Raymond Island - Raymond Island Institutions

Raymond Island Institutions

The Raymond Island Community Association (RICA) hosts regular meetings for residents and rate-payers, and has roots that go back to 1949. RICA was formed in 2003 as an amalgamation of the Raymond Island Advancement League (RIAL) which was started in 1949, and Raymond Island Protection (RIP) which was formed in 1988.

The Raymond Island Landcare Group formed in 1994 and reportedly covers 759 hectares. Its stated mission is to "protect and enhance the natural environment of Raymond Island by maintaining and protecting the natural attractions of the Island and development of low impact tourism infrastructure in harmony with maintaining the Island's character".

At one stage, thanks to the work of Reg Medling and Gordon Winch, Raymond Island had its own Bowling Green: Medwin Bowling Club. With the help of volunteers, a two rink Green was created on a vacant block of land, owned by Gordon and Beryl Winch, at 7-15 Eighth Avenue, just down from First Parade. The Green officially opened on 15 February 1987.

Raymond Island briefly had a Post Office from 3 April 1967 until 11 April 1968. The post office was run by Mrs. Annette Anderson, who operated it from a small hut at the back of her home. The post office closed when Mrs. Anderson tendered her resignation upon moving away from the island.

More long-lived was the Raymond Island primary school (number 3384), which opened to students on 14 February 1902. The site of the school is on the corner of Gravelly Point Road and Centre Road, marked by a commemorative plaque. The first Head Teacher was Miss Jennifer Thompson. At one stage, student enrolments reached 41, but by 1912, enrolments had fallen to the point that the school closed down on August 31. However just 18 months later, on January 27, 1914, the school reopened with an influx of new students. Only 28 new enrolments were recorded between 1914 and 1934, leading the school to close for the final time in December 1934. After closing, the old school building was removed to Devon Road, Paynesville, where it became a private home.

In 1897, Fred Barton (snr) held the first Presbyterian church service on Raymond Island, in a private home. Barton applied to the Lands Department for a church site soon after, and obtained three acres on the corner of Gravelly Point Road and Centre Road, opposite what would become the school site. A bark hut was built on the site, and services were held there until the church and Sunday School were removed to the newly built school in 1902.