John Pascoe Fawkner (1792-1838) - one of the founding fathers of Melbourne - was on the school board in 1860.

John Fawker was born in England in 1792. When his father was convicted of receiving stolen goods and as punishment transported to Australia, John came with him as a boy to Sullivan's Bay (the first convict settlement in Victoria) and then to Tasmania. Still a young man, he was himself convicted for helping convicts to build a boat to escape from Tasmania. He received 500 lashes and 3 years hard labour. In 1822 he married Eliza Cobb a convict who had been transported from England for stealing a baby. Later, he outfitted the group of people who came from Tasmania and made the first landing by boat near where the city of Melbourne now stands.

Fawkner went on to play a very important role in establishing the new city. He published the first newspaper, the Melbourne Advertiser in 1838, and opened the first hotel. He became a member of parliament whose voice was feared but respected. He opposed the transportation of convicts from England, supported the gold diggers, opposed the squatters, and argued for self-government. He died in 1869 and was given a state funeral.

Alfred Deakin (1856-1946) - the second Prime Minister of Australia - was born during the time of the gold rush in a little cottage in George Street near Gertrude Street, Fitzroy not far from the Fitzroy Primary School. A plaque is attached to the front of the house to honour a great Australian and son of Fitzroy. It has been reported that he had attended the school but more recent historical research indicates that this was not so. He served as a coucillor and a Mayor of Fitzroy. He also served as a barrister and a journalist.

Deakin went on to occupy the highest office in the land for three consecutive terms when most only serve one or two and is so regarded as one of Australia's great prime ministers. Deakin University, in Geelong, is named after him.

Sir John Latham (1877-1964) - Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia (the highest court in the land) attended Fitzroy Primary School. He won a scholarship to attend Scotch College and went on to study at the University of Melbourne. From 1904 to 1920 he taught first Logic and then Law at Ormond College and the university in a part time capacity. He also worked as a barrister, a journaist and a correspondant. During the First World War he served as a lieutenant-commander in the navy.

Latham was elected as an independant to the Federal House of Representatives as the member for Kooyong in 1922. He was relected in 1925 as a member of the Nationalist Party and was appointed Attorney-General. He served as leader of the federal opposition from 1929 to 1931 during a time of great economic crisis. In the United Party government which was elected in 1931, he served concurrently as Deputy Prime Minister, Attorney-General, Minister for External Affairs and the Minister for Industry.

Latham retired from politics in 1934 and his Kooyong seat was taken up by Sir Robert Menzies, another famous Australian. In 1935, he was appointed Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia until he retired in 1952. John Latham was a maverick in the history of Australian politics and the Australian legal system. He is the most distinguished of the graduates of our little school. Tall trees from little acorns grow!