Published on Monday, 27 October 2025 at 4:52:00 PM

Friends, family and community leaders have gathered in Hopeland for the naming of Ivy Muller Reserve, after a much-loved former teacher who lived and taught in the local community for more than 25 years. 

On Saturday, 25 October an official naming ceremony took place to celebrate the enduring impact of Ivy’s dedication to the Hopeland community. 

Born in 1900, Ivy Muller devoted more than 25 years to teaching in Hopeland and Keysbrook, educating generations of students from Year 1 through to Year 7. 

She was widely respected not only as an educator but also as a mentor and valued member of the community, known for her dedication, patience, and commitment to the welfare of her students. 

Throughout her career, Ivy Muller undertook responsibilities beyond the classroom, including managing correspondence courses for students unable to attend high school locally and maintaining school facilities. 

She also balanced these professional commitments with caring for her family as sole income-earner and running a small farm, demonstrating remarkable resilience and dedication. 

Ivy Muller lived a full and happy life until she passed away in 1980, at the age of 79 years old.  You can read more about Ivy's story below. 

Comments attributable to Hugh Jones MLA

“It is a wonderful tribute to the legacy of Ms Muller to have her name immortalised in place in our community.

“Her memory lives in the lives of those she taught and influenced, and the Ivy Muller Reserve will ensure that memory is preserved and stories of her life and lessons are shared well beyond her classroom. 

“She embodied hard work and dedication to her students, her profession and her community, and it is an honour to play a small role in keeping her story alive for future generations.” 

Comments attributable to Shire President Rob Coales 

“The official naming of Ivy Muller Reserve serves as a lasting tribute to her service to the community, reflecting her enduring impact on Serpentine Jarrahdale. 

“Ivy was an inspiring individual, for her generous nature, her kindness and ability to keep going when times were tough.  When many of us may have given up, Ivy kept going to help those around her. 

“Every time someone visits Ivy Muller Reserve, her story will live on; not only in her name, but in the memories that are created here. 

“Her commitment to education, her community, and the values she embodied continue to inspire residents across the Shire and I am proud that we are able to honour her in this way.”

About Ivy May Muller

Ivy May Muller (nee Gibbs) was born in the Ferguson Valley on 10 July 1900. She completed her education at Ferguson School at the age of 14 and was invited to return as a monitor, which is like a teacher’s aide today.

In her late teens or early 20s, Ivy enrolled at Claremont Teachers Training College to complete her teacher training. This was a significant achievement for someone from a working family with limited formal education.

Her first teaching posting is believed to have been at Louden around 1924, followed by Busselton, where she met her future husband, Mervyn Muller, who worked for the Forest Department.

When Ivy married, she was required to resign from the Education Department, as married women were not permitted to work in the public service. Around this time, Mervyn contracted the Spanish Flu and later developed Parkinson’s disease.

During the Second World War, a shortage of teachers led to changes in employment rules, and Ivy was able to return to teaching. She worked at East Broome Hill and later Jarrahwood, where her younger sister Rhoda helped care for the family.

By this stage, Ivy’s wage supported the household as Mervyn was too ill to work and no government benefits were available.

In 1941, Ivy was appointed to Hopeland School and rented a house opposite the school. She briefly taught at Keysbrook School in 1948 before returning to Hopeland, where she remained until the end of 1964.

As a woman, Ivy was paid only 75 per cent of a male teacher’s wage and was never offered a permanent position because of her gender. Despite this, she continued to dedicate herself fully to her students and community.

To help support her family, Ivy purchased a small farm on Hopeland Road where she produced butterfat, milk, and eggs. Her grandson, Mike Muller, described how Ivy and her three sons milked cows and fed hens before school, with Ivy teaching all day before returning home to repeat the farm work and prepare the evening meal.

In 1977, Ivy and Mervyn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Hopeland School, which was a central part of their lives.

Her legacy lives on in the stories and memories of the many people whose lives she touched through her dedication, strength, and care for others.

Pictured: Unveiling Ivy Muller Reserve naming plaque, left to right: Ivy's grandson Mike Muller, son Eric Muller, Shire President Rob Coales and son Athol Muller 

Back to All News