Mount Evelyn History Group’s Paula Herlihy says the display at Mount Evelyn Exhibition Space gives all local residents a sense ofbelonging. 54638
By Russell Bennett
The then-Education Minister was referring to Mount Evelyn Primary School’s run-down facilities.
Two decades later, the century-old school is known for its ultra-modern look and attracting international attention for state of the art technology and teaching methods.
Earlier this year the school even agreed to forego $500,000 of its own allocated funding from the Federal Government’s Building the Education Revolution scheme and instead directed it to Mount Evelyn Special Developmental School.
“It just goes to show how far the school has come,” Mount Evelyn History Group member Paula Herlihy said.
Her group’s display at Morrison on the Park celebrates Mount Evelyn Primary’s centenary and details key moments from as far back as 1910.
“It’s an illustrated timeline from before the school was even thought of and it gradually gets more detailed and colourful as it describes events up to this year,” Ms Herlihy said.
“We’ve tried to make it interactive using old chairs, tables and chalkboards but it’s mainly about the pictures.”
Ms Herlihy said the exhibition was important in giving local residents a sense of belonging in Mount Evelyn, even if they hadn’t lived in the town all their lives.
“Many people think history is just old people re-living their golden days but a number of people in our group weren’t born here,” she said.
“For those of us, it gives a balanced view of where we’ve come from.”
The exhibition celebrates past students’ and teachers’ achievements and significant events, including the original school building’s purchase and subsequent relocation.
Ms Herlihy said her personal highlight from the exhibition was “the pictures typifying generational change”.
“Just the way we’ve seen normal local people in the street change over the years,” she said.
The exhibition will remain open until 28 October.
Centenary Celebration Day at Mount Evelyn Primary School is on 16 October from 11am to 4pm. Visitors are welcome.
School principal Phil Comport said “we would love to see the whole community join us for this important occasion.”
