30 June 2025

This grand Gothic pile on Malvern Road South Yarra was built as the Prahran State School in 1874. It’s rather more dour than many of the other similar schools, with a bit less of a picturesque arrangement and less decoration, though maybe a clean would help. It was one of the first built after compulsory primary eduction started in 1872, with a variety of designs chosen in a competition in 1873 (all brick Gothic). This design by Crouch & Wilson Pwas one of the winners, but it was never repeated.

In 1908 it became Hawksburn Primary, and closed in 1994, and the playgrounds became rather ticky tacky townhouses. The school itself became Leonard Joel, right up until 2023 – I always imagined it filled with antiques, but I never went in. They moved to Hawthorn and sold up, but I can’t find what it might become. Old colour pic Heritage Victoria, old B&W no date, but must be early.

• Uncategorized