The school opened in the late 1890s and closed some 20 years later. It was sited on land 13-14 miles from Condah and 6-8 miles from Lake Condah School, the land being donated by Thomas E. ADAMSON for a building to be used as a Methodist Church on Sundays and a school during the week. Materials were supplied and the local farmers erected the school. Among the HTs were Samuel REMFREY, Arthur PARROTT and LANGFORD. For some periods Condah South operated part-time with Homerton or Mt Eckersley.
Source: "Vision & Realisation", Vol 2, Education Department of Victoria.
APPLICATION FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATE SCHOOL AT SOUTH CONDAH
Population: Farming Robertson does not recommend the obtaining of a new site.
"Sites can easily be obtained on the land fronting the road marked blue on the map attached to this paper."
Site of proposed school is:
about 4½ miles East of No 1720 [NOTE; this was Mt Eckersley, opened April, 1876] FAMILIES
On April 6 1893, A J Hart wrote to the Secretary of the Education Department from Portland. He appears to be an Inspector, and the Condah South School appears to have been established.
Child DOB Class Name of Parent From 3055* From Next* William LOVETT 2.2.79. V James 1 2½ Joseph A PRICE 12.4.79. V Richard 3 1½ Alice R FIELD 15.6.78. IV Thomas 3½ 4 Alfred LOVETT 2.8.80. IV James 1 2½ Mary M PRICE 12.5.81. IV Richard 3 1½ Margaret ROBERTSON 15.7.78. IV William 1 4½ Isabella SHARROCK 31.7.81. IV Elizabeth 1 2 Mary CROSS 29.10.80. III Mark ¼ 4½ Sophia FIELD 28.3.82. III Robert 3½ 4 Ellen HOLLIS 17.3.82 III John 1 3 Ebenezer LOVETT 28.5.82. III James 1 2½ William H PRICE 15.10.83 III Richard 3 1½ Robert ROBERTSON 21.1.82. III William 1 4½ Agusta STEWART 12.8.82. III Andrew 2¼ 3 Thomas CROSS 17.1.83. II Mark ¼ 4½ Annie HOLLIS 13.10.83. II John 1 3 Leonard LOVETT 14.4.84. II James 1 2½ William ROBERTSON 20.6.84. II William 1 4½ Joseph SHARROCK 10.5.85. II Elizabeth 1 2 Walter STEWART 29.9.84 II Andrew 2¼ 3 William ADAMSON 18.4.86. I Thomas E ¼ 3 Jessie FIELD 1.3.85. I Robert 3½ 4 Mary HOLLIS 20.9.85 I John 1 3 Norman LOVETT 3.3.85. I James 1 2½ James M ADAMSON 27.11.87. IA Thomas L ¼ 3 Eva M CROSS 30.4.87. 1A Mark ¼ 4½ Sarah HOLLIS 21.1.87. IA John 1 3 Albert R PRICE 6.1.87. IA Richard 3 1½ James STEWART 10.5.87. IA Andrew 2¼ 3 Frederick LOVETT 25.?.88 IA James 1 2½ * Distance from No 3055 Dates of birth crossed out for William Lovett, Joseph A Price, Alice R Field, Margaret Robertson, Robert Robertson.
Source: VPRS 795/P, Unit 1748, File 3055 (South Condah)
Permanent: Yes
No of school age children within 2 miles of school: 11 (5 between 3 and 6 years)
How many others beyond 2 miles may attend: 3 of school age, 1 under
Probable average attendance: 11
How many could attend existing State Schools: 9
about 3¼ miles West of No 2747 [NOTE: this Whittlebury, opened June, 1886]
about 5 miles North (E) of No 1400 [NOTE: this was Homerton, opened 1875]
Sir,
As none of the children attending the Condah South School No 3055 live over 4½ miles from another school, it might be possible to close that school under the plan of conveyance. I enclose a list of the children and a rough sketch showing the positions of the residences. A lithographed plan was not obtainable.
The roads are good in Summer, but not very good in Winter. They are bush roads – unmade. I do not think that the population is likely to increase, but those who are there will probably remain.
I cannot at present make any suggestions with regard to the disposal of the furniture.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
A J Hart
Condah South School No 3055 (pupil list 1893)
* Distance from next nearest school