It’s been the “finishing line” for thousands of primary school students, and even some of the state’s best cyclists back in the 1920s and ’30s.
One of Brimbank’s oldest schools will celebrate its 90th birthday at a special celebration next month.
Albion Primary School will host a “Back to Albion” event on October 22 to celebrate its July 8, 1926, opening.
The school’s beginning followed the federal government’s purchase of a large area of land in Albion at the end of World War I to build soldier settlement homes. In 1921, the Albion Returned Soldiers and Sailors Taxpayers Association wrote to the education minister requesting that a school also be built on the site to cater for population growth.
Former student and Sunshine and District Historical Society member John Willaton said the school became well known for many reasons, including its “widely admired gardens”, which were cared for by grade 6 boys under the keen eye of various headmasters.
“During the 1920s and 1930s, the finish line for the Colac to Melbourne and Warrnambool to Melbourne cycling road races was located on Ballarat Road near the school, which was used for change rooms and St John’s Ambulance first-aid stations,” he said.
“The very large classrooms of the original brick building … served the Albion community very well, allowing the rooms to be opened up for popular, fortnightly old-time dances as well as picture nights and card nights.”
Former and current students and staff will be able to look at old photos and share old and new stories at the school from 10am to 4pm. Details: 9311 1325 or email albion.ps@vic.gov.au
