Celebrating 100 Years of Eltham High School

Celebrating 100 Years of Eltham High School - Let's Celebrate Together!

Eltham High School is turning 100, and we’d love you to be part of this special milestone! Join us as we honour a century of memories, achievements, and community connections.

A number of special events have been organised to take place across the year, including: 

The Collection Exhibition

To be be opened in the Nalleijerring Performance Centre at Eltham High School on the evening of Friday 28 August, the Collection Exhibition will feature 117 works. The exhibition will showcase the school's art collection which includes works from as early as the 1950s through to more recent additions and some works that have been awarded the Principal's Acquisition prize.

It celebrates the extraordinary artistic achievements of Eltham High School students and provides a rich dialogue and visual history capturing the changing styles, themes, methods, and materials over time.  The collection is testament to the schools' unique creative achievements and the value placed on the arts by the school community. 

The collection is now a significant body of work that includes two and three dimensional works predominantly by past students, but also the works of staff and artists that have been acquired by the school over the years. This collection is now a significant one including works by notable artists such as Jenni Mitchell, Piers Bateman, and Lydia Wegner to name just a very few.

The collection began with acquisitions purchased through the school council as early as the 1950's, the Wes Muir Acquisition Prize began in 1985, followed by the Principal's Acquisition Prize, established in 2004. This, along with some generous donations by local artists, has established a vast collection. Both the Wes Muir and the Principal's Acquisition prizes continue to this day with the achievements of two senior students' work acknowledged as worthy of inclusion in the school's collection at the annual EHS Arts and Technology Exhibition. 

It is this impressive collection that will be showcased at the school with an opening to be held on Friday 28 August.

The Eltham High School & Community Centenary Exhibition

An exhibition of staff artwork, and the artwork of any community member with a strong connection to the school (either past or present) will take at Montsalvat between 21 August and 13 September.

This Exhibition at Montsalvat celebrates the broad community of people who have contributed to Eltham High School's involvement in the Arts:  past students who had their passion ignited at Eltham High and have continued their practice as an artist beyond school; current and past staff who have shared their knowledge and passion with students and continue to create outside of their teaching practice; the parent community who has instilled  a keen interest in the arts in their children; and the artists who have helped shape the artistic  focus of Eltham High by sharing their knowledge with our students.

This show will exhibit the work of artists that are not featured in the school's art collection and will be held in the Barn Gallery, Montsalvat from 21 August to 13 September 2026. It provides an opportunity to extend our celebrations to the wider community and acknowledge the artistically significant community in which Eltham High resides. 

Ticketing information for both these events will be available early Term 3

A Fete and Open Day on Sunday 11 October

This will be a large school and community event and will incorporate a broad range of activities, rides, entertainment, community groups, and importantly all of our alumni memorabilia, photos, etc.   

Stay tuned for more information!

100 Stories for 100 Years Campaign

Be part of our Centenary legacy by sharing your story.  We’re inviting alumni to reflect on their time at Eltham High School - whether it’s a proud achievement, a meaningful moment, or a treasured memory that has stayed with you.

In 100 words or less, tell us your story and, if you can, include a photo to bring it to life.

Together, we’ll create a vibrant collection of 100 stories to celebrate 100 incredible years. 

Please use the link below to access the EHS website to submit your story and be part of our history.

Join the Eltham High School Alumni Directory

Stay connected and help shape our centenary celebrations.  

We’re inviting past students to register their details for our alumni directory. By joining, you’ll also have the option to get involved in our upcoming open day, including preparing and sorting memorabilia, assisting with display set up and helping out on the day of the event.  You may even connect with old friends and teachers!

If you have any memorabilia from you or your family's time at Eltham High School that you would be happy to donate or share a copy, please contact the school at eltham.hs@education.vic.gov.au or access the link on our website.