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150 years: Diamond Creek Primary School

Learn about the history of Diamond Creek Primary School, one of Victoria’s oldest public schools.

Key information

Address:
17 Clyde Street, Diamond Creek, 3089
Opened:
1 July 1870
School type:
Primary
School number:
1003
Other names:
Nillumbik Federal School, Nillumbik Common School, Diamond Creek Common School, Diamond Creek State School

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The history of Diamond Creek Primary School

  • 1870

    Originally known as Nillumbik, the school opened as a common school in 1870.

    The first head teacher was Edward Bill and Mrs Bills was the hand-work mistress.

  • 1871

    Ross became the head teacher and Miss Tayler became the assistant.

  • 1877

    A second room was added to the school because the local population had increased (due to all the mining and fruit picking work in the area).

  • 1910s

    There were nearly 200 students at the school at the time of the first world war.

    Portrait of school students at Diamond Creek State School between 1890 and 1911.
    Portrait of Diamond Creek Primary School children between 1890 and 1911 when it was Diamond Creek State School. (Source: Diamond Creek Primary School)
    School portrait at Diamond Creek State School building between 1890 and 1911.
    Diamond Creek Primary School children between 1890 and 1911 when it was Diamond Creek State School. (Source: Diamond Creek Primary School).
    Front view of Diamond Creek State School between 1890 and 1911.
    Diamond Creek Primary School between 1890 and 1911 when it was Diamond Creek State School. (Source: Diamond Creek Primary School)

  • 1923

    The name of the school changed to Diamond Creek to match the name of the local post office and railway station.

  • 1940s

    As mining declined in the region, student enrolment in the school decreased. However, more and more houses were built in the area and enrolment increased again.

  • 1957

    Two classrooms were added due to rising enrolments.

  • 1970

    The name of the school changed to Diamond Creek Primary School in 1970.

    The school also marked its 100th anniversary that year.

  • 1984 to 1985

    The school's hall was built in 1984-85 when Don Goodger was principal.

  • 1995

    A school history publication was produced to mark the 125th anniversary of the school.

  • 2022

    Diamond Creek Primary School is still in operation.

    The original school building is still in use and has two classrooms.

    The school's house names are the names of students enrolled in the first year in 1871.

    The names are Harrington, Edmonds, Wadeson and Archer.

Find more interesting facts about this school

The Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) is the archive of Victoria's State and local government. They look after some of our oldest school records, and we can use these records to help us understand what school life used to be like.

Now it's your turn to do some detective work. Take a look to see what info they have on this school.

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