UPPER BUCKLAND SCHOOL SITE

The school site is significant as it remains relatively undisturbed on the eastern side of the Buckland River. The school site set amongst false Acacia trees is situated near the Juntion and formed part of the small community in this area that was known locally as “The Flat”. This was on the original (former main) Buckland Road, that passed through The Flat and crossed the river at the Junction.

The Upper Buckland School site is of historical, social and archaeological significance to the State of Victoria. 

Criterion C – Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s regional cultural history. 

Criterion D – Importance in demonstrating the principle characteristics of a class of cultural places or objects. 

The Upper Buckland School site is historically, scientifically and socially significant to the State of Victoria because it provides tangible evidence of the building of community life within the Buckland Valley to service the education needs of families who were living in this remote and difficult Alpine environment. Archaeological features of this site are preserved by regenerating riparian forest, which provides the physical context for understanding this challenging environment. 

Historical significance - High 

The school site is important as it provides evidence of the history of education in early and remote Alpine communities, and the timeline and duration of community occupation within the Buckland Valley. The time of the school opening, its operation through the gold rush, and then the closing of the school is a clear indicator of the changing and evolving nature of the community as a direct impact of gold production in this landscape. 

Scientific/ archaeological significance – High: 

The school site is relatively undisturbed and as such has high scientific/ archaeological potential to reveal new information about the school building and the lives of the students and teachers who attended the Upper Buckland school as early as 1868. The significance of this archaeological site is heightened by the lack of published and photographic evidence that could be used to inform the building construction and use of the site. Artefacts and building foundations that remain at the site can provide further information on the activities undertaken as a part of school life as well as the nearby teachers quarters, including; 

• Building design and construction of places of education, 

• Tools or objects relating to curriculum or play, 

• Daily domestic items, food storage vessels, diet, table and cooking ware items, etc. 

• Personal items. 

Social significance 

The school site is significant as it provides evidence of the importance the colonial government and the community placed on education and the development of free education for children early in the development of the Victorian Colony, particularly given the rural and remote nature of communities in the Buckland Valley. 

Interpretation/Presentation Values – Medium 

The proximity of the school site to the Old Buckland Road provides easy access and opportunity for interpretation of the school site, with its setting amongst the false Acacia trees standing out as a visual reminder of the school footprint, with the area otherwise surrounded by dense bushland.