150 years: Colac Primary School

Learn about the history of Colac Primary School, one of Victoria's oldest public schools.

Key information

Address:
65 Murray Street, Colac, 3250
Opened:
1 September 1850
School type:
Primary
School number:
117
Other names:
Colac School, Colac Common School, Colac State School

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The history of Colac Primary School

  • 1850

    Colac opened in 1850. The head teacher was Farquhar Morison. 

  • 1862

    The school became a common school in 1862. 

  • 1870s

    The school became a state school at some stage between 1873 and 1878. A local hall was being used as the schoolhouse. 

    A new school was built from bluestone and brick in 1878.

  • 1900s

    Black and white photograph of Colac Primary School building with students in front of the school gate. Colac State School circa 1900. Source: State Library of Victoria

  • 1964

    The school was destroyed by fire. A new school had to be built. 

  • 1966

    The new school opened in 1966.

  • 1970

    The school was renamed Colac Primary School.

  • 2000

    The school marked its 150th anniversary.

  • 2006

    The school had a major upgrade with new classrooms and administration area added.

  • 2010

    The school opened a full-sized stadium.

  • 2022

    Colac Primary School is still in operation. 

Find more interesting facts about this school

The Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) is the archive of Victoria's State and local government. They look after some of our oldest school records, and we can use these records to help us understand what school life used to be like.

Now it's your turn to do some detective work. Take a look to see what information they have on this school.

Find all the records PROV holds for this school(opens in a new window)

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