Old Beaufort Primary School

Introduction

The old Beaufort Primary School opened in 1864, as the 60th primary school opened in Victoria.

It was closed in 2014 following the school's relocation to an alternative site.

The old school has been unoccupied since, with the buildings vandalised over the intervening years.

The Victorian Government commissioned Pyrenees Shire Council to develop a site master plan, with the aim of developing and managing it as a community hub. This builds on former proposals from the PBS60 Committee for the site to be a multi-use community precinct. 

The master plan will also explore other potential opportunities that could be considered.

After a period of community engagement, work is now continuing on the master plan, with the next steps designing the early works so a contractor can be hired to carry them out.  These works, likely to start early next year, will protect the heritage buildings from further degradation and remove some of the unwanted buildings.

* See the Draft Old Beaufort Primary School Master Plan(PDF, 9MB) here.

School history

Beaufort, originally known as Fiery Creek, was settled during the 1850s gold rush, following gold discoveries in 1852 at Yam Holes Creek and a later rush to Main Lead which attracted about 60,000 people.

The first school in Beaufort was the Common School which opened in 1862 in a weatherboard chapel in Neill Street, rented from the Primitive Methodist Church.

As the township grew, there was a need for a larger, permanent school which was opened in September 1869.

Following the passing of the 1872 Education Act, Beaufort became State School No.60, leading to a significant enrolment increase as attendance became compulsory. 

Alterations over the years have included a new brick classroom on the school's west side, a central tower above the entry foyer, an entry verandah and rendering of the walls.

During the 1900s, new buildings were built and the school grounds expanded, including covered walkways between buildings and a library.

In 2014, the Hill Street school was closed and a new school opened as part of the Beaufort Secondary School campus at Park Road.

Heritage

The site's central part is covered by a Heritage Overlay comprising of the original school building, the higher elementary school building, the cookery classroom and the memorial gate. Part of the heritage requirements includes the need to keep unrestricted views of the school from the northern viewpoint of Hill Street.