Graeme Blyth's legacy

Recently, the founder of Bacchus Marsh Grammar, Graeme Blyth, died peacefully, and surrounded by his family, after a long battle with illness.

Mr Blyth was immensely proud of his role as the school’s founding Principal. ?And while it is now one of Australia’s largest schools, Bacchus Marsh College (as it was originally named), didn’t start out so big.

The school’s original site was in Hallet’s Way, Bacchus Marsh, on undeveloped rural farmland on the outskirts of town.

Mr Blyth launched the school after parents approached him with their concerns that the community was lacking a quality, low-fee independent school.

The opening day was 3 February 1988 and the school commenced with three classrooms and a total of just sixteen students.

1988 was Australia’s bicentennial year and it seemed very fitting that the growing town of Bacchus Marsh, and the surrounding communities, were indeed ready for, and supportive of, a unique, low fee charging, non-denominational independent school.

It wasn’t long before Mr Blyth built a reputation as a principal with a strong vision and someone who had the talent for overcoming obstacles and achieving success. ?Bacchus Marsh College quickly developed a reputation as a quality school, focused on holistic education, and helping individual students achieve exceptional outcomes.

However, it was not until 1991 when Mr Blyth finally secured federal funding, and the school’s future was assured.? As a result the school was able to relocate to the much bigger Maddingley Road site.

Until then, the school had limited funds and it lacked equipment and resources needed to grow. ?During these early years the school survived on the modest Blyth family savings and community donations. ?And with no Principal’s salary, Mr Blyth’s wife, Charline, worked full time shift work to sustain the family.

His own children attended the school and the family lived together in a one-bedroom house on the school site. ?Becky, David and Emily started in years Prep to 4 and were themselves immersed in school life. ?The Blyth children attended countless working bees, information evenings and school tours to support their father, as well as the school community. ?The children also contributed to the school’s meagre resources and Emily remembers having to borrow her own books from the library after her father donated them.

An example of Mr Blyth’s groundbreaking approach in education was to include computers and technology in every classroom of the school, from day one. ?In 1988, this was a bold and costly initiative. ?And it resonated with the expectations of families who were seeking the best education they could find for their children. ?With initiatives like this, Mr Blyth united families in the cause to build a great school.

These days businesses and schools talk a lot about culture, meaning and purpose. ?In 1988 Mr Blyth already managed by these values. ?He created the foundations of a school community destined to grow with a strong philosophy of helping others less fortunate, making independent education affordable and making schools exciting places to learn.

He was a much-loved teacher and principal. ?Students, parents and teachers will remember Mr Blyth very fondly, not just for his determination to establish a school with strong educational values, but also for helping to change lives for the better and create opportunities for others.

I was the first teacher employed at Bacchus Marsh College. ?A short time ago, I caught up with Graeme to reminisce some of his achievements.

It’s now some 36 years since the school was established. ?However, despite his ailing health and memory, Graeme remembered the name of every founding student, and their story, when I showed him an old copy of the 1988 whole school photograph.

Remarkable. ?He was genuinely invested in his students and his school. ?Graeme Blyth’s legacy was not just creating Bacchus Marsh Grammar, it was creating life changing opportunities for others.

Darren Stevenson

Founding teacher Bacchus Marsh College