Dumbalk Primary School (School No. 3415; previously known as Narrena East State School 1902 – 1938; Dumbalk State School 1938 - 1970)

Full description

Dumbalk Primary School (School No. 3415) (VA 3828) was a coeducational primary school located in South Gippsland. 

It first opened in March 1902 as Nerrena East State School, operating out of a leased building with 22 students. A fire destroyed the school building in February 1906 however, and classes were conducted in a private house until the new school was ready in April 1909. 

In 1936, the school was again destroyed by fire, and for the next two years classes were run out of the Dumbalk Hall. Part of Jumbunna State School (School No. 2954) (VA 3850) was removed to Dumbalk to assist with the rebuilding and in 1938, when classes resumed at the rebuilt site, the school name was changed to Dumbalk State School. 

In 1970, there was a statewide decision to change the use of the term ‘State School’ to refer to all primary, secondary and technical schools instead of just primary schools, and for all primary schools to use ‘Primary School’ in the name. Accordingly, the school name was changed to Dumbalk Primary School. 

In 1994, Dumbalk Primary School merged with Meeniyan Primary School (School No. 3165) to form the new Tarwin Valley Primary School (School No. 5420; briefly known as Dumbalk Primary School). The original Dumbalk site became the administrative centre while the Meeniyan site became campus 2. Tarwin Valley Primary School changed its name in 2020 to Meeniyan Primary School.