Natte Yallock began as a rural school in 1862, supported by a local subscription list, with 25 children enrolled. At the time, schools could receive government assistance only if they could guarantee an average attendance of at least 20 pupils—a difficult requirement for small, scattered communities.
In 1868 the Board of Education introduced a scheme to assist rural districts by paying teachers’ salaries. Local communities, however, were still responsible for providing the school building and its furniture.
The passing of the Education Act 1872 transformed schooling in Victoria. Education became free, compulsory and secular for children, and state schools replaced the earlier arrangements, providing a more secure basis for education in rural districts such as Natte Yallock.
Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 15 September 1934, page 28
Early Days in the Natte Yallock District
…
Educational Matters
The education of the children of the early pioneers must have caused their parents some concern, for in 1862 a subscription list was opened to raise funds for the erection of a school. This was built from slabs, and on October 21, 1862, it was opened by the late Mr. Jones, with 25 pupils on the roll. They included, Charlotte and Elizabeth Fenton, John, Louisa and Archibald Gardiner, Neil and Norman McPhee, Samuel, Mary and William Plant, Ann and Henry Rickards, Eliza, George and Joseph Ivory, Emalin Wawn, James Jones, John, Ellen and Joseph Coates, Thomas Marshall, Agnes and John Niven and James Henderson. These names were taken from a day book still in the possession of Mr J. Jones, of "Woodlands," a son of the original teacher. Much interesting information concerning the district was compiled in 1923 by Mr. J. J. Hurley, and this has been revised and added to by Mr. Alfred Oppy, the present head teacher of the Natte Yallock school. I am indebted to him for practically all the information contained in this article.
In 1862 a subscription list was opened to raise funds for a school. This was built of slabs on the E side of the Avoca River, and on 21st of October opened by the late Mr Jones. The fee was 4d per day. On 16th of May 1874 tenders were called to build a new school, but were all too high. As the old Common School was not weather proof the Department leased the old Wesleyan Chapel. The present school building was completed ready for use in 1878. Messrs Jones, Todd, Skinner, Mrs Taylor, and Messrs Merchant and Gilsenan taught in the old school. HT Faley taught in the old church and opened the present school. In 1947 the school ground was enlarged to take in the road on the S side. An increase in enrolment resulted in the building of an additional room in 1961. Attempts to establish a pine plantation at the site of the old Moyreisk South School began in 1962.
1882: The first prize day
Avoca Mail, Friday 1 September 1882, page 2
NATTE YALLOCK STATE SCHOOL.
Friday last was the day appointed for distributing the prizes at the above school, but on account of Mr Paten, who by request was to give away the prizes, being unavoidably absent, it was postponed until last Wednesday. About 21 of the youngsters were all mustered in the schoolroom, and looked jolly and happy. Several visitors were present. After the children were seated, Mr Paten, in addressing them, said that he was sorry that they had been deprived of their worthily-earned prizes for nearly a week. The cause of his not being able to keep his promise was that on the day previous to the Friday a telegram reached Avoca informing him that Mr Thompson and Mr Morgan, two gentlemen largely interested in mining, were coming to Avoca for the purpose of visiting the mines, and so he and Mr Pinch had to show them round. The disappointment was no doubt great, but they had the consolation of knowing that if they had received the books last Friday, they would not have the pleasure of taking them now, and throughout his life he had invariably found that the anticipation of a pleasure was far greater than its realisation. Their teacher, Miss Taylor, deserved the thanks of the parents of every child attending the school, for instituting this, the first Prize Day, and for the trouble she must have taken to raise sufficient funds to purchase the handsome books they saw before them, and which they were shortly to receive, and he was quite sure she deserved the love of every scholar, for it plainly and undeniably showed that she had their future welfare at heart. A great deal depended on the teacher and her power of imparting to them knowledge she possessed; at the same time more depended on themselves, for unless they learned their lessons and were obedient to their teachers they could not possibly advance. He was sorry that the Australian youth, though sharp and quick, were not fond of reading. They preferred shooting, coursing, football, and other sports. These were all very well in their places, but they should not interfere with learning lessons or reading instructive books. History was not unfortunately taught in State schools; this he thought was a great mistake, for he considered history was a most important part of a boy's education, and he hoped the time was not far distant when it would be taught in every school in the colony. He would not keep them any longer, but proceed to distribute the prizes. After the prizes had been awarded Mr Paten urged those who had been successful to go on persevering, and not to flag. They should say to themselves "I have done well this year, but I'll do better next." And to those that had been unsuccessful, he would say, "Do not be disheartened, but make up your mind and win." Remember that "In the bright lexicon of youth there's no such word as fail." He would now ask them to stand up and give three hearty cheers for their teacher, Miss Taylor. This was done with three times three and three more. One of the boys then called for three cheers for Mr Paten, which was heartily responded to.
Ballarat Star, Saturday 9 February 1918, page 2
AVOCA.
HEAD TEACHER'S PROMOTION.
Mr Voce, head teacher of the Natte Yallock State School, has been promoted and transferred to Tarwin Meadows. During his sojourn at Natte Yallock Mr Voce proved a splendid worker and the Patriotic Fund was increased from £5 to £175. The pupils have done remarkably well in their examinations, and Mr. Lowry, the inspector, has furnished a flattering report concerning the school. At present Mr G. Pedlow, late teacher at the Ballarat College, is relieving at Natte Yallock.
Moonambel, Redbank and Natte Yallock in the Avoca District (1934, September 22). Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic.), p. 36
In 2024 Natte Yallock Primary School celebrated its 150th anniversary. That year it was also Victoria’s smallest school.
Further reading
- Rural schools explained. (2026, March 27). Find, connect, shape your Victorian Government | vic.gov.au: Education and training. https://www.vic.gov.au/rural-schools-explained
- Grace, R. (2024, February 21). Quiet recess but enviable teacher ratios: A look inside Victoria’s smallest schools. The Age. https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/quiet-recess-but-enviable-teacher-ratios-a-look-inside-victoria-s-smallest-schools-20240215-p5f5bp.html
