Former Russells Bridge State School No. 530
139 Clyde Hill Road, RUSSELLS BRIDGE VIC 3331 - Property No 40100049
Statement of Significance
What is Significant?
The former Russell's Bridge State School is situated on allotment J, section C, Parish of Wabdallah in the township of Russell's Bridge. The township takes its name from George Russell, pastoral pioneer and manager of the Clyde Company. The settlement is situated within a curve of the Moorabool River and stands on land originally occupied as the Wabdallah run, a small parcel of the Clyde Company's vast pastoral holdings. A permanent crossing over the Moorabool River and the sale of freehold land became the impetus for the development of the Russell's Bridge township. The Rev. Robert Flemming, a trustee of the Russell's Bridge Presbyterian Church, first petitioned for the establishment of denomination school in 1857 and later that year a teacher's salary was sanctioned. However, following the introduction of free, compulsory and secular education under the Victorian Education Act of 1872, provisions were made for the construction a vested common school. It was not until 1878 that a site was purchased from the Presbyterian Church for 50 pounds. Finally, in June 1880, T. Holyoak was awarded the tender for the erection of a new brick school and residence. The red brick school, with a single classroom and attached living quarters is of standard design and is L-shaped in plan. The school opened in 1880 and served the local community until 1969. In 1975, the school reserve was revoked and the site was gazetted as the Russell's Bridge Public Purposes (Pre-School Centre) Reserve, with the Shire of Bannockburn appointed the committee of management. It operated as a pre-school until 2005, when the facility was relocated to Bannockburn. The former school building remains unoccupied. An inspection of the interiors of the school building reveals that the internal wall between the classroom and residence has been removed. The fireplace and chimney have been retained. The school site has mature plantings of Schinus molle (Peppercorn trees) and Eucalyptus species, with some smaller native trees and shrubs. The former Russell's Bridge State School is intact, retains a fair degree of integrity and is in good condition.
How is it Significant?
The former Russell's Bridge State School is of historical, social and architectural significance to the township of Russell's Bridge and the Golden Plains Shire.
Why is it significant?
The former Russell's Bridge State School is of historical significance as a small rural school, established under the State School system in 1880. The surviving school building provides a tangible link that illustrates the collective aspirations of the local community, who lobbied for the establishment of a school from 1857.
The school is of social significance as the permanent site for the provision of free and secular education under the innovative Victorian Education Act 1872. Its social significance is further enhanced by the school's role as the focus of community life, reflected in the land and buildings being gazetted for the purposes of a pre-school centre in 1975, once the school ceased to educated primary aged children.
The school is of architectural significance as an intact, surviving example of a small rural state school with attached living quarters, dating from the late 19th century.
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Clyde Flour Mill and Managers Residence
Golden Plains Shire -
Former Presbyterian Church
Golden Plains Shire
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Russells Bridge over Moorabool River
National Trust
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