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150 years: Maldon Primary School

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

Key information

Address:
109 High Street , Maldon, 3463
Opened:
1 August 1873
School type:
Primary
School number:
1254
Other names:
Maldon State School

The history of Maldon Primary School

  • 1875

    Maldon opened as a state school in 1875.

    It replaced several church and private schools that had been operating since the late 1850s.

    Classes were initially held in the Church of England and Methodist school buildings.

    The first head teacher was Mr Henry Thurlby and 300 students were enrolled.

    The brick school building was opened by the Minister of Public Instruction, the Hon. Angus Mackay in 1875.

    The State Treasurer, the Hon. James Service, was a guest at the opening.

    Whole school portrait outside brick Maldon State School building around 1875.
    Children at Maldon Primary School in around 1875 when it was called Maldon State School. (Source: Maldon Primary School)
  • 1910 to 1920

    Maldon State School celebrating Coronation day in 1911.
    Celebrating Coronation day at Maldon Primary School in 1911 when it was called Maldon State School. (Source: Maldon Primary School)

    From 1910 to 1920 many deep gold mines were in operation.

    The mines were very successful and the town boomed.

    Attendance rose to 640.

  • 1950s

    Enrolments, which had reduced after the gold mining boom, increased in the 1950s.

    A playground was added in 1953 and a teacher's house was bought in 1954.

    Many families moved to the area during the Cairn Curran reservoir construction.

  • 1962

    The teacher's house was sold in 1962.

  • 1970

    The school's named changed to Maldon Primary School in 1970.

    Attendance was about 120.

  • 1973

    Maldon marked its 100th anniversary.

    A centenary publication was compiled by Col Gibson.

  • 1980

    Black and white photograph of the Maldon school building
    Maldon Primary School building in 1980. Source: John T. Collins and the State Library of Victoria
  • 2022

    Maldon is still in operation.

    Its brick school building is still the heart of the school.

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 info they have on this school.

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