150 years: Lilydale Primary School

Lilydale opened as a common school in 1866. The school building was located on Anderson Street.

The school became a state school in 1873. A new brick building was opened on a new site. The first school fence, ‘built to keep out wandering cattle, was totally consumed as fuel for classroom fires during bleak winters'.

The number of students enrolled in 188 was 169. The local hall was rented for classes while the school was extended.

The school became a higher elementary school in 1919. This meant that secondary classes for older students were added, like secondary schools today.

The Mother's Club raised money for a new cookery centre and shelter shed.

The secondary classes moved to the Lilydale High School (No. 7995) when it opened in 1951. The high school was located with the primary school until 1954.

A new wing was erected in 1966. It had four classrooms. The cookery centre was converted into an arts and craft room.

For more rooms were added in 1969.

The school was renamed Lilydale Primary School in 1970.

The school marked its 125th anniversary in 1991. The main wing of the school and Art Room burnt down as a result of a fault in the gas flues. The school was closed for a week before Easter and portables were set up on the tennis court and diamond.

The two new two-storey classroom blocks, art room and gym were opened.

A new building opened in 2011, which included four Grade 5 and 6 classrooms.

The old Lilydale Police station was purchased for the school’s use. This was eventually knocked down to make way for more play areas.

The school marked its 150th Anniversary in 2016.

Lilydale Primary School is still in operation.