ORIGINS OF ST ANDREW’S (QUEENSTOWN) SCHOOL - THE ‘OLD SCHOOL’
and TEACHER’S RESIDENCE.
This is a brief history of our ‘Old School’ – namely the buildings dating from the 1800s located on the corner of School Road & Caledonia Street, St Andrews.
In 1858 a school opened at Queenstown, about a mile (or 1.6klms) upstream on Diamond Creek from the present site of the old St Andrews school. The school was called ‘Caledonia Common School no.128’ and retained this name until 1867 when it was altered to ‘Queenstown’. The average attendance in the early years was about fifty students.
and TEACHER’S RESIDENCE.
This is a brief history of our ‘Old School’ – namely the buildings dating from the 1800s located on the corner of School Road & Caledonia Street, St Andrews.
In 1858 a school opened at Queenstown, about a mile (or 1.6klms) upstream on Diamond Creek from the present site of the old St Andrews school. The school was called ‘Caledonia Common School no.128’ and retained this name until 1867 when it was altered to ‘Queenstown’. The average attendance in the early years was about fifty students.
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In 1874 land was gazetted on the opposite side to the present site of the old school on the corner of School Rd and Caledonia St/ Heidelberg-Kinglake Road.
The old wooden school room (or infants’ room), that accommodate 60 scholars, along with the three-roomed teacher’s residence, were built in late 1875. Originally located in Smiths Gully, at the intersection of Joyce Road and Smiths Gully Rd, they were completed by contractor H Maxwell and cost £374.00. An extra £32.13.6 was requested for extra height in the blocks, chimneys, steps and for the position of the building. The school was officially opened as ‘Smiths Gully State School 1737’. |
In 1882, due to declining numbers of scholars at Smiths Gully and increasing numbers in Queenstown (now St Andrews) the school and the residence were relocated to Queenstown in September 1882. The teacher’s residence was finally completed in November 1882.
In 1905, Head Teacher, A. Eddy, was permitted to build a detached room. It was built 12 feet from the official residence. It measured 14 ft. x 12 ft. and it had a chimney and veranda. Mr Eddy used this as a living room and kitchen. When Mr Eddy left he offered the building to the Education Dept for £20.10.0
In 1910, Head teacher Lytlle, requested an extra room and other improvements to accommodate his large family (the detached room is still there). Cost was £117-17-6.
In 1905, Head Teacher, A. Eddy, was permitted to build a detached room. It was built 12 feet from the official residence. It measured 14 ft. x 12 ft. and it had a chimney and veranda. Mr Eddy used this as a living room and kitchen. When Mr Eddy left he offered the building to the Education Dept for £20.10.0
In 1910, Head teacher Lytlle, requested an extra room and other improvements to accommodate his large family (the detached room is still there). Cost was £117-17-6.
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Repairs and renovation continued with a major upgrade in 1925, with the familiar wooden double desks being installed to replace the backless benches bolted to the floor.
In 1952 both the name of the town and the school were changed from Queenstown to St Andrews. In part this was due to the mix up of the mail going to Queenstown in Tasmania, however as early as 1940 Head Teacher Hodge requested this alteration. In 1955 a new classroom and corridor was built and occupied in November – ‘Standard light timber construction’, the new room measured 24’ x 24’ with a 36’ x 6’ corridor, it was not painted at this stage. In 1958 the school held Centenary celebrations with a barbeque, parade and a dance. In 1962 bushfires affected St Andrews and part of the fence was burnt, along with plantation trees belonging to the school (this plantation was cleared in 1964). In the same year electricity and phone reached the school for the first time! In 1961, another school room, office and storeroom were added. It is these 1950s &1960s additions that will be demolished for the redevelopment. The Infants’ room and the Residence will be refurbished. |
Queenstown (St Andrews) School Circa 1912
'Pupils in the Garden'
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Discussion on re-siting of the school began in 1976, but there was a lack of agreement between parents and the School Council as to where the building should be situated. By 1982 140 students in six classes were enrolled at St Andrews – they were housed in two permanent rooms and three portable classrooms! By 1984 the school was able to move into its new building and the Old School was handed over to the community.
In 1983 a new school was built, 500 metres south of the old school and the old school became the St Andrews Community Centre.
(References – Neville Drummond, History Section of Education Dept. August 1983. PROV - 795P Unit 439 File 933. Mr Pepperdine – Principal, 1968-1971. St Andrews - a village built on gold, 1998)
(Article by Gaye Ponting - St Andrews / Queenstown Historical Society)
Present Day
St Andrews Community Centre (SACC) continued to serve its community after closing as the primary school in 1983. A number of community-run groups operated from the building, including playgroups and the centre was available for hire. The Residence was privately rented.
After the devastating bushfires of 2009, SACC was established as a relief centre, accommodating agencies, donating material aid, providing information and support and a place for people to come together.
As time progressed, a range of workshops and courses were offered to the community via SACC, many being funded by bushfire relief grants. These included a mosaic group, weaving classes, felting, music, yoga, community BBQs as well as land management and gardening. Many of these activities and groups continue in 2014. SACC has also auspiced several groups in St Andrews, enabling them to develop and grow. These include the 3 Film Societies, the Men’s Shed and the St Andrews Gardening Co-op.
In 1983 a new school was built, 500 metres south of the old school and the old school became the St Andrews Community Centre.
(References – Neville Drummond, History Section of Education Dept. August 1983. PROV - 795P Unit 439 File 933. Mr Pepperdine – Principal, 1968-1971. St Andrews - a village built on gold, 1998)
(Article by Gaye Ponting - St Andrews / Queenstown Historical Society)
Present Day
St Andrews Community Centre (SACC) continued to serve its community after closing as the primary school in 1983. A number of community-run groups operated from the building, including playgroups and the centre was available for hire. The Residence was privately rented.
After the devastating bushfires of 2009, SACC was established as a relief centre, accommodating agencies, donating material aid, providing information and support and a place for people to come together.
As time progressed, a range of workshops and courses were offered to the community via SACC, many being funded by bushfire relief grants. These included a mosaic group, weaving classes, felting, music, yoga, community BBQs as well as land management and gardening. Many of these activities and groups continue in 2014. SACC has also auspiced several groups in St Andrews, enabling them to develop and grow. These include the 3 Film Societies, the Men’s Shed and the St Andrews Gardening Co-op.
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Local interest grew in serving on the community volunteer committee and groups began to see SACC as a logical home for community activities. The committee actively collaborated with Council and other agencies to provide for the community and improved its governance and operational roles. Our volunteer committee of 13 is broadly representative of the wider St Andrews community and together we bring a wide range of skills and experience to the committee.
Long-deferred plans for the redevelopment of SACC came to life again when funds dedicated for community renewal projects were donated from the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Funds. Following community consultation concept plans were developed and refined and led to the appointment of Gregory Burgess as architect. While the process of redevelopment has been a long and frustrating one, we are confident that our beautiful new Centre will come to life in the next few years, with exhibitions, classes, workshops, music and a memorial niche. We hope it will be a warm, welcoming space for all the community. We invite you to join us by becoming a member of the association! Sue Aldred St Andrews Community Centre Committee of Management |
St Andrews Community Centre circa 2010
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