It seems like just another musty old structure earmarked for demolition, but for those who gathered to farewell Beaconhills College’s original Pakenham Campus classrooms at a Decommissioning Ceremony on Monday 8 September, it was so much more.
The ceremony was a chance to bid a fond farewell to the humble buildings that first sprang up 43 years ago on a bare paddock off Toomuc Valley Rd.
When Beaconhills opened in 1982, it had little more than these few portable classrooms donated by St Catherines College, Toorak, and six temporary portaloos.
There were just 34 students and five staff. The College founders and staff who attended the ceremony had many happy memories of those early years in what they described as the “nerve centre” of the College.
The staffroom was a friendly and collaborative space, and the venue for many enjoyable Friday morning teas.
Some of the original parents at the ceremony remember cleaning the portaloos as part of their parent helper duties.
The portable classrooms hosted the first assembly and were later used by Middle School students, finance and administration.
The Decommissioning Ceremony saw former headmasters Tony Sheumack and Rick Tudor and the first Head of Middle School Frank Pagliuca share their reflections of that happy time.
Current Executive Principal Stephen McGinley said the building had been “far more than bricks and mortar” – it was a place of collaborations and connections.
Mr Sheumack said Beaconhills College was the result of “the wonderful vision of the people who are here today.
“It is a great tribute to the success story of Beaconhills College that these buildings are going to be replaced with contemporary buildings.”
Led by Senior Chaplain Revd Peggy Kruse, the ceremony ended with the removal of symbolic items from the building which represented the school’s history, values, leadership and faith.
They included the original framed photograph of the College taken by Ian Thomas of the Pakenham Gazette on the first day of school, February 3, 1982.
Foundation Chairman John McConchie handed over the first Constitution and initial Prospectus, while founding parent Carole Clark rang the original brass school bell three times; representing the past, present and future.
Major demolition works on the buildings will start soon to make way for the next stage of the College’s master plan, the development of a major new Visual Arts Centre. It will feature a media room, theatrette, arts and craft areas and a large gallery for displays and exhibitions.
