Redan Primary School

Redan Primary School is a government school, located on the north east corner of Alfred and Hertford Streets. It is no longer in the area currently defined as Redan.

History
In July 1892 the Education Department proposed turning the school into an infant school. This was fiercely opposed by the residents of Redan at a public meeting: MEETING OF PARENTS AT REDAN. A meeting of parents and others interested was held last evening at the Temperance Hall, Rubicon Street, to protest against the reducing of the status of the Redan State school. Mr E. Jermyn, the convener of the meeting, was voted to the chair. The Chairman explained the reasons for which the meeting had been called. They intended to put their foot against the proposal to make the Redan school an infant school. Last year there were 512 on the roll and the average attendance was 385. At present there were 455 on the roll, but this number would doubtless increase when the weather became fine. He announced having received apologies from Messrs M. Butterly and J. W. Kirton, M’s.L.A., who had both expressed themselves as opposed to any alteration of the present status of the schools at Redan and Sebastopol.

Mr. R. T. Yale, M.L.A, stated that when he had heard of proposed changes in the status of schools of Ballarat West he had at once written to Mr Peacock, the Minister of Education. He had pointed out that the school population was increasing, that the schools were filled to their utmost capacity, and he hoped there would be no alteration. Subsequent to writing he had waited on the Minister and on Mr Brodribb, the Secretary, and pointed out the position. He (Mr Vale) had urged that there would be no retrenchment by the proposed alterations. There would be no economy in the amalgamation of the Redan and Sebastopol schools. (Hear, hear.) He believed in economy, but he said they did not want their educational system spoilt. (Applause.) He had children and his own, and he wished to see them have every advantage. Under the plea of retrenchment he was afraid that changes would be made that would not be in accord with the wishes of the masses of the people. (Hear, hear.) He had kept his eyes open, and he could give them a promise that he would endeavor to see that nothing was done that was contrary to their wishes. (Applause)

The Rev. James Lowe moved, “ That the Redan State school No. 1289 as it exists at present is necessary to meet the requirements of the growing population in the neighborhood, and that the intention to reduce it to the status of an infant school is detrimental to the educational welfare of the children and the best interests of Redan.” The mover said it was a most unjust and unfair thing to ask the children of the district to tramp such a distance along dirty Albert street. (Applause.) The people of Victoria did not object to the expense of the Education Act. The mistake had been in erecting buildings in places where there was not sufficient population to fill them. He thought they had a clear and just resolution to place before the Minister. If there was to be a change he thought the Sebastopol school should be the infant school, because there was a much larger at attendance of children at the Redan school. (Hear, hear.) Mr Hooker seconded the resolution, and thought the proposal to alter the status of the school was a great injustice. The motion was carried unanimously, Mr Lukeis moved—“ That a copy of the above resolution be forwarded to the members of the district, requesting them to urge upon the Minister of Education the necessity of making no alterations.” They were acting in the right direction, and he hoped the resolution would have the desired effect. Mr Alfred Shugg seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Several votes of thanks were passed, and the meeting closed.

Redan Old Scholars' Association
The Redan Old Scholars' Association held an annual reunion. In April 1934 the planned for the school's jubilee celebrations: "Redan School Reunion. In continuation of their jubilee reunion the Redan State school old scholars held the annual meeting and dinner at the Wattle Cafe on Monday. Receipts for the year were £65/12/7, with a credit balance of £24/13/3. A suggestion that the association should join with the Sebastopol association was rejected Mrs. A. Allchin was elected president, Mr. S. Lukeis, Mrs J. Robertson, Mr. C. Copperwaite, and Mr. J. Northy vice-presidents, Mrs W. Ratcliffe secretary, and Mrs. S. Lukeis treasurer."

Redan Primary School Scholars
John Gillies Waite Ellis