This Day in History: 1993-05-23

An early morning fire, thought to have been deliberately lit, destroyed most of the buildings of the Toodyay District High School.

The facilities damaged included 12 classrooms, the home economics room, the business education/computing room and administration and staff facilities. The prompt action of the Toodyay Volunteer Fire Brigade saved considerable parts of the buildings, equipment and records.

After the fire, the school’s 400 students were re-located for nearly two months in temporary accommodation at the town’s Racecourse, Uniting Church, CWA Centre, St. John Ambulance Sub Centre, Fire Station and Anglican Church Hall. Demountable (transportable) rooms were erected near the Uniting Church. The TDHS General Fire Relief Appeal and The P & C Fire Relief Appeal commenced, to be matched dollar for dollar by the Shire of Toodyay (to a maximum of $25,000, up to the end of June 1993).

TDHS Principal was Alan Sandercock, and TDHS Primary School Principal was Glen Rondoni.

Sources:
Toodyay herald, 1993 June, pp.1, 13-20 (photos).
Plaque.
Government media announcement, 30 Nov. 1994 (viewed 4 May 2023):
https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Court/1994/11/Official-opening-of-new-Toodyay-high-school.aspx