Heritage Trail
Early Learning Centre and Farrer House
This building is named in honour of Dr Keith Farrer and to acknowledge his 50 years of service to Carey. It now houses our Early Learning Centre.
In 1957, the Edwardian house at 26 Wrixon Street was purchased for a Headmaster’s residence. Twenty years later, in 1977, the Victorian-era house next door at 24 Wrixon was purchased to house an art room, library, remedial teaching and Junior School administration office.
In 1980, this building was re-named Farrer House in honour of Dr Keith Farrer and to acknowledge his 50 years of service to Carey, from his commencement as a student in 1930.
In 1992, these two buildings were merged and remodelled to provide fresh and roomy spaces for Prep to Year 2. They later housed a staff crèche and the Early Childhood Centre (ECC) that opened in 1994 with an enrolment of 66 students for both three-year-old and four-year-old kindergarten. Together with 10 crèche enrolments, they formed what we know today as the Early Learning Centre (ELC).
Fun facts
‘When the Cramer family occupied the current ELC as their residence, they would occasionally host barbecue lunches for school leaders. I can confirm that Mrs Cramer put the onions on top of the sausage.’
– Tim Chilvers, alum (1989) and Chair of the Board (2021–present)
‘Many times when [Ross Millikan] had to make difficult decisions regarding a student or had had stressful conversations with parents or staff, he would just quietly arrive in the Early Childhood Centre and sit among the little children to “restore his spirit”.’
– Val Evans, staff (1976–2002)
This is a stop on Carey's Heritage Trail.
