Blackburn Open Air School No 3850 Gardenia St. In 1915 the Education Department built a school in Gardenia Street Blackburn for anaemic and ill nourished children from Richmond, Sth Yarra, Glen Ferries and Burnley.Twenty-five children travelled by train to Blackburn Railway station. After lunch supplied by school authorities, the children were supposed to rest for 1 hour in the open air. Despite healthy diet anaemia didn't improve but the children were healthy and brighter. After WWII extra facilities were added and the Oslo lunch introduced. With improved welfare in 1963 the dept closed the school and used it for social work and Speech Therapy.Black and white photograph of the Open Air School, Blackburn showing the building in a bush setting with deck chairs on the left.blackburn open air school no 3850. schools. open air school, blackburn school

The Open Air School in Laurel Grove Blackburn was established by the Education Department in 1915 to give poor children from inner-city areas who were of 'delicate' health a chance to take advantage of the healthy bush environment of the Blackburn area. The school was closed in 1964.Four Black and White views of Open Air State School, Blackburn showing 1. View of the school 2. Bowl of soup at midday 3. Open air class 4. Interior of school. See History. From Weekly Times. See NP779 in Album 13 - Robyn DeCosta.open air school, no. 3850, blackburn, education department