Book launch - 'Yarra Park State School No. 1406: A Recovered History' and 'The Lost Roll of Honor of Yarra Park State School'

Ian Hind for a number of years has been working on the history of Yarra Park State School.  Ian lives in the school’s old shelter shed (converted, of course), and a significant part of his working life was spent in the Victorian Education Department, so he is well placed to write such a history.  The school opened in 1874 and closed in 1987 and is of considerable historical and architectural significance.

There are two monographs to be launched.  The first is a history of the school itself, and the companion monograph, which tells the story of the Lost World War One Roll of Honor, gives short biographies of all the men, where identifiable, whose names appear on the school’s WW1 honor roll, sadly now lost. The first book not only gives a history of an important school serving the East Melbourne and Richmond communities for over 100 years, but also provides an excellent overview of the history of state education in Victoria as a whole.  Delving into the second book reveals a very human side of the war often overlooked in the retelling of its drama. 

At the launch Ian will touch on key events and some of the important people associated with the school, as well as talking about his own personal journey, with the assistance of Tim Holland and Sylvia Black, uncovering the material and stories to compile this recovered history. 

Tim Holland will launch the Recovered History and Major General (Retd) Michael O’Brien will launch the Lost Roll of Honor. Copies of both books will be available for sale at the launch. Tea and refreshments will be served following the launch.