The township
of Merbein is situated on the Murray River 12 kilometres north-west of Mildura.
Surrounding the town are closely settled fruit blocks, which rely on irrigation.
Crops are mostly grapes for fresh fruit, dried fruit and wine industries;
citrus growing as well as diversified cropping including pistachios, almonds
and avocados.
In 1927 a brick building, which was to serve as a church and school for the
parishioners, was built. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School opened on January
31, 1928 staffed by three Sisters of Mercy who travelled daily from Mildura.
In its first year there were sixty children enrolled and another twenty-four
students at times throughout the year. Since that time the school has continued
to cater for the children from the township as well as those who travelled
in from fruit blocks and neighbouring districts. The current enrolment totals
approximately 140 students.
The original building, catering for three classes, wasn’t added to until 1975, and again in 1979. Since 1991 three major refurbishment and building programs have completed the project, which began over seventy years ago.
Along with staffs of dedicated and committed lay teachers, the Sisters of Mercy continued their service to Our Lady’s School until 1998. In 1999, Mr Des Lowry the first lay Principal was appointed.
Our
School crest has three main parts that tell part of our school story: