Pics From The Past | Shepparton’s first schools

By Geoff Allemand

Nov 8, 2023

What’s on offer: Hassett’s University College advert. Source: *Shepparton Advertiser* 1900 Photo by Contributed

The earliest schools in Shepparton were private schools, and those more prominent were Hassett’s College, Church of England Grammar School, and one more recently was Miss Perrin’s private school.

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The following information has been sourced from the book History of Shepparton 1838-1938 by W.S. James: The first state school was officially opened on January 1, 1875, in the United Free Methodist Church building at the rear of the flour mill in Welsford St. (Pics from the Past featured Swallow’s Flour Mill last week.)

History: United Free Methodist Church, Welsford St, 1874. Source: Lost Shepparton Photo by Contributed

The first teacher was Miss Maria Crimp, a lady so small in stature that some of her scholars could have picked her up and carried her with ease. Yet, she was quite capable of maintaining discipline, and recalcitrant scholars often received punishment at her hands with a birch.

Mr W. M. Rowe of Shepparton, who attended the school, states that between 25 and 30 pupils were attending this school when it was first opened.

When the first Government School building was erected later on in the 70s, it was due to the initiative of Mr Rowe’s father, the late Mr A. F. Rowe, J.P., the pioneer businessman of the town. This building was erected in Fryers St (now GOTAFE). See Pics from the Past 10-4-2023.

Paddy Hassett’s School:

Still there: Paddy Hassett’s ruins 1960. Source: Local newspaper Photo by Contributed

Secondary education first became available to scholars in the Goulburn Valley in 1885 at a school owned and conducted by one Patrick Hassett in Shamrock Lane, Wahring, about 30 miles south of Shepparton.

The ruins of the old brick school are still there (1960).

In 1889, he transferred his activities to Shepparton on premises in Corio St (later the home of the Halpin family). Subsequently, he moved to Edward St. Hassett taught subjects to matriculation standards.

His Shepparton school was known officially as “University College” but commonly referred to as ‘Paddy Hassett’s.” Hassett closed his Shepparton school in 1904 and founded Hassett’s Business College in Prahran. (Source: Those were the days by Raymond West)