The history of Korus Connect

As many of you know, the work of CCES did not start in 1945, but many years before. After the passing of the Education Act of 1872, which paved the way for government schooling, the question of religious instruction was never very far from the minds of the Churches. They had previously been heavily involved with the provision of education in Victoria. Religious instruction in these early years could be provided by volunteers after school hours and students participated according to their church denomination.

THE 1800s

The first teaching material for Religious Instruction (RI) was developed in 1890 by the Geelong Association for Giving Religious Instruction in State schools. Within a year more than 100 volunteer instructors were involved. Some travelled in buggies similar to the one pictured above.

Through the 1890s, the work spread to other areas of the state, requiring a more coordinated approach. So in 1896, the newly formed Presbyterian Elders Association undertook this coordination role.

THE 1900s

The work continued to grow and so a broader church representation in the oversight was needed. In 1920 the Joint Council for Religious Instruction in Day Schools was formed and within two years took over the oversight of this important work. At the time more than 59,000 children were being taught by 729 instructors. Some children in remote areas received their RI by correspondence, as it was so much more difficult to get around!

The Joint Council was later renamed the Joint Board of Christian Education, followed by The Council for Christian Education in Schools, first in 1943 but incorporated in 1945.

The Council at this stage was made up of representatives from The Church of England, Presbyterian, Methodist, Congregational and Baptist churches, the Churches of Christ and the Salvation Army.