Event marks end of an era at St Brendan’s

MORE than one hundred and sixty years of Catholic education at St Brendan’s Primary School at Dunnstown was celebrated last Saturday, with Damascus set to take over the site next year.

Both current students and former pupils attended the event which was an opportunity to reminisce, reflect and come together as a community.

Leo Murphy, one of the oldest surviving past pupils, attended the event and he said he still remembers his first day at the school in 1937.

“Well, you didn’t know anyone of course and you just had to play along,” he said. “All of the students lived around the area, so you got to know them very quickly.”

The technology used by Mr Murphy in the 1930s was vastly different to what is used by students today.

“In the little room as we called it, there wasn’t room for a blackboard,” he said. “I started writing on a slate, basically a stone you might say.”

Mr Murphy said that while the closure is sad for the community, it had to happen with the lack of students.

“I feel disheartened that it’s got to happen because it’s been such a good school over the years,” he said.

“All of my kids went to this school and all of their kids went to this school.

“The numbers are just not here now and we’re not allowed to develop in the area because we’re in the water catchment.”

Current grade 6 student Lucy said her favourite thing about going to St Brendan’s was the friendships she formed.

“I loved being able to get to know everyone personally,” she said. “We are all friends and we all play with each other.”

Catholic education will continue on the site in a different form, with Damascus College set to use the facility starting next year.

“Today, while its very sad and the end of the era for primary school here, we’re very excited to announce that Damasus College will use the site,” said Tom Sexton, executive director of Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education.

“They’re not exactly sure what they are going to do here but they’re working on some programs.”