WSC

Wallan Secondary College has three house groups within the school which compete against each other throughout the year in various physical activities such as althletics, swimming, cross country running. The students are also involved in inter-house chess, maths, science and computer based competitions, which allows a mix of both brains and brawn to win the end of year title of top house.

                                 

Here is a brief overview of the origins of our house groups' names:

BARLA

Barla (born mid-late 1700) was an Aboriginal woman, an Elder of the Wurundjeri People on which Wallan Secondary College stands. She was considered a Matriarch and a healer of her people using the traditional ways handed down through generations before her.
Barla was Mother to Bebejan the Ngurungaeta (headman) of the Wurundjeri People. 

She was Grandmother to William Barak (1824-1903) who was also later in life through cultural lore given the title of Ngurungaeta (Headman) after his father Bebejan. Barak was also present when John Batman met with the tribal elders to 'purchase' the Melbourne area in 1835.

Barla is represented by the colour red.  This colour was chosen because of its representation on the Aboriginal flag and also the red earth on which Wallan Secondary College is built.

COUSTLEY

The Coustley family has been heavily involved in nearly all aspects of the local and surrounding community since the early 1900's, starting with Mr Charles Robert Coustley who was born in August 1913. Charles was born in Coleraine and spent his early days at Yea, after which his family moved to Broadford. He was well respected in the local football and cricket community both as a player and contributing member.

Charles met a young woman by the name of May Breen at a cricket match in 1936, and later married Ms Breen in 1939. The couple built their family home in Darraweit, where Charles also started up an Electrical Contractor business which also happened to play a key role in bringing electricity to the district.

Over the years, Charles and May had seven children, including two sets of twins! Through the family tree starting from Charles and May's relationship, the growing family produced a number of successful sportspeople and have been involved in many local sports including football, cricket, golf, tennis and table tennis. The Coustley family included weekend sports enthusiasts right through to individual Club and District Champions.

The family also has their fair share of academic leaders, having been involved as Councillors at the Shire, Treasurers and Presidents of local community clubs and organisations - even the odd school teacher and Principal. The Coustley family is well respected and still very active in the local community and abroad.

VALLENCE