Irrewillipe Primary School No 1039 was one of two schools established between Colac and Camperdown in 1870. Seventeen pupils enrolled on the the first day in 1870 and by the end of the year, the enrolment had risen to 38. The largest number of children ever enrolled in one year was 1876 when there were 61 pupils.
The original school stood for 95 years. During this time it was also used as a social centre for the district. It was used for euchre (card) parties right up until the end.
If you look across the road from GZ, you can see the trees that would have surrounded the school. It is now privately owned land.
In 1965, the new school was opened on a new site (near the corner of this road and the Colac-Timboon Road) and ready for 16 pupils. This school later closed due to dwindling numbers.
The municipal directory of 1885 described Irrewillipe as 'a township, population 61', set in country 'very suitable for grazing purposes'. It also boasted a hotel, a general store, a sawmill, a bootmaker, a blacksmith and a bakery. Directly across the road from GZ where a couple of tanks stand, is a watering hole, known as 'The Springs'. It is a public watering hole used in early days by drovers.