History
In 1950, the total population of Mandurah was around six hundred persons. The only education service was one Primary School, Mandurah Primary School, in Hackett Street, which is still an active school today.
Name
Riverside Primary School is named after the Riverside Gardens Estate, which is opposite the school. The estate commenced with the first blocks selling in 1957, those near the river were £300 ($600) and those on Teranca Road for £100 ($200). The original roads were made of compacted limestone with gravel surface (called Maar el), later roads were sealed. There was no power or scheme water. People had their own bores or rainwater tanks. The power consisted of 32-volt lighting plants, or kerosine lamps, outside toilets and wash tubs for baths, on the kitchen floor before the wood stove.
Location
The school area, including the oval, was originally the property of the Barr Family. Kangaroos, emus and cattle roamed freely on this virgin block. Being timbered by Red Gum, Jarrah, Tuart and Sheoak trees. The ground cover was Buttercup scrub, Mimosa shrubs and Zamia palms. The main flowers were Kangaroo paws and a variety of native orchids. The oval is now named “Fowler Park”.
School Site
The school was built in 1994, for year 1 – 7 and designed to support two schools, Riverside Primary School and Riverside Education Support Centre. Miss Debra Bloor, Deputy Principal, and later the principal, was authorised to set up the school and equip it with all the items necessary for the school to commence with students in February 1995. Whilst these schools are independent of each other, with their own principals, teachers and staff, the two schools work well together, combining for special events.
Over the years the school site has changed significantly to accommodate the changing needs of the school, now catering for over 500 students in Kindergarten to Year 6.
School Awards
With government funding needed for school costs, there was little leftover for school awards. The Principal at the time, Miss Bloor, wrote to a number of organizations and businesses requesting them to sponsor an award for the students. Mr Ray Fowler replied by letter to this request:
‘Now that a school is established in the area, my family and I would like to be part of it by presenting a shield to the school on which the name of the Dux of the School can be printed, also to present a book, chosen by the Principal, to keep as a memento of their final Year.’
A grant of money (£500, $1,000) was given to the school, with the yearly interest contributing to the making and upkeep of the Honour Board, which includes both the name of the Dux and the Head Boy and Girl’s names.
School Patron
Having supported the school over many years, Mr Ray Fowler was honoured by being appointed the first patron of the school followed by partner Rose and currently Kevin, a position he holds with pride. Both the school oval and school library have been named in their honour ‘Fowler Park’ and ‘Ray and Rose Fowler Resource Centre.’
