Century old mural found hidden in Melbourne primary school
A chalk mural thought to be over a century old has been discovered at a primary school in Melbourne's inner east.
The chalk drawings were found on a nine metre long blackboard hidden behind newer blackboards and storage cupboards at Kew Primary School.
"First, we saw a splash of yellow," principal Peter deWacht told the ABC.
"Then a couple of animals, holding up the crest, the Australian crest, and it felt as though we'd danced back into time."
The mural was discovered over the Easter break, which includes the Australian coat of arms, native birds, an elephant, the Union Jack and a girl holding flowers. 9News
The mural was discovered over the Easter break, which includes the Australian coat of arms, native birds, an elephant, the Union Jack and a girl holding flowers.
Although most of the images are faded, elements in red, yellow and green remain vibrant .
"I saw yellow flowers, and a girl holding the bouquet, and then we just kept pulling and pulling and pulling," Kew Primary School business manager Carmel Buxton said.
"It was fabulous!"
The images were discovered during renovations, in a building constructed in 1910, which has led to speculation that the work could date back further than one century. 9News
This year marks the school's 150th anniversary and the renovations were started to celebrate the occasion.
The images were discovered during renovations, in a building constructed in 1910, which has led to speculation that the work could date back further than one century.
"What we found was a gift from the past," Mr deWacht said.
The discovery has been deemed by some staff as an extra special gift with a hidden message.
Although most of the images are faded, elements in red, yellow and green remain vibrant . 9News
"They decided to leave us a present so that one day the right people would come to the school as custodians," Ms Buxton said.
"The preppies will just think it is really pretty in their space, which it is, but it is also pretty exciting."
Mr DeWacht said the students and staff will work together to find the origins of the artwork.
A chalk mural thought to be over a century old has been discovered on a blackboard hidden behind newer blackboards and storage cupboards at Kew Primary School. 9News
"We will have students working with artists to restore the mural but also adding their touches to it," he said.
"The school was started in 1870 so we have had generation after generation growing up and learning in these halls.
"We feel the weight of history and that we are responsible for it and we want to make sure that we are handing it onto the future in pristine form."
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