Community
29 November, 2024
150 years of state education in Lismore
LISMORE Primary School recently marked a special milestone, with past and current students touring the school and looking through memorabilia and photographs.
This year marked 150 years of state education in Lismore, with the school opening in 1867 east of the Presbyterian Church.
The current building, located between William and Oman Streets, was built in 1878 as the second iteration of the school.
As part of the celebrations, the Derrinallum Lismore Community Association History Group (DLCA History Group) brought a collection of photos and memorabilia from the school’s history to display at a special afternoon tea.
Families who had previously attended Lismore Primary School returned to view the current building – which is a 1950 reconstruction following a fire in August 1948 which burnt down the 1912-1948 building – and how it has changed since their time at school.
Principal Matthew Hobbs said the past families who returned to the school spent most of their time reminiscing while browsing the collection of old workbooks and school photos.
“It’s pretty amazing for a school to be around for 150 years,” he said.
“I know it’s not the original building, but 150 years is a long time.
“Over time, there have been a lot of principals have come and gone, and lots of different teachers teaching here.
“Back in the day, it was a massive school – there was lots of students, and there were up to 180 students at different stages.
“While we no longer have those numbers, and at the moment we’re looking at having 28 students next year, it’s still going strong and on the up again.”
Among the items on display were original school bells students learned to play, and a letter from Governor of Victoria Margaret Gardner sent earlier in the year to commemorate the milestone.
“There are very few schools in our state that have provided education for over 150 years,” the letter read.
“Across this time, much has altered – the curriculum taught by teachers, the quality of facilities and classrooms, and the diversity of the students within them.
“What has remained constant is that access to education creates opportunity. It allows us to find new ways of understanding and responding to the world, even as that world changes around us.
“What is wonderful is to imagine what you, the students of Lismore Primary School, will live to see, experience and achieve with your education.
“I send my warmest congratulations to all the teachers, parents and students of Lismore Primary School as you continue to create opportunities for generations to come.”
Mr Hobbs said the school was looking in a new direction for the future, which includes some anticipated building works.
“We’ve got two grades at the moment – we’ve got Prep-2 grade and a 3-6 grade – and we’ll be getting some upgrades to the building,” he said.
“The building works hopefully will be starting next year – the toilet blocks will go, and it will be landscaped.
“New toilets will be installed, and some of the rooms will be upgraded.”
Mr Hobbs extended his gratitude to those in attendance who helped to mark the milestone.
“I’d like to thank our PFA for putting the event together, for organising the food, the room, and for setting up – it’s a big job and, if you don’t have people to do it, it doesn’t get done,” he said.
“I’d also like to thank the people – and they’ll know who they are – who hung onto all the photos and memorabilia, and I’d like to thank the DLCA History Group.
“There have been some individuals who have really hung onto some of the things that are in there, like some of the photos, that have given them to the DLCA History Group and without those people a lot of photos would have been lost.”
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