General News
24 November, 2025
A coup for the Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum’s Detpa School
The Detpa State School at Jeparit’s Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum recently achieved a new status, being designated a National School Museum, one of only four in Victoria.
The Detpa School opened in June 1926 to provide education to the children of families in the Detpa locality west of Jeparit.
Previously, local pupils had attended the Hindmarsh South School at Allanby, which operated from 1889 until 1926.
The timber building, typical of many rural schools, consists of a single room, a vestibule, and a storeroom.
mounted in its own timber display case.
Adorning the walls are seven district World War I Honour Rolls. These were placed in the Detpa School years ago after the district schools in which they had been placed after The Great War had been closed and the buildings removed or demolished.
The school also holds several items relating to former Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies, who was born in 1894 at Jeparit and attended the Jeparit State School.
The Australian National Museum of Education at the University of Canberra maintains a Registry of National School Museums.
Currently, there are 38 School Museums on the National Registry, with only three in Victoria: the Dunach School at Talbot Museum, the Myrtleford Old School Museum, and the Sovereign Hill Schools in Ballarat.
"Now that the School is officially a National School Museum, we will begin making an inventory of the School’s books, school newsletters, Honour Rolls and the many teaching and learning aids from the 1920s through to the 1950s," Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum Committee member Craige Proctor said.
"Early in 2026, the Victorian representative on the ANME Board and educational historian, Dr Rosalie Triolo OAM, will return to Jeparit to assist in documenting the school’s extensive collection.
"With only three registered School Museums in Victoria, having our Detpa School added to the Registry is a major coup."
On entering the School, visitors are transported back in time, and many marvel at the extent of the collection as well as the ambience of the building.
Being one of fifteen heritage buildings on site, the Detpa School is now officially a museum within a museum.
As a registered National School Museum, the Detpa School may attract researchers with a focus on early twentieth-century education.
The last class at the school was held in September 1954, and the school officially closed in 1967.
The school was relocated to the Pioneer Museum in 1970.
In addition to a storyboard outlining the school’s story, a plaque has been produced designating the school’s status as a National School Museum.
"We are hoping to mark the centenary of the Detpa School opening in June 2026," Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum President Wendy Werner said.
"One of our Pioneer Museum jigsaws featuring the Detpa School has been given to the Australian National Museum of Education."
Photos of the Detpa School Museum are included in its listing on the ANME website at www.canberra.edu.au/anme/our-collection/anme-members.
