History

Our area, now known as Lavington, was called Bungambrawatha, or “Homeland” by the Wiradjuri people. There is a long history of habitation prior to 1824, when the explorers Hume and Hovell were the first non-Indigenous people to pass through the area.

This region was a source of comfort and security for Wiradjuri people and provided the majority of their necessities, including tools, food, medicine, shelter, fibres, water, and items for trade.

On 16 October 1865 the Black Range School, with 27 pupils, opened at the north-west corner of Prune and Murphy streets. The school was a bark hut, measuring 26 feet by 14 feet.

The school was moved to its present site, at the intersection of Jindera (Urana) Road and Bungambrawatha Creek, in 1882, and was later renamed Lavington Public School.

1924

1933

1944

1952

background

off white

Alumni from history

Dr Allan Vickers (1926-1931) was one of the first two doctors of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Allan Vickers was responsible, with founder Reverend John Flynn, for the establishment of a network of flying doctor bases across the country and the foundation of the Flying Doctor Service as a national organisation. He attended Lavington Public School. Before he died in 1967, Qantas named one of its planes after him.

Side view of Pilot Eric Donaldson, Dr Allan Vickers and patient in the plane called Victory.

Sgt Charles George Bishop (1895-1931) attended Lavington Public School. He enlisted at age 20, and earned three of the highest decorations bestowed on Australian soldiers: the Military Medal, the Bar of the Military Medal and the Distinguished Conduct Medal. In his three years at the front, he was wounded three times and finally evacuated in May 1918. He died, age 36, from a weakened resistance to infection attributed to the gassing in World War 1.

Harold Frederick Neville Gye (1887-1967) was a prolific Australian artist, cartoonist and caricaturist under the name Hal Gye, and a writer of verse and short stories under the name James Hackston. He attended Lavington Public School. Gye's artwork was published in a number of newspapers and magazines. Gye was also a noted book illustrator. His artwork was featured in the books of C.J.Dennis beginning with The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke in 1915 and he also illustrated books of verse by Will H. Olgilvie and Banjo Paterson.