Closed for ever

The last post dealt with the abandoned small rural school, this one deals with some of the larger schools.

Murtoa Primary School No. 1549.

The first school in Murtoa was a private school built in 1873. The first government school was built, and began classes in 1877, additions were made in the 1880s and 1909.

Poignant reminders the play equipment at Murtoa

In 1933 a wooden infant room was erected separate to the main three-room block. Later a number of portable classrooms were placed on the site.

The primary section was transferred to the Secondary school site in early 2000s and the Duncan-Degenhardt Street site abandoned, fenced off and warned off.

The Moliagil Common School was built in 1872. As a result of the central Victorian gold-rush a community sprang up around Moliagil (the Welcome Stranger - the world's largest alluvial gold nugget measuring 61 cm by 31 cm - was found at nearby Bulldog Gully in 1869).

Built of locally made red bricks the school's first teacher was Thomas Flynn (father of the "Flying Doctor" Rev John Flynn of the Inland).

Dwindling populations caused the school to close in 1970.

Brigid House the Horsham Brigidine Convent was opened on 11th April 1920, and the accompanying St Michael & John's Primary School on the 13th. The impressive brick building has been a convent to the nuns, a boarding school for students, and most recently classrooms for the Primary School. It now stands condemned, due to movement and cracking in the walls, and awaits demolition.