Hello Everyone,
My name is Tamara Popovich and I have been President of the School Council for the past year. I moved into Ascot Vale with my family in 2017 and I am the proud mother of a grade 3 at the school.
I feel privileged to share with you today a brief overview of the school’s rich history.
Ascot Vale West Post Office opened in 1888 and was renamed Ascot Vale in 1893.
WW1 ended in 1918 and the government of Australia at that time was concerned about not having enough citizens should another world war break out so they had put a call out to Britain for immigrants.
With an increasing population, Ascot Vale and Moonee Ponds West state schools became overcrowded. Because of the small size of the allotments of both of these schools, adding more classrooms was not an option. It was decided the answer to this problem was to build another school.
The Maribyrnong Hill and Bagotville Progress Association, with the assistance of Member of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Thomas Ryan, campaigned for a primary school in the Ascot Vale West area. The proposed site for the school was an area of Victory Park.
Also at this time a new housing estate opened on the hill opposite the showgrounds within Monash, Chauvel and Elliot Streets.
Before this housing estate was built nothing really happened around the hill area. There were a few stables on the corner where Victory Park is now and a meat factory further up the hill near Anderson Street.
At that time this area had a small pond, where yabbies were caught.
After a conference between Government Cabinet representatives and the Progress Association the proposed site for the school was 4 acres at the Southern end of Victory Park. Because it was beside Victory Park’s 6 acres, the school actually provided nearly 10 acres of open space surrounding the school building. That is a little over 40,000 square metres or approximately 2 MCGs.
On May 27th 1920, State School 4025 Ascot Vale West Primary School was established under the direction of Mr Charles Lightfoot who was the head teacher of state school 2901 at Moonee ponds west.
Ascot Vale West was run in conjunction with Moonee Ponds West until the school building was completed.
Prior to completion, the junior classes were conducted at All Saints Church Hall in Charles Street Ascot Vale.
The double storey red brick building was the first school erected in Victoria on plans jointly approved by Victoria and South Australia Governments.
The Victorian Director of Education, Mr Tate and Mr Williams of South Australia went to England and brought back plans which were used for the school to be built.
On Monday the 19th of February 1923, the building was opened and 419 pupils, most of them transfers from Ascot Vale and Moonee Ponds West, were enrolled and admitted during the following two weeks.
The school catered for Prep through to year 8.
Mr A J Lumsden was the first headmaster and there were 12 teachers at the school.
On Wednesday evening March 14th 1923 a meeting of parents and other interested people was held to elect a school committee.
Elected members were:
Mr J E HIgginbotham, Chairman
Mr Andrew Plunkett, correspondent
Mrs J G Kidney, Treasurer
The official opening of the school was on the 28th of April 1923.
Mr Higginbotham made the introductory speech and member of the legislative assembly Mr Thomas Ryan opened the building. In his address Mr Ryan stated this was the best of the 6 schools he had opened in the district.
In his speech, headmaster Lumsden said it was the best building he had ever taught in.
A fete was held on the opening day with proceeds to be used for the erection of shelter sheds, purchase of a piano, scientific instruments and sporting materials.
The night preceding the fete a fancy dress ball was held in the Paramount Hall on Union Road and from there a torch light procession marched through the main streets.
The Ascot Vale West Mother’s Club started on 17 July 1930 when the constitution was approved.
Mrs Kewley was president and Mrs Quinlan was Secretary
In 1959 the Mother’s Club opened a canteen beside the stairwell near the first floor.
Today the Mother’s Club is called parents and friends association and is very instrumental in the fundraising efforts for the school.
The school band started in 1930.
There were also more buildings which were added after the 1930s. They were the band shed, caretakers residence, which was demolished in 1991, Art/craft building, the senior single storey building which was built in 1970s. And the dental unit.
In 1974 a music room was built and was also to be used as a library.
It was called the BM, HR & JE Crockford library in honour of 3 generations of the Crockford family for services rendered to the school committee. The Crockford family owned the local dairy in Epsom Road.
This building was demolished in 2022 to make way for the stunning new building we have today.
I would like to thank Trish Starr for providing me with the fascinating booklet which was put together by Helen Williams for the 70th anniversary of AVWPS.
There are some wonderful quotes from former students of the school.
Bob Sparks proclaimed “in 1926 Ascot Vale West were the football premiers”
George Biddle described how “If you were caught swearing, you would have your mouth washed out with a soapy water solution in the presence of a teacher and a house captain.”
Glenace Burney recounted that “When I was at school in the 1930s, we did not get holidays at show time”
Many children from Ascot Vale and surrounding neighbourhoods have passed through the school in its hundred years, sometimes multiple generations of the same family. This is a testament to the historical strength of the school.
Now in its 101st year the school has a fabulous new building with more room to cater for the increasing population.
A dedicated and talented group of teachers and staff providing students with an optimal foundation for their educational journey.
A bright and enthusiastic student body which represents the diversity of the community.
And I expect with the leadership and vision of Olivia as the newly appointed principal, Ascot Vale West Primary School will continue to grow and prosper into the future which will enable the school to continue to nurture the minds of our youngest community members for the next hundred years and hopefully beyond.
Regards,
Tamara Popovich
