Identifiernot specifiedDateNovember 2020PhotographerPaul SmithKeywordsArcadia Public SchoolArcadiaSchoolsDescriptionGalston Heights Public School commenced in a hall in 1894.
As early as 1832 Arcadia was known as North Colah, part of the "inexhaustible forests of Dural". In 1886 Galston was named by Alexander Hutchinson after his birthplace in Scotland, thus Arcadia became known as Galston Heights or Upper Galston. Following the establishment of the local school, residents felt the need for a new name for their locality. Mr John B Shearston, a retired officer of the Royal Navy, had travelled to Arcadia in Southern Greece and felt the local area to be equally idyllic. The name Arcadia was accepted at a Public Meeting on October 28, 1895.
Land was resumed for a permanent school site on March 13, 1896. This consisted of two acres of land purchased from the sisters Henrietta Best and Eveline May Wells. Arcadia Public School still stands on this original site.
The new building (shown in photograph) was constructed in 1897. It was officially opened by the Hon. Jacob Garrard, Minister for Public Instruction.Physical FormatPhotograph