Thanks for another great video. I go past this church and school once a week. My kids visited this school as they went to another school in this cluster. It was sad to see it close down. There is another Catholic Primary school in the region
Geez that long. I only thought about 3 years. I remember reading about it in the local press at the time and thinking how sad (and I’m not even Catholic but always sad when rural schools close) and of course passing by it getting between where I live and going to a pub in the area.
It Is tragic, but without a population base to keep it going what hope is there ? - I might surmise that back in the day many returning soldiers were given land to build on but more skilled farmers bought them out and expanded their own farming opportunity thus never establishing a long term residence to a location - not forgetting the gold rush era established many towns that were based on transient miners !
unfortunately I'm use to high density populations and traffic in cities - at this location, my background noise were birds chirping with the odd vehicle passing by !
It’s sad that place closed. Any rural school closing. It was a school and closed in the last 3 years or so due to lack of students. Which surprised me as I would have thought in the general area there would have been enough Catholic kids. Its location I assume was there as it was located between several population areas and was likely meant to draw on them. To show that in the past there were more people in the area there’s several locations within 10 kms where there were once general stores that are now private homes.
I often wonder if ''successful'' farmers bought out smaller farmers that causes the demise of some towns ? Just speculating why some small towns do well while others aren't so !
@@urbanaerialexplorer1885100%. I know my own grandparents were brought it by a neighbouring farmer who took down all the fences so they could plant and harvest with huge machines . There also 50 years ago used to be big logging operations in the nearby forests and saw mills so yes I guess populations did decline.
@@urbanaerialexplorer1885This area, known as Springbank, is not far from Wallace, which is a larger town (or at least it has a pub and a sportsground, wherein the Springbank FNC is located), and which is in turn not far from both Gordon (which also has a pub, plus a Catholic church and primary school) and Bungaree (which has a general store and a sportsground). The other big difference is that the other three towns historically had main roads and/or railway stations through/in them, which Springbank did not
You should take a look at Myrniong Primary School - its a fantastic little school that was established in 1859. The prinicipal there is always looking for ways to increase student numbers so they can keep the school going for many more years as it serves such a wide community and brings that old country feel to modern education so kids get the best of both worlds.
Country schools are the best, all I can suggest is an early morning drop-off and late pick-up for families with volunteer help and maybe financial support from the Shire via OSH programs with the option of breakfast and afternoon snacks for struggling families. (not sure what the demographics are of the area) ... Also can the school be used as movie nights for locals (pixar animated movies); have an outdoor setup with a projector ... Have show and tell days whereby students bring grandma or grandpa to give a talk on a topic (life experiences / history / or just read a book to the students etc) ... I think the key is engaging parents ... Also I have noted other schools have little market gardens and even a mini BMX track ... maybe visits by the Police, CFA and even Shire animal control officers ... Also maybe once a week have a food van come at lunchtime as a treat for kids and have a lunch order ... would a pay / vending capsule coffee machine via a window access for parents during pick-up / drop off times I do have quite a number of ideas to get engagement, but not sure if it will generate more students ! ... Would a video of the school help by promoting it on their website or even on youtube; whereby if you search the town or shire, the video will pop-up in the search ? ... Also engage the local mens shed with repair lists; painting / sanding old wood / updating cabinet and cupboard handles etc - if you don't ask, you don't know !
Hope it does survive. That area surely has to benefit in time from Bacchus Marsh growing and people wanting to live just outside on larger blocks. I remember Myringyong as I have lunched at the Plough a few times.
@@xr6lad we'll make an effort to do a video of Myrniong - On historical maps it shows 3 churches of different faiths line-up side by side and yes, the Plough Inn does get some good coverage over the years!
It's a shame how some small towns aren't growing when the population of Melbourne and suburbia is - I'm guessing larger farms are buying small ones and thus, creating a population decrease and thus ''abandoned / vacant'' rural public buildings ; churches, schools etc.
The locals that pass this place keep a close eye on it - it would make a great opportunity for some one or organisation, to reclaim it and make something of it ... while it's still in great condition
Springbank Catholic Church and primary school. Not really in the middle of nowhere. Only a mile and a bit up the road from the Western Highway. Just up the road from the town of Wallace. The next nearest Catholic primary school is only a few mile down the road at Gordon. Also within 15 minutes of Ballarat so not far to travel to a large population centre for school.
We may see populations returning because it is too expensive to live in the cities? Governments have to be forced to decentralise instead concentrating people in big cities ("to control them/us").
Gough Whitlam wanted to decentralise cities and create more rural satellite cities - unfortunately the profit margins were not good for developers as they would have to create new infrastructure such as; roads, street lighting, footpaths, sewer, power, water etc ... They would much rather overwhelm existing infrastructure not built for a sudden increase on demand and let councils and State departments deal with it at no expense to them !
That's not true, local homeless individuals, local substance abuse users, local individuals suffering from mental health issues and those escaping from dysfunctional families and relationship find these places on their own and aren't ''hooked-up'' to the internet. Most if not all squatters are more inclined to stay in cities where they can find / beg / steal food for their needs without the expense of a vehicle to get around and especially rural areas void of public transport.
@@urbanaerialexplorer1885 have you heard of purplepingers? And if you think the drug problem is in the cities and not the country towns where there are no facilities and no activities and no jobs, you are entitled to that opinion. That has not been my experience. I don’t claim to be right. I just hold concern for these beautiful buildings that are holy places of worship and are community hubs for country areas. Perhaps don’t label them as ‘abandoned’.
@@sandyfootI know plenty of country folk on drugs , and they’re not the typical people you expect. I’ve heard of some older farmers smoking ice just to keep up with the work and to pay tue bills. Ice doesn’t discriminate it messes with country and city folks alike
I believe they have a local committee that rotates the role (need to double check that) - You might have to live in the town and join that volunteer committee - If you like a solitude lifestyle, then Servicetown is the perfect town !
There are heaps of these delightful country churches scattered through Victoria ,some of them are real architectural wonders
That's why I stop at them ... Built to last generation after generation !
Thanks for another great video. I go past this church and school once a week. My kids visited this school as they went to another school in this cluster. It was sad to see it close down. There is another Catholic Primary school in the region
needs to be repurposed for the community somehow !
I know this church, it's not abandoned and is still used. The school was closed about 5 years ago
Geez that long. I only thought about 3 years. I remember reading about it in the local press at the time and thinking how sad (and I’m not even Catholic but always sad when rural schools close) and of course passing by it getting between where I live and going to a pub in the area.
Excellent video and drone footage, ❤️🦘🦘🦘🇦🇺
thank-you
Love your video.thank you. Many of these in rural victoria. Can you look at some around the mansfield rural areas.
we'll see what I can do 👍
An abandoned school... and empty church...
Truly a sad reflection of what has happened to this once magnificent country.
It Is tragic, but without a population base to keep it going what hope is there ? - I might surmise that back in the day many returning soldiers were given land to build on but more skilled farmers bought them out and expanded their own farming opportunity thus never establishing a long term residence to a location - not forgetting the gold rush era established many towns that were based on transient miners !
Loved the video, great mode you get into your video. Though an hour out of Melbourne is not in the middle of nowwhere.
unfortunately I'm use to high density populations and traffic in cities - at this location, my background noise were birds chirping with the odd vehicle passing by !
It’s sad that place closed. Any rural school closing. It was a school and closed in the last 3 years or so due to lack of students. Which surprised me as I would have thought in the general area there would have been enough Catholic kids. Its location I assume was there as it was located between several population areas and was likely meant to draw on them. To show that in the past there were more people in the area there’s several locations within 10 kms where there were once general stores that are now private homes.
I often wonder if ''successful'' farmers bought out smaller farmers that causes the demise of some towns ? Just speculating why some small towns do well while others aren't so !
@@urbanaerialexplorer1885100%. I know my own grandparents were brought it by a neighbouring farmer who took down all the fences so they could plant and harvest with huge machines . There also 50 years ago used to be big logging operations in the nearby forests and saw mills so yes I guess populations did decline.
@@urbanaerialexplorer1885This area, known as Springbank, is not far from Wallace, which is a larger town (or at least it has a pub and a sportsground, wherein the Springbank FNC is located), and which is in turn not far from both Gordon (which also has a pub, plus a Catholic church and primary school) and Bungaree (which has a general store and a sportsground).
The other big difference is that the other three towns historically had main roads and/or railway stations through/in them, which Springbank did not
This area used to be called Claretown, which gives you an idea of its Irish Catholic settlement
locals always know the history - Thanks
You should take a look at Myrniong Primary School - its a fantastic little school that was established in 1859. The prinicipal there is always looking for ways to increase student numbers so they can keep the school going for many more years as it serves such a wide community and brings that old country feel to modern education so kids get the best of both worlds.
Country schools are the best, all I can suggest is an early morning drop-off and late pick-up for families with volunteer help and maybe financial support from the Shire via OSH programs with the option of breakfast and afternoon snacks for struggling families. (not sure what the demographics are of the area) ... Also can the school be used as movie nights for locals (pixar animated movies); have an outdoor setup with a projector ... Have show and tell days whereby students bring grandma or grandpa to give a talk on a topic (life experiences / history / or just read a book to the students etc) ... I think the key is engaging parents ... Also I have noted other schools have little market gardens and even a mini BMX track ... maybe visits by the Police, CFA and even Shire animal control officers ... Also maybe once a week have a food van come at lunchtime as a treat for kids and have a lunch order ... would a pay / vending capsule coffee machine via a window access for parents during pick-up / drop off times I do have quite a number of ideas to get engagement, but not sure if it will generate more students ! ... Would a video of the school help by promoting it on their website or even on youtube; whereby if you search the town or shire, the video will pop-up in the search ? ... Also engage the local mens shed with repair lists; painting / sanding old wood / updating cabinet and cupboard handles etc - if you don't ask, you don't know !
Hope it does survive. That area surely has to benefit in time from Bacchus Marsh growing and people wanting to live just outside on larger blocks. I remember Myringyong as I have lunched at the Plough a few times.
@@xr6lad we'll make an effort to do a video of Myrniong - On historical maps it shows 3 churches of different faiths line-up side by side and yes, the Plough Inn does get some good coverage over the years!
went to the town yesterday - expect a video of Myrniong this Friday after 6:00am - hope its ok ... will visit Dereel for another request soon !
Another fantastic video
It's a shame how some small towns aren't growing when the population of Melbourne and suburbia is - I'm guessing larger farms are buying small ones and thus, creating a population decrease and thus ''abandoned / vacant'' rural public buildings ; churches, schools etc.
Nice old buildings, it’s a miracle the vandals haven’t been in destroying it all.
The locals that pass this place keep a close eye on it - it would make a great opportunity for some one or organisation, to reclaim it and make something of it ... while it's still in great condition
Springbank Catholic Church and primary school. Not really in the middle of nowhere. Only a mile and a bit up the road from the Western Highway. Just up the road from the town of Wallace. The next nearest Catholic primary school is only a few mile down the road at Gordon. Also within 15 minutes of Ballarat so not far to travel to a large population centre for school.
Where. Is. It
You'll have to read the comments from others to work it out !
Why haven't you introduced it by indicating its location?
someone might have given the location away in the comments below
that ramp at 8:40 isnt wheelchair friendly! a ramp up to a step is a cruel joke! lol!
it ''was'' once user friendly - a part of the ramp was missing to raise it !
Is there any money hidden behind the blackboard
I recall having to whack out the chalk from the blackboard duster with the ruler ... those were the days in primary school !
I was thinking of the movie Thunderbolt and Lightfoot the money in the old school house
The “ house “ would be a presbetery
With such a large church and buildings, it must of been a place of gathering by hundreds back in the day !
We may see populations returning because it is too expensive to live in the cities? Governments have to be forced to decentralise instead concentrating people in big cities ("to control them/us").
Gough Whitlam wanted to decentralise cities and create more rural satellite cities - unfortunately the profit margins were not good for developers as they would have to create new infrastructure such as; roads, street lighting, footpaths, sewer, power, water etc ... They would much rather overwhelm existing infrastructure not built for a sudden increase on demand and let councils and State departments deal with it at no expense to them !
Start using it more locals! Before videos like this one alert the ‘squatter rental’ websites. 🤦♀️
That's not true, local homeless individuals, local substance abuse users, local individuals suffering from mental health issues and those escaping from dysfunctional families and relationship find these places on their own and aren't ''hooked-up'' to the internet. Most if not all squatters are more inclined to stay in cities where they can find / beg / steal food for their needs without the expense of a vehicle to get around and especially rural areas void of public transport.
@@urbanaerialexplorer1885 have you heard of purplepingers? And if you think the drug problem is in the cities and not the country towns where there are no facilities and no activities and no jobs, you are entitled to that opinion. That has not been my experience. I don’t claim to be right. I just hold concern for these beautiful buildings that are holy places of worship and are community hubs for country areas. Perhaps don’t label them as ‘abandoned’.
@@sandyfootI know plenty of country folk on drugs , and they’re not the typical people you expect. I’ve heard of some older farmers smoking ice just to keep up with the work and to pay tue bills. Ice doesn’t discriminate it messes with country and city folks alike
can i be the caretaker,
I believe they have a local committee that rotates the role (need to double check that) - You might have to live in the town and join that volunteer committee - If you like a solitude lifestyle, then Servicetown is the perfect town !
Its catholic ...not a church at all ...