In the 1880’s timber was in high demand for the growing Melbourne market. Millers took up leases
near the newly established town of Longwarry. The town grew quickly, and with the influx of people
a new concern arose, the children had to be educated.
In 1881 residents forwarded a petition to the Education Minister stating that there were 30 children
available for schooling in Longwarry and that he might consider establishing a school there.
On 25th March 1882 the Assistant District School Inspector recommended a school be established.
On 29th April 1882, Donald Fraser appealed to the District Inspector for a school,telling him that the teacher at the rock cutting school 2232 (Miss McBride) was willing to operate both schools on a part-time basis.
A building was leased from Mr James Rhodes for £13 per annum, on the corner of Flinders Road and
Modella-Kooweerup Road and Longwarry School 2505 opened on 1st July 1882. Only two thirds of
the 42 enrolled pupils attended school in 1882.
On 21st July 1882 the Department was advised that the leased building was not suitable due to the
bark roof leaking in heavy rain and many letters were written to the Department regarding the
possibility that land be made available in Longwarry for a permanent school to be built.
In 1883 the Department decreed that both schools should be worked full-time. Miss McBride agreed
to go to Longwarry.
Numerous sites were proposed for the school. The Inspector recommended a site mid-way between
the 2 schools, presumably so that pupils from both schools could now attend the new school. This
recommendation was rejected by local parents as they wanted both schools to operate
independently. The District Inspector withdrew his recommendation and on 6th May 1884 decided to
erect a new schoolhouse on the “Township Site” where the school is today. By October 1884 the new
schoolhouse consisting of 3 rooms was completed at a cost of £305.00 The new school opened in
February 1885. By 1889 the enrollment was 87 pupils, but barely half of those attended.
In 1889 Miss McBride requested 2 new residential rooms be built. However, due to falling
enrollments, only 1 additional room was added. By 1898 both the Department of Health and the
Shire of Buln Buln drew attention to the state of the schoolhouse. The pupils were moved to the local
Mechanics Institute from 7th June 1898 so repairs could be made.
The school enrollment continued to increase, there was a need for more rooms. 23rd March 1900
Department approved an enlargement to the school house to accommodate 100 children.
1960 saw the school’s top enroll

School & Residence c1905

ment of 197 students.
The old school building was condemned in 1965 with 4 new classrooms and 2 separate rooms being
built and occupied in 1966.
What began as a 1 room school with 1 Teacher and 42 enrolled pupils, has (at the end of 2024)
become a school with 28 staff, and almost 150 enrolled students**.
The school today sits on the same ground as it did back in 1885 and is a testimony to those pioneers
who lobbied for a schoolhouse at Longwarry.
**Information from 2024 Annual report