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Chermside State School 1900 - 1996

A short History of Chermside State School No 929; of the parents who

worked for it; of the pupils who attended it; of the teachers who taught in it; of the community which supported it; of the Government

which directed it; of the Spirit that enhanced it. Written, edited and laid out by one who never attended the school but absorbed

some of its spirit by associating with those who did.

Patrick O’Shea.

Proudly supported by Brisbane City Council

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© Copyright – The prior written permission of the Chermside & Districts Historical Society should

be sought to reproduce this publication in part or full. This can be obtained by writing to the Secretary, Chermside & District Historical Society, PO Box 416 Chermside Qld 4032.

Disclaimer – While every care is taken by the author to ensure the accuracy of the data in this book, he can make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or

suitability for any particular purpose and disclaim all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which may be incurred as a result of data being inaccurate in any

way and for any reason.

Every effort has been made to record this history as accurately as possible. However, only limited records exist for many periods so there may be some errors, for which I beg the reader’s

indulgence.

Published by Chermside & Districts Historical Society, 12th November 2005 ISBN 0-646-45343-2

Published with the help of a grant from the Brisbane City Council

Printed by Vision Advertising & Marketing (pty) ltd 115 Robinson Road East, Geebung Qld 4034

Photos on Front Cover: The Old School – Clockwise from top left: School Badge/Crest; First School Committee 1900; Original School 1900; Jack Thompson’s Class

of 1923/4; School from Gympie Road; James Youatt first Head Teacher 1900 – 1910.

Photos on the Back Cover: The New School – Clockwise from top left: 1996 School Captains, Jamie McKenzie and Helen Gurteen; Principal, Peter Fitzgerald 1991-1996; Merry Go Round at Open Day; School from Gympie Road; Old School ready to move; Spinning

Demonstration in school grounds.

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Table of Contents SOURCES OF INFORMATION FROM QLD STATE ARCHIVES .............................................................................................. 4 FOREWORD ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................... 5 BRIEF CHRONOLOGY OF CHERMSIDE STATE SCHOOL NO. 929....................................................................................... 6 GRAPH SHOWING THE ENROLMENT AT CHERMSIDE STATE SCHOOL FOR ....................................................................... 7 THE 97 YEARS FROM 1900-1996 ..................................................................................................................................... 7

CHAPTER 1 1860 – 1913................................................................................................................................................. 8 QUEENSLAND EDUCATION IN THE 19TH CENTURY........................................................................................................... 8 COMMONWEALTH CENSUS OF 1911................................................................................................................................ 9 KEDRON SHIRE IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY................................................................................................................. 9 DOWNFALL CREEK STATE SCHOOL .............................................................................................................................. 10 BUILDING ..................................................................................................................................................................... 12 THE OPENING ............................................................................................................................................................... 13 QUEENSLAND SCHOLARSHIP EXAMINATION................................................................................................................. 15 NAMING OF CHERMSIDE ............................................................................................................................................... 17 SOME DUTIES OF THE HEAD TEACHER ......................................................................................................................... 18 HEALTH OF THE PUPILS ................................................................................................................................................ 19 ATTENDANCE OF THE PUPILS........................................................................................................................................ 20 SIZE OF ENROLMENTS................................................................................................................................................... 21 BUILDING ADDITIONS................................................................................................................................................... 22 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ................................................................................................................................................ 22 DEPARTMENTAL & LOCAL VIEWPOINTS....................................................................................................................... 22

CHAPTER 2 1914 – 1938............................................................................................................................................... 25 WORLD WAR I 1914-1918............................................................................................................................................ 25 THE HONOUR BOARD ................................................................................................................................................... 25 PATRIOTIC DAYS IN SCHOOLS ...................................................................................................................................... 26 QUEENSLAND SCHOOL READER ................................................................................................................................... 27 HEALTH OF PUPILS........................................................................................................................................................ 28 THE SCHOOL OF THE1920S ........................................................................................................................................... 30 JUBILEE OF 1925........................................................................................................................................................... 31 BUILDING ..................................................................................................................................................................... 33 THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS .............................................................................................................................................. 34 SCHOOL LIGHTING........................................................................................................................................................ 35 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES....................................................................................................................................................... 41 DEPRESSION ................................................................................................................................................................. 42 EDUCATIONAL CHANGES.............................................................................................................................................. 43 COUNTING THE SCHOOL ENROLMENT .......................................................................................................................... 47 TEACHER TRANSFERS................................................................................................................................................... 47 THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE ............................................................................................................................................ 49 ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF PUPIL ..................................................................................................................................... 50 INTERIM CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................................................. 51

CHAPTER 3 1939 – 1963............................................................................................................................................... 52 WORLD WAR II ............................................................................................................................................................ 52 HEALTH ........................................................................................................................................................................ 55 BUILDING ..................................................................................................................................................................... 56 EDUCATIONAL CHANGES.............................................................................................................................................. 58 GROWTH OF THE SCHOOL – PUPILS AND TEACHERS ..................................................................................................... 63 INTERIM CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................................................. 64 HONOUR ROLL ............................................................................................................................................................. 65

CHAPTER 4 1964 – 1980............................................................................................................................................... 67 THE SCHOOL IN 1967.................................................................................................................................................... 67 EDUCATIONAL CHANGES.............................................................................................................................................. 67 SCHOOL CULTURAL CHANGES...................................................................................................................................... 70 PARENTS’ ORGANISATIONS .......................................................................................................................................... 71 CAMPS .......................................................................................................................................................................... 72 SPORT........................................................................................................................................................................... 73

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TEACHER TRAINING...................................................................................................................................................... 73 BUILDING & MAINTENANCE......................................................................................................................................... 74 PRE-SCHOOL................................................................................................................................................................. 77 PROVISIONAL CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................................... 78

CHAPTER 5 1981 – 1996............................................................................................................................................... 79 EDUCATIONAL CHANGES.............................................................................................................................................. 79 BUILDING & MAINTENANCE......................................................................................................................................... 80 THE STATE OF THE SCHOOL IN 1986............................................................................................................................. 81 NON – TEACHING ACTIVITIES....................................................................................................................................... 81 SCHOOL SIZE ................................................................................................................................................................ 82 SPORT........................................................................................................................................................................... 83 BREAK-INS.................................................................................................................................................................... 83 SOCIAL JUSTICE............................................................................................................................................................ 84 PARENTS’ ORGANISATIONS .......................................................................................................................................... 84 CAMPS AND EXCURSIONS ............................................................................................................................................. 86 CULTURAL.................................................................................................................................................................... 86 THE END AND AFTER.................................................................................................................................................... 87 REASONS FOR CLOSURE OF CHERMSIDE ....................................................................................................................... 89 CONTRACTION OF THE SCHOOL .................................................................................................................................... 90 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................................................ 90

APPENDICES................................................................................................................................................................. 93 REGISTER OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENTS CHERMSIDE STATE SCHOOL 1938-1962 (P. O’SHEA) .................................... 93 THE SCHOOL PAPER (P. O’SHEA) ................................................................................................................................. 94 A GIRL’S VIEW OF CHERMSIDE SCHOOL IN THE 1960S (CHRISTINE WILKES NEE WILDING) ...................................... 100 MEMORIES OF SCHOOLING AT CHERMSIDE IN THE 1920S (STAN EDDOWES) .............................................................. 102 RULES FOR TEACHERS ................................................................................................................................................ 103 QUEENSLAND’S FIRST TEACHERS............................................................................................................................... 104 UNIFORMS AT CHERMSIDE STATE SCHOOL (P. O’SHEA) ............................................................................................ 104 SCHOOL COLOURS ...................................................................................................................................................... 109 HEAD TEACHERS AT CHERMSIDE ............................................................................................................................... 110

INDEX ........................................................................................................................................................................... 111

Sources of Information from Qld State Archives (CORR1) – EDU/Z570 Qld State Archives, Runcorn Qld School Files (Correspondence) For State Primary.1April 1889 - 1913 (CORR2) – EDU/Z 571 Qld State Archives, Runcorn. PRV8007 School Files (correspondence) for State (Primary) 18 May 1917 - 14 May 1955 (CSSQSA) – SRS 53 – 7/73 Chermside State School – Qld State Archives, Runcorn First Folder – 15/4/1958 to 8/8/1963 Second Folder – 24/7/1964 to the end of 1969 (WFC)Works File for Chermside State School No 929 Qld State Archives – Series: SRS53 Corporate School Files – Works/Facilities (Work Consignment: 1 – Item: 394 Chermside State Preschool Centre Works Access Category 30 years Item Type: FII – Box: 64 – Date Range: 20/08/ – 29/08/1991

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Foreword The original building of State School No.929 still stands after 105 years about a kilometre

from where it was first built. It is only a building, dear to many, detested by some, but still functioning after the vicissitudes of more than a century. It no longer houses a school but now acts as a home and workshop for the Chermside and Districts Historical Society. The society carries on the function of the school in that it seeks knowledge and tries to impart that knowledge to anyone who asks for it; the building is only important in so far as it can serve the community.

When it was opened in July 1900 it was regarded by some as an extravagance which was not needed in the frontier society of the time and they felt that the government should spend its money on much more important things, such as building roads. Many today still hold this view about history which is seen as redundant; there is no profit in history. But the spirit of the old school lives on, the spirit of learning and growing in maturity; then it was in formal education now it is in the study of history; the world changes and we must change to live with it. Introduction

This history was prompted by the fact that the original school in Chermside is still preserved in almost pristine condition and its story had to be told. This story is the product of many hours of work by many people. Most of these people were pupils at the old school and many of them studied in the two rooms that the Society uses for its meetings and research.

This work is offered as an insight into the foundation, development, growth and decline of an extremely important institution in Chermside. This was where many of the residents of the town and suburb received their basic education, the foundation on which much of their future personal development depended. The basic skills of literacy, numeracy, relationships with other people, cultural mores, patriotic ideals, social adjustment and much more were introduced to, and developed in, the pupils at this little school. Small in size for most of its life, it loomed large in the lives of the people of Chermside and deserves to be remembered and honoured for the work of the staff and parents over 96 years.

Acknowledgements

As with any publication such as this it is impossible to mention here by name all the people who helped but some must be acknowledged. Beverley Isdale, President of the Society, indefatigable research fellow and corrector, Terry Oberg who never let the red biro slip when he corrected the text, my wife, Lois who argued her way through the text, the ex-pupils who contributed articles in the Appendices, the many others whose names appear with their contributions to the text of the history, the members of the executive who had faith in my scribal ability to produce this little script, the staff of Queensland State Archives who came up with whatever school documentary material that had survived over the last century, the John Oxley Library and Education House.

The Society thanks the following for the use of copyrighted material from Education

Queensland, the Courier Mail, Quest Newspapers and the Northside Chronicle, Brisbane City Council Archives, Joan Hamilton for her photos and family diaries, Jean Tune for her photos and the Minute and Cash Books of the School Committee of the 1920s and 1930s, The History of Queensland Education Society for the use of material from Soldiers of the Service Volume II, Kodak (Australasia) Pty Ltd, Pacific Schools Photography, Silver Rose Photography, Vic Gall for his father, Thomas’ collection of photos and the many other people who have donated personal photos to the Society.

The Society acknowledges the State of Queensland granting us the right to reproduce material from: 1. The Education Queensland website subject to the following conditions:

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Copyright in this work is owned by, or licensed to, the State of Queensland (acting through the Department of Education and the Arts), PO Box 15033 City East QLD 4002 Australia and is reproduced with its permission. No part may be further reproduced in hardcopy form, electronically or by any other process without the express written permission of the Department.

2. The Souvenir Issue of the Centenary Times issued by the Department of Education in 1975. The State of Queensland (acting through the Department of Education and the Arts) grants to you (The Society) the right to reproduce material from the Centenary Times, subject to acknowledging the source of each excerpt.

In some instances we have been unable to trace the owners of copyright material, and we would appreciate any information that would enable us to do so.

Brief Chronology of Chermside State School No. 929 1900 – 6th July – Downfall Creek State School No.929 opened as a class 7 school. James Youatt was appointed first Head Teacher, with an enrolment of 90 students. 1902 – The Downfall Creek Recreation Club, renamed the Chermside Tennis Club, was formed 1903 – Downfall Creek State School No.929 was renamed Chermside State School No.929. 1906 – New play shed built costing £51/10/0 of which the local people paid half or £25 1911 – Request for additions rejected – Use the shed and verandas – Enrolment – 140 pupils with an Average attendance of 120 pupils 1912 – Compulsory medical and dental inspections were introduced in State schools – The school leaving age was raised from 12 to 14 years 1913 – A new bedroom in the residence, a classroom on the NE corner of the original building, a small room on the back veranda and the water was connected from the Council main. 1914 – Children working for Red Cross making crutches, splints, socks, nightingales, face cloths, scarves, eye bandages. Boys did a portion of knitted goods. Appeal for Christmas goods for wounded troops went very well. World War I 1914–1918 severe shortages of teachers 1922 – Any pupil attending school for five years without a break be given a medal 1925 – Silver Jubilee Picnic and Dance 1930 – Deposit on an Electric Light Meter ––The school colours to be Blue & Gold Enrolment of 220 pupils and an Average attendance of 194 Great Depression 1930 – 1940 severe – up to 30% unemployment rate 1932 – New SE wing completed and an Official opening approved. 1934 – Addition of a Teachers’ Room 15ft x 12ft on the front of the school – main room divided into two rooms by a hallway. 1936 – Domestic Science and Manual Training Classes at Wooloowin each week. 1938 – NE wing built – all buildings raised on high stumps – completed in 1939 1940 – Enrolment of 244 pupils with 8 Teachers, World War II 1939–1945 with severe shortage of teachers, the danger of air raids and the fear of invasion – some pupils evacuated . 1947 – Classes on the veranda and under the school – 301 pupils in 7 classrooms. 1948 – Wavell Heights State Primary School opened 1949 – Beginning of the SW wing of 3 low set classrooms from other schools. 1950 – Enrolment of 461 pupils with 13 Teachers 1953 – Additional classroom to complete SW wing. 1954 – Demolition of old play shed classrooms to make way for new NW wing 1955 – Two classrooms of NW wing built sometime after this date 1959 – The peak enrolment for the school – 17 Assistant Teachers – 810 pupils. 1960 – The two rooms built beside the Tennis Court – Jeff Taylor 1962 – The last State Scholarship Exam was held this year 1963 – Extra room on the two rooms beside the Tennis Court - Jeff Taylor – Grades 7 and 8 transferred automatically to secondary school, becoming, in 1964, Grades 8 and 9 respectively

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Enrolment Chermside State School

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 53 55 57 59 61 63 65 67 69 71 73 75 77 79 81 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97

This graph shows the rise and decline of the school population. The figures from 1900-1933 from the Annual Statistical Returns have been decreased by 25% each year to make them comparable with those of the Inspectors from 1934-1969. The post 1970 figures were supplied by Education Queensland and for the purposes of this graph do not include those of the Preschool which was counted as a separate department. NB. The graph shows the years from the first year, which was 1900, and goes to 1996 when the school was 97 years old.

1966 – Somerset Hills State School opened 1967 – Enrolment of 495 pupils 1972 – Craigslea State Primary School opened 1973 – The opening of the Pre-School with 25 full time pupils in the renovated rooms beside the Tennis Courts 1976 – Enrolment of 184 primary pupils with 8 teachers and 20.5 full time Pre-school pupils 1980 – Enrolment of 176 primary pupils and 21.5 full time Pre-school pupils 1989 – ‘Back to Chermside State School Gala Fete’ held in place of a Centenary of the school. 1990 – Enrolment of 63 primary pupils and 11.5 full time Pre-school pupils 1996 – Enrolment of 60 primary pupils and 12.5 full time pupils in Pre-school 1996 – 13th December – the last day – a farewell party for the school – preceded by a farewell party for ex-staff on the previous Tuesday 1997 – 28th May – Original building moved to the Historic Precinct.

Graph Showing the Enrolment at Chermside State School for the 97 years from 1900-1996

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Chapter 1 1860 – 1913

Queensland Education in the

19th Century

When the Colony of Queensland was established in 1859, the new government began an education system suitable for a huge frontier state which had a small population and very limited finance. The following year, the first Education Act set up a system controlled by the Board of Education and the first National Schools were established at the existing Brisbane Boys’ and Brisbane Girls’ Schools. These schools were to help train teachers by practicing the latest methods of education.

In 1869 Provisional schools, built by the local parents, were established. Some were very primitive. The parents had to find the teachers whom the Department of Public Instruction paid. This system was mainly used in the bush and in transient settlements such as mining camps.

Free education was implemented in 1870, which meant that the pupils did not pay any fees; the taxpayers did. However, there were other charges to the parents in the building and maintaining of schools which persisted into the 20th Century; e.g., paying 20% of the cost of a new school. Also the parents had to pay for textbooks. In 1873 these latter costs were offset, to some extent, by the introduction of the State Scholarship which was to financially assist scholars who were going on to secondary schools.

The 1875 Education Act provided for free, secular and compulsory education in State schools which, for most scholars meant the primary where classes went from Grade 1 to 5. The subjects taught were reading, writing, arithmetic, object lessons, drill and gymnastics, vocal music, sewing and needlework, geography, history, English grammar and elementary mechanics. The aims were high and the finances limited but the Government ploughed on as best it could. The scheme was not fully implemented for many years.

Like most other changes to the ‘normal lifestyle’ this one aroused opposition. People

objected to making education compulsory on the grounds that:

• It would create discontent among the working class who would want to rise

above their station in life. • The compulsory clause was a denial of

the liberty of the individual. • Taxes should be spent on more

important things such as roads, bridges and railways.

• The modern craze for compulsory free education was unnecessary in a state like Queensland.1

Children would have to attend a State

school at least sixty days in each half year. Parents could be fined ₤1 ($95 in 2003 values) for the first offence of failure to comply and ₤5 for subsequent offences.2

The following year an apprenticeship system, called the pupil-teacher scheme, was introduced to train teachers. The pupil-teachers, who could be as young as 14 years, worked in class with the head teacher to learn how to teach. They were also instructed after school and, those in Brisbane could visit and observe the skilled teachers at the National Schools.

The most famous of these schools was the Normal School which was established in Brisbane to provide a training school for teachers and was so named because it instructed its trainees in the normal teaching methods of the time. It was in Edward Street between Anne and Adelaide Streets where it served from 1862 to 1927 when it closed, overtaken by changes in education. It was then demolished, amid much protest, and the site was occupied by the Public Curator’s Office from 1931.3

Indicative of the rising standard and increasing importance of education in the Colony was the addition in 1892 of an optional Grade 6 to the Primary class structure. This would have been mainly taken

1 Centenary Times Supplement – Courier Mail – With permission from Education Queensland - 7/4/1975 P. 1 2 Centenary Times – P. 1 3 Centenary Times P. 7

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Frederick James Harris, a first day pupil, his brother, Samuel Leslie started – 1901 father of Jean – 1930, grandfather of Colin Tune – 1955 and Keith Tune – 1959, finishing in 1965.

up in the larger towns; apart from Brisbane there were probably no cities. This trend was further developed when, in 1895, drawing was introduced in primary schools as a basis for technical education. It was probably what we would term Technical Drawing or Drafting. The first Technical College was established in Brisbane in 1882 by the Brisbane School of Arts.

Further change came in 1898 with the introduction of secondary level subjects like Euclid (Geometry), Algebra and Science in Grades 5 and 6 of primary. The number of scholars going on to secondary school was still very small, but it was growing as the infrastructure of the Colony developed. Phrenology

“Have your head read.” Phrenology was supposed to be a scientific way to ‘read’ the bumps on a person’s head and thus find her/his talents. It was in vogue in the late 19th Century and phrenologists used visit schools in Queensland and, for a small fee, would ‘read’ children’s heads. They would then issue certificates to list the child’s abilities on a seven point scale. This was supposed to indicate what occupation best suited the child. In the first decade of the 20th Century there was a machine, the Phrenometer, which was supposed to make phrenology a more accurate ‘science’. The people doing this were not charlatans, they believed in what they were doing.4 Commonwealth Census of 1911

The Education Editor, in the Commonwealth Census of 1911, commented that in Queensland, school was compulsory between the ages of six and twelve years. Some were educated at home. There was a high degree of literacy, with only about 3.37% of those over 5 years of age unable to read and write. Of course that does not say how well they could read and write but more jobs required this skill than in earlier times. The women with a 96.71% literacy rate were superior to the men who reached 95.91%.5

4 Centenary Times P. 5 5 Vol 1 Page 167 of the Census of the Commonwealth of Australia 1911 in 3 Volumes - Q 312.0994 CEN V1 - p.13a in the John Oxley Library

Another indicator of the long term rise in educational standards is shown by the table which shows the number and percentage of males and females who signed marriage certificates with a mark, probably an X. As these figures are for adults, the children in each year would probably be at a higher level of education. The improvement in the female literacy rate, from twice as bad as the male rate in 1875, to equality in 1921 is indicative of the improvement in attitude to female education.6

Kedron Shire in the early 20th Century

Kedron Shire was proclaimed a Local Authority on 11th November 1879 by the government of the Colony of Queensland. In the Census of 1911 there were 2,400 people, of whom 509 were ratepayers with 550 occupied dwellings.

The Census of 1921 recorded 5,834 people, 2,553 ratepayers and 1,250 occupied dwellings.

Chermside is not listed as such but the population would only be a small proportion of the total as it is only one of 19 suburbs that today occupy the area of the old Shire of Kedron.7 Living Standards of 1900

The Downfall Creek of 1900 was, in many ways, a much harder, tougher place in which to live than it is in 2004. Sue Williams writing in the Sun Herald on Sunday, 24/12/2000 notes:

6 Statistics of Qld 1921 391.43 1 (1921) Page 9a (John Oxley Library) 7 Statistics of the State of Qld 1910 John Oxley Library (S319.43 1 J.O.L)

Unable to Sign Marriage Certificate Male Female

Year Number % Number % 1875 135 9.08 267 17.96 1880 90 5.82 187 12.09 1885 107 3.76 209 7.35 1900 58 1.72 88 2.61 1910 38 0.80 51 1.07 1915 31 0.5 35 0.57 1921 25 0.41 25 0.41

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The inside of the school probably looked like this photo. Long desks, one room, maps, blackboard, chair and table, no uniforms, clock and no lighting. But Chermside did have a ceiling. (With the permission of Education Queensland.)

Happy memories never wear out; 1965 to 1978 – our years at Chermside State School. Fondly remembered by Margaret, Ian, Lynne and Karen Sammells.

There was an outbreak of Bubonic Plague in Sydney, which had killed 103 people by the end of the year. Brisbane faced the same problem and had its own Plague Hospital.

Average life expectancy for men was

50, while for women it was 60. In 2004 it is 75.5 for men and 81.3 for women.

Infant mortality was more than 100 per 1,000 births due in part, to such diseases as TB, typhoid, gastroenteritis, diphtheria and whooping cough. In 2004 the rate is fewer than 10 per 1,000 births.

There was an average of four children per family; in 2004 it is 1.9 children.

Most children left school at 13 and had been working part-time all through their youth, e.g., taking time off from school to help on the family farm. Parents wanted the boys to learn trades and the girls to find husbands. Up until WW II only 17% of Australians completed high school.

There was still a high percentage of women working in domestic service, but they were expected to give up work after they got married.

People bathed once a week and rarely, if ever, cleaned their teeth. They might have used a sharpened match as a toothpick.

Ordinary people rarely went to see a doctor, in emergencies they went to a hospital.

There were more than three times as many men as women in paid employment.

All Australian adult women were enfranchised for Federal Elections in 1902

and Queensland followed for State Elections in 1905. The only women to vote in the Federation Referendum would have been in South Australia where they were eligible to vote since 1894.8 Hours of work

The working week would probably have been at least 48 hours per week, while the farmers and other self-employed worked even longer hours. Conditions of work

Manual work was physically heavy, as there was little machinery to take the loads. Little attention was paid to the health and safety of the workers. This can be deduced from the

number of laws enacted in later years to make provision for the health and safety of workers. Accidents would have been more common than at present and safeguards in place today were unheard of in the pre 1914 world. Downfall Creek State School

No doubt there had been talk amongst the local people about establishing a school at Downfall Creek but until 1898 no known attempts had been made to do anything concrete. Then somebody called a public meeting, the result of which Mr William Edney Sammells, who owned the Downfall Creek Furniture Bazaar on Gympie Road, wrote the following letter on a small, 22.5cm x 18cm, unlined piece of paper. He folded it in two and posted it at the local post office.9

8 Australian Encyclopaedia Vol 7 p.13 – Grolier Society of Australia – Sydney 1958/1962 9 EDU/Z570 Qld State Archives, Runcorn Qld School Files (Correspondence) For State Primary. 1April 1889 - 1913 - (CORR1)

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William Gottlob Fischle a pupil from 1907 to 1913; Joan Fischle a pupil from 1944 to 1952 and a teacher from 1958 to 1960. Many happy memories.

(Sic) To the Under. Secretary

Public. Instruction. Sir At a meeting of some of the residents held on Friday June 10 at which I was appointed Secretary. It was resolved to take the necessary steps to obtain a State School for the District as the nearest school is at Aspley over two miles from here and there is a large number of children not attending owing to the distance. Will you kindly forward me the papers etc required for the purpose and also let me know if the Department would be favourable to the School being established. (Sic) Trusting that the application will receive favourable consideration. I have the honour to be Yours respectfully W E Sammells The letter was stamped: Department of Public Instruction Queensland 21 June 1898 07412 and the following was written in red ink: “I recom (recommend) send (sending) forms.” The writer’s initials and date are appended, W. C. or D. C. 21/6/98. Several other officials put their initials and comments, using a form of shorthand, on the letter and passed it on. Sometimes the writing is very hard to read as the writer was probably in a hurry. The Department of Public Instruction was already, by the end of the 19th Century, a large organisation with several levels of management and often decisions could not be made without consulting several managers.

When the requested forms arrived at Downfall Creek the local committee went into action. The Application forms were filled out; a survey was made to ascertain the names and addresses of prospective pupils, their distances from the proposed school, the school being presently attended and several possible locations for the proposed school.10 (Copies of all the above documents are kept in CSS file of the Society Archives)

10 QSA CORR1 (EDU/2570 1898/08954)

Purchase of Site Downfall Creek must have been high

on the Department’s list of priorities as events moved quickly. The following month, July, the Formal application for the Establishment of a State School was lodged with the Department. In August the Government accepted the purchase of half (5 acres) of Lot 535 on the corner of Rode and Gympie Roads, owned by the Commercial Bank of Australia, as the site of the State School11

In November 1899 the lot was bought at ₤25/acre (the bank wanted ₤28) with the Government paying ₤100 ($15,238 in 2003 values) and the local State School Committee paying £25 ($3,048). This was the normal procedure at the time; the local community had to pay 20% of the purchase price and the same proportion for buildings and renovations. Not only did this help cover the costs but it ruled out people asking for something without taking responsibility for raising some of the finance.12

To make matters more urgent, the compulsory clause of the Education Act of 1875 was fully implemented in 1900 making it even more urgent for the school to be opened as more children should be coming. This would be, of course, if the parents sent them, which was not always the case in those days.13 Finance & Teacher Selection

The next step was for the local community to raise one fifth of the tender price of ₤795 ($92,404 in 2003 values) to build the school and the Head Teacher’s house. The provision of a house for the Head Teacher, who was usually a male and married, continued well into the 20th Century.

In March 1900 Mr W E Sammells wrote to the Under Secretary for Public Instruction asking him to appoint a teacher from outside the district. Just why this request was made is not clear as no reason is given in the extract quoted below. Perhaps the local people felt that an outsider would command more respect than someone they knew. 11 QSA CORR1 12 QSA CORR1 13 Chronology of Education Queensland - Website

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Arbor Day 1907- the school with the patent ventilator on the roof, the high windows, the lattice corners, the play shed built in 1906, the barefoot boys with tools and Billy cart, ready to plant trees, the girls dressed more formally with large hats in the background. Planting trees was ‘men’s work’ and the girls were expected to stand back ‘out of the way’. (Hamilton Collection)

Dedicated to the loving memory of Frank and Pam Reid, long-time residents of Chermside, by their sons, Ian and David.

"A large number of the parents and all of the Committee are of the opinion that it would be in the best interest of the School if a new Teacher was appointed and not one of those at present in the District." A list in Departmental red ink notes the names of 10 teachers who had applied for the position of Head Teacher. The first two names are noted as 'may be considered as "belonging to the district" in deference to this request'. So the Department was responding to

the local request and number seven on the list was James Youatt from Moggill who became the first Head Teacher.14 It would appear that the local

community had a lot of say in the whole process of building the school and selecting

14 QSA CORR1

the teacher. In fact, if all those who applied for the position of teacher were eligible, then seniority of the teacher may not have overruled this local selection.

A small aside; the letter ended: “P S Will you kindly send some more writing paper.” The Committee, it seems, was using and wanted to continue using, formal departmental paper in its correspondence. Paper was not as cheap then as it is now and even the Department recycled paper, often using the back of exercises done by children for copies of letters.

Building A note dated 16th Nov 1899 indicates

that the tender was awarded to William Bywater but he had to withdraw because the man he had contracted to clear the site had reneged and he could not get anyone to do the job for the price he allowed. The red ink on the note states that he will forfeit his £10

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The original school building was a simple one room with back and front verandas. All classes were in the one room and any overflow was placed on the verandas. The tanks were the only water supply.

Dedicated by Ron and Dawn Mohr in memory of Ron’s years from 1934 to 1938 as a pupil of Chermside State School where he passed Scholarship at age 14.

($1,100 in 2003 values) deposit and new tenders were to be called. They were and the new contract was awarded to William Reid for £795.

The architect’s specifications called for

the following features: • The sixteen desks, equipped with

mortices for the slates, were secured to floor by screws and slate racks (no information about their description) were provided. Two presses, two easels, two blackboards, two map stands, two tables (4ft 6ins X 2ft 6ins), hat racks and 120 hat & cloak pegs were to be supplied.

• Lavatory (hand washing) stand 22 inches high (on back veranda) was to be provided with four iron basins, 14 inches in diameter, two large size water pots, to hold three gallons each and No12 block half pint tin pannikins (for dipping water out of the pots?) were to be supplied.

• Water supply for the school was from two one thousand gallon tanks and was to be connected to the lavatories.

• School Closet Buildings (Lavatories or Toilets) were described as two wooden floored double earth closets, one for boys and one for girls – the urinal to be omitted for the girls.

Provide soil pans four (4), earth boxes four (4), and four (4) scoops of twenty two (22) gauge galvanised Iron.15

The Opening Finally, on the

Tuesday 9th July 1900 Downfall Creek State School No 929 opened as a class 7 school in the North Brisbane area with James Youatt as the first Head Teacher. From a sketch plan, in the State Archives, drawn by James Youatt on 23/8/1902, the

building had no internal divisions; it was just one large room with two verandas and two wash basins at each end of the back veranda. The pupils and teachers could wash their hands there before eating. The forms and desks were about 8 feet long seating about 6 pupils.

The Register shows that on the 9th July 1900, which, according to the Perpetual Calendar was a Tuesday, 54 pupils were enrolled. By the end of the year there were approximately 96 pupils enrolled although not all of them might have started. The Head Teacher’s Annual Statistical Return at the end of the year noted that there was only 1 pupil in Grade 5 and none in Grade 6. The Register also showed that Grade 1 had 34, Grade 2 had 22, Grade 3 had 20 and Grade 4 had13 pupils; these figures can only be approximate as the bottom part of page one is missing. Thus most

15 QSA CORR1

14

Dedicated to my Grandmother, Ice Johnston and Grandfather, Henery Kahlert and their families of Newmann, Waldron and Law. Remembered by Leigh Kahlert.

of the pupils had come from other schools, a situation which would be reversed in later years much to Chermside’s dismay.

Note: The Creating Agency Summary puts the opening date as Saturday 6th July 1900 but the Register has Tuesday 9th as the day on which the first enrolments took place.

The author calculated the day names using a Perpetual Calendar.

Most of the pupils came from Downfall Creek but a small number came from Nundah, Lutwyche, Kedron and Geebung. While the occupations of the fathers varied they were overwhelmingly manual reflecting the rural nature of the area; tanner, butcher, farmer, carpenter, wheelwright, blacksmith, coach builder, currier (Leather worker), milk man, cemetery man (Sexton), wood carter, hawker, storekeeper, tinsmith, painter (House), boot maker, drayman, brick maker, contractor and teacher (Head Teacher). There were several orphans and wards of the state in the care of guardians.

It was not an auspicious time to start as a prolonged drought was devastating the country and retarding economic development. It was not until about 1907 that the economic outlook improved but education at Chermside could not wait. The first Head Teacher

James Youatt was born in Barnstaple, Devon in March 1853. He trained as a pupil-teacher from the age of about 14 for 5 years and then attended Westminster Training College for 2 years. He then taught in England from 1874 till 1883 when he migrated to Queensland where he taught as Head Teacher at several schools, coming to Downfall Creek in 1900. He went on leave in July 1910 and resigned from the Department in December. He lived at Nundah till his death in 1929.16

The Head Teacher was an important person in the early 20th Century and took his place amongst the elders of the town. He had great influence in the local area.

16 Department Records QSA Z7586 EDU/V4 iv 261 p.261-2 and Youatt Family Records

School Growth The new school grew rapidly and by

August 1900 a letter from C. Willis, Secretary of the school Committee, to the Under Secretary Department of Public Instruction, commented that the school which was built for 100 now has 130 pupils and asks for 8 additional seats (forms) but no desks. They were to be used on the verandas, even though extensions were needed:

but in the face of the present depression the Committee desires to spare the Department that expense and are (sic) prepared to tide over the difficulty in the manner indicated, but the seats are Necessary to Complete the Scheme.17

The community was prepared to put up with second best for the time being but the situation persisted and the Annual Statistical Return for 1901 noted that the numbers reached 133 with only four pupils in Grade 5 and none in Grade 6. Note: The numbers used have to be treated cautiously depending on the method of counting. Inspectors usually gave different figures and I use the Inspectors’ figures when available. In 1902 new subjects were introduced into the primary schools such as Commercial Arithmetic, Book-keeping and Shorthand. More choice was given in science subjects, including Domestic Science for girls, in Grades 5 and 6. However the latter would not affect Chermside till these Grades eventuated.

A reform called the New Schedule was introduced in 1905 for primary schools and placed English at the core of the curriculum. More attention was given to Civics, Moral Education and Nature Study. It also brought a more active ‘learning by doing’ approach for the pupils and higher standards were demanded of the teachers. These reforms introduced a practical bias in education to equip pupils for the local type of jobs they would be doing when they left school.

17 QSA CORR1

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We dedicate this page to the Kirby Family who had a dairy farm at Kedron and attended Chermside School between 1912 and 1960.

Slow Change This was a time of change but it came

slowly as many people preferred stability which was less likely to upset their particular interests. Queensland lagged behind the other states, partly because the area was big and the population was small, so the tax base was meagre. In 1904 Andrew Barlow outlined the problem by quoting the revenue of the state and showing that the Education slice was between one sixth and one seventh of the total

amount collected.18 There just was not enough money to pay for the needed reforms.

In 1906 NSW abolished the pupil-teacher system of training in favour of College training. Although the four year apprenticeship style of training in the pupil-teacher system “produced many able teachers, these teachers did not possess the wider culture arising from a two year course of full-time college training.”19 In other words the pupil-teachers were not exposed to the latest ideas and methods in teaching from outside the local area. Queensland started to phase out the system in 1923 and finally abolished it in 1935.

Queensland did not establish compulsory schooling until 1900 and then only for children from six to twelve years. The leaving age was not raised to fourteen 18 Soldiers of the service Vol II Clarke E & Watson T – History of Queensland Education Society – 1999 – ISBN 1 876194 15 4 p.21 (S of S) 19 S of S p.21

until 1912. Even after this, pupils could leave school if they completed Scholarship which meant that some could leave before they were fourteen years old.

The major reasons for this lagging behind the other states were:

• The demand for juvenile labour on dairy farms.

• The high cost of the education extension.20

A vicious circle had developed - the lack of education was retarding the development of higher economic efficiency in industry which retarded the financing of educational change. Queensland Scholarship Examination

The Scholarship examination was introduced in 1873 and was conducted at the end of primary school in Grade 5 when the leaving age was 12 years. If the pupils passed the Government provided a part payment for their secondary schooling. The accompanying table shows important changes that took place in later years.

Education Queensland’s comments:

The scholarship examination was a very thorough assessment of student academic performance generally featuring a few different papers including Arithmetic, English, Geography and History. The marks of the successful candidates show that students had to be well equipped with an all round knowledge of those subjects which were prescribed for the (Scholarship) Class in primary school. Students had to possess more than average ability to answer examination questions intelligently and had to have been taught well.

This examination was very important to each student as it determined students’ career chances. If they passed, they could attend a Grammar or Catholic school or school administered by the Christian Brothers. Failure meant that students finished

20 S of S p.22

Year Scholarship Year

Leaving Age in Years

1873 Grade 5 12 1912 Grade 5 14 or when a

pupil passed Scholarship

1928 Grade 6 As Above 1930 Grade 7 As Above 1952 Grade 8 14 1963 Grade 8 14 (Last year

of Exam)

1965 None 15

16

The First School Committee in 1900 was all men as was the custom of the time. Back: Thomas Hamilton, Thomas Powell, James Hamilton, Ludwig Herman, George Hack, Lou Campbell – Front: Paul Maggs, Charles Murr, John King, William Sammells, Fred Murr. (Hamilton Collection)

For the happy memories of children, teachers, parents and the wonderful family atmosphere experienced while teaching at Chermside State School. Thank you all.

their schooling and looked for work. The practice in many schools was that only the most experienced teachers were allowed to teach the Scholarship class. Patriotic Days in Schools21

Queensland was a colony of the British Empire and celebrated the patriotic days along with the rest of the Empire ‘on which the sun never set’. Queenslanders were British Citizens and were generally proud of

it. Some, perhaps many, saw their first loyalty as being to England rather than Australia. The Union Jack was commonly flown before Federation and, even after, when there was an Australian flag, it was still very prominent.

In the 19th and early 20th Centuries Trafalgar Day commemorated Nelson's naval victory over Napoleon by a stunning defeat of the French and Spanish fleets at 21 Education Qld Website

Cape Trafalgar in October 1805. It established England as the major world sea power for the next century. The celebration emphasised the close ties Queensland had with the ‘Mother Country’ and pupils were encouraged to be patriotic which meant, loyal to Britain. This probably played a big part in encouraging many young men to enlist in British wars and especially in World War I.

At some schools a special assembly was often called to mark the event. A pupil of

1911 recalls his first “Trafalgar Day”; a miniature cannon was fired in front of the assembled school. He was told by a friend, “We beat the French.” The startled boy asked. “Where were they coming – up the river?” His fear and bewilderment eased on being told “Trafalgar Day” celebrated a very old victory in a distant land.22

22 Centenary Times P.5

17

M Scott -Remembering with affection and love our parents, Hugh and May Hamilton of "Lamont" Kingsmill Street, Chermside - Leila, Dulcie, Muriel and families.

Empire Day was the other great celebration of the Colony’s and, later, Australia’s part in the Empire. This day was the culmination of the sentiment which was fostered in schools all year – loyalty to King and Empire. The English syllabus included stories about England; the history taught how England had virtually made Australia and how happy we should all be to be British Citizens. After all, England was a super power until World War I. Essay competitions began in 1906 to educate pupils in Empire virtues and Cadet shooting competitions were held in the larger secondary schools.

It is difficult for people, especially children, to appreciate the fervour with which these two days were celebrated in the 19th and early 20th Centuries. So many people in those days came as immigrants from England and brought with them the laws, religion, customs and fashions of England for the new country. Most of our manufactured goods came from England and most of our exports went to England. We depended on the British Navy to protect us from the largely imagined ‘threats’ of Asia, especially from the Chinese and the Russians and later, in 1941, the real threat from Japan. Other Special Days

One of the first special days, Arbor Day, was started in 1890. Arbor Day was when the pupils would plant trees in the school grounds to encourage a love of nature and to offset the massive destruction of trees in the Colonies. It was continued well into the 20th Century and hundreds of trees must have been planted at Chermside. If they had all survived the school would have to have been built in tree houses.

Other days such as Queen’s Birthday, Wattle Day, Bastille Day, Apple Day, Bird Day, St Patrick’s Day, St George’s Day, St Andrew’s Day followed. The celebration of many of them ceased by WWII but we still have Anzac Day, Arbor Day and Queen’s Birthday.23

23 Centenary Times P.5

Naming of Chermside The first attempt to change the school name appeared in a letter from Fred G. Walters, Secretary of the School Committee, written on 25/9/1900. He suggested the name Oakvale for the school in place of Downfall Creek. A Memorandum from the Department dated 27/9/1900 was attached rejecting the name as it was too similar to other place names in Queensland. The Department suggested the Committee try again and, a few years later, they did.

In 1903 the name of the school was changed to Chermside State School No. 929. This followed several letters from James Youatt and the school Committee to the Department which agreed to the change. Finally in May the Deputy Postmaster- General in a letter to the Department approved name change.24

On the 1st December 1925 James Youatt, then retired and living at Parkham, Rode Road, Nundah, wrote to Mr S L Harris Secretary of the Silver Jubilee Committee of Chermside State School and explained how he went about getting the name changed. The original letter is in the possession of Mrs Jean Tune, daughter of Mr S L Harris. “Dear Sir,” “I have the Invitation of your School Committee to attend the Silver Jubilee to be held next Saturday.”

“I regret that circumstances will prevent my being present with you and other first pupils of the School and old friends.”

“It seems difficult to realize that a quarter of a century has passed since the Education Department sent me to open the New School at ‘Downfall Creek.”

“I remember how I liked the School but not its name; and how I looked out for an opportunity to get it changed. At last on the appointment of a new Queensland Governor – Governor Chermside I thought if we could adopt his name it would be an improvement on ‘Downfall Creek’ a name which simply 24 QSA CORR1

18

Pupils of 1911 are well dressed especially the girls who are wearing shoes while the boys are mostly barefooted. The girls also have the elaborate lacy collars. (CDHS Collection)

Isedale family whose children almost made it to Chermside State School Robert and Beverley Isdale

perpetuated the fact that in the early days an unfortunate man fell off his horse, and the fall resulted in his permanent injury.”

“I took my suggestion to that wise and good man, the late James Hamilton, and after discussing it, it was passed on to Mr Thomas Bridges, then our MLA and he succeeded in getting the name changed to Chermside.”

“On looking back over the ten years I spent with the Chermside School, It affords me much pleasure to remember the many good and intelligent girls and boys it was my privilege to teach. Also the few good

Concerts given entirely by pupils, and the many jolly annual Treats we had together.”

“Now, I am always very pleased to hear of the many old scholars “turning out” so well and prospering.”

“Please give my Kind regards to all old pupils and friends who may mention me, and Wishing the School every success I remain Yours sincerely

James Youatt” Some Duties of the Head Teacher

This position carried with it responsibilities and privileges and it appears that the School committee had been writing to the Department querying the functions and rights of the Head Teacher and the School Committee. On the 3/5/1905 the Acting Under Secretary wrote to the School Committee: ♦ The Committee is recognised by the

Department in relation to repairs, improvements and alterations of school. (This is a polite way of saying mind your own business.)

♦ Chermside is a Class 6 school - the Head Teacher is allowed ₤12 per annum for cleaning and is responsible for the work.

♦ The Head Teacher can keep a horse or cow or both provided proper care is taken as to the safety of the children.

19

Many happy school times are often recalled by Norm, Estelle and Alan Pfingst

An example of the Head Teacher making an unusual decision relating to the school occurred in 1905 and the Department wanted to know what was going on. Youatt wrote on 7/3/1905 to the Under Secretary informing him that a tennis club, called the Downfall Creek Recreation Club, and later, the Chermside Tennis Club, was formed in 1902. A court was built on the school grounds with wire netting at each end only. A sketch attached to the letter showed that the court was in the middle of the school block about half way between the school and the teacher’s residence.

The Head Teacher's family and teachers could use the court anytime (presumably outside of school hours) but members were limited to Saturdays. (Possibly not to offend religious sensibilities on Sundays) It seems that the Department was concerned that a fence had been erected on the school property without its approval. However, it seems that the Department left well alone. Elsie May Chesterfield

Another example of the Head Teacher’s responsibilities was to ex-pupils. Elsie May Chesterfield enrolled at Downfall Creek State School on 1st April 1901 and was No. 110 in the Register. She was 9 years and 3 months old which would make her birthday about January 1892. Her father was a butcher, probably working in a slaughterhouse in the district, and a member of the School Committee. They were registered as E C or Church of England and she went into Grade 3 but was promoted to Grade 4 in July 1901 and Grade 5 in January 1903. It is not clear how long she spent in Grade 5 as children at that time were promoted or held back at the discretion of the teacher.

In June 1905, she left Chermside and went to Brisbane School to study in Grade 6 which was not then operating at Downfall Creek. (Grade 6 may have been a Super Primary Grade that was introduced in the 1890s in some schools. While the column for Sixth Class in the school Register is largely blank there are a few entries over the years before and after 1905.) James Youatt, on 4th

October 1907,25 wrote to the Under Secretary recommending Elsie’s ‘application’, which was enclosed, but is now missing. It was probably her application to train as a pupil-teacher. He said she had ability above the average and she would be 16 years old at the end of the year. (More like 15 if she was 9.3 in April 1901)

In the left margin of Youatt’s letter is a Departmental note signed W C which also recommends her. It was stamped - Approved, dated 17 October 1907 and initialled. Elsie May was on her way to a career in teaching. She is listed as a teacher at Chermside State School from 1907 till 1917 so she probably trained there for about 4 years and then remained as a qualified teacher till 1917.26

It was the policy of the Department to keep ex Pupil-teachers in their home towns as long as possible because the teachers could live more cheaply at home.

Peg McDougall, who was Elsie’s life long companion, continued the story. In 1925 Elsie Chesterfield married an ex – Digger, the Rev Albert Edward Taylor, a Church of England priest, at All Saints’ Anglican Church, Chermside. The author was given the photo of the couple emerging from the church and another of Elsie at the 75th anniversary of All Saints’ in 1989. I published both in the History of All Saints’ in 2004. The couple travelled to various parishes coming back to Chermside where Rev Taylor died in 1976. Elsie Taylor moved into the Wheller Garden settlement in 1978 and died there in 1990 at the age of 99 years. It seems that James Youatt’s confidence in the young pupil in 1907 was sound. Health of the Pupils

The Annual Statistical Report regularly records the childhood diseases of the early school. In 1903 pupil attendances had suffered from Eye Blight (Possibly conjunctivitis) in the First Quarter and measles in the Third Quarter. In the following year there was a mumps epidemic followed in later years by measles, whooping cough and

25 QSA CORR1 26 Registers of Teachers in Education House in Mary Street, Brisbane

20

Scouts were in their heyday during the early 20th Century. This photo taken in 1911 shows them in the grounds of the school with a teacher supervising. They are drilling with their staffs. In the background can be seen the school lavatories. (Hamilton Collection)

Michael J. Bowser attended Chermside School 1981 – 1985

influenza. They are listed as epidemics which affected attendances so it seems that they were severe. Also it must be remembered that these diseases could kill children in those pre- vaccine days. Another danger was tetanus when so many children went bare-footed; this

was the dreaded ‘lock jaw’ which was spoken of in hushed tones, something like cancer is today. Infantile paralysis, or polio as we know it today, was also taking its toll but it was not mentioned in the reports.

At the beginning of 1912 a major advance was taken to raise the level of pupils’ health in schools. Since few ‘went to the doctor’ in the early 20th Century then the doctors were brought to the children or, at least, to the schools. Compulsory medical and dental inspections were introduced in the State schools and the pupils lined up, often for the first time in their lives, to be examined by medical personnel. The results would be sent to the parents who were expected to follow up the recommendations.27 Behind every successful school is a pair of out houses

Another health measure was the care of the lavatories (toilets). The story goes that the emptying of the pans (drums) in a western town was a problem because no one wanted the smelly contract. An arrangement between the teacher, policeman and the local Justice of the Peace solved the problem. When the pans 27 Chronology of Education Qld - Website

needed emptying, the policeman would stroll down town, arrest a drunk and present him to the J P for sentence. This would be a week in jail or servicing the school pans. Well, it could have happened, couldn’t it? But not in Chermside?28 There are many such tales

which, richly embellished, constitute local folklore and contain a core of truth. Attendance of the Pupils 29

In these early days even though attendance was mandatory there was no way it could be

enforced. It depended on the parents and if the farm needed help then the children often stayed at home. In 1905 James Youatt complained that, “More parents are sending their children to school for only 60 days or less per half year.” The 1875 Education Act decreed that children would have to attend a State school at least sixty days in each half year.

Since there were some 100 days in the school half year, these children were missing a considerable amount of time and consequently, their education would have been of poor quality. Sometimes the weather could interfere with attendance as in 1909 when Youatt recorded that over a period of 10 days there was heavy rain and attendance was low. In addition there was an epidemic of whooping cough in November. Flooding would have been a problem and the mothers would have been driven mad with the children cooped up in the house for 10 days. The teachers might have been happy?

In 1906, to encourage better attendance Youatt gave a book and the pupil's

28 Centenary Times P.9 29 Annual Statistical Returns for various dates.

21

Every Historical society needs a competent researcher. Pat is excellent in that capacity. We wish him well in his new book of Chermside State School history – Adrian C. Turner

photo to those who attended every day of the year. Unfortunately there is no record of how many books and photos were distributed. At other times medals were given for outstanding attendance over several years but one wonders if the recipients would have been those who would have attended anyway.

In 1910 the Acting Head Teacher, George Caldwell, continued the award for attendance by using a printed certificate which covered shorter periods than Youatt’s award. The Society has a photocopy of one such certificate stating “Certificate of Attendance for Unbroken School Attendance from 1st August to 9th December, 1910”. It was issued to George Taylor.

This system of incentives was carried on for many years till, at least the 1920s when the School Committee took up the challenge. On the 19th June 1922 it made the offer that any pupil attending school for five years without a break would be given a medal which would be suitably inscribed. On the 30th October a pupil, David Low, was given a medal for constant attendance ‘over the last 4 years’ which seemed a little short of the original proposal. Then on the 27th November a silver medal costing ₤1/0/0 was presented to G. A. Plucknett ‘for school attendance’ but no time was mentioned.30

The problem of getting pupils to attend regularly was further complicated in 1912 when the school leaving age was raised from 12 to 14 years. Many parents would have taken a lot of convincing that schooling was important enough to warrant a further two years before a young person could get a job. This was especially the case with farming families where the children were needed to help run the farm.

This change exacerbated the problem of accommodation as pupils would now be staying longer at school, so more buildings would be needed, which would increase the cost and lead to more taxation. But ‘the times they were a changin’ and education had to change with them. This is the ‘iron law’ of education; there are few exceptions.

30 First Minute Book of School Committee – 22/5/1922 to 5/12/1925

Size of Enrolments The number of pupils determines the

number of rooms and teachers that a school needs to operate efficiently. However a problem that schools used to face is just how many pupils were present and this depended on who was doing the counting. Once pupils were enrolled their name stayed on the Register even if some left during the year. Others who came during the year were counted as well. All these names made up the Gross Enrolment. This was the figure usually quoted by the local community when it wanted the Department to build additions. On the other hand the Department looked at the number of pupils who were actually attending; the Effective Enrolment. The two figures could differ quite markedly. Another problem was whether to count the pupils absent on a particular day. Sometimes the difference between the Head Teacher’s count and the Inspector’s count differed widely, once by as much as 50%. I use the Inspector’s figures wherever possible.

In 1907 Youatt, in the Annual Statistical Return, reported that there were 154 pupils at the school. However, a note headed Staff Adjustment Chermside School and Signed by W C 24/9/07 recorded that the attendance in September was 105 pupils and that three adult teachers were sufficient to teach them. Someone was wrong. The note goes on to “recommended that male A. T. Herbert Gold Youatt, III.3 as…………… be sparer…. From the staff.”31 The latter Youatt was the son of James Youatt and may have been a pupil-teacher at the time. It seems that he was transferred as his name on the list of teachers is recorded as being from 1900 to 1907. The same year James Youatt offered prizes for 100% attendance by pupils. This probably refers to the book and photo mentioned above. The following year, 1908, he reported that attendance had improved.32 Was it because of the prizes? We will never know.

31 QSA CORR1 - 24/9/1907 32 QSA 1908 Annual Statistical Return

22

Hamilton Family – Four generations contributed to the life of the Chermside State School

In the Society’s archives is a Post Card inscribed:

State School No 929 Chermside Brisbane Dec 11 1908 This is to Certify that throughout the Year 1908 Charles Sammells attended more than ninety per cent of the days on which the School was opened. Signed J. Youatt Head Teacher

Building Additions At the end of 1903 Youatt reported

that the school population had risen to 157.33 The size of the building had not changed so the growing number of pupils must have been squeezed in on verandas. Even though the quoted enrolment does not always reflect the actual number of pupils at the school as mentioned above, the population was rising steadily. This rise would lead to continual requests for additional accommodation, not just because of the numbers but also to cater for the higher and more complex education system that was developing.

This latter point was highlighted in 1905 when a new syllabus was introduced which emphasised activity learning, practical work, correlation of subjects, and greater relevance to the daily lives of students. In the new scheme, the ‘whole child’ was the focus of education.34 The constant changing of syllabuses was to be a feature of the 20th Century as society grew more complex and the demand for higher skills increased. The trend not only demanded new teaching methods but also newly designed buildings suitably equipped in which to teach the new skills.

The following year, 1906, a new play shed was erected in the school grounds at a cost of ₤51 ($5,362 in 2003 values) half of which was paid by the local community. This facility was to give the pupils some shade where they would be out of the sun and sheltered from rain. This was the first expansion of the school. (The shed was upgraded to classrooms in 1947) 33 QSA 1903 Annual Statistical Return 34 Chronology of Education in Qld - Website

The same year tenders were called for 14 new sashes in school gables to allow greater light and ventilation. The cost was limited to £21($2,187 in 2003 values) but the minister waived the contribution of the local community.35 The new sashes (windows) are probably the present low-placed ones which must have replaced the original windows which were much higher up in the gable walls as shown in early photos.

There was a 19th Century tendency to place windows in schools high up so that the children could not be distracted by looking at more interesting phenomena outside. The newer idea was to make the lessons so interesting that the children would concentrate on them; at least that was the aim. Religious Education

The Education Act was amended in 1910 to allow religious instruction in State Schools. This meant that for about a half hour per week the ministers of the various denominations could teach children of their parishioners about their faith. Parents probably had to give their approval and if their own clergyman was not available then the child could attend another instructor. The local ministers were not trained as teachers and some had difficulty in teaching. Also, if the minister did not appear at the due time a teacher had to take over and that was not popular with the teachers. Departmental & Local Viewpoints

The following exchange of letters clearly indicates the procedure involving the local community and the Department deciding on the use of scarce resources, i.e., public funds. It must be remembered that the demand for money always exceeds the supply.

In May 1911 Herbert H Sneyd, Secretary School Committee, wrote to the Department asking for substantial additions to the school. He noted that there were 140 children on the roll and Average Attendance was 120. However the Department had different figures.

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In 1913 two rooms were built, a new classroom on the North East corner and the little room on the back veranda. The classroom was later removed when the NE wing was added in 1938.

Wonderful and happy memories for the Smith family – Elva (Goward), Dorothy (Wyeth), Ron and Mavis (Rye)

The request was not granted at the time and in September (30/9/1911) the District Inspector (J T Canny – signature is hard to read) wrote to the Department and recommended that no additions be built to Chermside at present. He argued that while total enrolment was 117 the accommodation including verandas was not over crowded. "The Head Teacher is aided by two sensible and dutiful teachers who could well be trusted

away from the head teacher's eye." He considered that “the shed and verandas can be used conveniently.”

A note, attached to the official letter above and headed ‘unofficial’, indicated the thinking of the Inspector:

Dear Mr Story (Director General or Under Secretary) I half suspect that the H. T. (Head Teacher Lewis Williams) is the chief mover in this matter. He is rather given to expect that favours should be thrown all round him. If he wishes to work the want of accommodation should not stand in his way. There are many schools in the district much more in need of additional accommodation than Chermside.

Yours truly J. T. Canny (I think)

Lewis Williams’ opinion was expressed in

the Annual Statistical Return of 1912 when he noted “accommodation overtaxed, both verandas constantly used and late storms flood them.” Just as well he did not read what the Inspector wrote about him. This is the

reason there is a 30 year embargo on Archival material, so that tempers will have time to cool and people involved will not be unduly embarrassed, although their descendants might be.

The matter continued and on 22/8/1912 the Department of Public Works, after investigation, wrote informing the Department that: ♦ About 60 children are taught on

verandas; ♦ Head Teacher's Residence needs an

additional veranda and bedroom - family of eight in residence;

♦ Water needed to keep newly planted trees alive - water main passes along front of school (Gympie Road)

On 27/2/1913 The Department called tenders and on 13/3/1913 the tender was awarded to W. Bywater for £478 ($40,492 in 2003 values). A letter from

Department of Public Works on the 18th July to the Acting Under Secretary and Government Architect notifying him that the additions to school and residence were complete and the keys were in the possession of the Head Teacher.36

The residence had a new bedroom added making it four bedrooms and another room was added. The School had a new classroom on the NE corner of the original building and the small room on the back veranda was added. Finally, the water was connected from the Council main on Gympie Road. This was the second expansion of the school.

In his Annual Statistical Report for

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Dedicated to our friend, Dr Dennis Murphy, who, accurately and zealously, recorded much of Queensland’s early political history. Terry & Ann Hampson

James Youatt first Head Teacher at Chermside from 1900 to 1910 when he retired to live at Nundah where he died in 1929. (Miss Daphne Jean Youatt)

that year the Head Teacher, Lewis Williams, noted that in the new classroom for infants "a kindergarten is carried on with great success." That was despite the epidemics of whooping cough and measles, which he also reported.

Thus the matter was finally resolved by the interaction of the local community persisting and the Department cautiously assessing the situation in the light of distributing funds over the entire state; the local view versus the overall view is a continuing feature of the story of most local areas and governments. Cadets and Sport

Organised sport in primary school really dates from the changes that took place in the Junior Cadet Corps in 1911. From that year the emphasis in cadets moved from from military exercises for the boys to physical fitness for the whole school. Swimming, first aid and physical education were taught in a systematic way, not so much for the enjoyment, but to build up the child as a future soldier of the King; presumably this related to the boys. It was a serious business and teachers in small schools where full facilities were not available were expected to improvise. School sport had come to stay.

Before 1918, membership in the school cadet corps was compulsory in most primary schools. The basic uniform was a standard khaki jacket and trousers, complete with long leggings and boots. The hat, of

course, was the Digger’s “slouch hat”, with badge.

Rifles were issued to the boys, although they were obliged to buy their uniforms at “15/9d complete”. From 1911, any three of five subjects – Drill, Rifle Practice, First Aid, Physical Education and Swimming, were to be taught.

Female teachers were expected to give cadet training. After 1918, Cadets as such disappeared from the primary school

curriculum.37 Interim Conclusion

By 1913 the school was firmly established, along with the Churches, the Friendly Societies and Sporting Bodies, as a major community focus in Chermside. It was vibrant, growing, challenging and changing. It was not the same school organisation that was established in 1900 as many changes had already taken place. This is a distinguishing feature of 20th Century education; it is continually changing, and the pace of change is

accelerating. This is a continuing story and any conclusion can o

nly be an interim one.

37 Centenary Times P.6

25

Chapter 2 1914 – 1938 World War I 1914-1918

1914 was a year to remember but it started more or less like any other year. In January the School Committee advertised, at the cost of a shilling (10cents about $4 in 2003 values), in the Brisbane Courier for a bell. On September 6th they paid Smellie & Co 16 shillings ($66 in 2003 values) for the bell.38 It seems that this was not the gantry bell which hung outside the NE of the school near Gympie Road.

Several dances were held during the year and at least one concert, probably all of them at the School of Arts. By December, the war was gathering pace and the Committee donated two guineas ($184 in 2003 values) to the Belgians who were regarded as heroes, because they took the full force of the German armies as they swept through Belgium on to the invasion of France. In addition, a collection ‘on Flag’ in 1917 is mentioned as having raised ₤2/10/21/2 (Two pounds ten shillings and two pence halfpenny) ($107 in 2003 values) This looks like a fund raising for some war purpose.39

The Head Teacher, Lewis Williams, recorded in his annual report that the children were working for the Red Cross making crutches, splints, socks, nightingales ("A kind of flannel wrap used to cover the shoulders and arms of a patient while confined to bed" - Internet), face cloths, scarves and eye bandages. Even the boys, he does not say how many, were knitting along with the girls. The school took part in helping the appeal for Christmas goods for wounded troops. There would have been few Australian wounded in 1914, so the goods were probably for British troops who were fighting and retreating on the Western front in France. As the war progressed the demand for all of these materials increased alarmingly and in 1915 he reported that knitting classes had started and every child above Grade 2 had learned to knit. Also Grade 8 girls were given book prizes by the Red Cross for their knitting for the soldiers; some girls did 6 pairs of socks as well as other work. The socks

38 Silver Jubilee Minute Book 39 School Comm. Cash Book – 1/1/1914 to 1/1/1929

were particularly valuable for the soldiers in the trenches where they suffered from ‘trench feet’ which was caused by being perpetually wet. They used to rub their feet with whale oil and then put on dry socks, hence the need for an endless supply of woollen socks.

At the end of 1914 the Head Teacher reported that the war and drought were forcing many families to move looking for work.40 How much this affected the school numbers is not made clear but the tanneries would have been increasing employment as the Army’s demand for leather increased. Also, the establishment of the Army camp at Marchant Park would have boosted local employment generally. The year ended on a happy note - the end of year picnic for the school which cost ₤3/14/8 ($7.48 or $307 in 2003 values)41 The Honour Board

After the Great War many schools, including Chermside, used Honour Boards to record the names of their ex-pupils who had served. It took some time to find all the names and, even then, some could have been missed. The names were also placed on the Marchant Park Memorial Gates by the Kedron Shire Council.

The task of recording had begun by September 1922 when the School Committee met and called for all the names of the service personnel. It is also recorded that the Honour Board had to be lengthened. It seems that it was probably made by a local carpenter and the names were added as they were nominated. Many honour boards were made like this and consequently the names are often not in alphabetical order.

By the October meeting they were still looking for names but finalised the list at the November meeting when Mr G A Plucknett was authorised to alter the board. Finally, at the December meeting, payment for the board was authorised. No doubt there would have been an unveiling ceremony attended by the local people at the school but there is no mention of it.42

40 QSA Ann Statistical Report 1914 41 School Comm. Cash Book 42 First Minute Book School Comm. 1922-1925

26

The Honour Board was restored, by Adrian Turner, a WWII Digger and member of the Society. When found the board was in very poor condition and almost illegible. It now hangs in the old school. (CDHS Collection)

Congratulations on the publication of the history of Chermside State School – Councillor Faith Hopkins – Marchant Ward

This list below has been alphabetised from the original Honour Board. There are 35 names on it made up of 3 Killed and 32 Returned, three of whom were wounded. All were traumatised to some extent. This was the contribution of one small school to the Kedron Shire total of: 284 Young Men Enlisted, 231 Returned, 53 Died in the War to end all wars.

Chermside State School HONOUR BOARD For the Great War 1914 - 1918 Bailey, D. Murr, A. Bateman, E. Phimister, H. Baxter, J. Powell, S. Brooks, R. Rainey, J.H. Cock, Alice –Nurse Died 1923

Robinson, G.

Fisher, J.L. Sammells, H.E. Died of Wounds

Hack, H.C. W Sutherland, N.C. Hack, H.E. Wadley, J.B. Hack, P. Wadley, T.C. W Hamilton, T.A.E. Walsh, A. Hansen, C. Walsh, J.A. Hardaker, D.B. Walton, G. D of W Hopper, B. Walton, J. Killed Hopper, J. Whitehead, H. Hopper, T.H. Williams, G. Jenkins, R. Williams, P.G. Leiper, C. Wren, F.J. W Leiper, R.

On a state wide basis, World War I greatly affected the State school system as many male teachers joined the armed services and the schools were understaffed. Only the strenuous efforts of the female teachers kept the Education system operating. In 1915 the Minister for Education, Herbert Hardacre, in the Annual Report of the Secretary for Public Instruction, 1914. p 22 wrote:

Teachers and other officers have responded nobly to the call of Empire. Up to the 30th August 1915, 146 teachers had enlisted in one capacity or another. Many of them

hold commissions. Their education, training and previous military experience fit them for leadership. Three teachers have been killed, ten have been wounded, and two have been invalided home.

By the end of the war, 460 Departmental employees had enlisted, 61 were killed, 117 were wounded or missing and many were discharged as unfit for duty.43 Patriotic Days in Schools

As the older patriotic days declined Anzac Day grew in importance. It was a special Australian Day because it celebrated the deeds of Australian soldiers fighting under their own flag. This was Australian 43 Soldiers of the Service Vol II p.5

27

The Queensland School Reader (With permission from Education Queensland)

Dedicated to Joan Hamilton for her dedicated support of Chermside & District Historical Society especially by making available the Hamilton Archives – John Hopkins

patriotism, and the loyalty of people was beginning to turn to Australia.

The Minister for Education, quoted in the Education Office Gazette of April 1916, directed State schools to:

Commemorate Anzac Day by suitable addresses to their pupils, dwelling upon the gallant landing of our Australian and New Zealand troops on the Gallipoli Peninsula, their splendid achievements, their sacrifices, and their loyal devotion to duty, our grief at the great loss they suffered; and our country's debt of gratitude to them and theirs'. The private

schools followed suit and were just as enthusiastic as the state schools. Both carried on the patriotic fervour of the past but now the emphasis was on Australia, and Anzac Day became the closest thing we had to a National Day. It even eclipsed Australia Day. Finally the Australian flag replaced the British Union Jack.

After World War II the sentiment began to change even further, as we had to depend on the United States for our foreign protection and Empire Day evolved into Commonwealth Day and then into Queen’s Birthday. Australia was becoming more aware of itself and its own importance. When Britain joined the European Common Market the joke was heard that we should change the name of the holiday to ‘Common Market Day’. Today the Australian flag has been joined by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ flag.

Queensland School Reader The Queensland School Readers or the

Red Readers were introduced into schools in 1915 along with the revision of the 1905 syllabus. Previously, readers such as the Irish National Readers, the Australian Readers and the Royal Readers were used but this was the first time a set of readers was specifically written for Queensland school children.

The Readers and their predecessors were used to teach thousands of Queensland children. The choice of stories within the Readers was therefore crucial to encouraging

success in literacy. Along with the skill and love of reading, the aim of the Readers was to encourage the development of good character. The content of the Readers consequently included a treasure trove of facts, moral tales, fables and poetry that reflected the values and concerns of the times in which they were written.

28

Cunningham family in support of Pat O'Shea whose actions support the CDHS motto "Preserving our Past is our Future"

The end of the Queensland School Readers came in the 1970s when schools began to select reading materials from a range of reading schemes.44 Health of pupils

With monotonous regularity, two and three times a decade, the Head Teachers reported in their Annual Statistical Returns epidemics, not just outbreaks, but epidemics of childhood diseases:

• 1914 L Williams - Epidemics of influenza and measles in late winter.

• 1915 L Williams - Whooping cough and measles.

• 1919 H W Lee - School closed for 48 days owing to the Influenza epidemic from 6 May to 11 July. This was the great Pneumonic Flu or Influenza Pandemic that swept the planet infecting one fifth of the world’s population and killing between 20 and 30 million people in about a year. In contrast the war killed about 13 million people over four years. It was the respiratory variety of the Bubonic Plague and just as deadly. Within a year over 10,000 persons died from it in Australia.

• 1923 H W Lee - Epidemics of mumps and measles during the latter half of the year.

• 1924 L G Lather, Relieving Head Teacher - Epidemics of measles and chicken pox.

• 1927 S J Menerey - Attendance down for last four months due to: (1) Epidemic of measles in September when almost every household has been affected. (2) Several cases of whooping cough and several of diphtheria with one case of scarlet fever.

• 1934 J H Rice - Epidemic of mumps - several very wet days also affected attendances.

• 1937 J H Rice - Epidemics of measles and chicken pox.

44 Education Queensland Website

• 1938 J H Rice - Several epidemics of measles and influenza.

A sign of changing times The deadly epidemics of the early

1900s prompted the first moves towards school instruction and inspection of hygiene. A survey of Brisbane school children in the early 1900s had shown that ‘nearly one third had physical defects which impaired their school progress and that nearly one hundred percent suffered from diseased teeth. The presence of hand basins on the verandas of the school for pupils to use is an indication of the importance placed on hygiene in the early part of the century.

Since 1911, the travelling doctors and dentists of the school Health Service journeyed all over Queensland trying to remove the causes of such things as head lice, fleas, scabies, tooth disease, blight (eye disease), scarlet fever, diphtheria and polio by spreading the ‘gospel of Hygiene’. They gave health talks to parents, children and teachers. They inspected schools for poor ventilation, lighting and sanitation and their observations led to improvements in the design of schools and school furniture. They changed the attitudes of generations towards better hygiene.45

Two incidents at the school, one in 1917 and another in the 1920s, give some idea of the hygiene changes taking place over the years. Today these measures seem obvious but not to the people of Chermside at the time. There would have been grumbles but most people quickly adapted.

The first incident was with school swimming. The boys of Chermside had long taken to swimming in the local creeks and one such spot was in a waterhole near the school. It was probably in Somerset Creek which flowed east across Gympie Road at Dead Man’s Gully near the present Kuran Street, then turned west to go through Byrne Ford Autos and under Westfield Shopping Town, finally emptying into Downfall Creek.

In September1917 William A Zerner Acting Head Teacher wrote to the Under Secretary of the Department complaining that ‘a pool in the creek near the school’ which 45 Centenary Times – Courier Mail 7/4/1975 P.8

29

Jack Thompson’s class in C1923 - he is fourth from the left in the back row. Very few of these children would have gone on to secondary school. (Jack Thompson’s Collection)

The Thompson family attended CSS – Jack & Gladys (nee Richardson) 1916 – 1923 and their daughters Heather, Jeanette and Hazel 1946 – 1963

was used by the boys in the last season had been condemned by a doctor when it was nearly dry. His argument was that the pool should be safe in the summer wet season when there was plenty of water flowing through it.

In November 1917 Dr Kelly (Inspector) reported to the Under Secretary recommending that no permission be granted

to use the pool for swimming. He noted that it was: ♦ In a cattle paddock. ♦ Fed by a small stream used by cattle with

manure nearby. ♦ Had a soft mud bottom which is easily

stirred up by children. ♦ Children with skin breaks could contract

tetanus (Lockjaw). ♦ Children usually swallow water while

bathing. ♦ Even though the pool was overflowing it

made no difference. ♦ He condemned the pool and the

proposal.46 46 EDU/Z571 Qld State Archives (CORR2)

Of course boys still swam in the creeks in

small groups but the local people had been made aware of the dangers. Some boys in the late 1920s or early 1930s were still swimming in the old waterhole as Lindsay Staib relates in a story told him by his older brother:

There used to be swimming holes behind the school in the gully which is

now piped under Westfield Shopping Centre – Somerset Creek. The teacher discovered that the children were swimming in the water hole during the lunch hour. To stop this, the boys had to line up and the teacher would feel their hair to see if it was wet. If so, the boys were punished.

The second incident had to do with toilets or, as they were then called, lavatories. From 1923 to 1926 Dr P A Earnshaw reported on the condition of the toilets at the school and found them generally in good condition. However on each occasion he emphasised that they were not properly fly-proofed which

30

Dedicated to the founding members of the C&DHS and others who secured the preservation of the original CSS building. Stirling Hincliffe Founding President C&DHS.

meant that they had to be made so. People were becoming aware of the danger of flies carrying disease.

The 1924 report also recommended "movable shutters are needed in the walls just above the floor level" in the senior room of the school. This was for better ventilation in summer. The present building, in 2005, has the lowest horizontal wall lining board on the front and back of each room hinged so that it can be opened. It seems that Dr Earnshaw’s report was acted upon.47

In 1926 he said that the shed, probably the play shed, was not fit to use in wet weather as pools of water collected on the floor which was probably dirt. This sounds like a suggestion to do something about the floor of the shed.

This theme of steady improvement in health measures continues throughout the history of the school as new regulations were issued. In 1937 the Department of Health took over the service and maintained it. The School of the1920s

The following description was supplied by Jack Thompson who came to the school in 1920 and, at the age of 94, still lives in West Chermside. Jack came from New Farm where he was born on 14/12/1910. His father was a carrier in Brisbane who bought 140 acres in three paddocks on the corner of Rode and Webster Roads where he grew crops and carried on a dairy and poultry farm. Mr Bowser bought some of it in early 1930s and opened up the gravel quarry that has now been replaced by a nursing home.

The school Register shows that John Thompson (Should have been Jack) No. 985 started on 27/1/1920 aged 9years 2months in Grade 3. He went into Grade 4 and then Grade 5 where he stayed until he left in December 1925 aged about 15years. There was no Grade 6 at the school and his mother insisted that he stayed till he was 15. His older brother and sister went to the Grammar school in Brisbane but it was too far into town for him to travel after they moved to Chermside.

47 QSA CORR2

A photo of Jack’s class in 1923/4 shows that there were no uniforms, that many, if not most, of the boys were barefooted, while some wore ties and coats. The girls wore the usual dresses of the time and, Jack added, that while some were barefoot others wore boots. He also recalls that there were no prefects, school captains or houses for sports and there were few competitions between schools.

Subjects studied included Grammar, History, Geography, Maths and the recitation of poetry was very important. In the junior years they used slates, which were provided by the school. In the later years they used pencil and writing pads which the parents had to buy. Copybooks were also used for writing and there were a few textbooks; a history book was provided by the school, but parents had to buy an atlas. There was a little bookcase library in the classroom from which one could borrow the books.

For misdemeanours such as copying, talking at the wrong time, fighting, disobedience and the myriad other things that children do, there was the cane and being kept in at lunch time.

Sports such as cricket and football were played but there seemed to be little equipment. Jack recalls that they played cricket using a stick for the bat until a relieving Head Teacher, thought to be Samuel Rea, bought two bats for the school. Rounders, which was like baseball, was also played using a stick and ball. Football was played when somebody had a birthday and was given a football which he then brought to school and the boys played with it.

While school swimming in the local creeks had long been banned, Jack recalls being told by Andy Johnson that a teacher, Bert Rainey whose father was a fruit merchant at Roma Street, taught pupils to swim in Dobby’s Water hole down at the bottom of Taylor Street, Pfingst Road, Edinburgh Castle Road area. The hole was as big as the school room and 8 or 9 feet (approximately 2.5m) deep. This was before 1920 and although the creek is still there it is only a dribble of its former self. Another

31

The Bone Family: Merle 1939 – 1947; Violet 1940 – 1948; Desley 1942 – 1950. Violet made the presentation to the Headmaster, Mr Joe Rice, when he retired in 1948.

waterhole was near Reid’s Paddock at the roundabout on the end of Leckie Road.

There was no tuckshop so everybody brought sandwiches of meat or tomato or cheese or Rosella jam along with a piece of fruit. It all went into a small leather bag which was slung over the shoulder. The bag was small because the pupils did not have to carry much in the way of books as do the pupils of today. For drinks there was water from the school tanks and after 1913 the town water supply was connected from the main on Gympie Road.

A sidelight of the time was a protest by the School Committee on the 4th August 1923 “against the Sideshow men who come to the school with their entertainments as we think them nothing but a robbery.” It is unlikely that they set up their shows in the school grounds but more likely they wanted to come to the school and do their acts to entertain the children. Of course they would make a ‘small’ charge. Unfortunately we don’t know the result of the protest. Jubilee of 1925

Early in September 1925 a meeting of eleven men took place in the School of Arts on the corner of Hall Street and Gympie Road in Chermside. The purpose of the meeting was to plan the celebrations for the 25th Anniversary of the School. I have followed the Silver Jubilee Minute Book of the School Committee fairly closely to try to capture some of the atmosphere of the time and to examine its way of organising. The general modus operandi of the meetings was very similar to that of today but there are also significant differences.

Those present were Chair: Michael Joseph Gallagher of Gallagher’s Tannery – Secretary: Samuel Harris, a builder who passed these minutes on to his daughter Jean Tune – Treasurer: John Cruse – others present were William E Sammells, a storekeeper, Thomas Andrew Hamilton a blacksmith and coachbuilder, Samuel John Menery the Head Teacher, J G Argo a bicycle shop owner, D Wallace, A Rainey a fruit merchant of Roma Street, George Lemke a butcher, W Lacey, David Barker who owned a piggery on the North side of Kitchener Road between

Gympie and Webster Roads. Most, if not all, were prominent members of the local community. Some were already active on the School Committee, and in keeping with the times, there were no women on the committee.

The meeting resolved to celebrate the Jubilee by having a Picnic and Sports Day with a children’s concert followed by a dance on the 12th December 1925. The following meetings were to organise the celebrations.

At the next meeting, on the 5th October1925, 8 members gathered and decided to change the date of the picnic to 5th December, but no reason is recorded. Probably the earlier date was too near the end of the school year when the annual clean up was under way. They wanted a 100 circulars Mimeographed at Stotts Ltd which was a firm in Adelaide Street, Brisbane. Presumably all the 158 children at the school would be expected to spread the news while the circulars would go to places beyond their reach. Finally, since they wanted to hold the picnic in the school grounds, they had to apply to the Under Secretary for permission.

The next meeting was on 20th October 1925 with Mr Lemke in the chair and nine men present. Now it was time to ask the ladies to attend the following meeting, as the women’s work would be discussed. The men however, could enquire as to the price of books, which would probably be needed for prizes. Then it was decided that the picnic would be an old time one. This is interesting - could it have been the harking back to earlier, better times – the good old days syndrome? Did they dress up for the occasion? Possibly, but evidence is lacking.

Mr Menery made a donation of a guinea or ₤1/1/0 (21 shillings - $1.10 or $32 in 2003 values) which was a common type of donation at the time. It was originally a gold coin but had not been minted since 1813. However the sum was still used in such occasions as racehorse and art auctions and by aristocratic members of society. There was a ‘whiff’ of snob value in its use. The Women Appear

The next meeting on 2nd November saw Mr Lemke in the Chair with 7 men and 6

32

Pickard Family: Evelyn (tuckshop), Frances, Jean, Margaret and Graham (pupils) 1944/59. Dorr Family: Bill (P&C), Bernice (tuckshop) and Ray (casual janitor 1986).

women: Mesdames White, Scarr, Crase, Gunston, Hamilton and Barker were present. Their job was to form a committee to arrange refreshments for the picnic. This was regarded as women’s work; still is. An invitation was to be issued to the Minister for Public Instruction to attend the picnic, since it was on Departmental land. The charges for admission to the Picnic were fixed at 1/6 for men, 1/- for women and 6d for children – no free meals. The School of Arts was thanked for the free use of the hall for the meetings and the expenses for the treat (picnic) were estimated at the rate of 4/- per head. Enquiries were to be made as to the cost of a pipe band.

At the meeting on 17th November 1925, Mr Gallagher presided and the women, 7 of them, outnumbered the men, only 5 being present. They accepted the North Pine Band at ₤3 ($170 in 2003 values) to play for the afternoon of the picnic on 5th Dec. Donations of a guinea from Mr Gallagher and a half guinea from Bert Hardaker of Tweed Heads were received.

The meeting of 1st December with Mr Gallagher in the chair, 9 women and 10 men present, got down to the business of making the last minute arrangements. They accepted the North Pine Band to play at the concert for ₤2/0/0 ($113 in 2003 values); to procure ₤5/0/0 worth of fruit, a ham to be procured and cooked by Mrs Barker, a coin be paid to each child who runs 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the races at the Picnic; skipping ropes and balls to be procured; a letter of thanks to Mr Kelso MLA for his donation; the picnic to end about 5.30pm; a constable to be stationed in the hall for the concert. The presence of a constable at school functions is mentioned a few other times in the minutes. The organisers must have expected trouble and were determined to prevent it. Just why the trouble should occur is not stated; maybe old Chermside was not as peaceful a place as we sometimes imagine.

Mr Scarr offered to look after the boiling of water at the picnic. This would probably involve the lighting of a fire in the open and keeping the small children away from the fire and the boiling water.

Thomas Hamilton recorded in his diary something of the actual celebrations:

4/12/1925: I took a load of bunya and other branches to decorate the School of Arts for tomorrow evenings Silver Jubilee of the State School Concert.

5/12/1925: I drove to the State School to assist in preparing for the Silver Jubilee celebrations, all hands busy, children gathered about 10.00 AM. Official opening at 2.30pm by our member Mr Kelso; address by Alderman Bradbury and Under Secretary of the Department of Public Instruction, Mr McKenna; Mr M J Gallagher chairman; Miss Bridge called the children’s roll of 25 years ago; Mr Kelso called the roll of the first women’s and men’s committees, all present answered their names, all children of the present State School got a book gift, there was a splendid attendance of children, parents and friends including a good, large Brass Band from the Pine Rivers. A crowded concert in the School of Arts at night. Lovely weather throughout. (Sic)

After the Celebration - Vandalism The final meeting was on 10th

December 1925 with Mr Gallagher in the Chair. There were 6 women and 9 men present to pass accounts of ₤34/8/71/

2 ($1,956 in 2003 values) for payment. It was proposed to procure a full set of cricket material for the older boys and ‘something suitable’ for the younger children. No mention of the older girls. The final recorded minute intimates that not all went well at the celebrations; they requested the police to take action regarding the larrikinism done at the School on the afternoon of the 5th December. No details were given but it sounds like what today we would call vandalism since the police were called in. They had their troubles similar to today; human nature does not change. Reunion 2000 – The Belated Centenary Celebrations

On the 19/7/2000 The Northside Chronicle reported that the centenary celebrations of the school were held on Sunday July 30th 2000 from 10am - 4pm at

33

This page dedicated by Jennifer Gilmour (nee Myers) for her children Merinda, Lachlan and Keelan Gilmour. We love living at Chermside.

Kedron-Wavell Services Club Inc community hall, Hamilton Road Chermside. Organised by Chermside and Districts Historical Society, who occupy the original school rooms, the celebrations were a wonderful success with hundreds of ex-pupils and teachers attending. Part of the celebrations was the conduct of several walks to take the people from the Services Club to the old school building for a look at the almost refurbished school. Chermside State School still had some life.

The 25th Reunion contrasts with the above reunion in that the latter event lacked the visiting dignitaries, the children, the Brass Band, the concert and the open air venue. On the other hand the enthusiasm of the ex-pupils and teachers matched that of 1925 and the ‘lovely weather’ was repeated, but this time the function was held in an air conditioned hall. One Child’s Memory of a Head Teacher

Joan Hamilton has a vivid memory of Sam Menerey who was one of her Head Teachers and who served in that post until 1933 when Joan was at the school. It appears that Mr Menerey wanted to impress the pupils by showing them what would happen if they did not behave properly. He demonstrated by giving six of the best to an imaginary child in front of the school assembly. Joan was very impressed. However the cane was not used on the girls; they got a ruler on their bottoms. Building The Saga of the Teacher’s Residence and the Toilets

The Head Teacher’s Residence, built in 1900 along with the original school rooms, had a long history of problems beginning before 1903 when the following report was written by a visitor who was particularly horrified by the residence at Downfall Creek. “There,” he said, “the very floor of the teacher’s house oozes with water from the swamp underneath and around it.”48 Looking at the site today it is difficult to see where the water came from as the area is the concrete parking lot for the Aldi supermarket on

48 Centenary Times P. 3

Gympie Road opposite Mermaid Street. The area has been built up several metres but still drains from the school site to the residence site. The location could well have been a swampy area in the past. In periods of heavy rain the house could easily have experienced flooding.

Dr Halford, writing to the Under Secretary on 12/5/1917, reported that the school residence was situated in a damp, swampy position with moss on the verandas and storm water coming near, or under, the building. He concluded that the house was prejudicial to the health of the residents and the dwelling needed to be removed.49

Chermside was not alone in having building problems as the following report from the early part of the century shows:

I will never forget an incident at Coomera. During my visit, the owner of the hut serving as a school building, who also made it his sleeping apartment, came in, lit a fire, and proceeded to prepare his midday meal! The children worked on as if the man wasn’t there.50

A few months later, on the 4th

September 1917, a Mr J Packer who claimed to be an Expert Water Diviner wrote to the Secretary of the School Committee. He claimed that a sub-artesian stream went under the residence and this caused the illness of the Head Teacher, Mr Williams; he had rheumatism. Mr Packer added that the proposed new site for the residence had no sub-artesian stream.51

A flurry of letters followed urging the Department to move the building. The Head Teacher, Mr Lewis Williams, wrote to the Under Secretary in October, informing him that he had left the teacher's house a month earlier and asked for it to be moved while he was elsewhere.

The same month, in a letter to the Under Secretary, William A Zerner, who was

49 QSA CORR2 50 Centenary Times P.3 51 QSA CORR2

34

Acting Head Teacher while Mr Williams was away, did not mince his words. He wrote that the drain at the residence was filthy and it was not fair to ask boys to clean it; it was a menace to health. There were two men concreting the tanks (water supply) and they could lengthen the drain by another 57 feet.

In December, the Under Secretary informed the School Committee that the cost of moving the teacher's residence was £131/10/0 to which the School Committee had to contribute £30. However, a revaluation had raised the cost to £209/0/0. Due to lack of funds the move would not be made but a drain would be dug to divert the storm water around the house. He did not say when.

The drama continued and in April 1918 the Acting Head Teacher, Mr George Caldwell, wrote protesting that the drain had not been dug although it had been authorised. No reply has been found to this letter.

The next step was taken when the School Committee wrote to the Under Secretary on 25th November 1918 stating that eleven months had passed since approval was given for a drain to be dug alongside the residence. Nothing was done and the house was decaying and unoccupied.

The Department did reply, rather quickly on 2nd December1918, saying that it was waiting on information regarding the return of the Head Teacher, Mr Lewis Williams, from sick leave. Just what bearing this had on the state of the residence is far from clear. Mr Williams had chronic rheumatism and was advised to reside elsewhere.

Just when, if ever, the drain was dug is not clear as the correspondence ceases, probably lost. This is what sometimes happens to these old records; possibly the documents never reached the Archives.

However, on 13th December 1918 the Department replied to a request from Mr R J Catherwood, who was occupying the residence as Acting Head teacher while the Head Teacher Mr Williams was on sick leave. It appears that the place was in a mess. It needed cleaning and fumigating but Mr L. Williams was on leave due to chronic rheumatism and officially had not vacated the residence. Therefore, according to ‘the rule book’ he was not obliged to leave it clean. The Department finally paid the cost of

cleaning which was £12/2/0. ($756 in 2003 values) The place must have been in a real mess.

When Mr Lee replaced Mr Williams as Head Teacher in 1919, he did not live in the residence because his wife had a house at Alderley. The residence was rented at the time and in December 1922 the School Committee requested that Head Teacher Lee occupy the teacher's residence to take more care of the school. The Department refused but allowed Mr Lee to sublet the residence.

The final note on the residence was dated 31st January 1924 in the form of an Insurance Cover Note for the Head Teacher's residence at school. The value was £750 ($42,598 in 2003 values) and it was built of wood with an iron roof.52 The School Buildings Over the years the number of classrooms and specialist rooms grew as the population of the local area increased, but somewhat more slowly. The general procedure was:

• Accommodation at the school would get ‘tight’ and letters would be written by the Head Teacher, the School Committee and the Local Member to the Under Secretary of the Department of Public Instruction emphasising the ‘overcrowding’ and the urgent need for new rooms before the education of the children was impaired.

• Inspectors would be sent to visit the school and ascertain the ‘real’ situation.

• The Department would then send a reply that took into account the local problem, the amount of money it had to spend, the situation in other schools and then placed the local school on the waiting list in order of urgency.

• Then the procedure would be repeated until the school moved up the list and the next building was erected followed by an official opening.

• As the population grew the whole cycle was regularly repeated, until the population stabilised and, eventually declined.

52 QSA CORR2

35

The Department was used to this cycle

and handled applications in a formal, professional manner following strict guidelines as to the space each pupil was entitled to occupy, what equipment was needed and the pupil-teacher ratio.

The teachers, more or less, knew how the system operated and generally accepted it. They made their protests at various times and got on with the job of teaching. The parents, naturally, saw the problems from the point of view of their children and campaigned vigorously for what they thought they were entitled to receive. The Department, on the other hand, tried to give them that to which they were entitled. The local politicians, State and Council, were caught between the two opposing factions but had to side with the parents as they were the electors. Request for More Accommodation

On the 5th October 1925 the School Committee decided to write to the Education Department about the poor fence around the school, and due to the rising population of the area, request the Department of Education to enlarge the school.53 The reply has been lost.

Three years later on the 11th October 1928 the School Committee wrote to the Department about the need for more space at the school. In a reply dated 19th October the Department replied that the school had two wings, one of 40 x 22 feet, the original building, and the 1913 addition of 25 x 22 feet, all of which provided accommodation for 178 pupils at 8 square feet per pupil. This was deemed sufficient for the enrolments which were as shown in the table below.

The Department was taking the Average Attendance as a guide, while the Committee was looking at the total enrolment. The latter figure records new arrivals but does not allow for departures or absences. At the time, the boom of the 1920s was coming to an end and unemployment was rising which caused families to move in search of work. This could cause the total enrolment to rise when a new family arrived in the area and, if they left before the end of the year, the figure remained the same. It did not decline until the following year. These were known as ‘ghost’

53 School Comm. Minute Book 1922-1925

pupils. The Department was aware of this even if the parents were not.

The Department added that although the desks were 9 foot and 7foot 6 inches long and were deemed sufficient, more desks and forms were to be supplied. These could be used on the verandas. Thus a sort of compromise was reached for the time being.

One of the pupils sitting at these desks was Muriel Scott (nee Hamilton) who started in about 1934, she remembers:

Going to school was going to be exciting at five years of age! My father had painted, in blue, a small port and inscribed my initials on the lid. Mrs Tench was my first teacher and she was often teaching us different ’lessons’. One day she instructed Peggy McDonald to bring her the scissors. Peggy was soon over her knee, feeling Mrs Tench’s hand falling upon her bottom because she had not handed the scissors handles first. (A stern warning.)

School Lighting On the 8th June 1925 the School

Committee wrote to the Minister requesting the installation of electric light in the school.54 There is no reply recorded but it seems that the light was installed, because on the 12th February 1930, the Committee paid ₤1/0/0 as deposit on an Electric Light Meter which indicates that supply was imminent. Further, a letter on the 30/10/1931 from the Department of Public Works noted that alterations costing ₤2/10/0 were carried out to the electric wires.55 It is would be of interest to find out whether the Department or the Committee paid for the installation.

There had been agitation by the School Committee to install the newly arrived electric light. An offer to install them had been accepted by the Committee in September 1929. By July 1930 enquiries had been made about the cost of installing three

54 Sch Comm Min Bk 1922-25 55 QSA CORR2

1928 Month

Enrolment Average Attendance

July 172 142.2 August 181 153.3 September 186 146.2

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The 1934 School Choir at the City Hall. In the front row is Miss Eva Lang the pianist and Mr Joe Rice the Head Teacher who was the conductor. He developed several choirs in the 1930s. (Hamilton Collection)

lights and a power point. No figures were given but on the 6th August 1930 the Committee minutes record that lights were to be installed. In the same minutes there is another item which noted that the ladies ‘are to make Jazzy hats and sell them for 3d each’. One wonders if that was to pay for the installation. Similar initiatives are still undertaken today for new fangled items which become routine after a while. (The author remembers when teaching in NSW, the P&C was paying part of the cost of the telephones and that was in the 1970s.)

Back to School Accommodation By August 1930 the accommodation

was becoming much more stressed and the Department of Public Works investigated and reported that accommodation was not fair if it was based on a floor space basis. "There are six teachers and two rooms, each of which will accommodate two teachers, thus it is very desirable to afford two more rooms for the other two teachers." The other two teachers were on the verandas. The additions were costed at £500 for the rooms and the additional furniture at £102. This was before the hallway was built dividing the original

school into two rooms, so there must have been two teachers in the main building and two in the 1913 addition.

They based their assessment on the attendance for three months as shown on the following table: 1930 Month

Enrolment Average Attendance

May 226 197.6 June 226 194.9 July 209 190.3

Another Compromise At the end of 1930 an inspection was

carried out and reported that the school building was awkward in shape and the accommodation inside was below requirements for the attendance. Two of the verandas were used for class teaching; one had desks and forms while the other had no desks. It was recommended that the following be supplied: Two 9 foot x 22 inch high desks, two forms and one additional blackboard but nothing seemed to happen until December 1931 when the Department finally sent the items.

37

In 1932 the South East wing facing Gympie Road was built. There were six teachers with an enrolment of 220 and an average attendance of 194 pupils.

Meanwhile, in October 1930 a note from the Department of Public Instruction was sent to Mr W Kelso, MLA for the Chermside area, informing him that due to his personal representations working plans were being prepared. When completed, consideration would be given to expenditure, when funds were available. This was a very guarded reply but it must be remembered that the Great Depression was just beginning; money was becoming scarcer than ever.

It would appear that the Chermside people had continued agitating for an extension to the school since the first letter in 1925 (above), but the documentation is missing. However with the rising enrolment the Department had to move. The plans must have been issued and tenders called because, almost a year later, on 17th September 1931, the Department of Public Works announced that the tender of WB Lindsay at £349 ($698 - $22,362 in 2003 values) had been accepted. Success at Last

After six years of agitation, on the 23rd January 1932, the School Committee announced that arrangements had been made for the opening of the extensions to the school on the 4th March at 3pm, subject to the Department’s permission.56 Then, on the 29th January 1932, the Department announced that the new wing at Chermside State School was completed and approval was given for an official opening. This was the third expansion 56 School Comm. Minute Book 1929-1931

of the school and consisted of two rooms and a veranda connected to the front veranda of the old school, on the SE corner, facing Gympie Road – the SE Wing.

Finally on 19th September 1932 the Department of Public Works Completion Report on the work of W B Lindsay of Lindsay Street, Hawthorne, Brisbane was issued. An Internal Division and a Small Addition

The next change was initiated by J H Rice, Head Teacher who, on 17th July 1934, wrote to the Department that he would like the long room divided into two separate classrooms. He suggested that this could be done by a passageway about five feet wide. There were 80 children in this big room and if it was divided into two classrooms it would, he argued, be beneficial to teachers and pupils.

He received support from the local member, J V Hayes Esq MLA, who was

informed by the Director of Education in September that the work would be undertaken. In November a further letter arrived announcing that the Department of Public Works would add a Teacher's Room 15ft x 12foot to the front of the school, two new partitions in central block forming a 4 foot passage and some windows and steps. It was to be of wood and galvanised iron and, along with the furniture would cost £386. ($26,427 in 2003 values) This was the fourth expansion of the school.

These additions changed the school to its present form, although the Teacher’s Room at the front was taken away before the building was moved to

its present position in the Chermside Historic Precinct. The work was probably carried out over the Christmas holidays and the school was ready for use in the New Year, 1935.

In 1906 the windows in the school were lowered to allow better ventilation. The pupils also benefited from this change; they could look out of the rooms. One such pupil was Muriel Scott (nee Hamilton) who remembers:

“Mr Wesley Hooper was my ideal teacher when I really wanted to attend school. He gave every encouragement

38

1934 The division of the main room made for better teaching and the office gave the Head Teacher somewhere to keep the school records. There were 192 pupils with about six teachers.

– except when I looked out the window to watch the Governor, Sir Leslie Orme Wilson being driven out to the ‘Garden Settlement’ for the official opening in the 1930s. My mother told me I would have known his car by the flag on the front. I did look out the window but evidently watched the car for too long because Mr Hooper advised me to get on with my school work!”

Muriel continues: During wet weather, our mother insisted on us carrying our other socks and shoes which we could change upon arrival at school. This we did not like so we would stop at Mermaid Street, after crossing from Margaret Street (now Kingsmill Street) and behind Stephens’ sawmill, and change footwear there. Later we acquired galoshes which were much easier to remove from our shoes.

An occasional school concert was held in the Chermside School of Arts. The head teacher, Mr Joe Rice, used to play his violin for our singing lessons and used to look comical standing on a school form playing, whilst bending his knees to keep time to the music. One day he moved too close to the end of the form and it

tipped up with disastrous results. I do not think we laughed very much.

Updating the Lavatories - Toilets A note on Dunnies: For people who

never experienced the old outdoor lavatory (toilet) it may seem that the author spends an inordinate amount of space on these small buildings. However their importance is not linked to size; they smelt, or better still, they stunk and they attracted flies, so they were placed as far as possible from the dwelling of the users; mostly at the back fence, a small

stroll in good weather, a nightmare in the wet season. At night they were out of bounds and the users had to resort to chamber pots under the bed. They stunk too. But the school lavatory stunk most of all. The coming of the sewer and the indoor flush toilet represented a much greater leap forward than the man landing on the moon. The improvement in convenience and health was enormous.

On the 6th April 1935 a request was made to the Department for increased lavatory accommodation. The Department typed on the side of the letter that there were 125 boys and 113 girls on roll with two pans in each group. The recommendation was that the

lavatories be enlarged to four boys, four girls and one female teacher. And it was done, but there is no mention of a male teachers’ lavatory.

Exactly a year later, in 1936, the Head Teacher, Mr J H Rice, wrote, in a reversal of the usual role, to the Department suggesting that two services a week were necessary for the pupils but that the teachers only needed one service. The Department also reversed its role and decided that there should be two services for everybody. Also in this letter a male teachers’ lavatory is mentioned as already existing.

With the growth of the school population the lavatory situation prompted the School Committee to write to the Department on 13th October 1937 stating that the girls' lavatories have four pans for 135 girls or one pan for each 33 girls. "This to our minds appears inadequate and it is deplorable to see the number of girls waiting around the

39

In 1938 the single room on the NE was removed, the NE wing was added and the whole school was raised. There were 228 pupils and seven teachers.

lavatories when they have been allowed out for recreation."

The response was rapid with the Department of Public Works coming, at the end of November, to construct new compartments in the Girls' lavatories and renovate the old ones at a cost of £120. There the matter rested till the next population rise.

In 1937 another health issue arose causing the police to issue a warning that strychnine bated lollies with had been found and were a danger to children57. A New Wing and Major Upgrading

In July 1935 Mr R W Hislop MLA wrote to the Department that there were six teachers working in five overcrowded rooms. He added that the present roll call was 245 pupils. Attached to the letter was a note, written by someone in the Department, stating that the total floor area was 2,098 sq feet and, at 8 sq feet per pupil, there was room for 262 pupils. Attendance in May and June was 242 and 248 (on roll) but the average was only 205.8 and 210.1. The writer suggested another room was desirable but there would have to be an Inspector's report.

John George (District Inspector) duly pointed out that about 23 pupils came from areas served by schools nearer their homes. If they went there, then there would be sufficient space at Chermside. Was anything done to send these pupils away? We will never know. That was the end of the matter, but only for the next couple of years as the population kept on growing.

Two years later, in April 1937 the Department Public Works noted that there were seven teachers and 275 pupils on the roll with an average attendance of 230. This was more or less an admission that expansion was needed and sooner rather than later.

The result was that in June 1937 it was announced that Chermside State School was to have a new building, the NE Wing, which would be done by demolishing one small classroom, the 1913 addition, and building three more. All the buildings, new and old, were to be raised on stumps and concrete laid under all buildings. Work began in January of 1938 but it is not clear when it was finished. The cost was estimated at £2,114 ($132,072

57 Letter from the CID Brisbane 5-6-37 to Schools-Ed House

in 2003 values). This building would match the earlier one on the other side of the original school. Today, 2005, it is the Grapples Thrift Shop operated by the Chermside-Kedron Community Uniting Church. It was shifted from near Gympie Road up the rise, to front on to Henry Street. This was the fifth expansion of the school – the NE Wing.

While the good news was that a new wing was being built the bad news was announced by the Head Teacher, Mr Rice, in a letter to the Department on 24th June 1938. He asked that the erection of the new

buildings be expedited, as work had begun in January 1938 and the school was severely disrupted by having 259 pupils in 4 rooms. He cited such things as teaching on verandas in wet and windy weather, changing grades from rooms to verandas, to shed and handling complaints from parents regarding continuous disruptions. He argued, with good reason that staff could hardly be expected to work efficiently under those circumstances.

A final note comes from Thomas Hamilton who recorded in his diary on “21/10/1939: I attended the sale of a room for removal at our State school at 10.00am. It bought ₤50.” This refers to the small room, built in 1913, that was to be demolished to build the NE Wing; it was removed and may be still serving somewhere in the district as an extra room on a house or a shed.

40

The Gantry Bell, to the NE of the school, stood on two posts capped by an iron roof, which is difficult to see. It is in the front garden on Gympie Road. (CDHS Collection)

School Gantry Bell Val Ross (nee Fullwood) remembers another important addition to the school, The School Bell:

The school building at the beginning of 1930 was small but the next ten years saw a rapid expansion of both student numbers and in the number of classrooms. The children were called to assembly by the ringing of a hand bell until the school became large enough to have a large bell mounted on a tall frame, set in the school grounds.

An older student was nominated to be the bell ringer. The bell rang out and the sound of the chimes could be heard half a mile away. It reminded us that in a few minutes it was time to fall in for assembly, and if we were not yet at school, it was time for us to hurry along.

The arrangement seemed to work well and please everyone, until some prankster thought it would be fun to ring the bell in the middle of the night. The sound of the chimes in the still of the night would be heard all over Chermside. Next morning at the school assembly, an admonition was given to the unknown culprit. We believed that was the end of the matter. But not so! Frequently, within the next couple of months, during the late night the bell’s chiming woke the

residents of Chermside. The joke ceased to be funny; the chiming now had become a nuisance that had to be stopped. The bell, stripped of its pride of place, was partly dismantled and there was silence again. The story of the bell as remembered by Norm Pfingst continues:

The large outside gantry bell which measured about 304mm (12 inches) in diameter and 457mm (18 inches) in height was in use in

1939 and he was the ‘official’ ringer. When it was near starting time

each morning he would stand looking in through the window of Mr Hennessy’s Grade 7 room so that he could see the clock on the wall. When it was almost 9am he would race over to the gantry and ring the bell to call the school to assembly where they would salute the flag and recite the loyalty pledge. Following this he would run up the stairs on to the veranda where the school wireless was already switched on to 4KQ. At that time the station played the Colonel Bogey march and it had to be turned up to full volume so that the children could all hear it and march into school to the tune. Mr Rice, the Head Teacher, used to stand in a prominent place and keep time by drumming the cane on the veranda rail.

There was also Norm’s ‘reward’ for

being the bell ringer. It consisted of being allowed to wash Mr Rice’s car each Friday in school time. Those were the days!

Margaret Argo (1934-1942) recalls that a hand bell was also used to announce the changes of periods for the different lessons during the day. Doreen Hatch nee Hinton (1939-47) notes that during WWII the rope was taken down to stop children ringing the bell and possibly causing public concern while there was a possibility of air raids. It seems that it was used till the early 1960s at least.

41

The 1933 farewell to the Head Teacher Mr Menerey in the School of Arts He is fifth from the left in the line of gentlemen in the middle (Jean Tune Collection)

Social Activities School is not all sitting in a classroom

or running around in the playground. Children had a varied social life associated with the school from the earliest time.

It seems that the School Committee organised numerous picnics, dances, socials, concerts and the costing is recorded in the Cash Book of the School Committee. The first concert and dance was recorded in November 1915 and, since records are missing for earlier times, it is safe to assume that there were many such events from 1900 onwards.

Picnics seemed to be an annual event and in 1916 two were recorded, one in January and one in December, with substantial sums being spent on books for prizes and fruit. This pattern is repeated in other years. Dances

The years 1920 and 1921 saw a veritable explosion of social and dance events, presumably at night, and probably, in the School of Arts. These were continued throughout the years but not as frequently as in these two years. However, this was The

Roaring Twenties, the days of the Charleston, the Black Bottom, the Tin Lizzie, Flappers in Flivvers, Jazz Music and the Moving Pictures. Times were changing, rapidly.

The children would have taken to the dances with gusto as children are wont to do. Parents would have shaken their heads and muttered that they didn’t know what the world was coming to, or, we didn’t behave like that. The attitudes of children, and parents, don’t change much over the generations. The generation gap was probably just as real then as it is now.

The Minute Books and Cash Book end

in 1932 and sometimes mention was made of dances, socials, picnics indicating that these activities continued. Money was earmarked for food, sports prizes, rent of hall and cost of bands. An occasional ball is mentioned, but these would be for adults as they went on till 2am when the patrons would have walked home by the light of the moon, if there was one. Police Protection

In 1923 the Cash Book in July records a dance at which they had an entry of 10 shillings for police protection. In September they had a Wireless Dance with police

42

protection, but only 7/6 this time. It is impossible to know what was going on but the traditional picture of Chermside in those times was of a rather quiet place. Maybe it was not much different from today, if the truth be known. They had their problems.

The payment was probably for an off- duty constable to be conspicuous at the social event. His presence would be enough to deter any troublemakers. The Police Department had a policy of providing supervision without charge at public functions in 1914.58 But the dances were not public functions so the patrons had to pay.

They had another Social in December of 1923 and there was no mention of police protection. Maybe things had improved, or parents were not so worried.

The Wireless mentioned above was probably for playing dance music, but they had to pay ₤1 (One pound) for a licence. This would have been cheaper than the ‘Jazzy’ Band that they hired in August for ₤4/5/0. Maybe the patrons preferred the live music to the broadcast type; the reception may not have been so good at the time.

A special event took place on the 11th October 1930 when the School Committee met, at 7pm, to discuss, amongst other things, a banquet to be given to the soccer boys by Mr Frank Turton, a local retired man. It appears that the Chermside boys had won the Premiership Cup of the School Soccer Football Association and they were being rewarded. At a following meeting they discussed the insurance of the Cup that the boys had won. There was also a discussion to build a cabinet to house the trophy but there is no indication that it was actually built. There is no trace of the cup, so it probably was an annual event and was held by the, then, current winner. Depression

The Great Depression was so called because it was the most severe depression that the Industrial world had suffered in the preceding 100 and more years. The previous depression was the Bank Crashes of the 1890s. The Great Depression is generally slated to have begun when the New York stock exchange crashed between Black Thursday, 24th, and Black Tuesday, 29th 58 Police Records 23/3/1914 (Society Archives)

October, 1929 causing price of stocks to plummet. Millions of wage earners, mostly male, were suddenly thrown out of work as businesses of all kinds closed and went bankrupt.

Australia already had a 10% unemployment rate during the latter 1920s as the agricultural and mining sectors were unable to sell all their produce. It got worse in the 1930s when up to 30% of the workforce was unemployed. Almost one worker in three was out of a job. Many men went ‘walkabout’ in search of work, any work, at virtually any wage. There was a kind of dole available but a man had to move around and collect it from different police stations as a proof that he was looking for work. Jack Thompson remembers that the unemployed men went to Caboolture one week then to Ipswich the next for their rations worth about 13/6 per week. Relief work was started later.

In the 1930s few women went to work outside the home or the family farm. The dominant family unit was a male breadwinner, housewife and dependent children, with an occasional son or daughter working outside the family. So for most families, if the husband was out of work there was no income. The 1930s were described as the ‘Hungry Thirties’ and ‘The years of cutting back’.

• Teachers’ salaries were cut, but they still had jobs.

• Promotion was on paper only as salary increases were not granted.

• There was a reduction in spending on school requisites.

• Children were required to bring their own writing, copy and drawing books or use slates.

• The School Paper was discontinued • Free dental service was restricted to

schools on railway lines.59

Children came to school hungry. The fortunate ones brought bread and dripping (slice of bread used to wipe the fat from the frying pan and sprinkled with salt) to eat for lunch. Patched pants and bare feet were the order of the day. Children were arriving and leaving as their families moved in search of 59 Centenary Times P.7

43

work. It became harder to raise money for school projects but, on the other hand, prices were lower and not so much money was required. Relief Work was used in school improvements. The effects continued till the beginning of WWII.

Novel methods of fund raising On the 21st April 1930 at a Special Meeting of the School Committee it was decided to start a Money Box scheme and order 300 money boxes at a cost of ₤1/0/0 per hundred. Each box, which would hold about 30 pennies, would be distributed to the pupils. The money they raised would be collected by the Committee and on 1st December the children who had collected the most would be awarded prizes of hams, turkeys, geese, and roosters. The prizes were to be presented at the Chermside Pictures (Movies) on Saturday 6th December.60

Joan Hamilton remembers that penny concerts were held after school by the children to raise funds for a swimming pool which never eventuated. Also garden competitions were held once a year for Grade 7 classes. Relief Work

This was a form of dole which was developed to provide work for unemployed men on government projects for limited periods of time; maybe one week in two. This was probably the first work for the dole scheme in Australia and it lasted till the outbreak of WWII.

The school correspondence lists four times when relief work was used. The men so employed would be doing mostly what was termed “pick and shovel”, or unskilled work, although some of them were highly skilled tradesmen.

In August 1934 two men were employed for four weeks on Relief Work, part of which was on the basketball court, at a cost of £17. ($1,164 in 2003 values)61 Just how much was to pay for materials is unknown but it would be small as the main idea was to give the workers some money to buy necessities for their families. The most each one could have received per week was about ₤2/2/6 ($145.80 in 2003 values) but prices for basic commodities were very low. The basketball

60 School Comm. Minute Book 1929-1931 61 QSA CORR2

court was where the tennis courts were later built near Rode Road.

Records mention that in March 1935 work was done

on the tennis court, stumps were removed and pathways were constructed or repaired but no details given. Further work was carried out in November and in March 1936 when ₤50 was allowed for relief work, but no details exist. These are small items in a 96 year history but they loomed large for the unemployed and their families. There were a lot of skinny kids around in those days and a fat kid was envied.

Everyone was cutting back on costs, even the Department of Public Instruction. In the archives are documents typed and written on the back of printed forms and even student exercises. The same would have been happening in the school where paper was available. Slates were still in use and they could be reused indefinitely by just wiping the last exercise off with a rag.

Money was being paid direct to the schools to help the children of relief workers so that they were helped to keep up with the children of men who had jobs. The money would probably be for school supplies and possibly for some food. Inspector F. H. Fletcher noted, in his report of 1/6/1936, that “Children of Relief Workers received ₤14/12/2 worth of assistance.” How many children and for how long – the whole year? There were 242 children at school and something like 1 in 5 could have come from unemployed families – 48 children would get about six shillings each . (60cents or $15 each in 2003 values) Educational Changes

Chermside, like many other Queensland schools, trained and used pupil teachers. The system was first introduced in 1876 and was used at Chermside from 1900. In 1914 the first Teacher Training College was opened and this marked the beginning of a more academic teacher training program. As the supply of college trained teachers grew the pupil-teacher system declined and was phased out over the period 1923 – 1935.

In 1930 a major change took place in Queensland primary education. A new syllabus, the first since 1905, was introduced. Also the grade structure of primary education was upgraded with a non-compulsory

44

Preparatory Grade of 1.5 years for the very young children and the addition of a new Grade 7 to the existing six grades. Grade 7 then became the Scholarship Exam year.

These changes were a response to the increasing complexity of the economic industrial system which was demanding a higher level of education for its employees. This trend of continuous upgrading is a mark of modern education which started in the 19th, continued through the 20th and into the 21st Centuries.

Chermside conformed to the change with five pupils in the new Grade 7. But the change in Grade 6 was dramatic as enrolment went from nil in 1929 to 31 in 1930. Over the previous 29 years it was unusual to have any pupils in Grade 6 at Chermside. In 1931 the numbers slumped to nil in Grade 6 and only twelve of the previous 31 Grade 6 pupils went on to Grade 7. However, for the rest of the 1930s and beyond the numbers in both grades grew strongly.62

The school leaving age had been raised from 12 to 14 years in 1912 and was not raised to 15 till 1965 so that was not the cause of the increased enrolments. One probable influence was that, since jobs were scarce, it was best to keep the children at school for the time being. Another was that many parents were realising that to get a job, the children had to have a better education. So the enrolments in the higher grades grew.

In 1938 further changes were made to the primary syllabus and also, the preparatory grade was increased from 1.5 years to two years so that there were then four grades in preparatory.

Around this time the Department wrote to the school regarding complaints it received about Scholarship pupils absenting themselves from Religious Instruction, in some cases on the advice given by the teachers. The Department warned that only the parents can withdraw the child from RE.63 This highlighted the importance being placed on the Scholarship exam by some pupils. Boys Will Be Boys Norm Pfingst remembers:

The Light Horse Troopers having their annual camp each Easter

62 QSA Annual Statistical Returns 63 18-6-1937 letter from Dept to the school – Ed House

in Sparks’ paddock, now 7th Brigade Park, off Newman Road, Geebung. At times they would parade along the roads and the younger boys would follow them much to the annoyance of the Sergeant who would try, unsuccessfully, to shoo the boys away. They were not going to let him interfere with their admiration of such a fine group of heroes. Of course, when the war did come, the Light Horse had to leave the horses behind – lucky horses.

Another incident could have had

serious consequences if it wasn’t for the Head Teacher, Mr Rice. Des Lee tells of when he was only about 18 months old (around 1939) he fell into a waterhole in Somerset Creek near Duff Road, now Kuran Street. It appears that he wandered off from home and somehow got into the water over his head. His parents found him and dragged him out. Mr Joe Rice, the Head Teacher at the time, laid the inert Des face down on the side of a large round, galvanized laundry tub and rocked him back and forth to revive him. This probably got the water out of his lungs and stomach and Joe Rice was credited with having saved Des’ life. Making Their Own Entertainment

Jean Tune (nee Harris) describes the game Beam which was played by both boys and girls at the school during the 1930s. It was conducted in the play shed at the back of the school. The name derives from the tie beams that ran across under the roof and held the walls from spreading under the weight of the roof.

The children would line up in two groups on either side of a beam and throw a tennis ball to hit the beam and bounce back to be caught by the thrower or one of that team. This counted as one point in a possible total of 20 points. If the team failed to catch the ball on the rebound then it was passed to the other side. If the ball missed the beam and was caught by one of the other team then it was their turn to throw the ball against the beam and win points.

This is an example of children using their initiative and making up a game with what materials were available. All they needed was a ball and a beam. The game was

45

The importance of the Scholarship exam was emphasised by using this Honour Board. These pupils were regarded as fine examples for others to follow. (CDHS Collection)

probably first played when the play shed was built in 1906. Other schools played a similar game under the high set schools. Library

The Inspection Reports regularly note the number of books in the school library which indicates the growing importance of libraries in education. However it is unlikely that there was a room set aside as a library, but rather the books were kept in cupboards in

the class rooms and supervised by the teacher. The number of books was small by today’s standards; approximately 100 in the mid 1930s with only 10 being added in two years. Arbor Day

Regular mention is made of Arbor Day and the planting of trees in the school grounds. Just where the trees were planted is not mentioned but it seems that a lot were planted; how many survived is another matter. The teachers instructed the pupils about the value of trees, and then supervised the planting and care of them. The Department may have supplied the trees but on the 3rd July 1931 an entry in the Second Minute Book of the School Committee noted that they purchased four trees for Arbor Day on Friday 26th June.

Staffing 1935 was the last year in which pupil

teachers were employed in Queensland. The system, begun in 1875, had served its purpose and been replaced with the more efficient, and expensive, system of Teacher Training Colleges. It is not known if there were any Pupil Teachers training at Chermside at the time but in 1937 the Inspector, Mr F. H. Fletcher, noted in his comments that “Three teachers are graduates of the Teacher Training College”. With 242 pupils there would have been about 7 teachers. Thus, almost half the teachers were formally trained in the Teachers’ College. This gives some indication of the efforts to improve the standard of education in Queensland schools in the 1930s. Teachers Are Only Human

Norm Pfingst, who attended the school from 1936 to 1939, remembers:

A certain Maths teacher used to put problems on the blackboard for the pupils to work out and then he would move around the class watching them solve the problems.

The teacher used to stand behind the pupils and look over their shoulders and if the pupil was making an error he would tap them on the head with a ruler. This process went on till the pupil worked out the problem. The process used to make Norm nervous and he would make more errors than if he was left alone.

To add to the tension the teacher had a habit of picking his nose while leaning over the pupil. Little pieces of nose refuse used to drop on the open book and this did not help.

Paradoxically, this same teacher would examine the necks of the pupils while on his rounds to see that they were clean. If not then the pupil would be told to clean up when they went home. The next day the necks would be examined again and anyone who had not cleaned up would be called out in front of the class. It could be embarrassing.

At the time many families did not have a town water supply and had to be careful with their limited stock of water. In the dry season washing could be quite a problem and the family would share the same water when they washed themselves. Domestic Science Classes

On the 13th February 1936 Mrs E F Cock wrote to Mr Rice, the Head Teacher,

46

Dances, meetings, concerts, formal balls were regularly held in the old School of Arts. This is a school concert and the item is a play by the senior pupils in the 1930s. (Jean Tune Collection)

asking if it was possible for a domestic science class from the school to attend Wooloowin School once a week. She said that this was being done at Kedron and Bald Hills. Mrs Cock was sure "there are some other mothers who would gladly let their daughters attend." She concluded "Please give your consideration to it and let me know by Winnie."

The next day Mr Rice wrote to the Director of Education stating, in the florid style of the time, "I have the honour to ask that Domestic Science and Manual Training

Classes be formed at the above school (Chermside)." He listed the numbers of pupils in Grades 6 and 7 and asked if it was possible, for them to attend Wooloowin School once a week?

On the 26th Mr B. McKenna, Director of Education, replied directing Rice to contact the Head Teacher at Wooloowin to make the necessary arrangements. This was a very quick response but, since the scheme was already working in other places, there was no need for lengthy inquiries and negotiations.64

The scheme probably started as soon as arrangements were concluded. The

64 QSA CORR2

following year, 1937, Inspector F H Fletcher reported that there were 13 pupils attending Wooloowin Vocational classes from Chermside. In 1938 there were 12 attending so the scheme seemed to be succeeding.65 Wooloowin also allowed the pupils from Chermside to use the Wooloowin swimming pool on Monday afternoons from 3.30pm along with the Kedron pupils. Some conditions were set viz: pupils must shower with soap before swimming, be supervised by a teacher and pay two pence each.66 Addendum: It is highly probable that Mrs

Cock is related to Nurse Alice Mabel Cock, the only female recorded on the school Honour Roll and the Kedron Shire Memorial Gates for World War I. She served overseas but died in 1922 from the effects of Pneumonic Influenza.

Lorna Fitzgibbons (nee Murr) vividly remembers those times:

One of our teachers was Miss Rees. She taught us basketball. Jessie Argo and I were the goalies. Mr Hooper took us to Sandgate Baths for swimming classes as we didn’t have a pool at the school. We had to go to

Wooloowin School for domestic science; we did cooking and sewing.

My friends at school were Shirley Wyeth, Jessie Argo, Mary Williams, Vera Spencely and many others. When I was in Grade Seven, we knitted balaclavas and socks for the soldiers as this was during the war. (WWII) Mr Rice was our head teacher. He also taught me in Grade 7.

65 QSA Annual Statistical Return 66 10-11-1938 Letter from Wooloowin SS to Chermside SS – Ed House

47

Our fancy dress balls were held in the School of Arts in Hall Street on the corner of Gympie Road. I loved the grand parade with all the lovely costumes. I really enjoyed my school days.

Inspection System Inspections were taking place regularly

but, unfortunately, the records commence in only 1934 and cease in 1969. The pre-1934 records are, presumably, lost and the post- 1969 ones are not yet available to the public.

The inspection system was to ensure that the aims of the Department of Public Instruction were being carried out by the schools and to assist the teachers by giving them constructive criticism. Examples of the latter include:67

• Two of the teachers make too much use of their voices and are inclined to be a little impatient.

• Pupils should stand when being addressed or speaking to teachers. They must learn manners and take a pride in their appearance.

• The work of each grade is to be supervised by the Head Teacher.

• Senior boys are slovenly in their movements.

• Pupils are inclined to be noisy during recess. Too many pupils are on verandas and in classrooms.

• Grading leaves much to be desired. The school is overstaffed and the distribution of pupils is uneven.

• More new books are desirable in the library.

• In 1937 the report mentioned that there was no School Committee.

The Inspector was also involved when a complaint was made to the Department about some aspect of the school or the behaviour of a teacher. One such incident occurred in 1937.

On the 7th April 1937 a mother wrote to the School Committee complaining about the sarcasm used by a relieving teacher towards her child. The Secretary wrote to the Director of Education outlining the incidents and asked for action to be taken. The Secretary had the same name as the mother and lived at the same address. An investigation was

67 QSA Inspection Reports

undertaken and the teacher admitted that s/he did speak to the child in class. Apparently s/he asked the class to put up their hands if they were friends of the child and no hands went up. S/he denied that he said anything about giving the child 'a dose of poison' or that s/he had a grudge against the child.

The Director of Education on 27th April 1937 wrote to the teacher and concluded:

I have to inform you that your

statement shows that you have been somewhat indiscreet in dealing with the pupil (name).

You are requested, in future, to avoid doing or saying anything to pupils which might cause parents to take offence.

L D Edwards Director of Education This was a fairly severe warning,

especially coming from the Director - the teacher was on notice to be careful in future especially if s/he wanted promotion. But there is no mention of an apology. Counting the School Enrolment

From 1934 when the Inspection Reports appear, a problem develops because the Inspectors consistently gave lower pupil numbers than the Head Teachers. The growth of Chermside State School over the period 1914-1938 was not always a steady increase; it rose and fell. How the figures were compiled for the Annual Statistical Return is unknown, but they were regularly 20% to 30%, and more, higher than the Inspection figures. The latter figures did not start till 1934 so that the only figures before then were from the Annual Statistical Returns. To reconcile the pre-1934 figures with the Inspection figures is difficult and depends on calculated guesstimates. This has to be done in order to judge the growth of the school. The pre-1934 figures have to be deflated by about 30%. It is unknown why there were such differences between the Head Teachers’ figures and those of the Inspectors. Teacher Transfers

The Department had hundreds of teachers in positions all over the state. Some were working towards promotion, some towards a preferred location, some just wanted to stay put. Each year new teachers

48

were added to the work force and had to be slotted into the matrix. Others were retiring or leaving the service and had to be replaced.

Promotion lists (the stud book) and lists of vacancies were eagerly read and endlessly discussed. Letters were written to the Department, to ‘friends in high places’ who would, it was hoped, use their influence, if they had any, to assist the writers gain desired positions.

One such set of letters is contained in the State Archives in the Correspondence file for Chermside State School in 1918 and 1919. It concerned:

• Mr W J Harland who, some time earlier, had been stationed at St Helen’s, Maryborough, but was now at Mungar Junction, and was trying to get back to St Helen’s.

• Mr Harry William Lee who was at St Helen’s and wanted a transfer to a Brisbane school.

• Mr Guymer who was to take Mr Harland’s place at Mungar Junction.

• The local people of St Helen’s. • Hon J Weir MLA. • Hon W. Demaine MLA. • Mr J D Story – Director General,

Department of Public Instruction. • Mr H F Hardacre - Department of

Public Instruction who seemed to be in charge of transfers.

• Nameless officials at the Department of Public Instruction.

• Uncle Tom Cobley and all.

On the 18th September 1918 Mr W J Harland wrote to "Dear Dave" (Could be J D Story) "Am I a little on the cool side using the Christian name? But 'Sir' sounds too formal." He encloses an article that Mr Lee, who was an official in the Teacher’s Union, had published in the September issue of the Teachers' Journal and protests about it but gives no reason. He goes on saying that he was promised consideration when question of a new Head Teacher cropped up at St Helen's. He wants to know his chances of going there if Mr Lee moves.

A red ink note, the usual Departmental method of commenting on a document, accompanied the letter and stated the position

of the Department. It was carefully neutral, promising nothing.

It seems that Mr Harland had also approached the Hon J Weir MLA to lobby on his behalf. On the 20th September1918, Mr Weir using, Legislative Assembly stationery, wrote to Mr J D Story and set out a strategy to help transfer Mr Harland to St Helen’s. He suggested that a more junior teacher, Mr Guymer be posted to Mungar Junction, where attendance had decreased, to allow the occupying teacher, Mr Harland, to be accommodated somewhere suitable until he can be transferred to St Helen’s.

An attached note, written in Departmental red ink, states that "It may be considerable time before Lee can be suited with a school near Brisbane - meanwhile the Department is making an effort to bring Mr Guymer in to a school in the Moreton District shortly." It is signed AM 21/9/1918

On the same day a reply was sent to Mr Weir from J D S (Story) setting out the official position on transfers. He indicated that a transfer can be accelerated if a teacher (Mr Guymer) would be willing to accept a lower grade and lower paid position in a school which would have a position coming up in the next few weeks. (One suspects that Mr Weir did not have much influence with the Department but he got a swift reply.)

On the 2nd October1918 Mr J Weir MLA, on Parliament House Stationery, again wrote to Mr J D Story re Mr Lee's application for transfer to Brisbane. He wanted an assurance that a junior man will not be transferred to St Helen's in place of Mr Harland from Mungar Junction.

The following day a reply from the Department was sent to Mr Weir MLA. It merely stated that Mr Harland's claim would be duly and fully considered if the vacancy occurred. (Again, no promises and normal procedure would be followed.)

On 5th November 1918 H W Lee (Head Teacher at St Helen's) wrote to the Under Secretary of the Department asking for a transfer to Brisbane. He wanted to be near his family which was, on account of his children's occupations, living in Brisbane. A school with no residence would suit him as his wife had bought a house at Alderley. He listed 31 schools as being suitable.

49

On the 14th November 1918 Mr J Weir, Esq, MLA wrote a third letter. This time to Minister of Public Instruction, who was the superior of Mr Story: Mr Weir was still championing the cause of Mr Harland. It appears that Harland had been so popular at St Helen's that the local people had approached Mr Weir to get him back if and when Mr Lee got his transfer to Brisbane.

The following year on the 5th March 1919 Mr H W Lee wrote to Mr H F Hardacre in the Department. Mr Lee wrote in a very neat hand. He lists his service of 34 years in the Department; 271/2 years as Head Teacher, 17 years at Childers and 101/2 years at St Helen's. There were no complaints against him and he was very successful in training Pupil Teachers. He goes on:

I have done my duty to the state by rearing a large family of 2 boys and 4 girls and I have given them all a secondary education. One has graduated (B Sc) at the University; one passed Sydney Senior; and one passed Queensland Junior.

My elder son was killed in action in France and I was nearly two years in active service. (He was Lieutenant Colonel C/O 9th Battalion AIF) In order that my children may follow suitable occupations (two are apprentices to Pharmacy) my wife and family reside in Brisbane.

I have been two years away from home, which I can only visit about once a month. This is not satisfactory to me. Hence I wish to be sent to a place where I could at least conveniently get home for the weekend, preferably where I could get home daily.

I am Vice President of the Union and it would be advantageous to the Union were I nearer its Headquarters. Chermside would suit me very well Yours sincerely H W Lee

On the 28th May 1919 an unknown official

wrote to the Minister for Public Instruction: Mr Lee wants a transfer from St Helen's to Brisbane. As yet no suitable position is available in a Brisbane school.

The following day the Hon W Demaine was informed by Mr H F Hardacre that Mr Lee will be considered when a suitable Brisbane school is available. It seems that Mr Demaine was writing on behalf of Mr Lee or, at least, had interest in the transfer.

The final letter on the 23rd July 1919 was sent by the Under Secretary of the Department to Mr D Barker, (Secretary of the School Committee) Chermside: Mr Harry William Lee will be transferred from St Helen's to State School at Chermside as Head Teacher from 1/8/1919 in place of Mr Williams who has retired

End of the Saga of Mr Lee and many others. This is might not be a typical case but it did happen and it happened to a teacher at Chermside. The School Committee

The Committee was the forerunner of the present Parents & Citizens Association and was first formed in 1898 to petition the Government for a school at Downfall Creek. There is fragmentary data in the State Archives68 to show that it was active again in 1903, 1905 and 1917. It could have been active in the intervening periods but there are no records. However, it figured prominently in the 1920s because the minute and cash book are still in the possession of a member of the Chermside and Districts Historical Society Inc.

The only record is in the Inspection Report from 1938 with the terse comment “No School Committee”. So at least we know that it was not operating then.

Certainly while it was operating it performed the vital function of involving the parents in the running of the school by acting as a local lobby group to influence the Department of Public Instruction, often through the Local Member, to develop the infrastructure of the school in the form of buildings, furniture, teachers and teaching aids, and endless smaller items.

It also raised money to provide the school with items that were not supplied by the Department. This could be in the form of ‘new fangled’ equipment which later became standard Department issue. The supply of electric lights and power in 1930 was one example. 68 QSA CORR1

50

The 1936 Vigoro Team from Chermside State School with the coach, Mr Frank Turton (in whites), and the Head Teacher, Mr Joe Rice. (Jean Tune Collection – Jean is beside Mr. Turton.)

Other items included: • Painting the flagpole and supplying

endless cord and wire ropes – the Department supplied the pole.

• Sporting equipment, especially cricket gear.

• Play equipment in the playground; • Honour Board for pupils who served

in WWI. • A medal, suitably inscribed, to be

given to any pupil who attended school for five years without a break – this was in the early days.

• Blinds for the windows, show cases for girls’ needlework and scientific apparatus.

• New bell ordered for school - old bell badly cracked 15/7/1935.

• Item of 10 shillings expenditure on Cigars. The Auditor put a large red pencil question mark beside this item.

• Organising dances, picnics, socials. • Raising money by raffles, mile of

pennies, seeking donations. • Raffle a clock at the Social on 31st

March tickets 6d each – Proceeds to

go to purchase of a new Sewing Machine for school.

• The list was endless, as was the work.

The school joined the Parents & Citizens Association at a meeting on 31st March 1947. In a letter Mr C W Forster (Sec. P&C) wrote to the Department stating that the Head Teacher had called a meeting of parents on the 27th March 1947 but not enough parents came to form a School Committee so they formed a Parents and Citizens Association.69 (This probably meant that they joined the existing State Association) Accidental Death of Pupil

On the 8th August 1929 the minute book of the School Committee recorded that all members were present and sympathy was

extended to Mr & Mrs Bell on the death of their daughter, Norma, who was killed returning home from school on the evening of 24th July. The Committee stood in silence as a mark of respect.

Jean Tune (nee Harris), a cousin of 69 QSA CORR2

51

With permission of Education Queensland.

Norma, recalls that she was a beautiful child with natural ‘Shirley Temple’ curls and only four and a half years old. It appears that Norma used to go to school with her cousins and had to walk along Gympie Road to do so. On the day mentioned she was crossing Dead Man’s Gully (near Kuran Street), a culvert where Somerset Creek is piped under Gympie Road. There was no footpath over the culvert so she had to walk on the road and was hit by a speeding truck. The truck driver took her to the Hospital for Sick Children (now the Royal Brisbane Hospital?) where she died on 24th July 1929. Interim Conclusion

So the 1930s were coming close to their end as the war drums were beating in Europe and, closer to home, in China. The Depression was still exerting

its debilitating influence on peoples’ lives but the school was growing and the standard of education was rising. The future looked brighter, at least for the moment, than it did at the beginning of the decade.

Certainly one bright note on the local scene was reported in the Mackay Daily Mercury 13/4/1938; Jean Harris, a 14 year old member of the Chermside State School, was playing for the South Queensland Vigoro team and won the special bowling trophy at the Vigoro Carnival in Mackay. Jean played

in only three matches and took 29 wickets for 86 runs, including three hat tricks, a hat trick of hat tricks. It would seem that the sport of Vigoro was being energetically carried on at Chermside and Jean Tune (nee Harris) is still energetically carrying on in 2005.

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Chapter 3 1939 – 1963 From WWII to the end of Scholarship

World War II

The State Archives have an almost complete absence of correspondence over the years of WWII so that there is little to record from that source which was directly related to the war. However Education House had a file of material that did provide a lot of detailed material for the school.

By 1939 preparations for war were getting underway as was seen by the request from the Department to schools to report on available room for extra pupils in case of emergency such as evacuation.70 The Department wanted the names of halls, theatres and churches which could accommodate children. Also the practicability of providing safety measures in the form of trenches in the playground, should the necessity arise. Chermside replied that the school could take about 160 more pupils and another 440 could stay in local halls etc.

In June 1940 the Inspection report noted that there had been an absence of staff on military duties. At first there was a teacher for every class but the young male teachers were enlisting and the number of teachers dwindled – some classes had only three days per week, or half a day lessons.71 The younger males would have been conscripted, or volunteered, for the armed services. They may have been replaced by retired teachers coming back into the service or, possibly, by teachers continuing beyond their retirement age. Also heavy reliance was probably placed on female teachers as was done in WWI.

Only pupils in Grades 6 and 7 were required to attend for a full school day. School hours were staggered to allow children in the lower grades to receive at least three hours instruction. School uniforms did not have to be worn. Many children transferred to country schools, causing overcrowding in those schools.

The school had about 280 pupils – there seemed to be an influx of servicemen’s children according to the Registers, with 1942 having the greatest number of new pupils but 70 Letter 31-8-1939 from Dept to school -Ed House 71 Beverley Isdale Research;

with 1941 having the largest enrolment of children with fathers in the military.72

The Inspection Report of June 1941notes that 21 trees were planted on Arbor Day in honour of past pupils who had joined the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF). Jean Tune (nee Harris) remembers that the trees were planted around the perimeter of the school and one of them was for her brother, Jack, who did not return.

In his Annual Statistical Report for 1942, the Head Teacher, Mr J H Rice, reported that the school ‘was closed by proper authority for 24 days’. This would have been in response to the Premier, William Forgan Smith, who on the 30th January 1942, issued the order to immediately close all the coastal area schools in Queensland “except those institutions in which instruction, vital to the defence of Australia, was carried on.” The threat of an imminent Japanese invasion was felt but it soon passed and many schools were reopened by 20th February and most by 2nd March. Only schools near defence installations remained closed.73

Audrey Twining (nee Vellnagel) transferred to Aspley S/S in 1942 as it reopened some weeks before Chermside S/S and stayed permanently. She was one of 10 or 11 pupils, some or all of which, may have also stayed. This, along with wartime evacuation, would partly explain why enrolment at Chermside dropped from 219 pupils in 1941 to 177 pupils in 1942.

Des Lee remembers that the schools were closed and the children sent home. His father, a carpenter, was working in the Civil Construction Corps at Charleville on the construction of a US air base. He was able to get a flat and the family joined him for about 6 months while the fear of invasion was at its height.

School grounds became receiving depots for scrap metals to be recycled. Pupils grew vegetables in school gardens to raise money for the Red Cross and hospitals. It was

72 Beverley Isdale Research; 73 Centenary Times P. 8;

53

not till the 1950s that the education system in Queensland began to recover from the wartime economies.74

Bev Isdale describes the school air raid trench system with each trench being 122cm (4ft) deep, 61cm (2ft) wide and 183-244cm (6-8ft) long, in a zigzag pattern so that a blast could not travel easily along the trench. Margaret Argo remembers that one parent thought that the ‘ditch’ was too shallow and instructed his children to run home if there was an air raid.

In early 1940 the Department issued circulars outlining air raid procedures and mentioned such things as lavatory pans in the trenches, vomit bags, jam tins for urine – throw the contents over the side of the trench, water supplies, Sal volatile for dosing children who are faint or have collapsed, cotton wool for the ears, a piece of rubber or a peg tied with string to be placed in the teeth to keep the mouth open for breathing and fire fighting pumps. Later in 1943 schools were warned about mosquito breeding problems in school grounds where there were slit trenches which accumulated water; they were advised to drain the trenches or put slaked lime or chloride of lime in them. 75

Des Lee said that the school had drills to cope with possible air raids and the teachers would shepherd the children into the slit trenches which were dug along the Rode Road side of the playground. They were all right during the dry season but when the rains started they became mud holes and mosquito breeding areas. Each child had an identity tag hung around her/his neck and they were given rubber pegs which they were to hold between their teeth to prevent damage to their teeth or tongues if the concussion from bomb blasts affected them.

Des recalled the only real alarm which happened one day at11am little lunch while everybody was in the playground. The sirens sounded and the teachers directed the children into the slit trenches. They all squatted down and waited. The boys were hoping that something spectacular would happen but all they got was a lone plane flying overhead. It appeared that the plane was a captured Japanese plane which was being flown south.

74 Centenary Times P. 8; 75 18-1-1943 Dept to C’side SS - Ed House

They were disappointed but the parents were relieved.

Des Lee and Dennis Meacham recall that the school windows were crisscrossed with masking tape to prevent glass from flying everywhere if bomb blasts occurred. The school was sandbagged underneath and was set up as an emergency aid station for the local area. (Possibly an Air Raid Precaution or ARP station) During air raid practices, the children acted as injured patients. The wardens from the station had to patrol the streets to make sure people took cover and to assist them where necessary. They also had to make sure that blackout regulations were properly observed by residents at night.

Huge numbers of soldiers were in camps at Marchant and 7th Brigade Parks and the children often came in contact with them. Des Lee recalls that some of them went Absent Without Leave (AWL) or AWOL as the Americans called it. Des’ family lived in Palomar Street, Wavell Heights and there was still a lot of bush around there. One day when some of the boys were going home from school they met an American service man who had built a small bush hut there. He was friendly, talked to the boys and showed them his pistol. The boys were very excited and told their parents who were alarmed and told the police, who promptly arrested the soldier.

Another ploy was to wait on the Pfingst Road cutting at the top of the hill for American troops on route marches. As the troops would get to the top they used to throw money to the boys to go and get ‘a bottle of soda’ which they did. Then they would be told to ‘keep the change’ which they also did.

Schools were encouraged to organise concerts by the children as a means of raising funds for “Patriotic purposes” at various times.76 No mention is made of the use to which the funds would be put but they would probably go to buy such things as smokes, cakes, soap, shaving gear and other things for the personal use and comfort of the troops.

Another way was highlighted by a letter from the Australian Comforts Fund acknowledging the donation of 2 scarves, 4 pairs of socks, 5 pairs of wristlets from the school. The envelope containing the letter has

76 22-5-1940 Dept to schools – Ed House

54

The local people often entertained the troops in camp at Chermside with tennis on the school court, ‘pictures’ at the Dawn theatre and dances. (Joan Hamilton Collection)

a one penny (one cent) postage stamp of Queen Mary on it.77

A rather unusual request was made by the Department in 1944 asking school children to collect wooden (recycling) fruit boxes for the fruit-growers in the country. A payment was offered when the children brought them to the schools. This was a patriotic appeal as the shortage of boxes was due to the war and the boxes were needed to maintain food supplies.78

In 1944 a letter was received from 4BH Brisbane thanking the school for the 15 shillings ($1.50) donation by the children to the 4BH “Smokes for Sick Soldiers” Fund.79 The money was raised by a concert at the school. (They didn’t have a clue about the dangers of smoking in those days – or for a long time after.)

Des Lee recalls that during the war

there were drives to salvage all sorts of materials for the war effort. One such was for aluminium by the proprietor of Lutwyche Theatre, Baldy Fenwick. He put on a matinee with admission being an aluminium item which was deposited in the foyer. There was a huge pile of pots, pans and sheet aluminium. It was a success.

Movies in those days were called “Pictures” and Saturday afternoon was

77 19-12-1940 Aust Comforts Fund – letter – Ed House 78 9-2-1944 Dept to schools – Ed House 79 7-3-1944 4BH Brisbane to school – Ed House

matinee time at the Pictures. This was when the children went for their weekly visit from about 2pm to 5pm. Des recalls that he used to travel from Wavell Heights to Lutwyche for a penny on the tram, six pence ( a zac) for admission, three pence (pronounced thrippence) for lollies and a penny fare home. Instead of catching the tram he would walk and spend the fare money on sweets.

The Department appealed to school for assistance in the collection of salvage waste paper, non-ferrous metals and rags. This continued throughout the war years and children were encouraged to become collectors by the Commonwealth Salvage Commission.80 Meanwhile in the Class Rooms

There were no class photos taken from 1942 onwards as the armed forces needed all the film that they could get. Classrooms had

extra posters for such things as aeroplane identification which could be important if unidentified planes were sighted. Many children went to school bare footed as there were not enough ration coupons for school shoes. Children, as always, grew fast.81

On the 26th June 1943 Percy W Morehouse (Inspector) investigated a parent's complaint against three teachers, two female and one male. The two female teachers, accused of hitting the child, were shown not to have done

so. However the male teacher accused the mother of being ‘a bit touched in the head’. He was admonished because while the words were tactless, they were well meant. No further action was taken.

A year later, on the 13th October1944, Inspector Morehouse investigated another complaint. The mother concerned had already falsified her son’s birth date to get him admitted to the infant school but then fearing exposure she withdrew him. She described

80 29-11-1940 Dpt to schools - circular – Ed House 81 Dennis Meacham & Beverley Isdale;

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This 1946 aerial photo shows the school on the corner of Rode and Gympie Roads. The two eastern wings and the old play shed, the tennis court and the Teacher’s house, opposite Mermaid Street, can be seen. (1946 Aerial Imagery supplied courtesy of Brisbane City Council)

herself as “a disgraceful liar”. Her current complaints were dismissed except for one, which was that the teacher was pushing the Grade III class too hard and expecting too much from the pupils. Morehouse admonished the teacher for "accelerating the class too much" adding that the teacher needed direction and that his "transfer would prove beneficial to Chermside." Just what was behind the final remark is impossible to judge but one is left wondering if a transfer would be beneficial to the other school.82

The practice of ‘accelerating some pupils and retarding others’, was used in

classes at that time. It was probably due to having a wide spread of abilities in the large classes of the time and the teacher had to judge just how much each pupil needed to be challenged. This was a difficult job requiring a lot of experience and skill.

Stranger Danger – the Director of Education twice issued warning of strangers offering to give girl pupils a lift in their cars. Two assaults had taken place and teachers had to alert children of the dangers.83

82 QSA CORR2; 83 Dir of Ed to school 9-4-1941 & 10-7-1941 Ed House

Health Regular comments were made by Head

Teacher Mr Rice, in his Annual Statistical Returns:

• 1939 - Epidemics of influenza and Chicken Pox.

• 1940 - Epidemics of German and ordinary measles in August and September - whooping cough in November and December.

• 1941 - Severe epidemics of measles and mumps affecting attendances.

• 1943 - Epidemics - not specified. • 1945 - Epidemics of

whooping cough and chicken pox.

• 1946 - Epidemics of chicken pox and measles.

However, in 1949 the new Head

Teacher, George H Scarth, simply reported that sickness and wet weather interfered with attendances. That was the final report of childhood diseases in the Annual Statistical Returns. Why did the Head Teachers stop reporting what seemed like serious illnesses? There may have been some Departmental directive. The values of the Head Teacher may also have played a part. In 1951 there was a Poliomyelitis epidemic and in February all school swimming pools were closed, interschool sporting activities were cancelled and schools were warned not to tire the children

in school sport as “excessive physical exertion leads to muscular fatigue.” This apparently could affect the onset of the disease. By September some of the bans were to be lifted if no cases of polio were reported in the local area.84

Little seems to be recorded about health but the teachers in their normal teaching duties would emphasise such things as washing hands, necks, feet, cleaning fingernails and use of handkerchiefs. Wash basins were provided in the school since its opening in 1900. Also, by 1957 a Speech

84 Circulars 6 Feb, 29 Mar, 10 Aug, 2 Sept 1951 – Ed House

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The post WWII additions are shown in the SW wing made up of four classrooms joined together.

Specialist85 was visiting weekly and 540 pupils were drinking, or were supposed to drink, their daily one third of a pint (Approx 200ml) dose of ‘free’ milk. Building

The school was growing as Chermside grew and by the end of 1946 plans were drawn up to convert the play shed behind the school into 2 classrooms for 80 infants with 2 teachers. The shed was built in 1906 and had a sand floor. The cost of the conversion was £350 + £156 for furniture ($24,794 in 2003 values)86 Geoff Taylor, a student at the time, informed the author that when it was converted the ‘dirt’ floor was retained, which seems rather strange. This was confirmed by Desley Brandt (nee Lirdenmayer) who was in the ‘bike shed’ as the building was then called in 1951/2. She also commented that it had corrugated iron walls which some of the lads used to like running alongside dragging a stick across the corrugations.

According to an ex-pupil, Jeff Taylor,

the whole lot was demolished in about 1953 to make way for the building of the NW wing. While there is no record of demolition at any

85This service had its beginnings in 1939 – Letter Dept to C’side SS 29-3-1939 - Ed House 86 QSA CORR2

date the building had disappeared from the 1957 BCC block plan of the school.

The post-war period saw many schools with a shortage of accommodation due to the fact that little building was done during the war years. What was done was mostly for defence purposes. Chermside was no exception and on 26/3/1947, the Head Teacher Mr Rice, informed the Department the shortage of rooms was so bad that he was teaching on the veranda and under the school. At the time, he said, there were 346 pupils in 7 classrooms. This meant that there would have been almost 50 children in each room if he didn’t take classes elsewhere.

Prior to this letter being sent the Department had already begun the conversion of the play shed according to a letter dated 13/12/1946. Then on 8/8/1948 the Director General wrote, that there were the Head Teacher and nine Assistant Teachers at the school; this confirmed that there were then nine classrooms. He added that the existing

staffroom was 4.2m x 2.4m (14 x 8feet), which would have been the small room on the back veranda of the original school. It is a mystery just how 10 adults managed to use the room; maybe they did it in shifts.

There followed a time of debate with Inspector Trudgian, on 23/10/1948, recommending that three temporary classrooms be provided for 1949, while Inspector Dunlop recommended that Grade 7 continue to work on the veranda provided it was closed in with louvres, and then review the situation later. However, a plan dated 1949 was drawn up showing three temporary classrooms forming the SW wing of the school.87

Then on the 11/1/1950 a Memo from Director General to Inspector Dunlop indicated that action was being taken to remove a play shed from Stafford school and

to re-erect it at Chermside. Then a memo from Buildings and

Sites 20/8/1951lists 12 classrooms, including the converted play shed, with a Head Teacher and twelve Assistant Teachers. This meant

87 QSA Public Works to D G of Education CORR2;

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In 1955 there were 593 pupils being taught by 16 teachers. The NW wing was now complete and had a library in the westernmost room The lower part has been cropped to fit it in.

that three rooms had been added, as suggested, by the plans of 1949. These rooms were the SW wing. It recommended that no further rooms be supplied for the 1952 academic year.

On the 19th May 1953 the Head Teacher, Eric Edwin Stevens expecting 629 pupils for 1954 asked for an extra classroom and staffroom. He also had 900 books but nowhere to put them, so a library was needed.

A letter on 25/9/1953 from Public Works notified the Director General that an additional class room would be erected by moving an existing class room a distance of 12ft and putting another one in the vacated space – “This now makes a row of four classrooms and one end of this row is to be attached to the main building by a flight of steps.” This was the SW wing and was shown on a sketch dated 19/5/1953. This must have been the classroom requested by Stevens. It cost £1,290 ($32,237 in 2003 values) and was ready for use in February 1954

In June 1949 Inspector Dunlop reported that with 417 pupils, accommodation was fully taxed and the Prep Grades were taught in a converted Army hut.88 This hut has not been identified as yet unless he mistook the old converted play shed for an army hut!

But the school enrolment continued to grow; according to the Annual Statistical Return it reached 669 by 1953. According to a Circular dated 8th April 1953 it was 625 with 13 teachers, including the Head Teacher.

On the 28th October1953 the official opening of the Infants’ Playground, which was located near the Rode Road end of the grounds, was held. The playground was equipped with various child play structures such as a roundabout, swings, monkey bars and slippery dip.

Then on 30/9/1954 a Memo from Building and Site advised that a new site was being considered and it would not be appropriate to spend the money on Chermside. The new site may have referred to the future Craigslea which did not appear till 1972. Wavell Heights was opened in 1948 so it does not refer to it. This is one of the ‘little mysteries’ of the school. Meanwhile attendance continued to grow and by 21st October 1954 it had reached 653 pupils in 13

88 QSA1949 Inspection Report;

rooms, which included the two rooms in the play shed, and 14 teachers; so more rooms were needed.

On the 6/12/1954 the Department Public Works gave notice of the future erection of 2 new classrooms at a cost of ₤2,616. Jeff Taylor (ex-pupil) thinks that the play shed classrooms were demolished in 1953 to make way for these rooms in the NW wing. He says classes started in that wing in

late 1954. This agrees with the excerpt from the Brisbane City Council map of the school on the next page; the NW wing was fully finished by December 1957. This map also shows the two classrooms beside the tennis courts but there is no indication as to when they were built.

The Inspection Report for 1956 notes that there were 738 pupils in the school and that additions made accommodation adequately comfortable.

Two extra rooms were added in the early 1960s but there is no mention of them in the State Archives. The following information was supplied by Jeff Taylor who recalls that in:

• 1961 an extra room was added on the SE wing;

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This BCC Block Plan shows the school in 1957 with 762 pupils. At least 2 more classrooms were added, one each to the classrooms beside the tennis court and one on to the SE wing. Enrolment peaked in 1959 with 810 pupils and 19 teachers. (Used with permission of the Brisbane City Council.)

• 1963 an extra room was added on to the two rooms beside the Tennis Court but we don’t know when the first two were built.

There is no more mention of building, only relatively minor repairs such as a chain wire fence replacing the picket fence in 1958, and the sealing of the assembly area with bitumen in 1959. The latter cost ₤3,083 ($65,000 in 2003 values)

This was followed in 1961 by the installation of the sewer to the school and residence at a cost of ₤8,190 ($162,000 in 2003 values) and this would probably be when the new toilets were erected near the NW wing.

In a letter from the Minister of Public Works to F A Campbell MLA on 8/8/1963 mention is made of ‘the painting of temporary classrooms and the NW wing’. Where were the temporary classrooms? They might have been the SW wing which was made of four classrooms brought in from other schools.

Educational Changes A relatively great deal is known about

the educational activities of the period from 1939 to 1963 as there are regular inspection reports for most of the years as the Inspectors were particularly concerned with this aspect of the school. Unless otherwise noted the following information comes from Inspection Reports of the years mentioned.

Change, one of the hallmarks of the 20th Century, again occurred in 1952 when a

new primary syllabus was introduced and the structure of the classes was altered. The Preparatory Grades were reduced to one year while the other grades were increased from seven to eight years. Thus an eight year primary system was being introduced. The following year, 1953, the preparatory grade was abolished.

At the beginning of 1957 the name of the Department changed from the old and quaint 19th Century Department of Public Instruction to the more modern streamlined name, the Department of Education. Usually a name change signifies a policy change and there would be many in the coming years.

The early 1960s produced more to follow the syllabus changes of the early 1950s. A Senior Assistant was appointed to the school. The position seems to have been a sort of Deputy to the Head Teacher as the enrolment grew. In 1960 the Inspector commented that the uniform was worn by most pupils and that this was a long term change that was gathering force as it was recognised that the school had to teach pride in appearance as well as good manners. A Senior Assistant (Deputy

Head Teacher) had been appointed and it was suggested that he be relieved of class teaching to assume the responsibilities of his office. This was carried out some time later.

In 1962, after 89 years, the last State Scholarship Exam was held. It marked a change to a longer and more complex education system that was being increasingly demanded by commerce and industry. The following year, 1963, Grade 8 was transferred to the secondary school and the primary reduced to a 7 Grade system. This was to change again in 1973 when the Preschool was introduced.

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Under the Scholarship system teachers were governed by the exam and preparation for it. Such a teacher was Reg Haupt, the Head Teacher who had the school organised towards the Scholarship exam. He had trained as a pupil-teacher and followed the methods of that age; he saw things in black and white, had clear ideals and exams were very important. He used them as the ‘whipping boy’ to keep the teachers up to the mark. He applied tables to all sorts of uses; e.g. he used mental tables to get, and keep, the pupils on their toes so he could then teach them what he wanted them to learn.89

Len James continues that, after the abolition of Scholarship, the children just went on to secondary as the normal process. This change freed the Primary curriculum as teachers no longer had to teach for an exam and they could concentrate on educating the child. While the children had to be taught the set curriculum there was much more freedom in the choice of material and methods of teaching. The system was changing and becoming much more complicated.

Another change was that after 1962 the primary pupils could now forget the old rhyme “When the Jacarandas bloom ‘tis time to head to the examination room”. But they could look forward to it in the secondary.

The Inspection Report of 1962 notes that teacher trainees were attending the school on 3 days per week. This is the first mention I have found of trainee teachers from Kedron Teachers’ College coming to Chermside. Len James thinks that there were about 16 trainees at the school. The experienced teachers took one each, and some even took two. Some schools would not take any trainees and this could be one reason why Chermside had so many. Another reason was that the trainees tended to go where there was good public transport as few trainees had cars in those days. Since the tramline passed both the Kedron College of Advanced Education and Chermside School, the latter was ideally placed for the young teachers. Kedron Park College opened in 1957 and was the second Teacher Training College in Brisbane, with Kelvin Grove being the first.

89 Len James, Teacher 1962-1973;

Teaching Aids90 Teaching aids figure prominently, not

only because of the regular reports, but because the late 1930s and the post war period were times in which electronic and mechanical devices flourished as the new technologies were developed. It was made possible because a regular supply of electric power was becoming available. In 1939 a wireless (radio) and film projector are mentioned as being installed in the school and, in 1940 music for marching and drill was provided by the school radio. The first mention of school broadcasts was in 1935 when 4QG was experimenting with them.91

In the1952 inspection a Kodascope was mentioned along with the wireless and both were inoperative. A Kodascope was one of the early home movie projectors and was on sale in the 1920s, as a silent version and later, sound was added. They were the forerunners of the television of the 1960s and video recorders of the 1970s, as films could be hired from libraries. Later the films could be bought outright or you could make your own. They continued to be used into the early 1960s in Australia, but the video cassette recorder and the television monitor finally replaced them.92

The following year, 1953, they were still inoperative which suggests that they were not forming a vital part of the school equipment at that stage or they would have been repaired promptly. However, that year the School Committee was committed to buy a ‘talking machine’ which may have been an early tape recorder. It was probably the type which preceded the cassette recorder. In 1954 a Bell & Howell (film) projector was bought and a radiogram was on order. The latter item really signalled the beginning of the electronic age at the school. Now music could be played from a collection of records kept by the school as well as tuning in to the radio stations for other programs. By 1957 broadcasts and films were being used regularly in the school.

The first mention of a duplicator being used extensively was in 1960. This was a particular boon for teachers who could easily

90 QSA Inspection Reports; 91 Dept to C’side 13-11-1935 letter – Ed House 92 Education Qld Website Internet;

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produce notes, diagrams, maps, test papers and assignments for distribution to children in class and for homework. However, it is certain that duplicators were in use long before this date. It is unlikely that it was a photocopier, which more than the earlier types, revolutionised the duplicating process by making the process much easier, quicker and cleaner. Also it was more expensive and caused Head Teachers endless headaches in acquiring the ever increasing supplies of duplicating paper.

Ironically, along with the above revolutions, a letter to the Department dated 15/5/1963 contained the request that 180 (writing) slates were needed at the school. So the very old and the very new were operating side by side. Evan Daniels, Head Teacher, recalls that the infants were still using slates in 1963.

Incidentally, in 2004, a teacher showed the author a slate pencil that came from the store room at a local school. Maybe they are anticipating a return to the old slates when we run out of timber for paper supplies. The Library

The Library was becoming much more important during this period. Reading had always been an important part of teaching and the main emphasis in the early days was on using a “Reader” which was a collection of essays, topics and excerpts from other books. The regularly issued School Paper was another form of reader. As books became cheaper, especially with the paperback, schools began to accumulate collections to lend to pupils. Hence the Inspector’s comment of 1940 that free library books are used as well as the School Papers.

The Inspector’s comment in 1947 that the Library had 90 books while Class libraries are kept in Grades 3 and 4 seems to suggest that at least some classes had their own collections. This was the case at other schools at that time, the books being kept in a cupboard or press in the classroom under the control of the class teacher This situation continued for some time, with Inspectors simply recording the number of books available, as in 1948 with 200 books. By 1952 there were 884 books and a Travelling Library, operated by the City Council, visited the school regularly. This was probably a large van which would park in

the playground and the classes would visit it in turn during the day or however long it stayed.

A letter dated 19th May 1953 from Eric Edwin Stevens, Head Teacher, to the Department asked for an extra classroom for 1954. He also said that the school had 900 books and needed a library. Another classroom was built the following year but there is no mention of a library.93 The 1955 Inspection reported that the 900 books were organised on a class basis and in 1956 the Library was again expanding with ₤128 ($2,855 in 2003 values) spent.

In 1957 there were 1,460 books and by the end of that year the western end room in the NW wing of the school was being used as a library. The Inspection of 1959 reported a total of 2,397 books and in 1961 the statement ‘a splendid library’ was used. The library was coming into its own.

The 1957 Inspection also noted that a class occupied the Reading Room, which contained extra reading material over and above the core reading material kept in the classrooms. There were many books available covering all levels in each class. Only the teacher was allowed in the Reading Room to borrow books for pupils as it was a Resource Room and not a classroom.94 It is not clear if this was condemnation of the practice or an indication that room was short again as the school population grew. Religious Instruction

This was part of the school curriculum for many years and it continued with three and four clergymen visiting for Religious Instruction. In 1952 the four clergymen regularly gave tuition to 80% of pupils. Presumably the other 20% of the pupils were supervised by teachers. Vocational Training

This began in 1936 at Wooloowin State School and consisted of Manual Training for boys and Domestic Science for girls. It expanded from six boys and six girls in 1939 to all of Grade 6 and 7 by 1949. This training seemed to be confined to the two senior classes as in 1954 Grade 7 and 8 are mentioned. It is not clear how long this arrangement continued as the final mention, 93 QSA CORR2 94 Glenys Bolland, Teacher;

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This warmly dressed class was the earlier version of the modern Preschool that began in 1970.

in 1962, simply recorded that only Grade 8 was attending at Wooloowin.

Dianne Lawton (nee Scott) recalls go- ing there for classes and having a fingernail and handkerchief inspection before they went into the classroom. She also remembers going there for swimming which was welcome in summer and having to walk through a foot bath of disinfectant beforehand. But these were the days of barefoot pupils so health precautions had to be taken. She also noted that it was only Grades 5 to 8 that went to sport each Friday afternoon. The junior grades had picture session (movies) in the NE wing where the folding partitions could be opened to create a three room hall.

In1939, allowance was made for 10 pupils in Manual Training and 10 in Home Science from Chermside SS to attend Wooloowin SS.95 In 1950 there were 18 girls from Chermside studying Mothercraft at Wooloowin.96

Jeff Taylor used to attend Manual Training there. He rode on the tram for threepence each way but some of the boys used to walk back to Chermside after the lesson. This achieved two things; it saved threepence for spending and kept them out of class longer than the tram ride would have. All went well until one day Mr. Hopkins, the Deputy Head Teacher, came along in his car and found them wandering along Gympie Road; that was the end of that little episode. The School Standard of Education

Generally, Chermside was graded from Satisfactory to Very Good which about covered the acceptable grades as far as the Inspectors were concerned. Only once in the records did the school fail to reach an

95 7-2-1939 Letter from Dept to Chermside SS – Ed House 96 Exam Results for 1950 – Ed House

acceptable standard and that was in 1945 when two inspections were held.

The First Inspection Report in May1945 was critical but in a constructive way which gave directions as to how the school could improve. Several areas were mentioned as having to be improved. Comments include ‘community spirit does not appear to be much in evidence.’ (So improve it!) ‘Sound work in infants but proficiency of other grades varied between very uneven to decidedly below a reasonable standard.’ The Report continued "It is proposed to make a second inspection later in the year in greater detail when staff reports will be issued" and "confidently expected that a much higher and more uniform standard of proficiency will be attained." While the report was rather terse much more detailed instructions would have been given to the individuals concerned.

The second Inspection took place in December 1945 and a better standard was found to have been developed but the Inspector noted that the playground and garden were still in a mess. It must be remembered that these inspections took place in the last year of WWII when schools were under great pressure because of shortage of teachers as so many of the young male teachers were in the armed forces. Probably other schools were facing the same problems.

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17/5/1941 the RACQ in conjunction with the school sponsored group of safety crossing monitors to assist children across Gympie Road. The captain was Edward Young – Grade 7. He is receiving the flag from a RACQ representative. Head Teacher Mr Joseph Rice is in the centre. Edward had torn his shirt during lunch break and put the jumper on to hide the tear. He is also wearing the ‘regulation’ footwear of the era. (CDHS Collection – Edward Young section)

The following year the improvement continued as the report noted that there was a general improvement in the interest of teachers and pupils and the grounds had improved.

In 1959 the report was much more enthusiastic; the tone is very good, the pupils seem proud to belong to the school. Again in 1962 the high standard of pupils’ conduct is not for fear of punishment but on account of a self discipline that has been engendered. It was a well-organised school which showed a high standard of administrative ability. Teacher trainees attended the school 3 days per week. The staff was described as keen, reliable and conscientious. The Inspector

found it a pleasure to inspect the school. A similar report was given in 1961

with the Infants’ Inspector recording that a very pleasant day was had by all. (I wonder what the teachers thought.)

However, in 1963 a teacher was criticised for not doing the job properly and some were criticised for "Chair" teaching (this was probably sitting down too much and not moving around the class). The Inspector remarked that this was particularly bad in a

Practice School. However, the lawns and gardens were good and the two tennis courts were in very good condition (Did the Inspector have a set or two to try them?) Cultural and Sporting Activities97

In 1945 an unspecified number of pupils were attending swimming at Wooloowin and in 1948 a figure of 100 pupils is given. In 1950 swimming lessons were mentioned at Wooloowin but that was probably a normal part of the program. In 1954 Grades 6, 7 and 8 were swimming at Wooloowin on Friday mornings.

From at least as early as 1944 the school was involved with the Qld State

Primary Schools Amateur Athletic Association and 1946 with the QSPSA Swimming Association competitions.98

By 1948 there were regular visits by specialists in Music and Physical Education as well as a Cricket coach. The following year a drum and fife band was operating with about 40 pupils taking part. This band played for the morning assembly when the flag was honoured and then the pupils marched into class to its music. The band was still operating in 1960 when the inspection report commented that it was ‘a distinct asset.’

By 1941 a safety first street patrol was operating and was still working in the early 1950s. This was necessary as the school was situated on two of the busiest roads in Chermside. Conditions had changed dramatically since the school was founded in the horse drawn days of Chermside. The automobile and high speed transport had arrived. An unusual cultural event occurred on

1st December 1950 when the school was given a holiday to celebrate the birth of Princess Anne.99

In 1953 two choirs competed in the Queensland Eisteddfod and Verse Speaking

97 QSA Inspection Reports; 98 Letter 20-12-1944 & Letter 15-3-1946 – Ed House 99 QSA Annual Statistical Return;

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School Captains at Anzac Day ceremony 1952. There is a Scout on the left side. Why would there be three girl captains? (CDHS Collection – Vic Gall Section)

Table Showing Difference between Inspection and Ann Stat Returns

Year Insp. Nos.

ASR Nos.

Diff. % of ASR

above the Inspect.

1939 238 344 106 44.5% 1942 177 280 103 58% 1947 301 445 144 48% 1948 228 477 249 109% 1949 417 509 92 22% 1950 461 529 68 14.7% 1955 673 766 93 14% 1959 810 897 87 10.7% 1962 725 798 73 9% 1963 681 770 89 11.5% 1964 618 691 73 10.5%

Choirs were being organised. By 1954 the music specialist was visiting 3 out of 4 weeks.

School banking was mentioned in 1955 and again in 1959 when it was noted that 334 pupil had bank accounts. This had two major effects; it taught the children the value of saving and it started them out as customers of the local bank. This was a good example of business and education working together.

The School Committee was operating in the 1950s but whether it was continuous or not is unknown. In 1954 the Inspector’s

comment was that the School Committee and Ladies' Auxiliary were very active and, in 1959, they were ‘very helpful’. There is no mention of a Parents & Citizens Association although one was formed in 1947. It may not have survived in the 1950s but was active in the 1980s and 1990s.

A letter, 19/3/1953, from Eric Edwin Stevens to the Director General listed the names of the School Committee: Chairman: Henry Snout Williamson. Treasurer: Kenneth Ernest Burton Tilley. Secretary: Ernest Dudley Gray. Members: Frank Guest Morrish, Athol Cameron Goodwin, Albert Jack Johnson and Mrs Ann Russell.100

The Prefect system was established by 1954 and was working well. The idea behind prefects is that it gives the pupils some responsibility in helping with the welfare of the school and it gives some training in leadership. It is unknown how long it operated as there is no mention of it again.

100 QSA CORR2;

It included school captains and the photograph on this page, donated by Vic Gall, shows the girl captains at the Anzac ceremony in 1952. Prior to this it was customary to pick a reliable pupil to do specific jobs. Growth of the School – Pupils and Teachers

The number of pupils comes from two sources:

1. Inspection Reports: This was taken on the day or days of the inspection and records the number of pupils actually present during the Inspection. I presume that the absentees were also counted.

2. The Annual Statistical Reports sent by the Head Teachers to the Department at the end of the year which would have been compiled from the Monthly Average Attendance figures.

The two sources always give different totals with the Inspection one being the smaller. To complicate matters further there are several letters in the archives that give a third source of attendance figures.

This is somewhat confusing and makes it difficult to draw an accurate picture of the growth and decline of the school population.

Clyde Campbell (Inspector) advised that the most reliable figures were the inspectors’ figures. The first things the inspectors asked for when they arrived at a school were the class rolls because the size of the enrolment

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determined the staffing and supply of materials. The inspectors counted heads carefully and recorded the number present which gave the attendance figure while the number recorded on the roll gave the enrolment figure. In recent times, since computers have been used, the Department has been able to check enrolments and now has random audits of a school’s figures.

Below is a random sample to illustrate divergence of the totals. The author uses inspection figures when examining trends but There are few before 1934.

Why is there such a large difference in

the pre-1960 figures? Children are continually entering and leaving a school and this could account for about a 10% discrepancy. Where did the pre-1950s ghost pupils come from to give the larger percentages?

The following table may throw some light on the mystery, or it may not. It shows some of the rare instances of inspection figures, average attendances, before 1934 when inspection records become available. Year Enrol Enrol Av

Attend1911 193 140 120 1928 224 179 147 1930 259 220 194 Some Large Changes in the Post WWII Period The above tables show some of the large changes that occurred in the expansion of the school population. The bulleted list then shows the concurrent events that were happening and which may explain, at least in part, why the changes in school population took place.

Looking at the Inspection totals for the years 1945 to 1963

• 1939 beginning of WWII. • 1945 is the end of the war and 1946

may have seen children returning from evacuation, but this is unlikely.

• 1947 sees a rise expected with a growing suburb.

• 1948 why the drop? – Some may have gone to Wavell Heights.

• 1949 – A huge rise as people settle in the new areas – even though Wavell Heights was operating.

• 1959 possibly the peak enrolment year – the house building boom.

• 1963 the last year with Grade 8 in the primary. This was a state wide effect which further exacerbated the decline in the local school population.

Another sign of change was the installation of the telephone in the school. In 1944 Mr Rice applied for a phone but it was not allowed “owing to the need for conserving resources to meet the rapidly increasing demand of the Defence Forces …..” However in 1946 the Post Master General advised that the school could be connected to the Nundah exchange for an annual rental of ₤6/10/0 ($318 in 2003 values) with local calls at one penny halfpenny each (34c in 2003 values) A pencil written note on the letter says that Mr Rice paid the necessary fees and applied. 101 Interim Conclusion

The school had passed through the turmoil of the Second World War in which Australia was directly threatened and the early post-war period when the wartime shortages were finally overcome. The consumer society was emerging and Australia stood on the edge of immense change as the 1960s unfolded.

The education scene was changing at an ever increasing pace while the cost was likewise rising steeply. We had entered the phase in which education was finally seen as being more and more necessary to enable children to make a place for themselves in the modern world. We were passing out of the Industrial Revolution and into the Information

101 Letters from PMG to school 4-4-1944 & 1-5-1946 Ed House

Year Inspection Totals

ASR Totals

1939 238 344 1945 211 296 1946 275 389 1947 301 445 1948 228 477 1949 417 509 1959 810 897 1963 681 770

ASR Inspection

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Revolution - the age of the computer was almost on us, thought we didn’t realise it at the time.

Sweeping changes were also taking place in our outlook as the contraceptive pill enabled women to control their reproductive cycles. More women were entering the workforce permanently and society was

changing to accommodate them. Feminism was a major force for change and men were having to take a new look at women; for some men it was traumatic but for the children it was less of a problem. Change was speeding up and we were all scrambling to keep up; education was no exception

Honour Roll Past Pupils of Chermside State School

World War II, 1939 – 1945 Anderson, William Argo, G. J. Argo, S. T. Boland, O. Brennan, James Brown, Thomas Burton, D. W. Burton, M. D. Byng, Eric Byng, Harold Byng, Leonard Casford, W. Cowles, D. A. Darby, K. T. Darcy, Eileen Dawson, F. Drew, Arnold Early, Colin Early, G. Eckford, J. Forster, Charles Garraway, E. Gibson, J. Gibson, K. Green, E. Green, K. Harris, J.

Harvey, Neil Hough, B. M. Hough, F. W. Jackson, J. A. Jackson, L. Jackson, L. A. C. Klemm, Albert Klemm, Victor Lawson, Violet Lemke, George Little, S. McCluskey, C. McCluskey, Vincent McNamara, W. McPherson, G. Miller, John Mohr, R. Moore, B. Nelson, Douglas Nelson, W. J. Peek, A. Purcell, W. Radcliffe, E. Raynbird, Arthur Rice, J. H. Rice, R. F. S. Roberson, John

Roberson, Thomas Robinson, Walter Russell, E. T. Russell, J. G. Shackleford, H. Shackleford, R. Smith, A. Smith, D. Smith, F. Smith, J. Staib, D. Staib, F. Staib, R. Stevens, C. Stevens, C. M. Stevens, G. M. Thomas, R. Tyler, E. J. Victor, K. Volkman, C. Wallace, R. Walton, E. Walton, G. White, D. H. Williams, H. F. Williams, I.

The Original WWII Honour Board

The first, and only, mention of the board is in a letter in 1944 written by Cecil H Carter to Mr Rice, Head Teacher, re the Honour Board “on which, I understand, you are anxious to have some names printed.” He was the foreman sign writer at the Tramways Dept and “Mr Bowser asked me to get in touch with you” – He offers to do the job if the board can be dropped off at his home in at

Lydia St. Kalinga – it appears that they did not have street numbers then.102 It is not clear if the board is for WWI or WWII but probably the latter.

When we found the original board it had deteriorated so badly that a new one had to be made so it was decided to search for names that may have been missed. About 100 more possible names were found by Adrian Turner who searched the school registers.

102 Letter 18-8-1944 from Carter to Rice – Ed House

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The new WWII Honour Board for the school which now hangs in the Old School. (CDHS Collection)

These were checked by the author against the WWII Nominal Rolls on the internet.

All the names recorded above had to be validated by appearing on two official lists:

1. The Chermside State School Register. 2. The WWII Nominal Roll at the

National War Memorial in Canberra. The names that were still in doubt were

then checked with Society members who have lived in the local area since before the war and knew many of the diggers personally.

Adrian, a retired sign writer and member of the Society, then made the new board.

The whole process took several months and still the completeness of the list cannot be guaranteed.

Also it must be noted that the above list is completely alphabetised but the list appearing on the actual Honour Board is not, because changes had to be made as new material came to light.

Some of the original 33 names could not be validated but were retained because:

1. The old pupil registers have been damaged and some names are missing.

2. Misspelt names have been found, so other misspelt names could be involved.

3. There is no way of checking how the original names were selected.

Anzac Day 1952 was commemorated with a floral cross placed at the foot of the flagpole. The flag was lowered to half mast and the last post was sounded by a scout followed by reveille and, probably the recitation of the Ode. The floral cross was then sent to the Shrine of Remembrance beside Anzac Park in the city.

Reveille with the flag, the floral cross and some of the school standing to attention. (CDHS Collection – Vic Gall Section)