She Oaks

Nestled in idyllic surrounds, between Maude and Steiglitz in the south-west quadrant of the Golden Plains Shire in Victoria, She Oaks is a peaceful rural area located on the Moorabool River, with fertile soil and many properties scattered throughout the district. Although township services have declined due to low demand in recent times, She Oaks retains a strong historical presence and a tranquil setting for local residents. 

Post Office

The She Oaks Post Office opened in 1916 and closed in 1953.

Education

In 1870 Hugh Fraser and Malcolm McLeod proposed that there should be a school, but there was a sectarian disagreement. However in 18 the Education Department purchased the land for 10 pounds and built the She Oaks school for 134 pounds. The She Oaks State School No 1286. was founded with 36 children on the roll.

By 1888 the numbers had fallen to only 11 children on the school roll and operated on a part-time basis. In 1893 the building was sold and the land repurchased by the original owner. 

In 1920 the Sutherlands Creek School was relocated to She Oaks, but by 1951 enrollments were down to 6 pupils and the school was closed and eventually moved.

The school was destroyed by fire in 1982.

An image of the She Oaks School after it was destroyed by fire in 1982.

An image of the pupils in attendance of the She Oaks School in 1931.

Religion

The Lethbridge Uniting Church as it stood in 2010.

Originally constructed in 1869 on a site on the Midland Highway, the church was relocated to She Oaks in 1945 and used for Methodist and later Uniting Church services. The Church was extended in 1964 to accommodate a Sunday School. In 1979 the church was relocated once again to Ackland Road, servicing the Lethbridge Uniting Church community until its closure, due to a declining membership base in 2010. The community it is said were thankful the building was relocated, as the She Oaks site was burnt out in 1982, destroying the She Oaks State School which was located opposite the Church. 

To view the full article as published by the Bannockburn and District Community Newsletter click here.