Tuesday, 14 October 2025

 Chris COUZENS (Geelong) (13:03): Ashby Primary School is one of Geelong’s older schools, celebrating 150 years of operation. Last Friday I joined principal Steven Trotter, school council president Bec Hook, teachers, staff, juniors and parents to reflect on and celebrate 150 years of education and history. We were also joined by former principal Meg Bowen, who played a significant role in the redevelopment of Ashby, and past students who shared their memories.

Built in 1875, the school is set in a historic building. It is an icon that sits in the centre of Geelong West. I thank Ashbury Primary School captains Edie, Evie, Henry and Huber for their welcoming tour of Ashby. Ashby Primary School has a proud history and is well known as a great, inclusive school. In the mid-1800s their suburb was not called Geelong West; it was actually called Ashby. All the local children attended a school run by the church, but it was seriously overcrowded, with up to 90 students in each class.

In the 150 years of Ashby there were surprisingly only 25 principals, a testament to the strength of community felt in the school. Today Ashby Primary School – (Time expired)