Gardenvale Primary School

Our History

Mr. Hutchison, ex Minister of Education, conducted the Official opening of Gardenvale Primary School, or (Gardenvale Central School as it was known then), on Saturday, July 2^nd, 1922, at the cost of 11,000 pounds.

The first principal of the school was Mr. W. Stewart, who remained in this position for 22 years. The Junior Campus, (a block further down Landcox Street), was added soon afterwards and this site was used for Infant classes. "Bristol" classrooms were added in the late 1940's early 1950's and were used for teaching Geography and French and three relocatables were added in 1974 for Needlecraft, Woodcraft and Science classes.

In 1922 there were a total of 540 students enrolled and by 1945 these numbers had risen to approximately 400 students in the Junior School, 400 students in the Upper Primary and 400 students in the Central School, resulting in a huge grand total of 1200 pupils.

In 1974, Fryerstown School near Castlemaine was leased and opened as the official school camp and remained so for more than 25 years.
Mr. & Mrs. Les Hogan retired as school cleaners in December 1980 after
having worked and lived in the school residence since 1945.

Well-known ex-students have included:

Peter Walker	Geelong and Victorian footballer
Neil Roberts	VFL footballer and Brownlow Medallist for St. Kilda
Ralph Doubell	Olympic Gold Medallist in the 800m
Athol Guy	Member of the "Seekers" group and Member of Parliament
Carl Ditterich	St. Kilda and State footballer
Jeff Sarou	St. Kilda footballer
Irene Kalinski	Pianist
Chris Kimber	Violinist
Alan Kogasowski	Pianist
Peter Duncan	Former Attorney General of South Australia
Ian Hoult	Doctor at Royal Womens' Hospital Test Tube Babies Program
Nicholas Reis	Hawthorn footballer
William Gillard	Supreme Court Judge

The School in 1922

The First Students

The Official Opening

The School Choir

Physical Education

The Store Holders

Photos: Newspaper Collection, State Library of Victoria.