History of Inverleigh Education

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Inverleigh School

The first school to open in Inverleigh was the Presbyterian School early in 1856. The building had been completed in 1855. School records show that there was no teacher appointed until 1857. Either the school was run by unqualified staff or in these very early days it was merely a Sunday school. Daniel Campbell was appointed by the School-Church Committee in time to begin the school year in 1857.

Early in 1858, the Anglican Church opened a school near the Cemetery which functioned until 1872. Little is known of it except that the early Presbyterian School records show that in 1867 it charged lower fees than the Presbyterian school and that many pupils transferred to the cheaper school. In 1865 the Presbyterian school charged a shilling a week.

Primary School - click to enlarge

During the 1860's it was decided to build a stone school to take the place of the old wooden building. Extensive collection campaigns were organised and resulted in 188 Pounds with 50 Pounds more in promises. Robert Wishart contracted to build the school for 160 Pounds. A Mr. Daniels contracted to provide furniture and fittings for 245 Pounds ten shillings.

The Board of Education took over the school in 1872, and on 13th April 1872, the Committee made claim to the Department for 450 Pounds plus 30 Pounds for furniture. Daniel Campbell continued as teacher. The Department also bought furniture from the old Anglican school. School records show that on 29th March 1877 the school was closed for some time because of a scarlet fever epidemic. Daniel Campbell resigned on 25th November 1883. In 1885 the Committee applied for a tin roof to cover the leaking shingles, it was supplied in 1889.

A school residence was erected in 1912 and extensions to the school were erected in 1956, and opened as part of the school's centenary celebrations.

Teachers

During the last few years there has been an average of 85 pupils in attendance. New regulations have given much greater powers to the renamed 'School Council', by granting them sums of money for the running of the school. Mr. Ross Peel was elected Chairman, Mr. Len Maher Secretary, and Mrs Norma Stoddart Treasurer of the new council.

1978 Chairman Mr. H. Mclntyre

Secretary Mr. L. Maher

Treasurer Mr. S. McConachy

Mother's Club

March 1931 - School plantation started.

April 1936 - first reference to Bannockburn and District School Sports.

3rd May 1937 - The School Committee purchased two 7 lb. tins of sweets to be distributed to the children on Coronation Day (cost 9d a lb.) A portrait of the King was purchased (cost One Pound five shillings) and medals were presented.

2nd October 1944 - The Committee became affiliated with the Geelong Combined State School Committees Association. The fee was 51- for schools of less than 50 pupils.

June 1952 - A Wireless with extension speaker was purchased at a cost of Forty Pounds. School Centenary 1856-1956. To commemorate the Centenary of Education in Inverleigh a Back to School Centenary Tea and Concert were held after the official opening by the Hon. E.F. Guye M.L.A. of a new classroom and staff room. These were made necessary by the number of pupils rising to 110. Over 400 people attended the celebration.

14th April 1958 - The school adopted a uniform of grey with green and white bands on the jumpers and ties plus a green and white check summer frock. This was not to be compulsory.

17th August 1960 - A plaque in memory of Sir Thomas Dunhill (surgeon to the monarch) and former pupil of the school was unveiled by his uncle Mr. C.H. Peel. The Trustees of Murdeduke School presented Inverleigh with 368 Pounds to build and maintain a tennis court. This was opened on 10th March 1961. Many pupils have derived much pleasure from it.

14th December 1970 - The Inverleigh School was awarded a "D" Classification by the National Trust. The citation refers to it as "an interesting early school built in stone ashlar." The school was managed by a Board of Advice until 1910 when school committees were established. In December 1976, the school committees were re-named School Councils. The Mothers Club began in Inverleigh in 1927 and has supported the school in many ways. It is now known as the Parents and Friends Club.

Hesse School

The early Hesse school was built opposite the front gate of Barunah Plains. Later another Hesse school was situated nearer Inverleigh at what is known as "Bailey's Corner". It is this later school that has been sketched. Families attending the Hesse School include:- Gallaways, Baths, Nelsons, Robertsons, and later Brocks, Venters, and Dawbers. Highly successful dances were held at the school and Mr. Johnson used to take a bus load up from the township.

Doroq School

Doroq school was on the river flats not far from the Hamiltons and the Dawbers. It averaged about 30 pupils and closed before Murdeduke was opened in 1917. Families to attend included:- Ryans, Dawbers, Wisharts, Unwins, Delahuntys, Gallaghers, Bourkes and Cranes. After the school closed it was moved to Larpent.

Murdeduke School No. 3958

About the year 1917, parents in the Murdeduke area (4½ miles South West of Inverleigh) asked the Education Department for a school. The Department agreed to supply a teacher if the parents could supply the land and the building. Mr. N.S. Terrier and Mr. Reg Morgan each gave an acre of land, and on this block was established Murdeduke School No 3958. The parents purchased the building, which had previously been the Customs Office at the Harbour Trust in Geelong. It was transported on a jinker drawn by a traction engine.

Miss Hogan was the first temporary teacher. She was followed by Miss Curtis who remained for a number of years. There was an average of 13 pupils per year. When the tennis court was built the children were well taught the skills of the game and later entered a team in the local competitions.

The school functioned until the end of 1931, when it was closed owing to lack of numbers. The building was used as a youth club which held very successful dances there regularly. The building was auctioned in 1945 after the disastrous bushfires in the Western District. It was bought by a grazier at Bradvale and used as a wool shed. In 1960 the money then held was given to the Inverleigh Primary School to finance the building of a tennis court in the school grounds and the land reverted to its respective owners. Children now attending primary school from this area are carried by a school bus driven by Mr. V. Dawber of Inverleigh.

Inverleigh Pre School

In February 1975 a meeting was held in Bannockburn to determine the probability of opening a kindergarten in the area. Inverleigh and the Bannockburn decided to have separate centres because of the long distances involved. A Committee for each centre was set up to raise funds and organize buildings and equipment. The committees worked along parallel lines and liased with the council.

Eventually in May 1976 both centres were opened. Inverleigh operated in the Supper Room of the hall and Bannockburn in the Russell's Bridge School.

A great deal of hard work went into the setting up and funding of these centres, and it gave great pleasure to see the first group of children enjoying the facilities provided by this energetic group.

Foundation Office Bearers

President - Mrs Leith Russell

Secretary - Mrs Pam Hutchins

Treasurer - Mrs Joyce Muschialli

First Play Leader - Mrs Beryl Wray

Assistant - Mrs Elizabeth Eddy