Northern school marks 70 years

LEARNING began on Landsborough Street at Ballarat North Primary School in mid-1953.

This year, current pupils, staff, and former students are set to mark the school community’s 70th anniversary, and education support staffer Emma Livingstone Poole is leading the charge.

“I’m a bit of a history nerd, and I found some stuff when cleaning out a storeroom,” she said.

“I got excited about looking through it, did some research on Trove, and found out what I could about the school.”

A Facebook page, Past Students & Staff of Ballarat North Primary (State) School (1953 – Now), has been set up by Ms Livingstone Poole, and she is inviting former pupils to join the site to share their memories and to stay up to date with celebration plans.

“We’ve set up a committee for scanning photos, leading the Facebook group, and creating a history,” she said.

“We’ve learnt things, like although there was money from the education department when the school was set up, donations were needed, and cards were sent around the neighbourhood.

“It was noted in the school minutes that the first principal was accosted on the street by some students who had been putting on backyard concerts and charging an entry fee.

“They gave him a pound towards fundraising for the school, which I thought was really sweet.”

Ms Livingstone Poole said she is confident most school photos dating back to 1953 are on file, but encourages former students and staff to join the Facebook group and share what they have.

A more official event to mark the anniversary could be held during the school’s 2023 Celebration of the Arts.