Snapshot of the past: Modella State School

A photograph of students attending Modella State School in 1931.
In part four of our "Education in Longwarry" series, we continue to reflect on schooling in the Longwarry district.
It was not until 1899 that the eastern edges of the Koo Wee Rup swamp were drained and it was declared suitable for occupation and farming.
The area, first known as Koo Wee Rup East, later became known as Modella.
As small schools opened to serve farming communities in the district, Modella State School was born.
At the time, the only schooling options for families were Longwarry 2129 and Longwarry Township 2505 accessed via virtually unusable roads for parts of the year. Two more schools would later open in Longwarry South at Athlone and Longwarry North.
At Modella, a room was leased from a Mr. G. Gray in 1903 and 12 local children attended organised classes.
Koo Wee Rup East State School No. 3456 commenced on April 1, 1903 and changed its name to Modella in 1904.
Mr. Rumpff was appointed teacher and he rode his horse out from Longwarry each day to take classes.
The push for a permanent school at Modella was made and finally it was decided that a parcel of land was to be leased from Mr. Douglas on the Modella Park property. The lease for eight pounds, for two years, began on January 1, 1904.
This land became the permanent site of the Modella State School until its closure in 1993.
Photograph and information courtesy of Longwarry and District History Group who gratefully acknowledge the work of John Wells in his book "More Colourful Tales Of Old Gippsland".
The group focuses on history in the 3816 postcode, including Longwarry, Labertouche and Modella.
For further information, visit longwarryhistory.org.au.