Toolleen was once planned for about 100 homes but now has only 10 or 11 houses. The town is described as tranquil but somewhat melancholic due to its reduced population and closed school. The old school, closed for over two years, stands as a symbol of the town's past, with a 1909 bell and a time capsule to be opened in 2034.The schoolyard and classroom remain, though vandalized and unused. Toolleen is situated at a crossroads, making it feel peripheral—at the edge of federal and state electorates, the shire, and even police districts. Residents face inconveniences such as being in the wrong police district, requiring long-distance calls for assistance. Despite decline, Toolleen maintains a sense of contentment, with a pub, general store/post office, and a renowned football ground. The town's farming base and modest expectations contribute to its stability compared to other declining hamlets. Toolleen's layout stems from the 1893 Settlement Act, which aimed to help people become self-sufficient during Victoria's depression.The Plough Inn (the local pub) has been central since the 1860s, rebuilt in 1905, and historically linked to the Spiers family.Recent Revitalization Efforts. The pub, now run by Col and Suzanne Munro, has been restored, attracting both locals and travelers. The Mount Pleasant Football Club remains a key social hub, reinforcing community bonds. The local club is a central hub, hosting regular social gatherings and planning events like a club ball. Sporting activities, especially football, are significant, with local teams performing well and the grand final being a major event. The Mount Pleasant footy ground and associated facilities are notable community assets. The general store and post office, run by Bernard and Donna Linnett, serve as important services for the area’s 75 families. A large, modern turkey farm operated by Teville Tranter is the district’s biggest employer, supplying Melbourne restaurants. Entrepreneurial activity includes Terry Tuohey’s firewood business, which processes and sells red gum logs to Melbourne, demonstrating local value-adding. Residents appreciate the quiet, supportive lifestyle, with newcomers like the Linnetts choosing Toolleen for its community feel. The Tuohey family is prominent in the area, contributing to the town’s close-knit atmosphere and support network.Small Towns With Big Hearts Tooleen. Series of photos and information about Tooleen. Pictures by Peter Hyett. Written by Wayne Gregson. This item contains the following documents newspaper articles and black and white photos: 8091.608a Part of Page 19, the Bendigo Advertiser Aug 04 1993 8091.608b Part of Page 19, the Bendigo Advertiser Aug 04 1993 8091.608c Black and White Photo of Campervan approaching Tooleen - Contact BHS for Details 8091.608d Black and White Photo of Terry Tuohey’s and his firewood business, which processes and sells red gum logs to Melbourne - Contact BHS for Details 8091.608e Black and White Photo of the Tooleen Hotel - Contact BHS for Details 8091.608f Black and White Photo of the Tooleen Hotel - Contact BHS for Details 8091.608g Black and White Photo of man on the verandah of the General Store - Contact BHS for Details 8091.608h Black and White Photo of Road Patrol and workers - Contact BHS for Details 8091.608i Black and White Photo of the Tooleen Primary School and Bell out the front - Contact BHS for Details 8091.608j Black and White Photo of paddocks and dam - Contact BHS for Details 8091.608k Black and White Photo of man on the verandah of the General Store - Contact BHS for Details 8091.608l Black and White Photo of truck on the road at Tooleen - Contact BHS for Details 8091.608m Black and White Photo of paddocks and hills at Tooleen - Contact BHS for Details 8091.608n Black and White Photo of road signs and Neighbourhood Watch - Contact BHS for Details 8091.608o Black and White Photo of church - Contact BHS for Details 8091.608p Black and White Photo of Football Ground and Club Rooms - Contact BHS for Details 8091.608q Black and White Photo and newspaper article: Terry Tuohey and his partners harvest fallen red gum timber from local creeks and floodways.The timber is processed and transported to Melbourne, where it is bagged into 13-kilogram lots. Each bag of timber is sold for $5.30 at various outlets. A tonne of Toolleen wood retails for $407.70, reflecting the value-added approach. The Tuohey family has deep roots in Toolleen, contributing to the local economy and community identity. 8091.608r Black and White Photo of the bar of the pub with possibly Suzanne Munro behind - Contact BHS for Details 8091.608s Black and White Photo of a dog in the middle of the road with traffic approaching - Contact BHS for Details 8091.608t Black and White Photo of a dog in the middle of the road with traffic approaching - Contact BHS for Details 8091.608u Black and White Photo of Terry Tuohey’s and his firewood business, which processes and sells red gum logs to Melbourne - Contact BHS for Details 8091.608u Black and White Photo of van and paddocks along the road - Contact BHS for Details 8091.608v Black and White Photo of Football Ground and Club Rooms - Contact BHS for Detailsnewspaper, bendigo advertiser, tooleen

This Article outlines the history, community role, and current challenges facing Muskerry East School, a rural Australian school. The school has existed on the same site since 1878, originally sharing a building with the Methodist church. The current weatherboard building was relocated in 1926 after the closure of Weston school. The school has experienced multiple closures due to low enrolment: from 1902–1922 and 1945–1951. Muskerry East is considered a true "neighborhood school" despite its remote location, with families like the Hicksons, Roulstons, Burkes, and Tuoheys attending for generations. The school serves as the central gathering place for the local farming community, especially for women who rely on school drop-offs and pick-ups for social interaction.It is now the only school remaining in a large area between Heathcote and Elmore, with others having closed. The Directorate of School Education is considering closing the school due to low enrolment (currently 15, projected 16–21), despite community guarantees of future students. Recent policy changes require at least 21 pupils for "non-remote" schools to remain open, putting Muskerry East at risk. The community feels the government has shifted requirements, making it harder for small schools to survive. Parents and community members are actively fighting to keep the school open, emphasizing its importance to local identity and cohesion.There is frustration that bureaucratic decisions may sever long-standing community ties and traditions. Muskerry East School stands as a symbol of rural resilience and community, now threatened by changing educational policies and declining rural populations.Schools searching for a Future. Series of photos and information about Muskeery East Primary School No. 2108. Pictures by Lisa Honeychurch. Written by Owen Davies. This item contains the following documents and Photos: 8091.604a Part of Page 11, the Bendigo Advertiser Friday August 20 1993 8091.604b Black and White Photo. Left to Right: Alma and Ron Hickson, Catherine Hamblin (attended 72 years ago), Beryl Roulston (husband was a student and both children attended the school), Joyce Moroney (student 69 years ago), Nancy Roulston, (Teacher) - Contact the BHS for details 8091.604c Black and White Photo. Left to Right: Beryl Roulston (husband was a student and both children attended the school), Joyce Moroney (student 69 years ago) - Contact the BHS for details 8091.604d Black and White Photo. Centenary Plaque (100 years of the school 9th Dec 1878 - Contact the BHS for details 8091.604e Black and White Photo. Joelene Morrissey (Grade 5) and Linda Hickson (Grade 4) - contact the BHS for details 8091.604f Black and White Photo. Ron Hickson (attended in 1927) and his grand children, L to R: Lauren Tuohey (Grade 4) Rowan Hickson (Grade 2) and Linda Hickson (Grade 5) - contact the BHS for details 8091.604g Black and White Photo. Catherine Hamblin (former pupil 72 years ago, when the school was in the old Methodist Church) - contact the BHS for details 8091.604h Black and White Photo. In the class room on the last day of school for the year 16 Dec 1993 - contact the BHS for details 8091.604i Black and White Photo. In front of the school, pupils, parents and community members - contact the BHS for detailsnewspaper, bendigo advertiser, primary school, muskerry east