Edward Ryan, reputedly the first squatter to illegally occupy territory in the area where the village of Wallendbeen now stands, was granted a "pastoral license" for the occupation of crown lands in 1937. The village, in fact, took its name from a section of the area known as Wallendbeen Station.
The discovery of gold at Burrangong in 1858, the Robertson Land Acts of 1861 and 1862 and the coming of the railway in 1877, all resulted in a developing village which serves as a resting place for travelers and a communal centre for the selectors.The Yass-Cootamundra line passed through Wallendbeen in 1877. The passenger station was first situated opposite the wheat silos. It was relocated to its present position in 1920.
One of the first publican licenses was owned by Patrick Powell in 1869, between Cootamundra and Wallendbeen. From the Yass direction, the "White Horse Hotel" was established, and noted as a being erected in expectation of prosperity which didn't arrive. In 1884 the Railway Hotel was opened, which was within walking distance of the railway station.
The first school in the area was established in 1873, six miles from the village. In July of 1881, a new school was opened in the village, after a lot of bargaining with the Department of Education. A building was leased from Mrs. Price, at 8 shillings/week. The enrolment was 36 children. What followed was an endless amount of problems, from the children having to cross the railway lines for a drink, to rent payments being delayed, to a dispute over the size of the building (15ft by 12ft).After the Cootamundra Herald reported the matter, debate arose, and a tank was installed in June 1882. The rent increased on the condition that guttering was fixed.
After years of dissatisfaction, a new school was completed on 30th April, 1885, on the site where the infant's building now stands. The schoolroom was capable of accommodating 60 pupils without crushing, an infants room for 20, and also had 3 closets, bell, lavatory and two water tanks. The buildings were made of weatherboard, lined with local pine, "had an abundance of light", and plans were you in place for a teacher's residence (which was completed on the 14th September of the same year).
In 1908 a new residence was built for $595, after the former residence burnt down in 1906.
A pupil-teacher was employed to help the teacher, Mr. Wicks, in 1908. 66 children attended the school. The Principal's wife taught sewing and fruit preserving.
In 1911, another building was built and the original school house was sold to Mr. Sewell of Young.
Mr. Rooney was the school's next principal, and was renowned for his interesting scientific specimens. During the 1920's the Governor General Ferguson visited the school and remarked on them.
In 1914, enrolment was at its highest - 119 pupils. Many of these were from Cullinga, where they drove sulkies or rode horses for miles to get to school.
What followed was a succession of principals after the departure of Mr. Rooney in 1924. From this time to 1944, there were two principals and 3 assistants (all female).
Due to the P&C rallying for the school to have power, in 1938, the school was finally wired , along with the installation of a radio.
Miss Elrington, an assistant, revived the Junior Red Cross Organisation. The state organiser made occasional visits to Wallendbeen to praise their efforts.
Empire Day was the highlight of the school year - it was a half day holiday. There were bonfires, fireworks and speeches. The Governor of NSW and his wife visited the town in 1939 (or thereabouts).
During the 1930's also, recreational opportunities increased. A paddock was leased from Mr. Dyde, at a cost of 10 pounds per year for use as a golf course. A club was established to mould the fields, and was continued until the war.
 During the war, Mr. Brown remained Principal and was Secretary of the local War Effort. Every month the committee forwarded 30 parcels to the front line for men from Wallendbeen and the surrounding areas. Spirits rose with the visit of American soldiers. As they continued their convoy to the top-end, they made time to stop and have tea with the village people.
In 1935 "the Barrow Men" passed through. A Mr. William Amiguet, the passenger, was pushed in a wheelbarrow by Cr. W. Darwin from Melbourne to Sydney for a wager. Some of the community, along with teachers met with the men, and wished them well at the creek crossing.
The South West Slopes PSSA conducted its first meeting on the Wallendbeen sports ground in 1943. It was hailed by all as an outstanding success. Schools involved included Nubba, Brawlin, Wallendbeen, Wallendbeen Convent, Jindalee, Redbridge and Cunningar. A cup was donated by Mr. Baldry (and is still used today in the Baldry Shield). The winning school was Redbridge, with the Wallendbeen schools coming second and third.
Due to the push to turn every available piece of land into vegetable crop, the school horse paddock was dug up. Due to the drought, it produced only a handful of cabbages, which were given to the ploughmen.
Mr. Alfred Rattary came as Principal at the beginning of 1945. Super primary grades of 7th to 9th were taught, with help from correspondence leaflets supplied by the Department. Mrs. Moriarity (formerly Miss Elrington) taught Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and one third class, with the principal teaching the remaining grades and supervising the secondary school work.
Due to the arrival of European migrants to work on the railway, English lessons were taken by the principal two nights a week. These lasted for 13 months.
A polio and meningitis scare caused the evacuation of children for some weeks. The Department's instructions were to leave the school open, but to take no action against non-attendance. On another occasion, the northern school building wall facing King street cracked due to an earth trimmer.
The first bus service for the "super primary" children ran to Young in the mid 40's. The Convent school also closed during Mr. Rattray's term, with 12 to 20 new enrolments. The Cullinga school population was also taken to Wallendbeen in a small van by Mr. Jack Fuller.
Mr. Jim Peters became Principal in 1951, and along with Mrs. Moriaty, the tradition of the Baldry Shield really began. Marching became an integral part of the sporting occasion and was practiced.
Gordan McMillan was principal from 1963 until retirement in 1974.
In 1974, John Brasier was appointed as principal. Many improvements to the buildings were undertaking in his 6 year stay, including the installation of oil heaters and ceiling fans. The playground was sewn to lawn, and due to town water supplies, tree and shrub planting began in earnest in 1975.
Many assistant teachers were at the school during the 1974 to 1980 period, including a sewing and handicraft teacher in 1968 (Mrs. Minehan).
Colin Clark was Principal from May 1980, after John Brasier was offered the position as Deputy at a Wagga school.
The Centenary of 1981 was due cause for a rapid upgrade to the buildings - namely a staff room, classroom extensions, comfort and appeal of the amenities. A working social relationship with Stockinbingal in 1980 saw fortnightly staff meetings at alternate schools.
The first clerical assistant , Jennifer Derrick, was appointed in 1980. A good school fete result of $1 000 was put to the purchase of library and reference books in the same year.
In 1981, the centenary of the Wallendbeen Public School, 50 children were in attendance.

Edited excepts taken from "Wallendbeen School Centenary 1981" by C. Clark, under the Wallendbeen Historical Society.