Why Ascot's primary and public schools are key to the exclusive suburb's allure

Families from other suburbs have been known to sleep rough at the gates of the popular Ascot State School in a bid to snare one of a handful of places reserved for students outside the catchment area.

This year, enrolments have shifted online, but the best way to guarantee a spot in the primary school is to move into the exclusive suburb.

That’s precisely what Ray White Ascot principal Dwight Ferguson did 15 years ago.

“We had a young family when we first moved here, so the schools, both private and public, were the big drawcard and Ascot State School is really highly sought after.”

Community spirit

Alongside the local sporting clubs, Ferguson says Ascot State School forms the backbone of the local community.

“Although we’re very close to the city it’s a tight-knit community here through the schooling, the rugby clubs and the sporting associations,” he says. “There are some very strong friendship groups and if there’s ever a family in need the community rallies around those families and supports them.”

Ferguson says Ascot is known for the quality of its architecture, with substantial heritage homes making up the majority of the stock, supplemented by a few grand new builds.

Greg Willims, a retired luxury car dealer who now dabbles in farming and classic cars, lives in a modern mansion in one of the suburb’s top streets, Palm Avenue. Initially attracted by the excellent schools, he has grown attached to the area’s safety and friendliness.

“When you go walking in the morning and evening you notice the great number of other people doing exactly the same thing,” he says. “They’re walking their dogs or going for a morning coffee, and it makes it such a friendly, relaxing place to live.”

Willims is a regular at the Vanilla Pod cafe, taking his kids for milkshakes after school, and says most amenities are within walking distance including supermarkets and specialty retailers at Ascot Plaza.

Streets ahead

Willims grew up in Toowoomba, a town known as a garden city, and says Ascot’s leafy streets and established gardens make him feel right at home.

“A great street is made by having wide avenues with wide footpaths, it’s tree-lined and with good lawns,” he says. “But principally it’s about lot size. If you have large blocks of land with quality homes that’s a great street.

“I can’t see any reason to move to another suburb.”

Top home in the area

The city skyline, Brisbane River and Mt Coot-tha provide a magical backdrop to life at this three-storey family residence with lift, pool and home cinema.

There’s an expansive terrace downstairs accessed via the family room.

Dwight Ferguson of Ray White Ascot will lead the home to a November 9 auction.