In the heart of Creswick - a historic gold rush town nestled in Victoria's central highlands, just 16 kilometres north of Ballarat -St Augustine's Primary School has been a cornerstone of community life for over 170 years. Established in 1855 to meet the needs of families during the Gold Rush, the school has grown and evolved across generations while remaining anchored in its Catholic faith and its deep sense of place.
Today, St Augustine's is home to 144 students from Foundation to Year 6. Committed to the holistic development of students, the school focuses not just on academic excellence but on social and emotional wellbeing; and it does so as an integral part of the wider St Augustine's Parish and the Creswick community it has served for so long.
Now, thanks to a $3.6 million redevelopment supported by CDF, the Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Ltd (DOBCEL), and the Federal Government, this much-loved school is stepping confidently into its next chapter.
Pictured: St Augustine's Primary School before and after the $3.6 million refurbishment
A learning environment designed for today's students
The new redevelopment has transformed the daily experience of learning at St Augustine's. Light-filled classrooms, improved ventilation, and flexible learning spaces now support both structured teaching and inquiry-based learning, creating an environment where students can thrive academically, creatively, and personally.
New specialist and multi-purpose spaces have broadened opportunities across science, the arts, physical education, and collaborative learning. But it's not just about functionality. As Principal Michael Heenan reflects, these spaces are designed to nurture confidence and belonging:
Preserving identity through restoration
At the centre of the project is the careful restoration of the school's historic chapel and original buildings. This was never just a question of infrastructure, it was an investment in the identity and story of the school itself.
"It is about preserving identity, story, and belonging," says Principal Heenan, "ensuring that while St Augustine's has moved from 1966 to 2026 in its facilities, it never loses sight of where it began."
For a school with roots stretching back to the Gold Rush era, that continuity matters deeply. The restored chapel remains a living reminder of the faith that has shaped this community across generations.
Strengthening community in Creswick
The impact of the redevelopment reaches well beyond the school gates. As a central institution in a town of around 3,000 people, St Augustine's plays a vital role in shaping local identity and supporting families. The modern, welcoming spaces have strengthened the connections between school, parish, and community; and the school's strong enrolments and growing engagement reflect a community with confidence in its future.
A partnership enabling growth
CDF's support was central to making this vision a reality, providing the financial foundation that allowed the school to plan boldly and responsibly.
Rev. Marcello Colasante, Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat, speaks to what this kind of investment means in practice:
"The successful completion of the redevelopment project at St Augustine's Primary School Creswick is a tangible expression of sustainable investment in our local community — learning spaces that will give children confidence to grow in their own abilities."
Building for generations to come
St Augustine's Creswick is a school that has always found a way to honour its past while embracing what comes next. This redevelopment is a clear expression of that spirit, a commitment to ensuring every child who walks through its doors is given the opportunity to grow in confidence, curiosity, and faith.
It is a story of continuity and renewal. The heritage is preserved. The learning is reimagined. And the future is full of promise.
To help CDF continue to meet strong loan demand from the Catholic community, you too can put your faith in action and save for a greater reward than money alone. Not only will you earn a competitive rate of interest, but your savings will assist schools like St Augustine's Primary School, Creswick and other Catholic organisations to continue the work the Gospel calls on them to do.
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CDPF Limited, a company established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, has indemnified the Catholic Development Fund ABN 15 274 943 760 (the Fund) against any liability arising out of a claim by investors in the Fund. In practice, this means your investment is backed by the assets of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. The Fund is required by law to make the following disclosure. Investment in the Fund is only intended to attract investors whose primary purpose for making their investment is to support the charitable purposes of the Fund. Investors’ funds will be used to generate a return to the Fund that will be applied to further the charitable works of the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Dioceses of Sale and Bunbury. The Fund is not prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority nor has it been examined or approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). An investor in the Fund will not receive the benefit of the financial claims scheme or the depositor protection provisions in the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). The investments that the Fund offers are not subject to the usual protections for investors under the Corporations Act (Cth) or regulation by ASIC. Investors may be unable to get some or all of their money back when the investor expects or at all and investments in the Fund are not comparable to investments with banks, finance companies or fund managers. The Fund’s identification statement may be viewed here or by contacting the Fund. The Fund does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.
