In 1839, Donald Cameron selected land and named his run Clunes after his home in Scotland. By 1855 the "Ballarat Star" reported there were about 250 people on the "old Clunes diggings". By about 1857 Clunes was beginning to move out of the classification of a mining camp and the signs of a township were becoming apparent. One of the signs was the establishment of the Port Phillip Gold Mining Company, which had come to work the great quartz reefs of Clunes. The Port Phillip created the need for a stable workforce. Other mines later were to open up and also require a stable workforce.

People began to put down roots. Tents and houses became homes, and women and children commenced to be seen. The need for a school became obvious.

Peter Kempson, his wife and children left Melbourne for Clunes in the winter of 1857. They arrived in a large covered wagon drawn by a three-horse team. Peter set up a school and home on the plain above the valley, at the top of Camp Hill, in an abandoned restaurant, which stood in the midst of old shafts, 30 to 60 feet deep. The building measured 50 feet by 20 feet. The walls were 5 feet high palings and it had a calico roof. About 12 feet was partitioned off and this formed the dwelling of two rooms, a living room and a bedroom. Within the only fireplace was an American cooking stove.

Peter was married to Mary Ruston FITTER and the children that arrived in Clunes with them were – Alexander Richmond & Charles George. After their arrival in Clunes these children were born – Beatrice Hannah 1861, Florence Alexandra 1863, Emily Caroline 1865, Albert Edward 1867 & Albert Ernest 1869. Peter died in 1894, aged 70 at Clunes the son of Peter & Dorothy KEMPSON and Mary died 1894 at Clunes aged 70.

A week after Peter’s arrival, formal education in Clunes commenced. There were 40 pupils to enrol at this little school. It was managed by a committee under the control of the Denominational School Board and was owned by the Church of England.

The building had been purchased by subscriptions from the residents, supplemented by a large donation from the manager of the Port Phillip Gold Mining Company, Mr. Rivett Henry Bland. Rivett was married to Emma Martha McCALLUM and lived in Melbourne before coming to Clunes. Emma died in 1882; the daughter of James McCALLUM & Martha BEEBEE and Rivett died in 1894 at Clunes, the son of Thomas & Mary BLAND.

The wind used to play havoc with the calico roof, and once a rafter lifted and fell with great force into the room below. Fortunately none of the children were present. After this, money was collected for a shingle roof.

The school flourished and by January 1873, there was an average attendance of 260, and Peter had to refuse admission to 60 children.

The Education Act of 1872 was passed, and the need for another State school became obvious, when a survey showed that there were more than 1,000 children living in Clunes.

In March 1873, a petition was received from residents in North Clunes for a school for 427 children.

Rev. Hicks, in May 1873, offered the Bible Christian Church situated in Upper Fraser Street for 10 pounds per year. James Goldsworthy Sholl offered his 36 feet x 24 feet private school, which was situated at the junction of George Street and Creswick Road, to the Department. James and his wife Emily nee BENNETT had 6 children by 1875 – Anne, Arthur, Edith, Helena, Julia and Laura. Bertha, Albert and Lily were born later. James died in 1893 aged 57 at the Cambrian Hill Lunatic Asylum son of Abraham SHOLL. & Mary Ann GOLDSWORTHY. Another offer was received in May of 1873, when the correspondent of school No. 157 (Wesleyan) situated in May Street offered it for 25 pounds a year. The head teacher was John Corr, and he had a staff of 12 in 1874. Average attendance in 1873 was 250. John CORR was married to Elizabeth WOODHOUSE and came from Melton before taking up the post at Clunes. He brought with him his children – Martha Louisa, William Stewart and Jane. John died at Healesville in 1904 aged 77 and Elizabeth died at Creswick in 1876 daughter of Reford & Mary WOODHOUSE.

The District Inspector, Mr. Bolam, recommended:

• All three be leased, and that when the new building was completed, No. 157 be closed and the staff transferred to the new school.
• Mr. Sholl and his assistant, Miss Richard, receive temporary (at least) employment in some school.
• That a new brick school for 750 should be built.

Rivett Bland donated a site in Paddock Street. So, the private schools were the progenitors of Clunes Primary School No. 1552.

The new brick school with a slate roof of six large rooms and four classrooms built by Spence, Purcie and Co., for 4,755 pounds was opened on July 1, 1875. Fencing cost £99.17.6; the bell cost £23 and was erected in 1877; gas was on in 1878 for £12; a verandah was erected in 1888. Remodelling cost £848 in 1913 and further remodelling in 1914 cost £264.

Clunes was the third H.E.S. to open in Victoria. Allendale and Dean were the other two, and all were in Sir Alexander Peacock’s electorate of Allendale (now Ballarat North). The H.E.S. continued for nearly 45 years, closing in 1955.

During the depression years, some pupils did Leaving by correspondence with the help of H.E.S. teachers. One of these teachers was Dr. Phillip Law, one of Victoria’s most notable educators.

Schools No. 136 and 1552 amalgamated in 1892 under the head teacher of No. 1552. No. 136 became an Infant School with classes 1,2 and 3. The move caused bitter protests. Net enrolment at No. 136 was 436. Photo of 3rd Class at No. 1552 in the early 1900s

By 1907, enrolment had fallen to only 53. In 1922 infant classes were all transferred to No. 1552 and in 1926 the No. 136 building became a knitting mill. And so No. 1552 became Clunes’ only school.

On November 11^th 1955 the School Committee was notified that the Education Department was closing the higher elementary section of the school. Primary enrolment was 138 and Secondary was 13. Protests and deputations failed to keep it open. Support for as Central or District School was canvassed during the 1950’s, but although the Department purchased extra land, making approximately 9 acres at No. 1552, the District School did not eventuate.

Since 1956, Clunes secondary pupils have travelled to Maryborough or Ballarat.

In 1969 the distinctive bell tower (spire) of No. 1552 was demolished to the dismay of some and despite strong protests by parents, teachers, pupils and Members of Parliament.

The Memorial Gates, commemorating those who served during World War II, were unveiled on Sunday April 22 1956. They were first mooted in 1948. An honor roll displayed in the old infant room (now the Kinder) commemorates those who served in World War I.

• Alexander STEWART – Head Teacher
• Jane BLACK – 1st Assistant
• John Edward WHITE – 2^nd Assistant
• Jessie PATTERSON – 3^rd Assistant
• Richard BUNT – 4^th Assistant
• John S HENDERSON – 6^th Assistant
• Mary JOBSON – 7^th Assistant
• Ellen McLENNAN – Paid Pupil
• Jane HOGG – Paid Pupil
• John NANCE – Paid Pupil
• John P WHITFIELD – Part Time
• William Henry COLLENS – Part Time
• George S BERRIMAN – Part Time
• Louisa CLARKE – Part Time
• Elizabeth SCOTT – Part Time.

1. Alexander STEWART married Maggie ROSS – children: Isabell Dora, Alexander McFarlane & Ross McLeod.
2. John Edward WHITE married Sarah GOYNE – children: Ada Violet, Mary Olive, Jane, Eva Goyne & Leila Florence.
3. Richard BUNT was born 1857 at Ballarat son of Benjamin BUNT & Alice RABLIN
4. Mary RITCHIE married Joseph JOBSON – children: John William, Andrew, Roger, Christopher, James, Janet Effie, Jane, James Alexander McMeikan, Jessie Elizabeth, Joseph & Mary Ellen.
5. William Henry COLLENS married Mary Perry DUNSTAN – children: Julia, Thomas & William Perry Dunstan.
6. Louisa ROWE married Henry CLARKE – children: Catherine & Louisa

Truant officers played a dominant and fearful role in those early days of compulsory education. Child and parent alike feared them. In 1881 five truants were prosecuted. Three were from No. 1552 day school and two from No. 1552 night school.

At this time Mr. Walter Sheridan, architect of many of Clunes buildings including the Free Library, which was rebuilt in 1882, was chairman of the Board of Advice.

Walter SHERIDAN married Catherine WOOD – children: Adelaide Mary, Ann Catherine Coleburn, Arthur Brinsley & Henry John. Walter died 1917 at Castlemaine age 73 son of Walter & Mary SHERIDAN. Catherine died 1916 at Balwyn 86 years daughter of William WOOD.

In 1883 eight children were "investigated" for truancy and of the three recommended for prosecution one had been kept home because she "did not have proper boots for a while" and her father had not been "doing much" lately. This child was 12 and had not attended any school in Clunes.

In 1884, 65 cases of irregular attendance were reported. The Board had a request from a teacher asking that she be allowed to sit occasionally while teaching. Her request was granted and a doctor was asked to visit her. The Board then felt it might be a good idea if other female teachers were allowed to sit occasionally. As the years passed truancy dropped.

State night schools were introduced for the reason that many children were unable to attend day schools because they worked and helped to support their family. Compulsory education had made things difficult for some that were on low incomes, so night schools were introduced.

Clunes School No. 1552 had a night school, but from records it appears it was always in trouble of one sort or another. Lack of support finally closed it. Often the head teacher of the night school would have to call in the police to "quieten down the pupils". After one such incident, the head teacher closed the school and described his pupils as "larrikins".

The night school re-opened on Monday 14^th January 1884 with Messrs. Berriman and MacDonald as teachers. Twenty children attended. In February the Board was informed that teachers’ payments would not be made because the number of pupils was under 30. Later that month MacDonald resigned and by May Mr. Berriman had also resigned and the school closed permanently.

Some of the schools which operated in Clunes over the years were: The Roman Catholic School; Madame Zorning, Angus Street; Mrs. Mary Anne Rofe; Mrs. Emma Usher; Miss Annie Matthews, Fraser Street; Miss Mary Ann Hudson; Miss Fanny Price; Mrs. McCarthy.

Ladies College, Service Street, principal Miss Riordan; School of Design, L.E. Bruun; Mr. J.S. Stanley; Mrs. Frie & Miss Smith, Baily Street; Mr. James Ethersey (where Club Hotel now stands); Madam Hill; Mrs. Shampson; Red House, for young ladies, principal Miss Mats; James Sholl.

Harriet RIORDAN married William Ernest COLE and had child Charles Ernest COLE. Ludvig Edward BRUUN married Julia HOCK and had child Agnes Sophia.

Mr. J McDonald conducted evening classes at Talbot Road; Wesleyan 157 (Mr. Lamble, Price, Coer); S.S. 136; S.S. 1552.

The Ballarat School of Mines conducted classes in the building now used as the Infant Welfare Centre.

Mrs. T.B. Phillips Grammar School; Mr. Stanion. As well as these schools, there were many music teachers.

There was little or no need for the people of Clunes to leave the town until after the mines closed in the 1890’s, and the business houses began to close. The population dwindled.

According to the Rate payers roll on 1875 the population of Clunes was approximately 6,000 with 1494 taeable properties. It was predominently a mining town with 660 miners on the ratepayers roll. There were stampsmen, engineers and mine managers. There were teachers, publicans, "gentlemen", artists and journalists on the roll. There were bakers, engine drivers, hairdressers, brickmakers, fruiterers, moulders, a gasmaker, drapers, cabinet makers, upholsterers, storemen, a number of laundresses, stationers, dairymen, founders, accountants, and carters. There were collectors, smiths, tinsmiths, trammers, and bootmakers. There were storekeepers and auctioneers and farmers, firemen, truckers, graziers, druggists, labourers, butchers, watchmakers, sadlers, confectioners, boot factors, wheelwrights, surgeons, wool factors, dressmakers, cpontractors, barristers, a veterinary surgeon, a music teacher and a printer.

By the 1890’s most of the mines had closed.

From 1900 to 1909 there were only 36 fathers who gave their occupation as miners. Enrolment during this time was 715.. From 1921 to 1937 there were 714 children enrolled with one parent described as a mine manager and two as miners. More that 40 mines have been worked in the Clunes gold field and in 1975 Western Mining was test drilling on the old Clunes diggings, but Clunes is no longer a mining town. It is a pleasant peaceful town in a valley.

Significant dates in education at Clunes:

• 1862 Peter Kempson established the first school
• 1872 Board of Education and Commmon School system Act passed; school numbering system introduced. Church of England school (under the Denomimational Board) became Clunes’ first Commons School with number 136.
• 1872 Education Act passed making education, secular and compulsary until age of 15.
• 1873 Establishment of the State School system; January 1, Education Department established; January 13 State Schools first opened.
• 1874 Primary School No. 1552 opened.
• 1896 First School Paper issued priced one penny.
• 1947 Merit Certificate abolished
• 1955 Higher Elementary Section of No. 1552 closed.
• 1968 Proficiency Certificate Award discontinued; Intermediate Certificate no longer warded.
• 1973 Centenary of the establishment of the Education Department.
• 1974 Centenary of Clunes Primary School No. 1552.