. The building had been added to the Victorian Heritage Register in 1982 and was acquired by the Salvation Army following its closure ($425k). It has been home to The Salvation Army Bendigo Corps ever since. Would you like to know more?

• Grenville Primary School

  Fernside State School (SS1153) opened on Buninyong-Mt Mercer Road in 1872, with 34 children enrolled. The school was rebuilt in 1901, by which time it had been renamed Grenville. It was rebuilt again following a schoolhouse fire in 1953. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure in 1990, and eventual sale ($26,000).

• Greythorn High School

  Greythorn High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1958, moving into a new building at 2 Greythorn Road later that year. During the 1970s enrolments exceeded 1,000. However, enrolments declined markedly thereafter, and the school was ‘merged’ with Balwyn High School from 1992. Its function as a subsidiary campus only lasted until 1994 when the school was demolished to make way for the Ray Drive housing estate.

• Grimshaw Primary School (Bundoora)

  State School 5033 opened in 1971 on a site bordered by Hastings Street, Trafalgar Crescent and Ellery Street. Enrolments had declined to 139 in 1993 and the school was closed at the end of the year. The site was sold ($976,000) to become the Fotini Gardens housing estate.

• Hadfield High School

  Hadfield High School opened on Boundary Road in 1964. Portable classrooms were soon required with enrolments increasing to 988 by 1969. It was briefly known as Hadfield Secondary College from 1990. In 1993 it was part of a mega merger, becoming a campus of Box Forest Secondary College along with Glenroy High, Glenroy Technical, Fawkner Technical and Oak Park High. The Hadfield campus lasted for a few years before it was closed and sold to make way for Pascoe Vale Gardens Retirement Village. Indeed, the only Box Forest Secondary campus to survive was the former Glenroy Technical School, further rebadged in 2010 as Glenroy College.

• Hadfield Primary School

  North Park State School (SS4787) opened on Exeter Street in 1957, and by 1967 enrolments had reached 780. In the mid-1970s the name was formally changed to Hadfield Primary School. Enrolments had declined to 199 by 1996 which led to the school’s closure at year’s end to make way for a housing estate. It is noteworthy that many other primary schools had much smaller enrolments at the time and yet were spared.

• Hallora Primary School

  Longwarry East State School (SS2377) opened on Brock Road in 1881, and was eventually renamed Hallora. Enrolments were 22 in 1972. It was ‘merged’ with Warragul West Primary and Lardner Primary (Burnt Store Road) in 1994 to form Lardner and District Primary. Only the Burnt Store Road site was used, and therefore Warragul West and Hallora were closed. The Hallora site became an annexe of Drouin Secondary College: the Blackwood Centre for Adolescent Development.

• Hallston Primary School

  Allambee South State School (SS2825) opened in temporary accommodation in 1887. It was not until 1923 that it moved to a permanent site at 2640 Grand Ridge Road and was renamed Hallston. The school was closed in 1990 and sold in 1996.

• Hansonville Primary School

  Hanson South State School (SS1584) opened on the corner of Banksdale and School Roads in 1875. Initial enrolments were 32, but an average of only 14 attended thereafter. The school was renamed Hansonville in 1908 in line with other public buildings in the area. A pine plantation and sports oval were added in the years that followed, which today are known as the Hansonville Recreation Reserve. Declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Greta South Primary in 1993 to form Greta Valley Primary School. Students were consolidated on the Greta South site and Hansonville was closed. By 1998 the site had been sold ($79,500) to private interests.

• Harcourt North Primary School

  State School 4043 opened on McIvor Road in 1921. Declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Harcourt Primary in 1994 to form Harcourt Valley Primary. However, the new entity was located at Harcourt Primary’s Market Street site and therefore Harcourt North was closed.

• Hawksburn Primary School*

  State School 1467 opened in 1875 in a large gothic-style building on Malvern Road. It was known as Prahran until 1888, Prahran North until 1906, and finally Hawksburn. For most of its history the school had to cope with staggering enrolments – over 2,000 in 1888 – yet was closed in late 1993 after numbers had plummeted. The school grounds were sold off for housing while the heritage protected building became the new home for the Leonard Joel Auction House. The heritage listings are both National Trust and Victorian Heritage Register for this very significant structure. Would you like to know more?

• Hawkesdale Primary School

  State School 766 opened on Austin Street in 1866. The original bluestone building was eventually deemed dangerous and was replaced in 1925. Increasing enrolments led to the building of a new school further up Austin Street in 1956. In 1960 it acquired a new status as Hawkesdale Higher Elementary School, at least until 1963 when Hawkesdale High was opened in Mitchell Street. Enrolments reached 220 in 1970 but declined thereafter. At the end of 1993 Hawkesdale Primary was merged with Hawkesdale Secondary to form Hawkesdale P-12 College. The new entity was based at the Mitchell Street site and the primary school was closed. The site was later sold ($29k) to private interests.

• Hazelwood Estate Primary School

  State School 4326 opened in temporary accommodation in 1926, moving to a permanent site in Fraser’s Road in 1932. Enrolments fluctuated between 19 and 35 over the years. The school was closed in 1993.

• Heatherdale Primary School (Mitcham)

  State School 4904 opened in a new brick building on the corner of Purches and Good Governs Streets in 1963. By 1972 enrolments had reached 600. Declining enrolments led to the ‘merger’ of Heatherdale Primary with Verdale Primary at the end of 1993. The result of a ‘quality provision task force’ decision, it meant consolidation on the Verdale site, and closure for Heatherdale Primary. The site was sold ($1,155,000) to make way for the Patrick Court housing estate. Verdale was renamed Rangeview Primary in 1997.

• Heatherton Primary School

  Kingston Common School opened on what is now Old Dandenong Road (near Madden Road) in 1870. After the Education Act was passed in 1872, the school became Heatherton State School (SS938). It remained a small, rural school for much of its history. Enrolments peaked at 175 in 1993 but then plummeted. The school itself asked to be closed at the end of 1999. The building was retained and is now the Heatherton branch of Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT).

• Heathmont Primary School

  State School 4688 opened in temporary accommodation in 1952, moving into a new building on the corner of Francis Street and Erica Crescent the following year. By 1969 enrolments had reached 620 yet had fallen to 158 in 1996. Declining school enrolments in the Ringwood area led to the closure of several primary schools in 1997: Heathmont, Southwood and Ringwood. A new ‘merged’ entity – Great Ryrie Primary School – opened to replace them in 1998. The new school shared the Heathmont College senior campus (formerly Ringwood Technical). The Heathmont Primary site was cleared to make way for the Skyline Place housing estate.

• Heidelberg Technical School

  Heidelberg Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1954, moving into a new building on the corner of Bell Street and Waterdale Road the following year. In 1989 declining enrolments led to a merger with Heidelberg High to form Banksia Secondary College. Separate campuses were maintained while the Heidelberg High site in Banksia Street was refurbished. This was completed by 1991 and the Bell Street campus was closed. Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (now Melbourne Polytechnic) acquired the site for $4.33m and its Manufacturing, Engineering and Building Industry Training Centre was opened in 1994.

• Heidelberg Heights Primary School

  Rosanna West State School (SS4774) opened on the corner of Dougharty Road and Helen Street in 1957. By 1960 it had been renamed Heidelberg Heights, with enrolments well over 700. However, dwindling enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Olympic Village Primary at the end of 1993 with students consolidated at the Olympic Village site. Heidelberg Heights Primary was closed and sold to become part of the Heidelberg Heights Business Park (industrial estate).

• Highett Primary School

  State School 4677 opened at 19 Graham Road in 1953. It is difficult to imagine a more suitable site for science education, as it backed on to CSIRO. However, declining enrolments led to the school’s closure at the end of 1993, even though a surge in pre-schooler numbers in the area had been identified. Despite community outrage the school was promptly sold ($1.08m) to make way for the Somerset Mews housing estate.

• Huntingdale High School

  Huntingdale High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1959, moving into its permanent site on Riley Street the following year. By 1964 enrolments had reached 941. But changing demographics in the area led to a merger with Huntingdale Technical in 1993 to form the dual campus South Oakleigh Secondary College. The dual campus model lasted until the late 1990s when the college was consolidated on the Bakers Road campus (formerly Huntingdale Technical). This presented an opportunity for the nearby Oakleigh South Primary School (in Beryl Avenue) to move to the larger site formerly known as Huntingdale High School.

• Hurstbridge High School

  Hurstbridge High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1966, moving into a permanent site off Graysharps Road in 1968 (abutting Hurstbridge Park). At the end of 1988, the Education Minister directed Hurstbridge High to merge with Diamond Creek Technical, with each becoming campuses of Diamond Valley Secondary College. This arrangement continued until 1999, when the College was consolidated in the recently refurbished buildings of the former Technical School. The Hurstbridge campus was closed and fell into disrepair. Then Hurstbridge Primary burnt down in January 2003, and the former Hurstbridge High was scrubbed up to accommodate students during rebuilding. Thereafter, the site was developed into the Hurstbridge Community Hub, incorporating the former school’s basketball stadium.

• Iona Primary School (Garfield)

  Koo Wee Rup North State School (SS3201) opened on the corner of Thirteen Mile Road and Lone Pine Road in 1894. Its name was changed to Bunyip South in 1899 and then Iona in 1904. Enrolments reached 164 in 1914 but had settled at around 40 by the 1960s. The school did not survive the Victorian Government’s ‘Quality Provision Program’ of 1993 and was closed. The site has been cleared and declared surplus by the Education Department. Elm trees planted in the 1890s are protected by a Cardinia Shire Council heritage overlay.

• Irrewarra Primary School

  State School 4099 opened at Irrewarra School Road in 1923. The initial enrolment of 40 largely served families of the local soldier settlement scheme. Numbers reached 72 following the Second World War, thanks to another influx of soldier settlers. But enrolments declined thereafter, and the school was closed at the end of 1993. The school building was relocated to Beeac Primary and is now used as the ‘Warrabee’ library by all local primary schools.

• Johnsonville Primary School

  State School 2761 opened in the public hall in 1886, moving into a new building on the Princes Highway in 1900 (i.e. next door). Enrolments reached 53 in 1889, sat around 30 in 1970, and then continued to decline. Dwindling numbers led to the school’s closure at the end of 1998. The Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society purchased the historic building, which was transported to Lakes Entrance to become the Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum. A private residence was built on the vacant site.

• Jordanville South Primary School (Chadstone)

  State School 4678 opened on the corner of Baradine and Bolwarra Streets in 1953. Initial enrolments of 510 reached 640 by 1970, with students coming from the Jordanville Housing Commission Estate and the Holmesglen Migrant Hostel. In 1993, a ‘Quality Provision Task Force’ proposed that Ashwood be merged with Jordanville South Primary to address declining enrolments at both schools. However, the merger did not eventuate, and both schools were closed at the end of the year. Jordanville South was sold to developers ($2,108,500) and became the Brindalee Mews housing estate.

• Jung Primary School

  State School 1728 opened in temporary accommodation in 1876, moving to a permanent site on Main Street in 1884. Enrolments ranged between 60 and 90 until 1920 but fell below 12 in 1993, leading to the school’s closure. The school was sold and became the Patchwork Jungle herb nursery.

• Kalimna West Primary School

  Kalimna State School (SS3364) opened in the local hall in 1900. A school building was erected next door (3056 Princes Highway) in 1914, and the name was changed to Kalimna West in 1919. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure in 1992, and the building was sold for conversion to a private residence.

• Kalkallo Primary School

  The Kalkallo School opened in the Donnybrook Scots Church in 1855, becoming State School 195 by 1873. The permanent site in Yaldwin Street began with a bluestone building which was modified and expanded over the years. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure in 1993. The site was sold in 1999 ($67k) and cleared. A wise investment, with Kalkallo now earmarked as a new suburb requiring…schools!

• Kalkee Primary School

  State School 1840 opened on Kalkee School Road in 1877. It was closed between 1905 and 1912 due to low enrolments. The humble original building was replaced in 1926. Enrolments fell below 12 in 1993 and resulted in the school’s permanent closure at the end of the year.

• Karingal High School (Frankston)

  Frankston East High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1959. For two years this included a Scouts Hall, Yacht Club, Life Saving Club and the rear of the Pier Hotel. In 1961 the school moved to a permanent site on Ashleigh Avenue, near Jacana Avenue, and its name was changed to Karingal High. Enrolments reached 1,000 by 1969, and in 1990 it was rebadged as a secondary college. In 1997 declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Ballam Park Secondary to form the dual-campus Karingal Park Secondary College. This was a short-term arrangement though, as the school consolidated on the former Ballam Park campus in 1999 and the Ashleigh Avenue campus was closed. The former Karingal High site was cleared to make way for Regis Shelton Manor Aged Care, as well as a housing estate. The surviving campus was renamed McClelland College in 2009.

• Keon Park Technical School (Reservoir)

  Keon Park Technical School (SS7210) opened in temporary accommodation in 1958, moving into its new building on the corner of Sturdee Street/Hughes Parade the following year. In 1990 it was renamed Keon Park Secondary College, but this was short-lived, as the school was closed at the end of 1992. Darebin City Council established the Merrilands Community Centre on part of the site while the remainder became a housing estate.

• Kergunyah South Primary School

  State School 2871 opened in 1888 and closed in 1916. It reopened in 1944 at a new sire on the Kiewa Valley Highway. Enrolments were only 13 at the time and remained low until the school was permanently closed in 1992.

• Kerrie Primary School

  Railway Steam Saw Mills School (SS1290) opened in temporary accommodation in 1874. A permanent site was acquired at 7 Cherokee Road in 1877, and a portable school building was added. In 1879 the name was changed to Mount Hope Saw Mills School, and from 1891 it was simply known as Kerrie State School. Enrolments were always low, and the school was temporarily closed from 1949 to 1958, and then permanently at the end of 1993. The Shire of Romsey (now Shire of Macedon Ranges) purchased the school for $70k, and the National Trust listed building continues as a community hall for weddings and other functions.

• Kewell Primary School

  State School 2116 opened in 1879. Fluctuating enrolments saw it close in 1901, reopen in 1902, and then close again in 1904. But it was not until 1964 that Kewell Primary reopened again, this time in a new one-room building on the corner of Henty Highway and Minyip-Dimboola Road. However, numbers continued to be low and the school closed permanently at the end of 1990. The site was later sold to private interests for only $1,000.

• Keysborough Primary School*

  Keysborough Common School opened in temporary accommodation in 1869. The Education Act was passed in 1872, and State School 1466 moved into a new brick school-room at 170 Chapel Road in 1874. It remained a small, rural school for much of its history. The school was closed in 1993 and sold in 1994 ($181,250). The school building lives on amidst a housing estate, and is now a private residence (15/170 Chapel Road). The former school should not be confused with the current Keysborough Primary, which was created in 2010 through a merger of Keysborough Park Primary and Coomoora Primary. Would you like to know more?

• Keysborough Technical School

  Keysborough Technical School opened on Henderson Road in 1975. In 1990 it was rebadged as Keysborough Secondary College. However, declining enrolments led to its closure at the end of 1992 to make way for the Scotia Crescent housing estate. The Activity Centre was retained and is now a badminton centre. The former school should not be confused with the current Keysborough Secondary College, which was created in 2008 through a merger of Chandler, Heatherhill, Springvale and Coomoora.

• Killoura Primary School (Burwood East)

  State School 5001 opened on the corner of Eley Road and Bonview Crescent in 1971. In 1990 a major amalgamation took place in the area, when Killoura, Warrawong, Blackburn South and Mirrabooka primary schools were merged to form the triple campus Orchard Grove Primary. Blackburn South was closed in the process. The arrangement proved to be short-lived however, with only the former Mirrabooka Primary surviving past 1991. The former Killoura Primary site became the Blackburn English Language School, with the buildings retained.

• Kilmany South Primary School

  State School 3792 opened on a site five kilometres south of Kilmany railway station in 1913. The school was also known as Kilmany Park, as the Victorian Government had purchased land from the Kilmany Park Station to develop a sugar beet industry. Enrolments reached 72 in the early years but declined markedly when the sugar beet industry collapsed after the Great Depression of the 1930s. Numbers had decreased to only seven in 1963, and the school was ultimately closed in 1991. The site was later sold ($20,700).

• Kilsyth East Primary School

  School number 4998 opened in a new brick building on Edenhope Street in 1971. The school was closed at the end of 1993, sold ($1,002,000) and demolished to make way for the Eden Way housing estate.

• Kingsbury Technical School

  Kingsbury Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1963, moving into its new building on the corner of Dunne and Stymie Streets the following year. In 1992 it was merged with Reservoir High and Preston East High to form the triple campus Reservoir District Secondary College. Another ‘rationalisation’ occurred in 1997, when the Kingsbury and Preston East campuses were closed, and students consolidated at Reservoir. The Kingsbury site was cleared and sold to make way for a housing estate. In a cruel twist, by 2014 the surviving campus had reverted to its original name – Reservoir High School.

• Kirkstall Primary School

  Kirkstall School opened as Common School 344 in 1862 and became State School 344 in 1872. Located in Aire Street, a new building was added in 1961. However, when enrolments fell below 12 in 1993 the school was closed at the end of the year. The site was later sold ($23k) to private interests.

• Knowsley Primary School*

  State School 2159 opened on the McIvor Highway in 1879. Low enrolments led to two closures between 1882 and 1884. When the original building was burnt out in the 1890s it was replaced by a school building from another site. From the 1930s to the 1950s enrolments surged, courtesy of Bendigo mines being in full operation. However, by 1970 numbers had fallen to 20, and then seven in 1981. The school was closed in July 1990 when enrolments had declined to only five. Would you like to know more?

• Knox Technical School

  Knox Technical School (SS7216) opened in temporary accommodation in 1966. Construction issues meant that the school could not occupy its new building at 345 Boronia Road until 1969. Rebadged as Knox Secondary College in 1990, dwindling enrolments led to its closure at the end of 1992. The school was promptly sold ($1.5m) and demolished to make way for the Kings College Drive housing estate. Fortunately, neighbouring Bayswater South Primary School did not suffer the same fate.

• Koonung Heights Primary School (Mont Albert North)*

  State School 4727 opened on Belmore Road in 1954, on a site bounded by McColl Road, Sewell Street and Milne Road. Enrolments reached 355 by 1959 but had declined significantly by the early 1990s. This led to a ‘merger’ with Box Hill North Primary and Box Hill Primary at the end of 1993. The result of a ‘quality provision task force’ decision, it meant consolidation on the Box Hill North site, and closure for the other two schools. The Koonung Heights site was sold ($2,064,000) to make way for the Scarborough Square housing estate. Would you like to know more?

• Koonwarra Primary School

  State School 3177 opened in Koonwarra Hall in 1893. Despite growing enrolments, it was not until 1913 that a suitable school building was erected, on Koala Drive. Numbers reached 66 in 1970 but declined thereafter. Further declines led to closure at the end of 1993. The former school buildings now house the privately owned Koonwarra Village School.

• Korweinguboora Primary School

  State School 2016 opened on Ballan-Daylesford Road in 1878. The original school building had deteriorated badly by 1964 and a new school was erected to replace it. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure in 1993.

• Korong Vale Primary School

  State School 1800 opened in a single classroom in 1877. The school moved to Vernon Street in 1914 and additional rooms were added in the years that followed. In December 1999 Korong Vale Primary was ‘merged’ with Wedderburn Primary and Wedderburn High to form Wedderburn P-12 College. The new entity was located on the former High School site, and the other schools were closed. The former Korong Vale Primary site is now privately owned.

• Krowera Primary School

  Jumbunna Central School (SS2927) opened in temporary accommodation in 1889 and was renamed Krowera in 1899. The school moved to a new building at 985 Loch-Wonthaggi Road in 1901. Declining enrolments led to closure at the end of 1992, and the property was sold to private interests in 1996 ($61k). Now known as the Old Krowera School, it is a sprawling family residence with the original building clearly visible.

• Kyvalley Primary School

  Tongala South State School (SS2823) opened on Scobie Road in 1887. Population growth in the area led to a larger school building being erected in 1912, by which time it had been renamed Kyvalley. A swimming pool complex was added to the school site in 1980, the culmination of four year’s fund-raising and lobbying by the local community. Although the school was closed in 1992, the former Deakin Shire Council purchased the site from the Education Department ($36,500) and bestowed it to the local community to operate. So, the school lives on, in the form of the thriving Kyvalley Community Park and Pool.

• Laanecoorie Primary School

  State School 733 opened as a Common School in 1864, on Gray Street. It was rebuilt in 1908, using a prefabrication brought from Melbourne by train. Declining enrolments led to its closure at the end of 1993.

• Laang Primary School

  State School 1411 opened on Panmure-Laang Road in 1875. The school building was enlarged in 1889 to cater for increased enrolments, which had reached 83. However, numbers fell below 12 in 1997 and the school was closed.

• Lakeside Primary School (Reservoir)

  State School 4882 opened in a new building on Radford Road in 1962. It backed on to Merri Creek, which could hardly be described as a lake. Dwindling enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Ruthven Primary at the end of 1993 with students consolidated at the Ruthven site. Lakeside Primary was closed and sold ($500k) to Melbourne’s Vietnamese Buddhist community and became the Linh Son Buddhist Temple. Ruthven itself was merged out of existence in 2011.

• La Trobe High School (Bundoora)

  Rosanna High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1958, moving into a new building on Crissane Road the following year. The name was changed in 1966 with the opening of the new La Trobe University. The school was closed at the end of 1989 and the site absorbed by the University.

• Larpent Primary School

  State School 3475 opened on Larpent Road in 1903, just south of the Princes Highway. The original building burned down the following year, and classes were held from a private residence until it was replaced in 1920. Larpent became an annex of Colac South West Primary in 1994 and was closed altogether at the end of 1995.

• Laverton Park Primary School

  RAAF Laverton (SS4765) opened on the Base itself in 1955, exclusively for the children of Royal Australian Air Force personnel. Enrolments reached 446 by 1960, which by now included children from a new Housing Commission estate. To cope with the growing demand the school moved into new buildings on Armstrong Street the following year. By 1967 enrolments had reached 1,121, and in the early 1980s the school was renamed Laverton Park Primary. Declining enrolments led to the ‘merger’ of Laverton Park Primary with Laverton Gardens Primary in 1993. The result of a ‘quality provision task force’ decision, it meant consolidation on the Laverton Gardens site, and closure for Laverton Park Primary. Part of the site was sold ($320,000) to become a housing estate. The southern portion of the site became the Philippine Community Centre, which were destroyed by fire in 2015. It is now Montessori Beginnings Laverton, an early learning centre.

• Leichardt Primary School

  State School 1317 opened in temporary accommodation in 1874, moving to a new building on Church Street in 1877. Enrolments peaked at 86 in the early years, before gradually declining to about 15 in the 1960s. Further declines in the years that followed led to the school’s closure in 1993.

• Leongatha South Primary School

  State School 3251 opened in the local Mechanics Institute hall in 1893, where it remained until 1906. By then the Education Department had built a school at 7975 Bass Highway, which was destroyed in a 1926 bushfire and then rebuilt. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure in 1991. The property was sold to private interests ($70,000) and is still standing, protected by a South Gippsland Shire heritage overlay.

• Little Hampton Primary School*

  State School 1700 opened at 113 Glenlyon-Little Hampton Road in 1876. For close to 100 years enrolments sat in the mid-50s, which was an unusually high figure for a one room, one teacher school. The building itself proved hardy and was added to the Victorian Heritage Register in 1991. However, declining enrolments saw the school ‘merged’ with Trentham Primary at the end of 1993 to form Trentham District Primary. This meant consolidation on the Trentham site, and closure. The entire site was eventually sold and became a private residence. Would you like to know more?

• Long Gully Primary School*

  State School 2120 opened in a red-brick classic on the corner of Jackson and Stanfield Streets in 1879. The building is an outstanding example of Henry Bastow design that consciously towers above the local area. Although the school was closed in 1992 it was protected by its listing on the Victorian Heritage Register. The site was acquired by the Bendigo-based training organisation CVGT Australia, and became its Head Office in 2003. Would you like to know more?

• Longlea Primary School

  State School 1921 opened on Longlea Lane in 1877. Low enrolments led to school’s closure between 1951 and 1957. Declining numbers led to a ‘merger’ with Axedale Primary at the end of 1993. This meant consolidation on the Axedale site, and closure for Longlea. The City of Greater Bendigo acquired the site ($37,500) which became a community facility: the Longlea Lane Old School Building. The Bendigo Amateur Radio and Electronics Club now has its headquarters in the former school building.

• Longwarry North Primary School

  State School 4272 opened on Princes Way in 1926. Enrolments reached 44 by 1955, but had eased to 33 by 1970. Further declines led to the school’s closure in 1993. It was sold to private interests in 1996.

• Lovely Banks Primary School

  State School 1497 opened in temporary accommodation in 1875, moving into a new wooden building on Anakie Road in 1877. The original building was demolished and replaced in 1963. The school was closed in 1996 when ‘merged’ with Bell Post Hill Primary to form Hamlyn Banks Primary School. The Lovely Banks site was sold to private interests, and the school building is still in evidence on the corner of Anakie and Lovely Banks Roads.

• Lubeck Primary School

  State School 2494 opened in temporary accommodation in 1883, moving into a new building on Wal Wal Road in 1885. Enrolments reached 101 in 1889, and the school was rebuilt in 1962. Declining numbers led to its closure in 1990.

• Macleod Primary School

  State School 4246 opened in temporary accommodation in 1925, moving to a new school-house on Greensborough Road (between Cooley and Fairlie Avenues) the following year. Enrolments were small until the Watsonia Army Barracks opened across the road in 1948. However, declining enrolments led to a merger with Macleod High School in 1997 to form the P-12 Macleod College. This was located at the former High School and Macleod Primary was closed. The latter site was cleared to make way for a housing estate.

• Macorna Primary School

  Macorna Railway Station School (SS2909) opened in temporary accommodation in 1889, moving to a new building on Macorna Road in 1892. It was later renamed Macorna. In 1967 the building was condemned, and replaced the following year. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure in 1990, and by 1995 it had been sold ($5,000).

• Maidstone Primary School

  State School 4658 opened in 1951 on a ‘prime ministerial’ site: bounded by Deakin, Scullin and Curtin Streets. Established with a new Housing Commission estate in mind, enrolments had reached 674 by 1959. Declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Tottenham Crossing Primary at the end of 1996 to form Dinjerra Primary. Students were consolidated at the Tottenham Crossing site and Maidstone Primary was closed. The site was promptly sold to make way for the Wirilda Way housing estate.

• Mailors Flat Primary School

  State School 1210 opened at 784 Warrnambool-Caramut Road in 1873. Declining enrolments led to it closure at the end of 1994. The property was sold ($45k), and became Proline Boring & Excavations, where today the school building has been largely obscured by industrial sheds.

• Malvern Girls High School*

  Malvern Girls School was opened in 1946, collocating in the buildings of the long-established Tooronga Road Central School (SS2586), now known as Malvern Primary School. Over the following 20 years increasing enrolments saw more classrooms taken from the primary school, purpose-built facilities added, and the status changed to Malvern Girls High School. The school closed at the end of 1993 and the buildings reverted to Malvern Primary use. Some former students made their way to a new entity: Melbourne Girls’ College. Would you like to know more?

• Mandurang Primary School

  State School 1952 opened at 69 Nankervis Road in 1877. It was closed in 1994 – the losing district school under the ‘cluster’ process that prevailed at the time. The property was sold and the new owners restored the Principal’s residence as a home, while retaining the original school building on the grounds of the property. It has been resold twice since then, most recently in March 2018 ($1.2m). A commemorative plaque on the site was a 2009 community initiative.

• Marcus Hill Primary School

  Queenscliff Road State School (SS2029) opened in a new wooden building on the Bellarine Highway in 1878 and renamed Marcus Hill in 1905. The school was rebuilt in 1968, but declining enrolments led to its closure at the end of 1993. The City of Greater Geelong acquired the site ($80k) which today forms part of the Marcus Hill Memorial Hall and Recreation Reserve.

• Mardan South Primary School

  State School 3166 opened in temporary accommodation in 1892, and it was not until 1906 that it moved to a new wooden building at 18 Nicholls Road. Declining enrolments led to closure at the end of 1993. The site was sold ($74,500) and is now a private residence.

• Maribyrnong Primary School

  State School 3736 opened in temporary accommodation in 1912, moving to a new building on the corner of Raleigh and Wests Roads in 1916. However, the Defence Department occupied the school in the early 1940s, leading to the school’s relocation to a new site on Warrs Road in 1942. In the 1970s a large shopping centre opened on the edge of the school. What became known as Highpoint Shopping Centre eventually absorbed part of the school site when it was closed at the end of 1993. The remainder of the site became a housing estate.

• Mead Primary School

  State School 3745 opened at 354 Mead Road in 1912, on the banks of the new irrigation channel. It was rebuilt in 1928 and became well-known for its garden setting over the years. Closed at the end of 1992, it was promptly sold by the State Government ($12,500). Now a private residence, the school building has been well maintained.

• Meringur Primary School

  Meringur Consolidated School (SS4357) opened in temporary accommodation in 1927, moving to a new building on Millewa Road the following year. In 1966 all secondary students transferred to Werrimull Group School, and the original school became Meringur Primary. In 1978 a new open-plan building was ready, but at the end of 1997 the school was closed. The Country Fire Authority now owns the site, which also serves as the local Community Centre.

• Merlynston Primary School (Coburg North)*

  State School 4328 opened in a new three-storey red-brick building on Bakers Road in 1928. It closed at the end of 1993 and was promptly sold ($1.15m). In 1995 it became the secondary campus of King Khalid Islamic College (now known as Australian International Academy). Fortunately, the Academy retained the imposing red-brick building, which did not have heritage protection at the time. Would you like to know more?

• Merrilands Primary School (Reservoir)

  State School 4826 opened at 28 Hughes Parade in 1959. Initial enrolments were 265 and by 1967 had peaked at 756. Thereafter, numbers declined in the area, leading to a ‘merger’ with Merrilands Secondary College in 1997 to form Merrilands P-12 College. Students were consolidated at the college campus and the primary school was closed. The site was promptly sold to make way for a housing estate. As for Merrilands College, it is now known as William Ruthven College, with distinct Primary and Secondary campuses.

• Merton Primary School

  State School 1532 opened on Shaws Road in 1875. A new two-room school was built in 1965. However, declining enrolments led to the school’s closure in 1996.

• Metcalfe Primary School

  State School 851 opened in 1866 with 30 pupils. In 1913 the school moved to a new building at 26 Kyneton-Metcalfe Road. Enrolments were 14 in 1971 and had declined to 11 by 1993. Such numbers were considered unsustainable by the Kennett Government and the school was closed at the end of the year. A time capsule was buried beneath a commemorative plaque on 17 December 1993 at the nearby Uniting Church. The school building was moved to Taradale Primary School, and the site was sold in 1997. It is now a private residence with the original school sign retained.

• Middlefield Primary School (Blackburn North)

  State School 4878 opened in 1962 on a site bounded by Middlefield Drive, Koonung Road and Verbena Street. By 1972 enrolments had reached 560. The school was closed at the end of 1991 when ‘merged’ with Blackburn North Primary to form Old Orchard Primary. The site was sold to make way for a housing estate. Old Orchard Primary moved from Springfield Road to the former Blackburn Technical School site in 1995.

• Millbrook Primary School

  State School 1972 opened in 1877 on what is now known as the Old Melbourne Road. A small, rural school, it was rebuilt in 1967. A major rationalisation of Ballarat district schools occurred in December 1993, when Millbrook was merged with three other schools to form Canadian Lead Primary (i.e. Eureka Street, Richards Street and Golden Point). The Eureka Street and Richards Street schools were retained as campuses until the new school building opened in 1997, while the others were closed. The former Millbrook school was retained as a community centre.

• Mimosa Primary School (Glen Waverley)*

  State School 5052 opened in temporary accommodation in 1973, moving to a new site on Mimosa Street mid-year. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure at the end of 1994. The site was sold to make way for the Silverwood Way housing estate. Would you like to know more?

• Mincha West Primary School

  State School 1931 opened in 1877, although its original location is not known. It had been relocated to an old building on Mincha West Road by 1906. In 1921 it moved again, to a new building in Mincha West Road. Declining enrolments led to its closure at the end of 1990 and by 1995 it had been sold for a mere $4,500.

• Mitcham Technical School*

  Mitcham Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1965, moving into new buildings on Dunlavin Road the following year. By 1969 enrolments exceeded 600 and reached 1,000 in the 1970s. However, enrolments declined thereafter, leading to amalgamation with Mitcham High and Donvale High in 1989 to form the triple campus Mullauna College. The multi-campus format was short-lived however, as the former Donvale High was closed in 1995 and the former Mitcham Technical at the end of 1996. The Mitcham Technical site was sold off to become Knightsbridge housing estate. Would you like to know more?

• Mitiamo Primary School

  Mitiamo Railway Station State School (SS2657) opened at 33 Haig Street in 1884. The building was replaced in 1887 and the school renamed Mitiamo in 1889. Enrolments were 76 in 1890, 60 in 1921, 31 in 1948 and less than 12 by the early 1990s. This led to closure at the end of 1993. The site was sold in 1996 ($12,500) and the school building is now a private residence.

• Mitre Primary School

  State School 2498 opened on Grass Flat Road in 1882. In 1923 it moved closer to Mitre township, at 19 Mitre-Nurcoung Road. Enrolments reached 70 early on, but by 1970 had declined to only eight. Low numbers led to the school’s closure in 1993 and it was sold in March 1996 ($5,000).

• Modella Primary School

  State School 3456 opened in temporary accommodation in 1903, moving to a new building on Koo Wee Rup-Longwarry Road the following year. The school was closed in December 1993, which is acknowledged by a plaque at the nearby Modella Hall. The site was cleared, and most of the land was sold in 1994. The remainder of the former school site has been declared surplus by the Victorian Government.

• Moe High School

  Moe High School opened on the corner of Lloyd Street and Truscott Road in 1953. Enrolments reached 912 in 1963, although it is doubtful that the teaching of Esperanto was the main attraction. It was rebadged as a secondary college around 1990. Declining enrolments in the area led to the amalgamation of Moe High, Yallourn Technical and Newborough High in 1994 to form Lowanna College. Initially there were three campuses, with the former Yallourn Technical being the senior campus, while the former High Schools were junior campuses. By 2000 they had been consolidated on a new site in Newark Avenue and the original schools closed. The former Moe High was demolished to make way for a housing estate.

• Monterey High School (Frankston North)

  Frankston Forest High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1966. Renamed Monterey High School, it moved into a new building on the corner of Monterey Boulevard and Forest Drive the following year. Declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Monterey Technical at the end of 1992 to form the dual campus Monterey Secondary College. This lasted until end 1994 when the senior campus (ex Monterey High) was closed and students consolidated on the Silvertop Crescent campus. The former Monterey High site was promptly sold to developers by the Kennett Government and the buildings demolished. However, it lay dormant for several years until the new Bracks Government (post 1999) compulsorily re-purchased the land and offered it to Frankston City Council without charge. The former school site is now Monterey Community Park.

• Moorabbin West Primary School

  State School 4643 opened on Apex Avenue in 1950. Enrolments reached 700 by 1954. However, dwindling enrolments led to the school’s closure at the end of 1992. The site was promptly sold ($2.225m) and became the Parkview Crescent housing estate.

• Moorilim Primary School

  Muddy Creek Bridge State School (SS1524) opened on Murchison-Violet Town Road in 1875 and was renamed Moorilim by 1903. The school was temporarily closed from 1943 to 1949, then permanently closed at the end of 1994.

• Moorleigh High School (Bentleigh East)

  Moorleigh High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1966, moving into new buildings on Bignell Road the following year. By 1969 enrolments approached 900. It was briefly rebadged as Moorleigh Secondary College, but declining enrolments led to the school’s closure at the end of 1992. Moorabbin City Council (now City of Glen Eira) purchased the site and converted it into the Moorleigh Community Village. The school buildings were retained to cater for a variety of community interests: Senior Citizens, Maternal Health, U3A, Toy Library and Art Group. The former school grounds became home to the Maccabi Tennis Club and Moorabbin Cricket Club.

• Mooroopna North West Primary School

  State School 2002 opened at 545 Hooper Road, Tatura in 1878. Initial enrolments were 69, squeezed into a single classroom. This building was replaced in 1950 and an additional classroom was added in 1964. However, declining enrolments led to closure at the end of 1996. The site was left to the ravages of Nature and vandalism before demolition in 2013. The North West Mooroopna Fire Station rose in its place, being the local branch of the County Fire Authority. Fortunately, some former students arrived in time to save the 1984 time-capsule from the bulldozers.

• Moreland High School*

  Moreland Central School (SS4635), located on the corner of The Avenue and De Carle Street, became a High School in 1953. The school was closed at the end of 1991 and became a campus of Kangan Batman TAFE (now Kangan Institute). Kangan Institute closed the campus in 2010 and it was extensively vandalised before being boarded up some years later. The Victorian Government is yet to determine the future use of the site (as at 2020). Would you like to know more?

• Mornington High School

  Mornington High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1956, moving into a new building on the corner of Nepean Highway and Wilsons Road the following year. In 1993 Mornington High and Mornington Technical merged to form the dual campus Mornington Secondary College. However, the Wilsons Road (i.e. Junior) campus was closed in 1999 as the College was consolidated on the former Technical School site. The buildings were demolished, and several institutions now occupy the former Mornington High site, including The Mornington Centre of Peninsula Health, and the Mornington Ballet School.

• Mortlake Primary School

  State School 397 opened as Mortlake Common School in 1858 on Dunlop Street. The original building was replaced by a red-brick classic in 1900, and further buildings were added over the years. In 1995 it was ‘merged’ with Mortlake High to form the single campus Mortlake P-12 College. The College was consolidated on the former high school site in Hood Avenue and the National Trust listed primary school closed. It was sold in 1997 ($57,500) and became a private residence.

• Morwell Primary School (Collins Street)

  State School 2029 opened on Collins Street (corner Mary Street) in 1951. By the end of the year enrolments had reached 263, requiring some classes to be taken in St Mary’s Church of England Hall. More classrooms were added every few years until 1965, as the Education Department tried to keep up with growing numbers. However, numbers eventually declined considerably, leading to the school’s closure in 1992. The land was sold ($105,000) to make way for a housing estate.

• Morwell Technical School

  Morwell Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1959, moving to new buildings at 144 Maryvale Road the following year. Enrolments reached 717 in 1968 before tapering off. In 1987 it was amalgamated with Maryvale High, Morwell High and Churchill Post Primary to form the multi-campus Kurnai Secondary College. It became known as the Morwell Heights campus, catering for Years 7-10. However, the Morwell Heights campus was closed at the end of 1992, and sold to private interests in 1993 (for $275,000). Today, the original school buildings are home to the Gippsland branch of Enjoy Church Australia.

• Mount Prospect Primary School

  The Mount Prospect School was opened at 3185 Midland Highway by the Presbyterian Church in 1862. Initial enrolments were 35. It became State School 444 in 1873 and was rebuilt in 1907. The school was temporarily closed between 1950 and 1961, and declining numbers led to permanent closure at the end of 1993. The former school was sold for $34k and became a private residence. Today it is well maintained and has retained its primary school appearance including the signage.

• Mount Taylor Primary School

  State School 3467 opened on Orrs Road in 1904 and was moved to Bulumwaal Road in 1921. Enrolments fell below 12 by 1993 and the school was closed at the end of the year. The site was sold to private interests in 1996.

• Mount Wallace Primary School

  State School 1018 opened at 3886 Geelong-Ballan Road in 1871. The school had a chequered history: closed briefly in 1898; closed between 1899 and 1904; closed between 1905 and 1919; closed briefly in 1927; and closed between 1932 and 1950. A new building was erected in 1957 and the school managed to stay open for the next 40 years. However, declining enrolments led to permanent closure at the end of 1997. The site was sold to private interests in May 2000 for $78,500 and has retained the school buildings largely intact.

• Munro Primary School

  State School 3814 opened in temporary accommodation in 1913, moving to a new site at 353 Munro-Stockdale Road in 1919. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure at the end of 1993, despite a local campaign to keep it open (as raised in State Parliament, Hansard 11/1993). Fortunately, the building survived, thanks to National Trust classification in 1995.

• Murraydale Primary School

  State School 3797 opened as Tyntynder South in 1913 but was renamed Murraydale in 1914 to avoid confusion with another school in the area. Located on Woodgate Street near Murraydale Road, declining enrolments led to a mega merger at the end of 1993 and closure. The ‘merger’ involved Murraydale Primary, Speewa Primary, Tyntynder South Primary and Beverford Primary consolidating on the Beverford Primary site as Beverford District Primary School. The other three schools were therefore closed. The Murraydale Primary site was sold for $45k and now forms part of North Vic Water Supplies.

• Murrayville Primary School

  State School 3743 opened in temporary accommodation in 1912, moving to new buildings on the Mallee Highway in 1926. In 1943, it was moved to 27 Poole Street to become part of Murrayville Consolidated School, the first of its kind in Victoria. Four other timber schools were relocated to the site and blended as a unified architecture serving multiple primary and secondary teaching scenarios. This continued until 1969, when Murrayville High School was established in nearby Francis Street and a primary school remained. In 1994 Murrayville Primary was ‘merged’ with Murrayville Secondary College (ex High School) to form Murrayville P-12 Community College. The former Murrayville Primary was sold for $60k and is now the Jacob’s Well Retreat Accommodation and Conference Centre. Listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, it is not surprising that many original features have been retained.

• Murrumbeena High School

  Murrumbeena High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1958, moving into a new building on the corner of North and Murrumbeena Roads the following year. By 1963 enrolments had exceeded 1,000. In 1990 it was rebadged as Murrumbeena Secondary College. However, enrolments had declined to 316 by 1996, when it was ‘merged’ with Prahran High and Caulfield Secondary to form Glen Eira College. The school was closed and the site was sold to make way for a housing estate.

• Musk Primary School

  Musk Creek State School (SS1171) opened on School Road in 1872, and only became known as Musk in 1968. When enrolments fell below 12 in 1993 the school was closed at the end of the year. The dilapidated school buildings and land were sold in 1998 to private interests who turned it into Musk Farm, for events and accommodation. The original school building is still recognisable as part of this upmarket venue in the sought-after Daylesford area.

• Muskerry East Primary School

  State School 2108 opened in temporary accommodation in 1878, moved in 1883 and was closed in 1902. It reopened in the Methodist Hall in 1922, and finally found a permanent site in 1927, at 646 Muskerry East School Road. Its precarious existence continued however, as it was closed between 1945 and 1951. Some good years followed, until declining enrolments led to permanent closure at the end of 1993. The remaining pupils transferred to Goornong Primary for 1994 and the former school was sold in March 1996 ($20k). The buildings have been retained as a private residence.

• Myall Primary School

  State School 3271 opened on Koondrook-Murrabit Road in 1896 with 17 pupils. The building was replaced in 1915, and declining enrolments led to the school’s closure at the end of 1993. The site was sold for $10k and the buildings demolished. But the school is not forgotten, as the Victorian War Heritage Honour Roll was moved to Myall Hall, just across the road.

• Myrtlebank Primary School

  Sale North State School (SS2207) opened on Maffra-Sale Road in 1880 and was eventually renamed Myrtlebank. It was ‘merged’ with Bundalaguah Primary at the end of 1993 on the Bundalaguah site. Myrtlebank Primary was closed, and the land sold in 1996.

• Mywee Primary School

  Sheepwash Creek State School (SS3200) opened near the former Mywee Railway Station in 1894. It moved to a new site on Mywee-Koonoomoo Road in 1905 and was renamed Mywee. Enrolments peaked at 48 in 1914, but then declined, leading to the school’s closure in 1922. It reopened in 1933 but declining numbers led to permanent closure in 1991. The site was sold in 1993 ($40,000) and the former school building is now a private residence.

• Nandaly Primary School

  State School 3927 opened in a one-room building on McKenzie Street in 1916, about 30 kilometres from Sea Lake. In 1994 it was ‘merged’ with Berriwillock Primary, Sea Lake Primary and Sea Lake High to form Tyrrell P-12 College. The College was consolidated in the Sutcliff Street buildings of the former Sea Lake High and the three primary schools were closed.

• Naringal Primary School

  Tallangatta State School (SS1839) opened in 1877 and was renamed Naringal soon after. Its location at 3805 Warrnambool-Cobden Road became historically significant over the years. First, as the site of the Naringal Avenue of Honour – a row of gum trees planted to commemorate local people who served in the World Wars. Then the Avenue was burnt down along with the school in the February 1983 Ash Wednesday fires. The original school gates survived, and portable classrooms were brought in. However, declining enrolments played into the hands of a ‘Quality Provision Task Force’ in 1993, when Naringal was ‘merged’ with Allansford Primary and Allan’s Forest Primary to form Allansford and District Primary School. The new entity was located at Allansford, and both Naringal and Allan’s Forest were closed. The site was sold to Moyne Shire ($9,471) and became a natural setting for the Naringal Brigade of the Country Fire Authority.

• Narmara Primary School (Burwood East)

  State School 4953 opened on the corner of Narmara Street and Highbury Road in 1968. By 1972 enrolments had reached 700. However, declining enrolments led to the school’s closure at the end of 1992. The site was promptly sold ($2.945m) to make way for new housing on Sugarloaf Close, Feathertop Chase and Bowen Crescent.

• Narrawong East Primary School

  State School 2807 opened on Mt Clay Road in 1887. Enrolments were generally low, and ultimately led to a ‘merger’ with Narrawong Primary at the end of 1993 to form Narrawong District Primary School. Students were consolidated at the Narrawong site and Narrawong East Primary was closed. The site was later sold ($11,500) to private interests.

• Neerim East Primary School

  State School 3158 opened in temporary accommodation in 1892, moving to a new building in Neerim East Road in 1901. Declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Nayook Primary to form Neerim District Rural Primary School for the 1994 year. Claimed to be “a direct result of the Quality Provision process” of the Ministry of Education, it meant consolidation at Nayook’s site on Nayook-Powelltown Road. In consequence, Neerim East Primary was closed.

• Nelson Primary School

  State School 1615 opened in temporary accommodation in 1875, moving into a new building the following year. In 1928 a superior site was acquired in Meredith Street, and a new timber school was erected. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure in 1990. The property was sold to private interests in 2008 and is now a holiday home.

• Newborough High School

  Newborough High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1962, moving to a new building on Old Sale Road the following year. Enrolments reached 548 by 1969. However, declining enrolments in the area led to the amalgamation of Newborough High, Yallourn Technical and Moe High in 1994 to form Lowanna College. Initially there were three campuses, with the former Yallourn Technical being the senior campus, while the former High Schools were junior campuses. By 2000 they had been consolidated on a new site in Newark Avenue and the original schools closed. The former Newborough High site became Newborough East Primary, which relocated from its original site in 2000.

• Newbridge Primary School*

  State School 457 opened in temporary accommodation in 1861, moving into a new red-brick building on Raglan Street in 1866. The size of the structure reflected Newbridge’s history as a prosperous goldmining town. This was also reflected in the teacher’s residence: a double-storey imitation Swiss Chalet added around 1900. New weatherboard rooms were added in 1964, but enrolments declined and the school was closed in 1993. It was sold by the State Government to private interests in 1996 (as was the Swiss Chalet). Curiously, neither property is protected by heritage listing. Would you like to know more?

• Newcomb South Primary School

  Newcomb South Primary School opened on Anthony Street in 1976, abutting Newcomb High. It was ‘merged’ with Newcomb Primary in 1997 to form Newcomb Park Primary. The school was closed and the site absorbed by Newcomb High, now known as Newcomb Secondary College.

• Newlands High School (Coburg)*

  Newlands High School opened in 1960 on Murray Road (alongside Merri Creek), the land having been hived off the grounds of Pentridge Prison. By 1962 all buildings were completed, and enrolments reached 643. The school was rebadged as a secondary college in 1990. However, numbers eventually declined, and the school was closed in December 1992. The buildings were demolished a few years later, and the land became part of the Pentridge Village housing development, featuring College Boulevard and Governors Road. Would you like to know more?

• Nilma North Primary School

  State School 4428 opened at 363 Bloomfield Road in 1929. The school was closed in 1996 and sold the following year. Although restored as a private residence, its school building origins are unmistakable.

• Noble Park Technical School

  Westall Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1957. It was renamed Noble Park when it moved into a new building on the corner of Thomas and Douglas Streets the following year. An apprentice school was added in 1969 and was formally separated in the mid-1980s to become a campus of Dandenong TAFE. Another name change occurred in 1990 when it became Noble Secondary College. Declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Noble Heights Secondary in 1994 to form Noble Park Secondary College on the latter’s Callaghan Street site. The former Technical School was closed and most of the site became Noble Park English Language School. A portion of the school oval was sold and is now TLC Noble Gardens Residential Aged Care.

• Noradjuha Primary School

  State School 1930 opened on Natimuk-Hamilton Road in 1877. Enrolments peaked at 90 in the 1890s but declined thereafter. The school closed in 1996, with the former school site marked by a plaque that commemorates one hundred years of education (1877-1977).

• Norlane Primary School

  State School 4734 opened on the corner of Thrush Street and Eagle Parade in 1955. Enrolments reached 1,300 by the early 1960s, necessitating the establishment of more schools in the area. However, plummeting enrolments led to the school’s closure at the end of 1996. It became the Geelong campus of ISIK College (now Sirius College) from 1998 to 2011. It was then purchased by Baptcare to build a community facility.

• Normanville Primary School

  State School 4189 opened near Boort-Kerang Road in 1894. Low enrolments led to the school being closed between 1944 and 1950. A new classroom was added in 1962, when enrolments had recovered to 20. Normanville Primary was permanently closed in 1992.

• Northcote Technical School*

  Northcote Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1966, but was not able to move into its new buildings on Clarendon Street until 1968. In 1989 the school was renamed Darebin Parklands Secondary College as governments were taking a different view of technical education. Then in 1991 changing demographics in the area led to a merger with Thornbury High, with each becoming a campus of Thornbury Darebin Secondary College. This arrangement lasted until 1998 when the College was consolidated on the former Thornbury High site and the Clarendon Street campus was closed. It remained an education institution though, becoming home to both the Victorian School of Languages and Distance Education Centre Victoria. Would you like to know more?

• North Melbourne Primary School (Boundary Road)*

  State School 2566 opened in 1883 on Boundary Road in a new red-brick building. Enrolments were high for most of its history, but doubled almost overnight when a nearby Housing Commission estate opened in 1967. To cope with the demand, in 1972 the Victorian Government determined that the existing buildings would be demolished to make way for a two-storey modern structure. This duly occurred, and the new building was opened in 1975. However, enrolments headed in the opposite direction, and the school was closed in 1996. The site was sold to make way for industrial facilities such as DTS Food Laboratories. Ironically, if the original building had survived it would have acquired heritage protection. Would you like to know more?

• Norwood Primary School (Ringwood North)*

  State School 4736 opened on the junction of Loughnan and Warrandyte Roads in 1956. By 1965 the school’s population was approaching 700, but dwindling enrolments led to its closure at the end of 1993. The school was promptly sold ($1.1m) and subdivided for multiple purposes. Most of the site became the new home of Ringwood Bowls Club in 1997, while there was also room for Della Dale Aged Care and the Remington Court housing estate. Would you like to know more?

• Nunawading High School*

  Nunawading High School opened on Canterbury Road (near Mahoneys Road) in 1955. Enrolments grew rapidly and by 1969 there were over 1,100 students, making it one of the largest schools in the state. In 1989 it was merged with Burwood Heights High and Blackburn South High to become a junior campus of Forest Hill Secondary College. However, the junior campuses (Nunawading and Blackburn South) were closed in 1997, and students consolidated at the Burwood Heights campus. The former Nunawading High was bulldozed to make way for the Forest Gardens housing estate. Would you like to know more?

• Nyah Primary School

  State School 3263 opened in temporary accommodation in 1896, moving to a new building on School Hill Road in 1912. Declining numbers led to a ‘merger’ with Nyah West Primary in 1997, to form Nyah District Primary School. The new entity was located at the Nyah West site in Monash Avenue, and therefore Nyah Primary was closed. The cleared site was acquired by Swan Hill Rural City Council and now operates as Nyah Heritage Park.

• Oakleigh High School

  Oakleigh High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1955, moving to new buildings in Highland Avenue the following year. The school was closed end 1992 and sold ($2.2m) to make way for a housing estate featuring literary names such as Dame Mary Gilmore Place, Dorothea Mackellar Avenue and Banjo Patterson Avenue. The school hall was retained as a community facility (currently used by the Players Theatre Company) and renamed Fleigner Hall after the founding Headmaster.

• Oakleigh Technical School*

  Oakleigh Technical School opened in a new red-brick building on the corner of Poath and North Roads in 1946. From 1968 gardening and horticulture apprenticeship classes were offered. This took on a new dimension in 1991 when the Technical School (by then known as Oakleigh Secondary College) was closed and became the Horticulture campus of Holmesglen College of TAFE. But this too was short-lived, as the site was sold in 1993 ($1.43m) and the buildings demolished. Thereafter the landscape changed dramatically, to feature two housing estates, a service station, a McDonald’s restaurant, and Argyle Reserve. Would you like to know more?

• Oak Park High School*

  Oak Park High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1959 and moved into a new building on the corner of Plumpton Avenue and Rhodes Parade the following year. Enrolments reached 990 by 1963 and then settled, only to decline markedly in the 1980s. It was briefly rebadged as Oak Park Secondary College from 1990. Then in 1993 it was part of a mega merger, becoming a campus of Box Forest Secondary College along with Glenroy High, Glenroy Technical, Hadfield High and Fawkner Technical. However, at the end of 1997 the Oak Park campus was closed, and promptly sold. Moreland Council acquired the school gymnasium, which is now known as Oak Park Stadium, while most of the site became a housing estate featuring Esperanto Court, School Court and Barak Court. The only Box Forest Secondary campus to survive was the former Glenroy Technical School, further rebadged in 2010 as Glenroy College. Would you like to know more?

• Outtrim Primary School

  State School 3229 opened on Inverloch Road in 1895, catering for families drawn to the town by the discovery of a rich coal seam. Enrolments peaked at 350 in 1902, but fell dramatically with the closing of the mines in 1914. By 1970 Outtrim had been reduced to a dairy farm hamlet, with only 15 children at the little school. It closed in 1993 and the buildings were relocated to Korumburra.

• Overland Primary School (Keilor East)

  State School 5054 opened on Eastleigh Avenue in 1974, on an allotment that originally extended to Sterling Drive. Within a few years the school boundaries were significantly contracted to make way for new housing (e.g. Westleigh Place). The school was closed at the end of 1993 and sold ($932,050) to make way for the Overland Place housing estate.

• Parklands Primary School (Airport West)*

  State School 4738 opened on a site bounded by Highlands Avenue, Parer Road and McNamara Avenue in 1958. Enrolments reached 710 by 1969, with many parents employed at nearby Essendon Airport. Declining enrolments led to the ‘merger’ of Parklands Primary with Niddrie Primary in 1993. The result of a ‘quality provision task force’ decision, it meant consolidation on the Niddrie site, and closure for Parklands Primary. The site was sold ($1,337,550) to make way for a housing estate. Would you like to know more?

• Pimpinio Primary School

  State School 1439 opened in temporary accommodation in 1874, moving to new buildings on Old School Road in 1876. Additional rooms were added as enrolments grew, reaching 91 in 1881. Then numbers declined: 38 in 1911, and 23 in 1970. The school closed in 1996 and was purchased by Horsham Rural City Council as a community facility. Council on-sold the site to private interests in 2017 ($40,000), but not before erecting a plaque/monument to commemorate the former school.

• Pine Lodge Primary School

  State School 2099 opened in temporary accommodation in 1878, moving to a new building on New Dookie Road in 1887. Additional classrooms were added in 1962, when enrolments reached nearly 60. But numbers declined thereafter and the school was closed in 1995. A boulder with an embedded plaque marks the site of the former school, and in 2016 became the focal point of a school reunion when a 30 year-old time capsule was unearthed.

• Plenty Primary School*

  State School 4093 opened in temporary accommodation in 1922, moving to a new building on Howell Road in 1924. A small, rural school for much of its history, it was closed at the end of 1993. The site was promptly sold ($200,005) and became the Plenty School of Health and Eastern Studies. In 2013 the school buildings were demolished to make way for a future housing estate. Would you like to know more?

• Pomborneit North Primary School

  Danedite State School (SS3898) opened in the grounds of a cheese factory in 1915. It was moved to a new building on Harlock’s Road in 1923 and renamed Pomborneit North. Enrolments were always low: only 15 in 1970 before declining further. The school was closed in 1990, and the building moved to Cobden Technical School as an additional classroom.

• Poowong East Primary School

  State School 3678 opened in temporary accommodation in 1911, moving to a new building on Drouin-Korumburra Road in 1916. Enrolments reached 80 in 1922 and gradually fell to 28 in 1962. Numbers continued to decline leading to a ‘merger’ with Poowong Consolidated School at the end of 1995. Students were literally ‘consolidated’ at Poowong Consolidated School and Poowong East was closed.

• Poowong North Primary School

  State School 4102 opened in temporary accommodation in 1922, moving to a new building in Allchins Road in 1926. Declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Poowong Consolidated School at the end of 1994. Students were literally ‘consolidated’ at Poowong Consolidated School and Poowong North was closed. The site was sold ($46k) to private interests in 1996.

• Port Albert Primary School

  Port Albert Common School opened in 1861 and became State School 490 in 1873. The school was located on Tarraville Road, backing on to Queen Street. It was closed in 1994 and sold in 1996 to make way for new houses.

• Port Melbourne Primary School (Nott Street)*

  Sandridge State School (SS1427) opened in a red brick building on Nott Street in 1874. Soaring enrolments led to the opening of an annex in Graham Street in 1889. This arrangement lasted until 1908 when the schools were formally separated, with the two Port Melbourne primary schools being distinguished by their street names thereafter. Nott Street enrolments remained substantial for decades to come, sitting on 665 in 1969. Yet by 1992 enrolments had declined so markedly that the Nott Street school was ‘merged’ with Graham Street at the end of the year and closed. The former school remained an education institution though, with Port Phillip Specialist School relocating to the site in late 1996. In 2000 the Graham Street school was formally rebadged as Port Melbourne Primary School. Would you like to know more?

• Port Welshpool Primary School

  State School 3375 opened in temporary accommodation in 1900 and moved to various sites around the town over the years. In 1957 the small school moved for the last time to a site on the corner of Stewart and Dobson Streets. Declining numbers led to a ‘merger’ with Welshpool Primary at the end of 1993 to form Welshpool and District Primary School. This meant consolidation on the Welshpool site, and closure for Port Welshpool Primary. The school was demolished to make way for a private residence.

• Portland High School

  Portland High School emerged from its Higher Elementary School origins in 1945. It remained on the Portland Primary site until moving to new buildings on Julia Street in 1956. Enrolments reached 800 by 1969, but declined thereafter. The early 1990s saw increased resource-sharing with Portland Technical, leading to formal amalgamation in 1993. The resultant Portland Secondary College was located on the Must Street site of the former Technical School. The High School was therefore closed, and eventually made way for the Portland Child and Family Complex.

• Powelltown Primary School

  State School 3957 opened in temporary accommodation in 1917, moving to a new building on Blake Street in 1919. The local timber milling company supplied the materials. Enrolments reached 100 by 1933, but declined in the years that followed. The school was closed in 1993.

• Prahran High School*

  Prahran High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1966, taking until 1969 to fully occupy its new building on the corner of Molesworth Street and Orrong Road. By 1968 enrolments had reached 700, but fell to 220 by 1996. This led to a ‘merger’ with Caulfield Secondary College to form Glen Eira College, and closure. The buildings were demolished and the land was converted to public open space through the expansion of Orrong Romanis Park. Would you like to know more?

• Prahran Primary School*

  Prahran West State School (SS2855) opened at 67 High Street in 1888. The name was changed to Prahran in 1925. New buildings were added in the early 1970s as the Gould League established its headquarters in the original red-brick building. Dwindling enrolments led to the closure of the school at the end of 1990. The valuable site was sold ($3.351m), with the heritage listed building converted into luxury apartments, while the playground became Stonnington Gardens Apartments. Would you like to know more?

• Preston Technical School*

  Preston Technical School opened in a Percy Everett designed building on St Georges Road in 1937. By 1951 it was the biggest technical school in Victoria with nearly 900 boys. A push for the inclusion of girls led to the construction of Preston Girls’ Technical School on nearby Cramer Street in 1956. Growth and expansion continued in the decades that followed. By 1990, Preston College of TAFE had become the dominant presence on the site, while the former technical schools had become Preston Secondary College. Then in 1994 Preston Secondary was ‘merged’ with Coburg High to form the short-lived Coburg-Preston Secondary College (closed end 1996). Students were consolidated at Coburg’s Bell Street site, and Preston Secondary was closed. The original building in St Georges Road is now part of Melbourne Polytechnic. Would you like to know more?

• Preston East High School

  Preston East High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1964, moving into its new Tyler Street building in 1966. Throughout its history special efforts were made to cater for the high proportion of students from low income families. In 1992 it was merged with Reservoir High and Kingsbury Technical to form the triple campus Reservoir District Secondary College. Another ‘rationalisation’ occurred in 1997, when the Preston East and Kingsbury campuses were closed, and students consolidated at Reservoir. The Preston East site was sold and reopened in 1998 as East Preston Islamic College, while some of the site became public open space. In a cruel twist, by 2014 the surviving campus had reverted to its original name – Reservoir High School.

• Purnim Primary School

  State School 1016 opened in temporary accommodation in 1871, moving to a new site on Mortlake Road in 1876. Enrolments reached 85 in 1881 but fluctuated markedly over the years. Some pupils came from the nearby Framlingham Aboriginal settlement, before being removed (i.e. the Stolen Generation). Declining numbers led to the school’s closure at the end of 1993, and it was later sold ($18k) to private interests.

• Purrumbete South Primary School

  State School 1822 opened in 1877, and was remodelled in 1923. The school was closed in 1993, and the building moved to Cobden Technical School as an additional classroom.

• Quantong Primary School

  State School 3194 opened in temporary accommodation in 1893 with 17 pupils. The school moved to the Quantong Hall in 1903 and then a permanent site on Chequers Road in 1908. A new building was erected in 1966, but declining enrolments led to the school’s closure at the end of 1997.

• Queenscliff High School

  Queenscliff Higher Elementary School opened in 1945 in temporary accommodation. Yet not until 1954 was the school able to occupy its permanent site at the junction of King Street and the Bellarine Highway. In 1957 it became a High School and enrolments steadily grew, reaching 390 by 1968. Population growth in the Bellarine Peninsula led to the opening of a Year 7 Annex in Ocean Grove in the mid-1980s. By 1995 the two sites had become campuses of a new entity: Bellarine Secondary College. However, the Queenscliff campus was closed in 1998 and the buildings demolished. Future use of the vacant site is now the subject of debate in the Borough of Queenscliffe.

• Raglan Primary School

  State School 523 opened as a Denominational School in 1861. The Education Department replaced it with a new school at 165 Raglan-Elmhurst Road in 1873, which was rebuilt in 1902. In 1994 the school became an annex of Beaufort Primary, but this arrangement ceased late 1996 and Raglan Primary was closed. The site was sold and is now a private residence, with ‘Raglan School 523’ proudly displayed.

• Redbank Primary School

  State School 896 opened in High Street in 1867. At one time two classrooms were used, before Redbank’s population levelled off. When enrolments fell below 12 in 1993 the school was closed at the end of the year.

• Richards Street Primary School (Ballarat East)

  State School 4981 opened on Richards Street, near Wilson Street, in 1969. A major rationalisation of schools occurred in December 1993, when Richards Street was merged with three other schools to form Canadian Lead Primary (i.e. Golden Point, Eureka Street and Millbrook). The Richards Street and Eureka Street schools were retained as campuses until the new school building opened in 1997. The Richards Street site was then sold to make way for a housing estate.

• Richmond Girls High School*

  Opened in 1926 as Richmond Domestic Arts School in Gleadell Street. The building was eventually deemed unsafe and a new building was erected in 1954. It was renamed Richmond Girls High School in 1969. Closed in 1993, the school buildings are now part of Lynall Hall Community School. Some former students made their way to a new entity: Melbourne Girls’ College. Would you like to know more?

• Richmond High School*

  Richmond High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1967, moving to a new building on the Yarra Boulevard (near Bridge Road) in 1969. In 1988 it was merged with Richmond Technical to form the dual campus Richmond Secondary College. This was short-lived however, as the College was closed in 1992. A new entity, Melbourne Girls’ College, was opened on the site in 1994. Would you like to know more?

• Richmond Technical School*

  Richmond Technical School opened in 1926 on Church Street, behind the Richmond Town Hall. From the beginning the school specialised in training motor mechanics, and became integral to the growth of the automotive industry. In 1988 it was merged with Richmond High to form the dual campus Richmond Secondary College. This was short-lived however, as the College was closed in 1992. The Technical School site was cleared to make way for a police station and a McDonald’s restaurant. Would you like to know more?

• Ringwood Primary School*

  Ringwood Railway Station State School (SS2997) opened on a small site in 1889. Enrolments had reached 399 by 1922 when the school moved into a new brick building on Greenwood Avenue and was renamed Ringwood State School. Numbers surged to nearly 1,000 following the second World War, leading to the building of new schools in the district. The opening of Southwood Primary in 1965 brought enrolments down to a manageable 555. Ironically, declining enrolments in the area led to the closure of several primary schools in 1997: Ringwood, Heathmont and Southwood. A new ‘merged’ entity – Great Ryrie Primary School – opened to replace them in 1998. The new school shared the Heathmont College senior campus (formerly Ringwood Technical). Having protected the Ringwood Primary site with a heritage overlay, Maroondah City Council acquired the school and grounds and converted them into the multi-purpose Maroondah Federation Estate. Would you like to know more?

• Ringwood Technical School*

  Ringwood Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1958. In 1960 it moved to new buildings on Heathmont Road, as the first co-educational technical school in Victoria. Enrolments neared 900 by 1969, and it was rebadged as Eastern Secondary College in 1990. In 1993 it amalgamated with Heathmont Secondary to form the dual campus Heathmont College. However, the Heathmont Road campus was VCE level only, and therefore the former Ringwood Technical was effectively closed at that point. The VCE campus gradually closed too. First, Great Ryrie Primary School was carved out of the site in 1998, then Heathmont College was consolidated on the Waters Grove site in 2003. Most of the VCE campus was eventually sold to make way for the Marden Place/Carbery Place housing estate, while Great Ryrie Primary absorbed the remainder. Would you like to know more?

• Ringwood East Primary School*

  State School 4180 opened in a new red-brick building on Everard Road in 1924. Additional buildings were added over the years and student numbers had reached 574 by 1966. Dwindling enrolments led to the school’s closure in the end of 1993, having ‘drawn the short straw’ with Eastwood Primary and Croydon West (now Ainslie Parklands) Primary. Education Department bureaucrats used this technique throughout Melbourne in the 1990s, to force a group of schools to ‘agree’ on which one was to close. The grounds of SS4180 became the Wilkins Grove housing estate, but the school building itself was protected by a heritage overlay. It survived to become the Maroondah Montessori Pre-School in 1996. Would you like to know more?

• Rosebank Primary School (Reservoir)

  State School 4889 was known as Keon Park East when it opened in 1968 on a site bounded by Purinuan Road, Nutwood Street and Ramleh Road. In the mid-1970s the school was renamed Rosebank Primary, but declining enrolments led to the school’s closure in December 1992. The site was sold ($740k) to make way for a housing estate.

• Rosehill Park Primary School (Keilor East)

  State School 4971 was known as Keilor South when it opened in 1968 on the corner of Groves Street and Quinn Grove. It was intended that the new school would relieve overcrowding at Keilor Heights Primary, and almost all the initial 265 students transferred accordingly. In 1988 Keilor South merged with nearby Lincolnville Primary to form Rosehill Park Primary, and Lincolnville was closed. This only lasted until late 1993 when Rosehill Park Primary was closed and sold ($1,408,450) to make way for a housing estate. Ironically, most of the remaining students found their way to Keilor Heights Primary for the 1994 school year.

• Ross Bridge Primary School

  State School 1069 opened in a new bluestone building at 6814 Mortlake-Ararat Road in 1872. Low enrolments led to temporary closure between 1930 and 1942. Another decline in numbers played into the hands of a ‘Quality Provision Task Force’ in 1993. Ross Bridge Primary and Yalla-Y-Poora Primary were closed at the end of the year and all students ‘consolidated’ at Maroona Primary School. The former Ross Bridge Primary was sold and became a private residence. Commemorative plaques and school signage feature prominently outside the well-maintained original building.

• Rushworth Primary School

  State School 1057 opened in a red-brick classic in Heily Street in 1872 – one of the first ‘Henry Bastow Schools’ to be built. It became a Higher Elementary School in 1931 which continued until the establishment of Rushworth High in 1961. SS1057 reverted to being a Primary School and was moved to new buildings on Old Tatura Road the following year. The High School remained in the original Bastow premises, which acquired National Trust heritage listing in 1982. This made the choice of campus a simple matter when the schools were ‘merged’ to form Rushworth P-12 College in 1996. Rushworth Primary was closed and the site cleared.

• St Germains Primary School

  Mundoona State School (SS1555) opened on Echuca Road in 1875 and was later renamed St Germains. Declining enrolments led to closure at the end of 1994. The site was later sold to private interests ($23k).

• St Helens Primary School

  State School 1714 opened on Humphrys Road in 1876. Initial enrolments were 63 but declined markedly leading to temporary closure from 1923 to 1929. Enrolments sat at 19 in 1970 but when they fell below 12 in 1993 the school was closed. The site was later sold to private interests ($11,500).

• St James Primary School

  St James Railway Station State School (SS2579) opened in temporary accommodation in 1884, moving to a new building on Devenish Road in 1886. Enrolments had reached 50 by 1890 when the school was renamed St James. Numbers sat at 33 in 1969 but continued to decline thereafter until the school was closed in September 1993. The site was sold for $30k.

• Sale Technical School

  Sale Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1885, moving into dedicated space in the new Mechanics Institute (York Street) in 1891. At that time enrolments were 150, but had increased to 1,455 by 1967. This expansion was reflected in new buildings on Macalister Street (Boys school) in 1927 and the addition of a Girls school in 1930. Sale Technical was rebadged as Macalister Secondary College in the early 1990s, then ‘merged’ with Sale High (Gutheridge Street) to form the dual campus Sale College in 1996. But whereas the Gutheridge campus catered for Years 7 to 9, the Macalister campus was for Years 10 to 12 only. Therefore, Sale Technical can be considered closed.

• Sarsfield Primary School

  State School 1228 opened on School Road in 1873. Initial enrolments were 19, and it remained a small, rural school throughout its history. Declining enrolments led to its closure in 1993.

• Scoresby Heights Primary School

  State School 5089 opened on Zerfas Street in 1972. The site was cleaved in two in 1975 with the western half (i.e. Cavell Street) becoming Scoresby High School. In 1994 declining numbers led to a ‘merger’ with Knoxfield Primary to form Carrington Primary. The school was consolidated on the Knoxfield site and Scoresby Heights was closed. Most of the site was absorbed by Scoresby Secondary College (as it was now known) while the remainder was sold to Arleon Holdings ($570k) to become the Wattleview Rise housing estate. Today (2020) Carrington Primary has only 103 students, which would have meant closure in the 1990s.

• Sea Lake Primary School

  State School 3273 opened in temporary accommodation in 1896, moving into a new wooden building on the corner of Hannon and Mudge Streets in 1901. In 1994 it was ‘merged’ with Nandaly Primary, Berriwillock Primary and Sea Lake High to form Tyrrell P-12 College. The College was consolidated in the Sutcliff Street buildings of the former High School and the three primary schools were closed. The former Sea Lake Primary site was cleared and remains barren.

• Sebastian Primary School

  State School 1510 opened on Sebastian Road in 1875 to serve the goldrush population that arrived to work the famous Frederick the Great mine. Enrolments increased from 100 initially to 200 by 1900. After the mine closed in 1912 numbers fell to less than 60, then declined further to 30 by 1939. The pattern continued until there were only seven in 1970 and eventual closure at the end of 1993. The site was sold to the City of Greater Bendigo ($25,985) and became the Sebastian Community Hall community facility.

• Sedgwick Primary School

  Upper Emu Creek State School (SS935) opened in 1867, and was renamed Sedgwick in 1901. The school was rebuilt in 1874 and operated with small enrolments for about 100 years. The school closed in 1966 due to low numbers but was able to reopen the following year. In 1968 a termite infestation became apparent, leading to demolition of the old building and replacement with a portable classroom. While the school was able to continue for twenty more years, declining enrolments (only six) saw it close in 1990, never to reopen. Fortunately, a detailed history of the school was written to mark its passing.

• Shepparton Technical School

  Shepparton Technical School (SS7330) opened in the grounds of Shepparton High School in 1953. It moved to new buildings on Verney Road in 1960 and enrolments grew substantially. The school was rebadged as North Shepparton Secondary College in 1990 but declining numbers led to closure at the end of 1993. Fortunately, the site remained in public hands, with Verney Road School for children and young people with special needs opening in 1999.

• Silvan South Primary School

  State School 4259 opened at the intersection of Monbulk-Seville and Link Roads in 1926. Always a small, rural school, it was an early casualty of the Kennett Government’s rationalisation policy. After its closure at the end of 1992 the site was sold to private interests ($146k).

• South Melbourne Primary School (Dorcas Street)*

  State School 1253 opened in temporary accommodation in 1873, with its new building in Dorcas Street (near Ferrars Street) not ready for occupation until 1881. Although enrolments had been high for much of its history, they fell to 100 in 1996. The Charles Webb designed school was closed, and the heritage listed building was converted to luxury apartments. A Victorian Heritage Register plaque adorns the front entrance, providing residents and visitors with key features of its past. Would you like to know more?

• South Melbourne Primary School (Eastern Road)*

  State School 1852 opened in 1877 in a Henry Bastow designed building on the corner of Eastern Road and Napier Street. Further rooms were added at regular intervals over the following decades as enrolments soared. Declining enrolments led to closure at the end of 1991, and the site was sold ($2,605,306). The main building was converted to luxury apartments and new townhouses rose on the former playground. Would you like to know more?

• South Melbourne Technical School*

  South Melbourne Technical School opened in a new red-brick building on Albert Road in late 1918. This coincided with the end of the First World War, and rehabilitation training of returned soldiers was the school’s main function in the early years. In 1988 the school merged with Albert Park High to become the dual campus Hobson’s Bay Secondary College. However, declining enrolments led to the closure of the Albert Road campus late 1992, leaving the Graham Street campus to its own chequered future. The former South Melbourne Technical School site housed the Distance Education Centre for several years. Today it is known as Sports House. Would you like to know more?

• Southwood Primary School (Ringwood)*

  State School 4857 opened on Maidstone Street in 1965. One can only wonder how the Cadbury factory next door affected student behaviour. Declining school enrolments in the Ringwood area led to the closure of several primary schools in 1997: Southwood, Heathmont and Ringwood. A new ‘merged’ entity – Great Ryrie Primary School – opened to replace them in 1998. The new school shared the Heathmont College senior campus (formerly Ringwood Technical). Tintern Grammar acquired the Southwood Primary site to open its initial boys’ campus in 1999. Southwood Boys Grammar School lasted until 2014, when all students were consolidated at Tintern’s Alexandra Road campus. The site was then redeveloped to become the Salvation Army Training College. Would you like to know more?

• Speed Primary School

  State School 3861 opened in temporary accommodation in 1914 with 21 pupils. In 1922 they moved to a one-room building at 15 Main Street, with another room added in 1950. Enrolments were stable for many years, ranging from 25 to 40. However, declining numbers led to a ‘merger’ with Tempy Primary at the end of 1993 and closure, because students were consolidated at Tempy. The former Speed Primary was sold and became a private residence. It has been resold many times since, most recently in August 2019 ($60k). But from the street you would think Speed Primary is still operational, as successive owners have maintained the school building, oval and shelter sheds largely as they were.

• Speewa Primary School

  State School 4200 opened on Speewa Punt Road in 1924 with 14 pupils. Increasing numbers saw extra rooms added in the 1950s and 1960s. However, declining enrolments led to a mega merger at the end of 1993 and closure. The ‘merger’ involved Speewa Primary, Murraydale Primary, Tyntynder South Primary and Beverford Primary consolidating on the Beverford Primary site as Beverford District Primary School. The other three schools were therefore closed.

• Springvale North Primary School*

  State School 1658 opened at 856-868 Princes Highway in 1875. Enrolments reached 439 by 1943, prompting the Education Department to acquire more land to expand the school. Residential development in the area saw numbers hit 1,038 in 1958, which resulted in more primary schools being built in the 1960s to cope with the surging enrolments. By the 1980s numbers began to go the other way, so much so that the school was ‘merged’ at the end of 1993 with Northvale Primary to form Albany Rise Primary School. They were consolidated on the Northvale site, and Springvale North Primary was closed. The site was promptly sold ($900,000) and became the Turner Close housing estate. Would you like to know more?

• Steels Creek Primary School

  State School 2725 opened at 699 Steels Creek Road in 1886. Fire destroyed the original building in 1943 and it was rebuilt in 1945. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure in 1992, and it was then transformed into the Steels Creek Community Centre. Protected by a Yarra Ranges Shire heritage overlay, the Community Centre was saved from the 2009 Black Saturday fires by a neighbouring family.

• Stewart Primary School (Red Cliffs)

  Red Cliffs South East State School (SS4531) opened in temporary accommodation in 1935 with 17 pupils. Later that year it moved to a permanent site in Dumosa Street, Red Cliffs. Some years later it was renamed Stewart. Although enrolments were a healthy 54 in 1993, it was ‘merged’ with Red Cliffs Primary at the end of the year. As students were consolidated at Red Cliffs Primary, Stewart Primary was closed. The former school was sold to private interests.

• Strath Creek Primary School

  Strath Creek and Flowerdale Township State School (SS3173) opened in Ferguson Street in 1892 and was renamed Strath Creek in 1904. Declining enrolments led to closure at the end of 1994. The former school site was not sold off but integrated into Pioneer Reserve by the Murrindindi Shire.

• Strathdownie Primary School

  State School 2883 opened in a leased building on Old School Road in 1889. It took until 1948 for a purpose-built school to be erected on Strathdownie School Road. Enrolments were 15 at the time and increased during the 1950s. However, declining numbers led to the school’s closure in 1996.

• Streatham Primary School

  Streatham Common School (SS844) opened in Campbell Street in 1866, becoming a State School after the Education Act 1872 was passed. Enrolments were 45 in 1879, and by 1909 had increased to the point of over-crowding. Consequently, the school was rebuilt to cater for increased numbers. More rooms were added in the 1950s as the Soldier Settlement Scheme saw numbers peak at 120. On 12 February 1977 a devastating bushfire swept through Streatham, destroying much of the town including the school. Streatham Primary was rebuilt, and in 1994 it absorbed Westmere Primary to be rebadged Streatham and District Primary School. But the new entity only lasted until 1998 when it too was closed. Today it is known as ‘Fireworld’, the Country Fire Authority Museum and Discovery Centre.

• Studfield Primary School

  State School 4920 opened in 1965 on a site bounded by Coleman Road, Bindi Street and Aisbett Avenue. Enrolments reached 850 by 1971 but declined thereafter. At the end of 1993, the school was closed following a ‘merger’ with Studfield East Primary to form Yawarra Primary School. The site was promptly sold ($1,107,450) to make way for the Knox City housing estate. Yawarra was renamed Knox Central Primary in 2013.

• Sunshine High School*

  Sunshine High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1955, moving into a new building on the corner of Ballarat and Westmoreland Roads later that year. By 1959 enrolments exceeded 800. A major restructure of secondary schools occurred at the end of 1991 when six schools were amalgamated to form Sunshine College: Sunshine High, Tottenham Technical, Sunshine Technical, Ardeer High, Sunshine West High and Sunshine North Technical. The College operated from only four campuses, as Sunshine High and Tottenham Technical were closed. The Sunshine High site promptly became the Ballarat Road campus of Western Metropolitan College of TAFE (now Victoria University). Would you like to know more?

• Sutherlands Creek Primary School

  Darriwell State School (SS1997) opened in 1877, and was renamed Sutherlands Creek in 1896. Low enrolments saw the school closed temporarily during 1903, reopened after a few months, and then closed again in 1913. The school was re-established by Ministerial Order in 1924, but as the original site had been cleared this meant classes being held in the Presbyterian Church. A new site was found on Steiglitz Road and classes commenced in a new building in 1927. However, numbers remained low: 12 in 1947, and 20 in 1971. The school was permanently closed in 1990 and the land sold ($4,500).

• Swinburne Technical School (Hawthorn)*

  Swinburne Junior Technical School opened within the Technical College in 1913. A Girls School was added in 1916, and both were accommodated in various buildings in the Burwood Road/William Street precinct in the years that followed. In 1969, there was a formal separation of the secondary school from the tertiary College of Technology, and the 12-17 year old boys and girls were located solely at 505 Burwood Road. Surging enrolments led to the acquisition of land on Camberwell Road where a junior campus was built in the late 1970s. However, enrolments declined markedly thereafter, and the Camberwell Road campus was closed at the end of 1992. Although the Burwood Road campus survived as Swinburne Senior Secondary College from 1993, this was a new entity. Therefore, Swinburne Technical School can be considered closed. The Camberwell Road site was sold, to make way for the Rivoli Gardens apartments. Fortunately, the school gymnasium was retained as part of Swinburne Senior Secondary College. Would you like to know more?

• Sydenham West Primary School

  State School 3862 opened on the corner of Leakes Road and the Melton Highway in 1914. Declining numbers led to a ‘merger’ with Toolern Vale Primary to form Toolern Vale and District Primary School at the end of 1993. Students were consolidated at the Toolern Vale site and Sydenham West was closed. The former school site has since been cleared.

• Syndal High School*

  Syndal High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1967, moving to a permanent site on Medina Road in 1969. In 1971 the large site was divided in two, with the western half (Medina Road) becoming Glendal Primary School, and Syndal High concentrated in the eastern half (Rowitta Drive). In 1990 it was rebadged as Syndal Secondary College. Then in 1993 it was merged with Glen Waverley High and Lawrence Secondary College to form the triple campus Glen Waverley Secondary College. This was brief, for the Syndal campus was closed mid 1996 (Lawrence campus had closed end 1994), and students consolidated on the Glen Waverley campus. Most of the site was promptly sold to make way for a housing estate on Nottingham Street and Knightsbridge Court. The remainder, including the gymnasium/hall, was added to the Glendal Primary grounds. Would you like to know more?

• Syndal Primary School

  State School 4714 opened in temporary accommodation in 1953, moving to a new building on High Street Road (near Orchard Street) the following year. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure at the end of 1992. The site was sold ($2,030,000) to make way for the Latham Court/Fiona Court housing estate.

• Syndal Technical School*

  Syndal Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1958, moving into a new building on Lawrence Road the following year. Enrolments grew from 150 in 1959 to 600 in 1970. In 1990 it was rebadged as Lawrence Secondary College. Then in 1993 it was merged with Glen Waverley High and Syndal Secondary College to form the triple campus Glen Waverley Secondary College. This was brief, for the Lawrence campus was closed end 1994 (and Syndal campus mid 1996), and students consolidated on the Glen Waverley campus. Most of the former Syndal Technical site became a housing estate, featuring Huntingtower Crescent, Dorrington Drive, Clarke Place and Yvette Court. Fortunately, the gymnasium was acquired by Monash Council and became Waverley Gymnastics Centre in 1996. Would you like to know more?

• Talindert Primary School (Camperdown)

  State School 3644 opened at 250 Black Rock Road in 1910. ‘Talindert’ was named after Sir Chester Manifold’s homestead, the Manifold family having been prominent lobbyists for the school’s creation. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure in 1992. The site was sold ($34,200) in 1993, and the building has been creatively restored as part of a private residence.

• Tarrawingee Primary School

  State School 1116 opened on Great Alpine Road in 1872. Enrolments were 28 in 1970. In 1994 it absorbed Eldorado Primary to form Tarrawingee Area Primary School, which itself only lasted until 1998 when declining numbers saw Tarrawingee close at the end of the year. The former school was sold to private interests.

• Templestowe High School

  Templestowe High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1960, moving to a new building on the corner of Manningham Road and Hazel Drive the following year. Enrolments had reached 1,050 by 1970. However, declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Yarra Secondary (ex Templestowe Technical) at the end of 1993 to form Templestowe College. The result of a ‘quality provision task force’ decision, it meant consolidation on the Yarra site, and closure for Templestowe High School. The site was sold to make way for the David Road housing estate.

• Templestowe Primary School*

  State School 1395 opened in a single-room brick building on Anderson Street in 1874. Additional buildings were added from the 1950s as enrolments took off, with 552 students by 1968. However, numbers had declined to only 120 by 1993 and the school was closed at the end of the year. The site was acquired by the City of Manningham and became the multi-purpose Manningham Templestowe Leisure Centre, catering for sports and other community activities. The heritage protected original brick building was restored and became home to the Woodcraft Manningham Woodworking Club. Would you like to know more?

• Toolamba West Primary School

  Toolamba South State School (SS2728) opened on Toolamba-Rushworth Road in 1885. The school burnt down in 1910 and remained closed until 1921 when a new classroom was transported to the site. It was not until the 1970s that the name was changed to Toolamba West. Although it had 19 students in 1993, speculation about the future of small rural schools led the School Council to recommend closure. This occurred at the end of the year and the site was later sold for a ridiculous sum ($200).

• Toolleen Primary School

  State School 1336 opened on Mt Camel Road in 1874. The school had a chequered history over the years due to: fire in 1898, termite infestation in the 1920s, and being condemned in 1966. Declining numbers led to its closure in 1990.

• Tottenham Primary School

  State School 4707 opened on Sunshine Road (near Sredna Street) in 1953. The school was ‘merged’ with Tottenham North Primary at the end of 1993 to form Tottenham Crossing Primary (now known as Dinjerra). Students were consolidated at the Tottenham North site and Tottenham Primary was closed. It was promptly sold for $465k. The site was cleared and left vacant for many years until Happy Receptions opened in 2017.

• Tottenham Technical School

  Tottenham Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1957, moving to a permanent site in South Road, Braybrook the following year. By 1960 enrolments had reached 643. A major restructure of secondary schools occurred at the end of 1991 when six schools were amalgamated to form Sunshine College: Tottenham Technical, Sunshine High, Sunshine Technical, Ardeer High, Sunshine West High and Sunshine North Technical. The College operated from only four campuses, as Tottenham Technical and Sunshine High were closed. The Tottenham Technical site became the Tottenham English Language Centre, now a campus of the Western English Language School.

• Trafalgar East Primary School

  State School 3499 opened on South Canal Road in 1905. Enrolments ranged from 35 to 70 for many decades, and the school was rebuilt in 1964. However, declining enrolments led to the school’s closure in 1995.

• Trafalgar South Primary School

  State School 2527 opened in temporary accommodation in 1883, moving to a new building on the corner of Trafalgar South Road and Old Thorpdale Road in 1886. The school closed in the mid-1990s.

• Tragowel Primary School

  Tragowel Plains State School (SS2227) opened in 1880 with an enrolment of 50. The school moved to a new site on Tragowel Road in 1915 and ‘Plains’ was dropped from its name. A fire destroyed the building in 1935 and it was rebuilt the following year. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure in 1997.

• Traralgon Technical School

  Traralgon Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1960, moving to new buildings on Grey Street the following year. By 1970 enrolments had reached 560 boys, with additional buildings and grounds added. In 1993 it was ‘merged’ with Traralgon High (Shakespeare Street) to form the dual campus Traralgon Secondary College. But whereas the Shakespeare Street campus catered for Years 7 to 9, the Grey Street campus was for Years 10 to 12 only. Therefore, Traralgon Technical can be considered closed.

• Tresco Primary School

  State School 3868 opened in 1914, catering for families attracted to the new, irrigated blocks of Lake Boga. The school closed in the 1920s as many of those families moved away. In 1941 it reopened in a new building on Cornish Avenue. Declining enrolments saw the school close permanently at the end of 1992. The site was promptly sold ($5,000).

• Tyntynder Primary School

  Tyntynder Central State School (SS3795) opened on Tyntynder Central Road in 1913 with 22 pupils. A change of status saw the ‘Central’ dropped from its name. Declining numbers led to its closure at the end of 1992, and the site was sold ($55k).

• Tyntynder South Primary School

  State School 3168 opened in a leased building in 1892. Enrolments increased from 20 to 52 by 1898, requiring an extension to be added. When numbers reached 76 in 1912 the Education Department built a new school on the Murray Valley Highway. Declining enrolments led to a mega merger at the end of 1993. The ‘merger’ involved Tyntynder South Primary, Murraydale Primary, Speewa Primary, and Beverford Primary consolidating on the Beverford Primary site as Beverford District Primary School. The other three schools were therefore closed, and Tyntynder South was sold ($25k).

• Victoria Park Primary School (Abbotsford)

  State School 2957 opened in Abbot Street in 1889, opposite the paddock that became home to Collingwood Football Club soon after. The primary school produced several Collingwood champions over the years that followed. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure at the end of 1992. The site was sold ($1.97m) and developed into a housing estate.

• Vinifera Primary School

  State School 4150 opened on the Murray Valley Highway in 1924 with 19 pupils. Declining enrolments led to closure at the end of 1993. The buildings were removed but the school lives on as Vinifera Primary School Community Park, abutting the pristine Nyah Vinifera Park.

• Wallacedale North Primary School

  State School 3332 opened at 249 School Road in 1900. In the early years, enrolments ranged from 100 to 150, but uneconomic land holdings saw many settlers move on. Hence by 1969 enrolments were down to 30. It was ‘merged’ with Branxholme Primary at the end of 1993 to form Branxholme-Wallacedale Community School. This meant consolidation on the Branxholme site, and closure for Wallacedale North Primary. The former school now forms part of a private residence. There are two distinctive features of the former school site, one being the attached paddock, as most pupils rode ponies to school. The other is a memorial tree plaque dedicated to Australia’s aviation pioneer Bert Hinkler (‘Hinkler Memorial Tree – 1934’).

• Wandin East Primary School

  State School 3934 opened in a wooden schoolroom on Old Baker Road, bordered by Massina Road, in 1916. Always a small, rural school, it was closed at the end of 1992. Sold to private interests ($138,500), it has recently been restored as The Old School Cottages, offering self-contained accommodation in the refurbished buildings.

• Wangoom Primary School

  State School 645 opened at 577 Wangoom Road in 1865. It was closed at the end of 1992 and sold ($40,000). The school building and grounds operated as Warrnambool Laser Strike until 2016.

• Wantirna Heights Primary School

  State School 5078 opened on Kingloch Parade in 1974. It was closed at the end of 1997 and became the Wantirna Heights School for autism. In 2013 this school moved to Eastern Ranges School in Ferntree Gully and the buildings were boarded up. The site was cleared and sold by the State Government in July 2019 ($9.709m).

• Warragul West Primary School

  State School 2938 opened on Lardner Road in 1889. It was ‘merged’ with Hallora Primary and Lardner Primary (Burnt Store Road) in 1994 to form Lardner and District Primary. Only the Burnt Store Road site was used, and therefore Warragul West and Hallora were closed. The former Warragul West Primary was sold in 1996.

• Warrandyte South Primary School*

  State School 3476 opened in temporary accommodation in 1904, and the school moved to a new building at 58 Hall Road in 1907. The January 1939 bushfires destroyed the site and the school operated out of tents until a new building was completed later that year. Enrolments were 126 in 1969, but gradually declined thereafter. The school was closed in 1995 and sold in May 1996 ($323,500), becoming home to the inter-church youth organisation, Youth Dimension. In 2018 it was resold, to Donvale Christian College, which is converting the heritage protected site to a Year 9 Centre (to open 2021). Would you like to know more?

• Warrawong Primary School (Blackburn South)

  State School 4835 opened between Richmond Street and Hastings Avenue in 1960. Enrolments had reached 622 by 1968. In 1990 a major amalgamation took place in the area, when Warrawong, Killoura, Blackburn South and Mirrabooka primary schools were merged to form the triple campus Orchard Grove Primary. Blackburn South was closed in the process. The arrangement proved to be short-lived however, with only the former Mirrabooka Primary surviving past 1991. Warrawong Primary was sold ($80k) and most of the site became a housing estate. A smaller portion was acquired by the City of Whitehorse which built the Eley Park Community Centre.

• Warrnambool South Primary School

  State School 1902 opened on Stephens Street in 1877. Declining enrolments led to closure at the end of 1994. The former school site was sold to private interests for $177k.

• Watsonia High School

  Watsonia High School opened in temporary accommodation in 1962, moving into its new building on the corner of Nepean Street and Sainsbury Avenue the following year. By 1969 enrolments had soared to 1,075, and the school boasted its own swimming pool. In 1990 it merged with Watsonia Technical to become the dual campus Greensborough Secondary College. However, this only lasted until 1992, when the Nepean Street campus was closed, leaving the Nell Street campus to become Greensborough College. While most of the former Watsonia High site became a housing estate, the swimming pool survives as Yarra Swim School. Greensborough Bowling Club is also a tenant on Moodie Street Reserve.

• Watsonia South Primary School

  State School 5024 opened in 1971, on a site bounded by Frensham Road, Gabonia Avenue, Illoura Street and Webster Crescent. Declining enrolments led to the school’s closure at the end of 1993. The site was sold ($958k) to make way for the St James Court housing estate.

• Wattle Park High School

  Wattle Park High School opened beside Wattle Park Golf Course in 1962. Like many secondary schools it was rebadged as a secondary college in 1990. But declining enrolments saw it closed at the end of 1992. The idyllic setting made the site irresistible to developers as shown by the sale price ($6.1m). A substantial housing estate rose in its place, centred around Wattlebird Court and Murray Drive.

• Waverley High School*

  Holmesglen High School opened in temporary accommodation on 7 February 1956 with 102 pupils. It was renamed Jordanville High on 17 February and then Waverley High on 26 March. Late that year the school moved into its new building on the corner of Waverley and Huntingdale Roads. Enrolments rose to 208 in 1957 and soared to 725 by 1959. More buildings were added and an elevated football oval, using soil excavated from the new Chadstone Shopping Centre site. Enrolments peaked at 900 in 1961 then plateaued until gradually declining after 1971. It was rebadged as a Secondary College in 1990 by which time numbers were in marked decline. At the end of 1991 it was ‘merged’ with Mount Waverley High and became a subsidiary campus until the mid-1990s. The site was left to the elements and vandalism until demolished in early 1997, making way for a housing estate featuring Savannah Place and Kierens Way. Would you like to know more?

• Waverley North Primary School

  State School 4884 opened at 145 Stephensons Road in 1962. Initial enrolments of 294 grew to 900 by 1967. Declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Syndal North Primary at the end of 1993, to form Mount Waverley North Primary. They were consolidated on the Syndal North site and Waverley North Primary was closed. The site was then acquired by nearby Mount Waverley Secondary College for its junior campus.

• Waverley Park Primary School (Mulgrave)

  State School 5085 opened on the corner of Hansworth Street and Grovelands Drive in 1973. Enrolments had declined to 162 in 1996 which led to the school’s closure. It was promptly sold and demolished to make way for the Mayfair Close housing estate.

• Wedderburn Primary School

  State School 794 opened in temporary accommodation in 1865, moving to a permanent site on the corner of Wilson and Chapel Streets in 1868. New brick buildings were added in 1908, and it was proclaimed a Higher Elementary School in 1941. However, it reverted to a primary school when Wedderburn High was opened in 1961. Then in December 1999 Wedderburn Primary was ‘merged’ with Korong Vale Primary and Wedderburn High to form Wedderburn P-12 College. The new entity was located on the High School site and the other schools were closed. Loddon Shire purchased the historic Wedderburn Primary buildings and established Wedderburn Community Centre in 2005.

• Weerite Primary School

  State School 3383 opened on the Princes Highway in 1901, just north of Lake Purrumbete. Declining enrolments played into the hands of a ‘Quality Provision Task Force’ in 1993. Weerite Primary was closed, along with Bookaar, Chocolyn, and Gnotuk at the end of the year and remaining students ‘consolidated’ at Camperdown Primary School.

• Wellington Primary School (Mulgrave)

  State School 4847 opened on Shaftsbury Drive in 1968. By 1972 enrolments had risen to 640, yet by 1996 had fallen to 163. This led to the school being ‘merged’ with Brandon Park Primary and closed. It was demolished to make way for a housing estate.

• Werribee South Primary School

  Werribee Estate State School (SS3193) opened on Duncans Road in 1915, bounded by the Maimones Road irrigation channel. The name was changed to Werribee South in 1928. Declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Diggers Road Primary at the end of 1993 to form Werribee Park Primary School. They were consolidated on the Diggers Road site, and Werribee South was closed. The school building was demolished after the site was sold to private interests ($115k).

• West Melbourne Primary School*

  State School 1689 opened on King Street in 1875 in a Terry and Oakden (Architects) designed building. Enrolments were substantial for much of its history, but declined markedly in the late 20th century to the extent that the school was closed in 1992. The building has National Trust heritage protection, being a striking example of school design from the Henry Bastow era. The Salvation Army acquired the site in the late 1990s and it became their Flagstaff Crisis Accommodation Centre. Would you like to know more?

• Westmere Primary School

  State School 3833 opened at 28 School Street in 1914 with 22 pupils. Enrolments fluctuated between 11 and 42 over the years and sat at 31 in 1969. However, declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Streatham Primary at the end of 1993 to form Streatham and District Primary School. Westmere was closed and sold to become a private residence. The carefully maintained property was resold in April 2016 for $80k.

• Whiteside Primary School (Springvale)

  State School 4785 opened in 1957 in a new building located between Lewis and Birch Streets. Declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Sandown Park Primary end 1993 to form Springvale Heights Primary. Sandown Park was closed and sold ($900,200) to reopen as a campus of Minaret College in 1996. As for Springvale Heights Primary, it is now a campus of Springvale Rise Primary School.

• Willung Primary School

  State School 2261 opened in temporary accommodation in 1880, and did not move to a permanent site on Old Rosedale Road until 1897. The school was rebuilt in 1956. Declining enrolments led to its closure in 1993, and the former school site was sold in 1996.

• Windsor Technical School*

  Prahran Technical School underwent a series of transformations in the 1970s-80s. After the original High Street campus became a tertiary institution, the Union Street campus and the Hornby Street campus were rebadged as Windsor Technical School in 1980. Then the Union Street campus was closed, leaving only the Hornby Street site (originally the Girls Technical School) by 1988. The remaining campus then merged with Ardoch High to become the dual campus Ardoch-Windsor Secondary College, aimed at students who did not ‘fit in’ to mainstream schools. However, this only lasted until 1992, when the school was closed and both campuses sold. The Hornby Street buildings were promptly demolished to make way for a housing estate. Would you like to know more?

• Wollert Primary School

  State School 1861 opened in a new bluestone building at 455 Epping Road in 1877. The school closed in 1993 and was taken over and restored by a Christian Church group. More recently it has been converted into Mawarra Functions, catering for weddings and events.

• Won Wron Primary School

  State School 1957 opened on the corner of Napier Street and the Hyland Highway in 1877. Declining enrolments led to its closure in 1995 and it was sold to private interests. The school building has been converted into an attractive residence, retaining some school-day features (e.g. blackboards).

• Woods Point Primary School

  State School 789 opened in Scott Street in 1865, meeting the needs of gold-miners in the ‘boom’ town. Enrolments exceeded 300 in the years before 1914. In the Black Friday bushfires of 1939 Woods Point – including the school – was virtually destroyed. Once rebuilt, the school had an enrolment of around 200, but as the mines closed down numbers declined considerably. There were only 12 in 1969 and the school was closed altogether in 1998. The school buildings have been well-maintained since then.

• Woorinen Primary School

  State School 3945 opened on Reserve Road in 1917. Serving settler families on the recently opened fruit blocks, it catered for 174 pupils. The school was closed at the end of 1993 when ‘merged’ with Woorinen North Primary and Woorinen South Primary to form Woorinen District Primary School. The three school populations were consolidated on the Woorinen South site (Palmer Street). The Woorinen Primary site was sold ($42k) to private interests.

• Woorinen North Primary School

  State School 4148 opened on Monash Drive in 1925. The school was closed at the end of 1993 when ‘merged’ with Woorinen Primary and Woorinen South Primary to form Woorinen District Primary School. The three school populations were consolidated on the Woorinen South site (Palmer Street).

• Yalca South Primary School

  State School 2198 opened on Katunga-Picola Road in 1880. It was temporarily closed in 1928 due to low numbers and rebuilt in 1959 following a fire. Declining enrolments led to a ‘merger’ with Waaia Primary at the end of 1993, to form Waaia Yalca South Primary School. Students were consolidated at the Waaia site and Yalca South was closed. The former school was sold to private interests ($10k).

• Yalla-Y-Poora Primary School

  State School 4756 opened at 1922 Yalla-Y-Poora Road in 1956. The 20 pupils came from the local soldier-settlement area, and enrolments peaked at 99 in 1968. However, declining numbers played into the hands of a ‘Quality Provision Task Force’ in 1993. Yalla-Y-Poora Primary and Ross Bridge Primary were closed at the end of the year and all students ‘consolidated’ at Maroona Primary School. The former Yalla-Y-Poora Primary was sold to the Shire of Ararat ($21k) and become a community centre.

• Yallourn Technical School

  Yallourn Technical School opened in temporary accommodation in 1928, moving to a new building at the corner of Railway and Latrobe Avenues in 1936. Enrolments reached 1,547 in 1958, the year after the School was moved to a new site on John Field Drive, East Newborough. It was rebadged as a secondary college around 1990. Declining enrolments in the area led to the amalgamation of Yallourn Technical, Moe High and Newborough High in 1994 to form Lowanna College. Initially there were three campuses, with the former Yallourn Technical being the senior campus, while the former High Schools were junior campuses. By 2000 they had been consolidated on a new site in Newark Avenue and the original schools closed. The former Yallourn Technical site was acquired by the TAFE sector and is today a campus of Federation Training.

• Yanac Primary School

  State School 2886 opened in a leased building in 1889. Enrolments reached 63 in 1898, but overcrowding was not addressed until 1912, when a new building was erected in Francis Street. A portable building was added in 1965 and although the school was closed in 1993, it still stands on the derelict site. At least there is now a sign that acknowledges the former school.

• Yanakie Primary School

  State School 4842 opened on Millar Road in 1960, to cater for the families of a Soldier Settlement Scheme. The initial enrolment of 30 had increased to 60 by 1967. A portable classroom was added in 1980, but enrolments declined thereafter. The school was ‘merged’ with Fish Creek Primary at the end of 1993 to form Fish Creek and District Primary School. They were consolidated at Fish Creek and Yanakie was closed. The Yanakie classroom was moved to Foster and is now a feature exhibit at the Foster Museum.

• Yarck Primary School

  Home Creek State School (SS1331) opened on the Maroondah Highway in 1874 and was not renamed Yarck until 1903. Enrolments varied: 13 in 1933, and 37 in 1954. The original school was rebuilt in 1967. However, declining enrolments led to the school’s closure at the end of 1993. The Yarck Primary site was sold ($30,500) to private interests.

• Yarra Park Primary School (East Melbourne)*

  State School 1406 opened in 1874 on the corner of Punt Road and Wellington Parade. The following year saw enrolments increase to over 1,000. The Charles Webb designed school was ‘temporarily closed’ in 1986. Then in 1992 it was closed altogether and the heritage listed building was converted to prestige apartments. Would you like to know more?

• Yarraleen Primary School (Bulleen)

  State School 5051 opened on Balwyn Road (near Thompsons Road) in 1975. In 1990, Education Minister Joan Kirner visited the school to launch an Arts program. However, declining enrolments led to closure at the end of 1992. The site was sold ($2,005,000) and became the Coromandel Court housing estate.

• Yarraville Primary School*

  State School 1501 opened at 59 Francis Street in 1875. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1888, and a new brick building was erected in its place. A modern school was built at the rear of the site in the mid-1970s, and Yarraville Primary effectively moved into its own backyard. The original building became home to the Yarraville Community Centre, providing adult education and other community services to Melbourne’s western suburbs. This cohabitation continued until the end of 1994, when declining enrolments led to closure of the primary school. The National Trust listed building on Francis Street continued as the Community Centre, while the modern structure was converted into the Stephen Street apartments. Would you like to know more?

• Yendon Primary School

  Buninyong East State School (SS719) opened in temporary accommodation in 1864, moving to 52 Yendon-Egerton Road in 1873. Enrolments reached 89 in 1877 and the school was renamed Yendon the following year. Numbers had declined to 25 by 1969, and the downwards trend continued until the school was closed at the end of 1993. The Victorian Government sold the site to private interests in November 2001 ($75k) and it has remained a private residence since then. Most recently resold in November 2014, for $149,950.

• Yeodene Primary School

  Yeo State School (SS 1114) opened in 1872 with nearly 80 pupils. Numbers gradually declined, and the school was closed in 1897. It reopened in a new building at 140 Birregurra-Yeodene Road in 1912 and was renamed Yeodene. However, enrolments fell below 12 in 1993 and the school was closed permanently. It was sold to private interests in March 1996 ($25,000). The site was cleared, and most recently resold in June 2018 ($165,000).