Victoria’s oldest government secondary school last Friday launched its pathway of honour at its Williamstown Pasco Street campus.
But as Williamstown High School celebrates its centenary, recently published research shows it is even older than previously thought.
In his article recently published in the journal of the Royal Historical Society, former student Andrew Burbidge made the bold claim that the Pasco Street school is older even than Melbourne High and University High School, previously thought to be Victoria’s oldest.
Dr Burbidge said his examination of literature on the history of education, old newspapers and council records held at the archives office “clearly indicated that the Williamstown Borough Grammar School, opened in 1867, was a government school rather than a private or church school”.
“The Williamstown council’s funding, selection of site, and oversight through trustees was a far-sighted initiative of the council and community,” he said. “When the council gave the school to the state in October 1914, this was a transfer of the school from one level of government to another.”
Principal Gino Catalano said the centenary honoured the date from when the school was gifted from the Williamstown Borough.
He said the pathway of honour comprised 10 trees donated by Hobsons Bay council and 10 plaques honouring significant milestones and people in the school’s history.
He said the school would celebrate its centenary for a whole year, with a back-to-school event planned for next year.
For information on the school’s centenary celebrations, visit www.willihigh.vic.edu.au
