The story of Leitchville Primary School is one of dedication, resilience, and community spirit — qualities that continue to define our school today.

It all began in 1877, when Inspector R. Craig, together with passionate locals Alexander Gray and Edwin Meeking, led a petition to establish a school for the   growing Box Creek community. With the help of two Members of Parliament, their efforts were rewarded, and in June 1878, a two-acre site was purchased  from Samuel Maxwell for the grand sum of £10.

The school was officially gazetted on 30 August 1878, originally named Box Creek/Gunbower School No. 2087. The very first classes began the following  month, on 21 September 1878, with Matilda Mattson as Head Teacher. In those early years, the school operated part-time alongside Taylors Creek School  (later known as Gunbower No. 2231), with teachers and students adapting to shared resources and long distances.

By 1879, Edwin Meeking had become Head Teacher, remaining in charge until 1887. As enrolments grew, so too did the need for improved facilities. In 1885, a  larger portable building from Torrumbarry was brought in and converted into a classroom, while the original structure became the teacher’s residence.

Just two years later, disaster struck when a fire destroyed the school in the early hours of 31 May 1887. Yet, in true country spirit, the community rallied quickly, and classes resumed across the road in the local church — ensuring that learning continued without missing a beat.

Because the school sat closer to Leitchville than to Box Creek, Inspector W. M. Gamble suggested in 1889 that the name be changed to better reflect its community. After several years of requests, the change was approved, and in 1892, our school officially became Leitchville School No. 2087.

During this period, the school moved to a new site at the junction of Kerang and Swan Hill Roads, on land known as J. Taylor’s Selection. Local stories tell that when the school was closed for relocation, lessons still continued at a nearby teacher’s home, affectionately remembered by older residents as “Beddor’s Lane”, a wonderful example of the community’s commitment to education.

In the early 1900s, families once again began calling for improved facilities. Their persistence paid off when, in 1912, local resident G. Webb wrote to H. Angus MLA, successfully requesting a new school building. Two years later, in 1914, a beautiful new wooden schoolhouse was constructed for around £800.

In 1919, Leitchville School was moved to its current site, an incredible effort achieved with a steam tractor and bullock dray, driven by Gus Borneman’s father.

From those humble beginnings, Leitchville Primary School has grown into a proud, caring, and connected learning community. Our school continues to stand as a symbol of the strength, determination, and spirit of the families who built it, values we still celebrate and live by today.