History of the Goornong Primary School

BEFORE the 1872 Education Act, in the colony of Victoria education was delivered by a number of providers, including private tutors, churches and government-aided institutions.

During this time schooling was neither free nor compulsory. In 1863 a Presbyterian Denominational school was opened at the first Goornong settlement, which was located near Crabhole Creek, approximately four kilometres south-west of the present-day township.

In 1866 this school became Goornong Common School #292, and was later renamed Goornong State School #292 after the passing of the education act in 1872.

In the period 1872-1874 local residents sent a number of petitions to the Department of Education requesting the school be moved to the more central location of Goornong township. As such, Goornong State School #1598 officially opened in 1875, when it transferred to the present brick building in Grant Street.

Head teacher Alexander Cross enrolled 41 pupils from a wide area and ranging in years from the very young to late teenage. The first fencing was erected in the 1880s when Charles McLean, later a classifier in state schools, was head teacher.

Many of the present mature trees were planted between 1893 and 1910 in head teacher Cummings’ time. In 1909 the school had reached 60 enrolments and by 1921 there were 70 pupils taught by three teachers.

The school council was formed in 1911.

Due to increasing enrolments, a shelter shed (which still stands today) was built in 1912 by Hume and Iser from Bendigo and this was used to hold some classes.

A bell was purchased in 1914 and it is believed that this is the bell that is now mounted on a pole beside the brick building.

In 2025, the school continues to provide high quality education to the local children. There are currently 46 students enrolled.

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