From the ”The Ovens and Murray Advertiser” of 3 July, 1875
On Friday, 2 July, 1875, a procession of more than 1000 children, led by the Forester’s Band, marched from the old school (No. 36) in Loch Street, via Church Street and Ford Street, to S.S. 1560 where they were speedily lined up in semi-circles on either side of the main entrance by head teacher E.S. Harris, the staff of the new school and teachers from district schools.
OPENING CEREMONY AND CHILDREN’S TREAT5
“The streets of Beechworth presented a rather unusual, but a very pretty site.
"From east and west and south and north, all the subdivisions of the compass, children of all sorts and descriptions were hurrying towards Loch Street.
"It was difficult to ascertain the fact that some of them really were girls, as their costumes were so dazzlingly brilliant as to cause temporary blindness.
"Big-girls with an assumption of great demureness, but a wicked look in the corner of their eyes for all that; Medium-sized girls, who seemed perplexed as to whether they were big or little, and looking a little troubled thereat; and little toddling things, conscious of looking nice, and of buns and lollies to come, and so smiling at mankind in general.
"Then the boys, with their spotless clothes, shiny hair, and clean hands and faces, how good they looked.
"Those boys never wore out the knees of their trousers at marbles, nor played truant, nor punched Bill Jone’s head.
"Oh, no! Other boys might do these naughty things, but these boys never.
"The only sad feeling which this gracious spectacle suggested to the observer was that if very good children generally die young, there could be a terrible mortality among these young innocents soon”.
Following a short address by Mr Frederick Brown, Shire President, in which he remarked that the crowd (estimated to be in excess of 3000 people) was the largest he had ever addressed in Beechworth, Mr Brown, then introduced the Premier of Victoria, (and local member for Ovens) the Hon. George Briscoe Kerferd.
Mr Kerferd (an early pioneer of the Beechworth district) was received with prolonged and most enthusiastic cheers.
“The duty he was called upon to perform was one of the most pleasing, which as a public man, had ever fallen to his lot," he said.
After a memorable address in which he highlighted the advantages of education, the importance of teacher training and the high calibre of the staff appointed to the school, he thanked the Board of Advice and in conclusion formally declared the school open.
“The Ovens and Murray Advertiser” of 3rd July 1875, succinctly described the concluding moments of the opening as follows –
“Cheers having been given for the Queen and the usual champagne having been disposed of, the refreshments for the children were distributed by a number of willing hands, much to the gratification of the youngsters who generally appeared to enjoy food for the body, rather than speeches.”
The ceremonies of the demonstration ended with a fireworks display opposite the Market Reserve and a Ball at the Oddfellows Hall,
“Which came off with great éclat reflecting the highest credit on the programme committee.”
The school opened with Mr Edward S. Harris as head teacher and enrolment of 1073 pupils.
Mr. Harris was assisted by Mr Arthur E Scott (ex-HT. of School No. 61, Beechworth), five female teachers and five pupil teachers.
