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The Moorabool News – 29 March, 2022 Page 11
Photo: Lachlan Ellis
Archiving the oldest school By Lachlan Ellis This year, 2022, marks 150 years since Victoria’s public education system was founded – the first in Australia – and a local school has contributed to the archives. A dedicated Victorian Government website will feature the 483 original government schools from 1872, alongside every other government school established since, displaying a selection of digitally preserved historical records from the past 150 years. The site will include school history summaries, enrolment registers, and photos. Over 6,500 boxes of historical documents and items have already been collected and digitised from schools across Victoria, including Bacchus Marsh Primary School – the oldest school in Victoria, opening in 1850. Bacchus Marsh Primary School’s Principal, Melinda
Williams, said the school was proud of its history, and long connection with the community. “History is extremely important to us – we have some lovely boards along the front of our school that create a narrative. If members of the community happen to be walking along the front of our school in Lerderderg Street, they can stop and take a moment to read some of the history,” Ms Williams told the Moorabool News. “You do worry about deterioration of important documents. Photographs, original handwritten rolls, books from celebrations that have taken place...there’s a huge collection of historical memorabilia and photographs, that we’re thrilled to be having digitised.” Anyone with historical gems not yet uncovered, such as photos, documents, or other historical school treasures, is encouraged to email them to 150years@education.vic.gov.au, and add to the growing digital time capsule. A selection of historical records from each of Victoria’s 483
public schools in existence since 1872 will be available on the Victorian Government’s website from May. Minister for Education, James Merlino, said this a really special milestone for Victorian education. “While many aspects of Victoria’s education may have changed, the idea that every child should have access to a free, secular, high-quality education, regardless of their background, will never change. “I encourage all Victorians and Victorian schools to share their educational history via the 150 Years website, and help commemorate the integral role government schools have played in the educational fabric of our state.” For more information on the ‘150 Years of Public Education’ milestone, visit www.vic.gov.au/150years. The Education Act of 1872, passed when Victoria was still a British colony, was the first of its kind in the world, establishing the Education Department and removing state funding of non-government schools.
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