Education has always been important in our area, evidenced by the large number of schools that once operated within a 20km radius of Pleasant Hills.
Many of these sites are now identified only by a road name or a stand of quick-growing Sugar Gums, which were planted to provide a renewable supply of timber to keep students warm in winter.
Historical Schools in the District:
- Rawsonville: 1885 – 1890
- Woodend: Exact location unknown
- Grubben: Aug 1899 – Dec 1961
- Alma Park: Nov 1912 – Dec 1969
- Mundawaddera: 4 sites, 1885 – 1955
- Wallandool: 1895 – 1975
- Oakdene: Jan 1949 – Dec 1971
- Urangeline: Nov 1881 – Dec 1942
- Fernthorpe: Feb 1915 – Dec 1969. The Fernthorpe school building was eventually relocated to Pleasant Hills and serves as the current School Library.
- Lalla Rookh: Shared schooling with Gum Holes, 1902
- Osborne: Oct 1902 – Dec 1971
Researched and written by Fiona Beckett