Shirley School (No. 1760), initially called Mount Cole Flats School, opened on 21 October 1876.
There was disagreement within the Education Board back then as to whether this school should be opened at all. The District Inspector believed it was too close to other schools in the area, however the Secretary thought otherwise, and so it went ahead. A site of 2 acres in the Parish of Raglan was gazetted, and a wooden portable schoolroom with quarters of two rooms attached was erected. Porches were added in 1889.
Typical of many State Schools in Victoria, there was only one Teacher at Mount Cole Flats. The character of the population served by the school was described as “selectors, small farmers and shepherds”. The average attendance was 27, and this figure remained relatively constant throughout the history of the school.
The frustration with communication methods in those early days is illustrated by the following comment written by teacher Mildred Dunn, on 10 November 1892: ‘It is two months since the chimney blew down in a storm and nothing has been done to it. During that time I have been unable to have a fire and I have two of my children laid up with influenza.’
In 1913, the name of the school was changed to Shirley.
In 1916, the effects of WW1 were strongly felt by all, as illustrated by the recommendation made by the School Committee that ‘we have no Christmas Tree this year on account of the War and the teacher will explain to the children the reason why.’
In the 1920s, the building also served as a Post Office.
In 1928, the attendance fell to 3, and so the school was closed that April. The building was purchased by the Salvation Army and relocated to Beaufort.
In 1947, another 2 acres was purchased from J Franc in Raglan West, and the school building from the Sailors Gully State School No. 857 was moved to the site.
Shirley School No. 1760 was reopened on 23 January 1948.
It continued until its closure on 18 December 1957.
On 2 July 2017, many local residents and past students attended a dedication ceremony for the plaque to which you have been brought. Recognising their school and the important role it played is incredibly meaningful to the local community.
The cache was placed on this day with support from the landowner and the organisers of the day.