Winters Flat Primary School150th Anniversary

Written and compiled by Lil Balmer Copyright © Lil Balmer 2010 All rights reserved

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This book shall not be re-sold or otherwise circulated without permission from Winters Flat Primary School. winters.flat.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Copyright in the reproduced material from the Public Records Office Victoria resides with the State of Victoria.

Cover: Winters Flat State School, Monaghan Street, Winters Flat. (Photographed between 1873-1889) Photograph: Courtesy of Castlemaine Historical Society Inc. VCMHS 2003 452 Document: (Background feature) Reproduced with the permission of the Keeper of Public Records, Public Record Office Victoria, Australia. PROV, VPRS 640/P0 Unit 354 85/6049

Back Cover: Winters Flat Primary School Logo. Designed by Graeme Hosmer (Pre 1986)

Winters Flat Primary School 150th AnniversarySchool No. 652, established 1860

Written and compiled by Lil Balmer

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Acknowledgments

Members of the Winters Flat school community have contributed to the school’s ongoing success through many forms of voluntary work. School Committee members, School Councillors, Mothers Club members and other groups of parents have all worked tirelessly over the last one hundred and fifty years. The people involved would now total thousands.

In compiling this booklet, I have experienced the same generosity from past and present students, parents and staff. Many people have willingly contributed photographs, artefacts, information and time.

I appreciate the guidance I received from staff members at the Public Record Office of Victoria and also the volunteers at the Castlemaine Historical Society. The society members shared their many areas of expertise and kept me informed when they noted additional material

relevant to my research. One such instance was a request they had received from Robyn Phillips, concerning her ancestor who was a Head Teacher at Winters Flat 1865-1883. Robyn readily shared her extensive research which was much appreciated.

Kirsten McKay at the Castlemaine Art Galley and Historical Museum was most helpful in providing access to archival material and facilitating permission for copies.

I was greatly assisted by Lisa Dennis who kindly agreed to proof read my draft copies and Christine Sayer who volunteered her skills in photography.

Lastly, I owe special thanks to Clare Balmer for her patient encouragement. She spent many hours working on the graphic design and finished art work for this commemorative booklet.

Lil Balmer

Abbreviations UsedCD: Compact Disk CHSI: Castlemaine Historical Society Incorporated Db: Database MAM: Mount Alexander Mail p.: page PROV: Public Record Office of Victoria VCMHS: Victoria, Castlemaine Historical Society VPRS: Victorian Public Record Series WFPS: Winters Flat Primary School

The material contained in this book was compiled from many primary sources and care has been taken to check facts and the spelling of names found in handwritten documents. Any errors, misleading information or oversights are unintentional and regretted if present. Corrections or additions, of names for photographs in particular, would be welcomed.

Personal memories are included as written or remembered, and chosen with respect to the sensibilities of individuals. The main text has been based on public material and public knowledge and also thoughtfully chosen with the intention of avoiding offence.

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Contents

Section 1 Where it all started 4 - 5

Section 2 The School Begins 6 - 7

Section 3 Antoine Jean Baptiste Laugier 8 - 9

Section 4 1883 – 1921 10 - 17

Section 5 Training School 18 - 19

Section 6 1930’s 20 - 21

Section 7 1940 – 1963 22 - 27

Section 8 Cunnack’s Tannery 28 - 29

Section 9 1964 New Site 30 - 33

Section 10 Oak View 34 - 35

Section 11 New Building 2010 36 - 37

Section 12 Memories 38 - 45

School Photographs 46 - 56

Head Teachers and Principals (list) 57 Dux of School (list) 57

4

all startedWhere it1

The area, now known as Winters Flat, has been defined differently at times.Initially the land belonged to the Jaara people. The place where Forest Creek and Barkers Creek meet and become Campbells Creek, would have been a good location for sourcing food.

Major Mitchell, on his exploratory expedition in 1836, recorded a straight line course on the 28th September, starting near Newstead to a crossing point at Barkers Creek just upstream of the creek junction. He also found the area to be very suitable for human habitation and especially so for grazing stock.

Soon, squatters made the overland journey to take up ‘runs’ on these rich pastures. Dr. Barker held a run to the north of the junction of the creeks and William Campbell held a run downstream of the junction. The creeks that their runs adjoined, subsequently came to be known by the names of the occupiers. What was to become the first site of the Winters Flat School, could be described at this stage as being on Campbell’s run (Strathloddon Run), beside the Campbells Creek.

As squatters moved onto the land the Jaara people occupied, the interests of both became a concern. By late 1837, Edward Stone Parker had been selected as one of five Assistant Protectors of Aborigines to be sent out to Australia from England. He was to watch over the rights and interests of the natives, to protect them from any encroachments on their property, and from acts of cruelty, oppression and injustice. His protectorate was vast and by the 1840’s he chose to base himself near Mt. Franklin1. In this decade his sons became familiar with the surrounding countryside and his second son, Joseph Parker, in later years wrote –

‘At this period of the Castlemaine District’s history, 1846, to travel from the junction of Barkers Creek and Forest Creek, to the Bough Yards (now Guildford) was a scene of beautiful crystal-like

1. Morrison, E. Early Days in Loddon Valley, Memoirs of Edward Stone Parker. Daylesford Advocate? 1965.

waterholes, which sparkled in the glittering rays of the sun; every hole was teeming with fish, and flocks of ducks. On the slopes and hills on either side of the creek, stood evergreen trees, with such even regularity,...consisting of golden, silver and black wattle, many of them in full bloom, also blackwood, sheoak and honeysuckle...(the grass) was in many places two and three feet high with buttercups, native daisies, soldiers’ buttons, and everlasting flowers2.’

This idyllic scene soon underwent a dramatic change. Shepherds on Dr. Barker's run, having said they were leaving his employment, secretly worked at finding gold on his run. They made their discovery public by writing to the Argus (8th September 1851) partly to avoid the consequences of working without a miner’s licence. This led to an immediate rush of hundreds and very soon, thousands of people to the Barkers Creek and Forest Creek area. The creeks were rapidly transformed into muddy tracts and many trees were removed for firewood and structures.

Dr. Preshaw was among the early arrivals to the Forest Creek Diggings. At first his family stayed in Melbourne. In 1852 his young son, George Preshaw, joined him at a place that came to be known as Preshaw’s Flat, below the junction of the Barkers Creek and Forest Creek. (see 1861 mining map) In later years he wrote –

‘...Preshaw’s Flat was a beautiful green sward. We had not been there many days before a party of diggers put down a shaft in front of our tent. They bottomed at a depth of about forty feet and although they got gold, still not in any quantity. The very fact of gold being obtained, however, caused a rush and, before a week had passed, fully one thousand men were on the ground...I was a young digger then being only thirteen years of age, but there were no schools on the diggings in those days, and all hands had to make themselves generally useful3.’

2. Bradfield, R.A. Campbells Creek, Some Early History. p1.3. Preshaw, G. Banking Under Difficulties. Melb:

Edwards & Dunlop. 1888. p.28

5

The Preshaw’s Flat area seemed to be without a school for some time to follow. In February 1853, the National School Board brought two teachers, their wives and two prominently labelled tents, in an early attempt to supply schools for children on the goldfields. These were placed at Forest Creek and Fryers Creek. Edward Stone Parker, the Protector of Aborigines who later became an

Inspector for the Denominational School Board, reported on the denominational schools within the Castlemaine area in 1857. Amongst these were three in Castlemaine, one in Muckleford and three at Campbells Creek at distances that excluded the area that was to become known as Winters Flat4.

4. PROV, VPRS 885/PO Unit 3. Inspectors Report 31-12-1857

Above: 1861 Miners' map Map: Courtesy of Castlemaine Art Gallery and History Museum

Future site of Winters Flat National School, Monaghan Street location.

Major Mitchell's expedition path (indicated by red line added to the original map by an unknown scribe)

6

By the end of the 1850’s the people of Winters Flat saw the need to establish a National School.Within a general report on schools visited between December 1856 and March 1857, Inspector of Schools, John Jones Thomas B.A., reported that there were nine denominational schools and two National Schools on the Castlemaine goldfields. Beside a margin heading, Winters Flat and Donkey Gully, he noted there were one or two private schools for infants but not sufficient population to support the establishment of a school. He also wrote in his concluding notes that –

‘....I was grieved to see, on the outskirts and beyond the reach of those (schools) established by government aid so many children running wild without a remote prospect of acquiring useful information1.’

This may well have applied to the area now known as Winters Flat.

The National School Board provided aid to Denominational Schools and offered aid to establish National Schools. In early 1860, interested people, from what was now called Winters Flat, held a public meeting. In April the correspondent, Walter Smith, informed the National School Board of their resolution to establish a school2. Later correspondence declared that over fifty pounds had been subscribed as a local contribution toward the cost of the school. The nominated list of Local Patrons, along with their occupations, gives a small indication of the industry that was beginning to be established at Winters Flat.

Joseph Brown (Tallow chandler), Forbes Ross (Gardener), Joseph Welden (Storekeeper), Richard Barrett (Civil engineer),

1. PROV, VPRS 885/P0 Unit 2. Inspectors’ Report 56/13812. PROV, VPRS 878/P0 Unit 19. Letter 64/1432

Walter Smith (Brewer), William Gaffray (sic) (Publican), John Bellis (Wheelwright), Frederick Gingell (Auctioneer)3.

On 5th July 1860, the National School Board Secretary, Benjamin Kane informed the Board of Local Patrons that the National School Board would grant aid to the temporary school and sanctioned the appointment of Mr. John Stringer Gill as teacher. Mr. Gill had been teaching at Muckleford the previous year and was untrained4, as were many teachers on the goldfields at the time.

Shortly afterwards, Mr. Gill asserted that his wage was barely enough to exist. He was obliged to pay the rent for the school building which amounted to half his wage. Subsequently his wife was then engaged as an Assistant Teacher and the combined wages for the two teachers was two hundred and twenty pounds, out of which they paid fifty three pounds per annum rent for the three roomed building. Part of their wages came from weekly fees from students of one shilling (up to the third class) and one shilling and sixpence (fourth class)5.

The school was inspected in October 1860 and twice the following year and in March 1862. The National School Board Inspector, G. Wilson Brown, reported that the National School at Winters Flat, in September 1861, was operating in a rented brick building of three rooms, one of which was the living quarters for Mr. Gill and his wife. A second room, sometimes used as a classroom, was being used by the family as Mrs. Gill (nee Gose) was ill. Mrs. Gill gave birth in 1861 and again in 1862, making a family of four daughters less than six years in age. The classroom measured eighteen feet by fifteen feet. There was no fireplace and the school furniture, deemed inadequate, consisted of 16 feet of double desk, 12 feet of table and 46 feet of forms for an average attendance of 57 children (classes one, two, three and four) and two teachers. There was a proposal to

3. PROV, VPRS 901/P2 Common School Register, School no. 652 4. PROV, VPRS 878/P0 Unit 15. Goldfield Schools – National School Board,

letters 5-7-1850, 25-10-1860, 61/1444 5. PROV, VPRS 1406/P0 Unit 6 V.2, Report 140 61/1079

The2School Begins

7

erect an urgently needed school, the local subscriptions for the building having reached sixty pounds. The Inspector also added –

‘Necessity for enlarged accommodation is very great. Some children have been withdrawn in consequence of the overcrowded state of the room, and have favoured the establishment of small schools, which are now springing up in the neighbourhood. There is not sitting room for all6.’

It was becoming increasingly evident that a larger school was needed at Winters Flat. Land had been set apart for a National School in 1860 and a further portion of adjoining land was granted, exempt from the operations of mining7.

In September, the National School Board approved a grant of one hundred and fifty pounds, with an equal amount to be subscribed locally, for the erection of a school building on the above proclaimed sites that were beside Monaghan Street. (This site was clarified in the grant notification, suggesting that another site, or sites, may have been considered in the process8. There was a National School Reserve in Lawrence Street on early town maps).

In December 1861 the Commissioners of the National School Board received and approved the plans and specifications, forwarded by the local committee, for the proposed new school at Winters Flat. By June 1862 the building was completed and students moved into the permanent school building. However, part of the local subscription was still outstanding and the Commissioners advised that the National Board grant, in the interim, would be reduced proportionally. A letter was also forwarded to the contractor informing him that his delayed payments would be explained by the Local Patrons9.

6. PROV, VPRS 1406 P6 V.2. Inspectors’ Report No. 140. 61/17097. PROV, VPRS 878/P0 Unit 15. Letter 61/26808. PROV, VPRS 878/P0 Unit 15. Letter 61/26809. PROV, VPRS 878/P0 Unit 15. Letters 61/3927, May 1862, 62/2104

In June, the National Board Secretary, Benjamin Kane, saw no objection to the new school building being used as a Sunday School, provided rules as to Public Worship were not infringed10.

On the first of September 1862 the school came under the Common School Act, and was given the number 65211.

In late June 1863 Mr. Gill wrote a letter of resignation to the Local Committee and Patrons. He anticipated the New Common School Act, effective from the end of June, would result in the school losing aid, due to a fall in the number of students. Mr. Gill took charge of the Guildford school in July12.

Mr. Gill’s teaching record reveals that three months after leaving Winters Flat he was ‘disqualified from employment in any Common School owing to his having falsified his rolls either wilfully or through gross negligence.’ Despite this remark his re-employment was sanctioned the following February13. Three years and two schools later his teaching record stops. At this point he seems to have been lured into seeking gold, as there is evidence of his investing in gold companies. By 1879, the Melbourne courts declared him an insolvent mine manager14.

The Winters Flat school committee decided to keep the school operating after Mr. Gill resigned and Miss E. Gingell15 (probably Elizabeth Gingell, the only daughter of Frederick Gingell) took on the temporary position of being in charge of the school from 1863 until the end of 1864.

10. PROV, VPRS 878/P0 Unit 15. Letter 62/210411. PROV, VPRS 901/P0 Unit 2. School No. 65212. PROV, VPRS 795/P0 Unit 255. 25-6-186313. PROV, VPRS 13719/P1 Db. Index Teacher Record No. 86014. Argus newspaper 21-8-1879, p.515. PROV, VPRS 795/P0 Unit 255. Letter 2-7-1863

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Antoine Jean Baptiste Laugier and his wife Frances Elizabeth Laugier (nee Heaton) commenced teaching at Winters Flat in 1865.Antoine had been born and educated in France. He trained as a priest and had worked as a missionary in India. He arrived in Australia on the last day of 1851. He went to the goldfields and found gold. This enabled him to set up a trading operation bringing in supplies to the area by horse and wagon. He discontinued this after he was robbed by bushrangers1.

His teaching record in Victoria starts with the Winters Flat appointment in 1865, when he was in his middle forties2. He and Frances had two young children at this time. He built a small house (20 feet by 20 feet) on the school land very near the new, one room school building. This house was later offered to the Education Department as part of a local contribution towards the cost of a room that was added to the school building by 18693.

Frances had a third child in 1865, a fourth in 1867, a fifth in 1868, resigned as an Assistant Teacher from June 1868 but immediately took up the position of Work Mistress. She had a sixth child in 1870, was promoted to Assistant Teacher in 1873, had a seventh child in 1875, was stood down from teaching in August 1876 and died from consumption in August 18774.

Antoine then married Mary Anne Mayberry, aged twenty, who was a Work Mistress at the school. She and Antoine had a son in 1878, a daughter in 1880 and a son in 1882. Antoine retired from teaching in 1883, aged 62, and died three years later from consumption.

1. Robyn Phillips, private research and family oral history 2. PROV, VPRS 13719/P1 Db. Index Teacher Record No. 1175 3. PROV, VPRS 795/P0 Unit 255. Letter 74/12225 4. PROV, VPRS 13719/P1 Db. Index Teacher Record No.1176.

Vic. Births Deaths & Marriages (Digger CD) CHSI collection

Mary Anne continued working as a work mistress until 1889 when she married Edmund James Duggan. Mary Anne also died of consumption, in 18955.

Antoine’s eldest daughter, Frances, sometimes was a replacement Work Mistress including once when Mary Anne had a short leave for a confinement. His second son, Pierre, worked as a pupil teacher at Winters Flat for five years (July 1881- May 1886) before he resigned to take up a position with the public service. He eventually became a Victorian Government Statistician. The eldest son, Charles, became a teacher at Castlemaine State School 1196.

During his time at the school, Antoine saw the school building expand to two rooms in 1869 and three rooms in 1873. He was granted leave on a number of occasions to attend university examinations and to attend the Victorian Rifle Competitions at Williamstown. He qualified to teach drill in 1877 and requested six months back pay for previous drill instruction. He became a licensed teacher of singing at the end of 1880. These extra qualification options were offered as pay incentives after ‘payments for student results’ were abolished7.

He escorted his students to the official celebrations for the new Castlemaine North School building in 1878. The students formed part of a welcoming parade at the Castlemaine Railway Station for the Minister for Education, Hon. J.R. Patterson and Minister of Public Works, Professor Pearson. The children then moved to the Castlemaine North School for the opening ceremony. Lastly they moved to the Botanical Gardens to partake of the picnic lunch, for 1300 children, sponsored by the town council at a cost of twenty five pounds8. Later Antoine Laugier was obliged to write a letter to the Education Department to justify, in writing, his closing the Winters Flat school building on the same day.9

5. Robyn Phillips, private research and family oral history 6. PROV, VPRS 640/P0 Unit 354 7. PROV, VPRS 795/P0 Unit 255 8. MAM 7-9-1878 p.2 VCMHS 2006 578 7/9 9. PROV, VPRS 640/P0 Unit 354. Letter 18-11-1878

Baptiste LaugierAntoine Jean3

Laugier’s letter, relating some of the history of his house. The Education Department sold the house in 1885. The highest tender for recoverable materials was accepted. It was two pounds and ten shillings.

9

Top Left: Antoine Jean Baptiste Laugier Photograph: Courtesy of Deborah Page

Top Right: Hand drawn plan of school plus house,1865 Document: Reproduced with the permission of the Keeper of Public Records, Public Record Office Victoria, Australia. PROV, VPRS 795/P, Unit 255, 65/13089. 13-11-1865 © State of Victoria

Left: Laugier’s letter to the Education Department, 1874 Document: Reproduced with the permission of the Keeper of Public Records, Public Record Office Victoria, Australia. VPRS 795/P Unit 255. 2-5-1874 © State of Victoria

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1883 – 19214

Following Antoine Laugier’s retirement at the end of 1883, John Lewis became Head Teacher.John Lewis arrived in Australia as an eight year old in 1860. His father had arrived five years earlier and was already a prosperous quartz reefer (person who extracts gold from quartz). John later had a trial at mining with his father but when the family claim was handed over to a company, he turned to teaching. The company, Lewis Amalgamated Co., eventually came to a standstill after shareholders failed to commit to further funding1.

Other school staff included Mary Ann Laugier, who continued as a Work Mistress until 1889 and Pierre Laugier, still a pupil teacher. Christina Irving Thompson succeeded Pierre as a pupil teacher in 1886. Cecelia Burke became a pupil teacher after Christine resigned to marry in 18902.

By June 1884 the Maldon railway line had opened. The work of constructing the line had brought a few extra people into the neighbourhood. With the railway line works complete, the number of families was nevertheless diminished and attendance was expected to decline. The average attendance at the time was seventy seven3.

The shingle roof on the school had been leaking badly for some time. The roof of the original first room was replaced with an iron roof in 1889.

An influenza epidemic claimed many lives in the district in 1891. The epidemic must have had a profound effect on the small school community. Mary Anne Laugier’s brother, Alexander Mayberry (father of a Winters Flat student and uncle to three other students) died late in October. The Head Teacher, John Lewis died on the fifteenth of

1. MAM Blume index. Db. Item of News: Death of Robert Lewis 20-3-1888 CHSI

2. PROV, VPRS 640/P1 Unit 354, Letter 90/40551 3. PROV VPRS 640. P0. Unit 85, Letter 85/39521

October, aged forty. Part of a report in the Mount Alexander Mail on John Lewis’ funeral read –

‘The large attendance at the funeral of the late Mr. John Lewis on Saturday afternoon testified to the great esteem in which the deceased was held...On arriving at Winters Flat, the children belonging to the State school there joined in the funeral, each child carrying a bouquet of flowers, which were afterwards placed upon the grave. Mr. Lewis had been teacher of the Winters Flat State School for eight years, and he endeared himself to parents as well as scholars4.’

Michael Sexton became the next head Teacher, but only for a short period. The Education Department was assessing expenditure because it was a time of general economic depression. In 1892 the Castlemaine schools that had been established to serve the needs of the goldrush population, including Winters Flat, provided lists of students so that decisions could be made about the future of local facilities. As a result, North Castlemaine 2051 became an adjunct of Castlemaine 119 and in Autumn 1893, Winters Flat became an adjunct of Campbells Creek. After a very short placement at North Castlemaine, Cecelia Burke was placed in charge of the Winters Flat School, under the management of The Campbells Creek Head Teacher5. She taught students up to third class. She held this position until 1900. The Argus newspaper reported –

‘Miss Burke, who has been head teacher at the Winters Flat State School for several years past, and who has been transferred to the Western district, has been presented with a costly bangle from the scholars6.’

4. MAM Blume index. Db. Item of News: Death of John Lewis 28-11-1891 p.2, col.3 CHSI

5. PROV, VPRS 795/P0 Unit 255. 1892 6. Argus newspaper. 26-10-1900. p.7

Above: The outline on this re-created 1892 plan follows the lines of the original non scaled sketch. Given notations and measurements as per the original.Reference: Reproduced with the permission of the Keeper of Public Records, Public Record Office Victoria, Australia.

PROV, VPRS 795/P0 Unit 255. 1892 © State of Victoria

window

Porch

6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd classesNew room in good order except roof of shingles lately repaired.

Girls yard

Boys yard

1st and 2nd classesOld room iron roof in

good order.

lava

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(was

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window

window

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gallery(seating platform,

three levels)

50 � x 18 �

16 � x 16 �

6 � x 5.5 �

30 � x 16 �

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windowwindowwindow

window

win

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State School 652 Winters Flat

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4

Between 1890-1900, the population of the larger district had fallen in number to about a quarter of that at the peak of the gold rush.

Many people were still employed in the gold industry, The Diamond Gully Dredge Company1 being just one of many local employers. Secondary industries, such as Fitzgerald’s large brewery and Cunnack’s tannery, were well established. Along Elizabeth Street, Graham Street and Grave Street (later known as Johnstone Street) many shops and businesses were operating. The Maldon and Maryborough train lines, running almost parallel with the above streets, carried multiple train services a day2.

The Winters Flat School building was a damp and dilapidated structure and unhealthily situated, according to an opinion piece of writing in the Mount Alexander Mail 21-6-1900 –

‘Within 150 yards from the School are the soapworks and fellmongery. Scientists admit that it is not altogether pleasant. Boiling down takes place once per week, and sometimes twice, and on such occasions the doors and windows of the room have to be shut, which in a damp, mouldy room, on a hot day, or even a cold one, must make it positively injurious to the health of the children and teachers. The approaches to the school, which is situated near the creek, are most objectionable in every way, and it is barely to be wondered that at the present time two of the pupils are absent suffering from Typhoid fever, and that the school mistress has not enjoyed good health since taking charge3.’

In 1893 the Winters Flat School had become an adjunct of Campbells Creek School and a list of Winters Flat students’ names

1. MAM Blume index. Db. Item of News: Death of Robert Lewis 20-3-1888 CHSI

2. PROV, VPRS 640/P1 Unit 354, Letter 90/40551 3. PROV VPRS 640. P0. Unit 85, Letter 85/39521

was made in 1892, as part of the process4. The list included the children’s ages and distances from school and from this information, more details about families can be found.

All the children lived within a mile and a half of the school and almost half of the ninety children lived less than half a mile from the school. Many children were cousins, two of the Ross families, two Hill families, Laugier and Duggan families and Laugier and two Mayberry families5. Parent occupations included two brewery workers, four tanners, two blacksmiths, four hotel keepers, two fellmongers (skin and hide merchants), two farmers, three labourers, a railway ganger, a miner, a carpenter, a draper, a baker, a carter, a teacher and ‘a gentleman’ (income from investment properties)6. There was one Chinese gardener, his son went by his mother’s name of Merrill7.

Anne Christina Ross’ elder brother, Alexander, embarked for the South African War in 1899 and died in February 1900. He is named on a memorial at the western end of Mostyn Street. The Borough of Castlemaine later voted to name a street after him8.

James Laurenson enlisted with the Hills younger brother Algenon, for The Great War. Algenon, who was engaged to James’ sister, died in France in 19169.

Two students from the 1892 list, Bertram Hill and Harriet McDermott, married. All of their eight surviving children are known to have attended Winters Flat School in the next century10.

The Duggan children, through immediate family marriages, became part of the Cations, Mayberry, Laugier and Wittingslow families11.

4. MAM Blume index. Db. Item of News: Death of John Lewis 28-11-1891 p.2, col.3 CHSI

5. PROV, VPRS 795/P0 Unit 255. 1892 6. Argus newspaper. 26-10-1900. p.77. Interview with John Armstrong 2010 8. PROV, VPRS 795/P0 Unit 2028. Letter 21-9-1954 9. PROV, VPRS 795/P0 Unit 2028. Letter 22-7-1945 10. PROV, VPRS 878/P0 Unit 15. Letter 62/210411. PROV, VPRS 901/P0 Unit 2. School No. 652

1883 – 1921 (continued)

13

Fitzgerald’s Brewing Company began in Elizabeth Street, Winters Flat in 1858. It became a public company by 1887 and by 1893 had averaged dividends of 12.5% per annum. By the end of the century it had become the largest brewing company in Australia, with many outlets. Some locations included Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.

Above: Fitzgerald’s Brewing and Malting Company Limited, Elizabeth Street, Winters FlatPhotograph: Courtesy of Castlemaine Art Gallery and History Museum

14

In 1892, when all the State Schools in the Castlemaine area were reviewed, a list of students for the following year, 1893, was forwarded to the Education Department.

Above: Wedding photograph of students Harriet McDermott and Bertram Hill. Bertram worked at Fitzgeralds Brewery as a Maltster.Photograph: Courtesy Olwyn Alvey

1883 – 1921(continued)

4 Sole child of family attending Winters Flat State School 1892

BACON William (aged 11yrs 6mths)

BAKER Charles (aged 11yrs)

BENNETT William (aged 9yrs)

BROWN Leonard (aged 13yrs 11mths)

CHAMBERLAIN William (aged 12yrs 5mths)

CATIONS Christina (aged 14yrs 9mths)

EARNSHAW Annie (aged 13yrs 8mths)

GRAY Azalea (aged 6yrs 9mths)

LAURENSON James (aged 4yrs 5mths)

LEISTER Ernest (aged 11yrs 6mths)

MARCUS Rueben (aged 8yrs 8mths)

MAYBERRY Alex (aged 6yrs 9mths)

McCARTNEY Walter (aged 16yrs 5mths)

McDERMOTT Harriet (aged 10yrs 7mths)

MERRILL Thomas (aged 9yrs 4mths)

OLIVER George (aged 8yrs 6mths)

ROSS Anne Christina (aged 5yrs 11mths)

SEXTON Willie (aged 7yrs 3mths)

Reference: Reproduced with the permission of the Keeper of Public Records, Public Record Office Victoria, Australia. PROV, VPRS 795/P0 Unit 255. 1892 © State of Victoria

Multiple children of families attending Winters Flat State School 1892

BIRMINGHAM James (aged 13yrs 11mths), Mary (aged 12yrs 1mth)

DALEY Frances (aged 6yrs 6mths), Margaret (aged 4yrs 8mths)

DUGGAN James (aged 12yrs 3mths), Thomas (aged 10yrs 2mths), Anna (aged 8yrs 7mths), Alice (aged 7yrs), Amelia (aged 5yrs 6mths), Victor (aged 4yrs 4mths)

HENDRA Thomas (aged 13yrs 4mths), Violetta (aged 10yrs 11mths), Oliver (aged 8yrs 8mths), Rubina (aged 6yrs 3mths)

HILL Millicent (aged 12yrs 7mths), Bertram (aged 11yrs), Alice (aged 5yrs 11mths)

HILL Frances (aged 12yrs), Ernest (aged 10yrs 6mths), Caroline (aged 7yrs 5mths)

HUGHES William (aged 6yrs 2mths), Elsie (aged 5yrs 1mth)

HUNTER James (aged 12yrs 9mths), Jessie (aged 4yrs 10mths)

JOHNSON Alice (aged 7yrs 11mths), James (aged 12yrs 9mths), George (4yrs 6mths)

MITCHELL Bernice (aged 13yrs 5mths), Cecil (aged 10yrs 5mths), Muriel (aged 8yrs 3mths), Reginald (aged 7yrs 1mth), Myrtle (aged 3yrs 6mths)

LAUGIER Annie (aged 12yrs), Marius (aged 10yrs 5mths)

MAYBERRY Alexander (aged 6yrs 9mths), George (aged 5yrs 3mths)

McDOUGALL Edgar (aged 6yrs 3mths), Harold (aged 4yrs 3mths)

PEGLAR Bessie (aged 13yrs 5mths), Emma (aged 9yrs 2mths), Hester (aged 4yrs 5mths)

REID Gilbert (aged 5yrs 11mths), Isobel (aged 4yrs 5mths)

ROBERTS Eva (aged 12yrs 3mths), Irwin (aged 10yrs 9mths)

ROSS Eliza (aged 11yrs 3mths), Dollina (aged 8yrs 1mth), Martha (5yrs 3mths)

ROSS John (aged 6yrs 11mths), Ernest (aged 5yrs 4mths)

SHAVE Grace (aged 7yrs 6mths), Stella (aged 6yrs)

STEWART Lydia (aged 10yrs 7mths), Thomas (aged 8yrs 6mths)

WINKS Florence (aged 14yrs 9mths), George (aged 10yrs 7mths), Nellie (aged 8yrs 7mths), James (aged 6yrs 5mths), Albert (aged 4yrs 10mths)

WITTINGSLOW William (aged 13yrs 9mths), Charles (aged 10yrs 10mths), Frederick (aged 9yrs 3mths)

WYNNE Rostan (aged 9yrs 5mths), Frank (aged 5yrs 11mths)

15

16

Above: Names of students, grades 5 to 8, who would attend the Winters Flat School if established for upper grades. Inspector E.R. DaveyDocument: Reproduced with the permission of the Keeper of Public Records, Public Record Office Victoria, Australia. PROV, VPRS 795 Unit 2028. 1915/3849. 23-9-1915 © State of Victoria

When the school was made an adjunct in 1893, it was considered reasonable for Winters Flat upper grade children to walk to Campbells Creek. However, when Campbells Creek School 120 was closed for major renovations in 1915, the direction that Campbells Creek children attend Winters Flat was not readily accepted. The Argus newspaper reported –

‘...many of the children were ordered to attend the Winters Flat school until the work was finished. The weather lately has been very wet and cold, and many of the parents are complaining that their children have to walk several miles to and from the Winters Flat School. Many, in consequence, have decided not to send their children to school on wet days7.’

In this period, the parents at Winters Flat still sought to have their school extended again into a full school. A list of eligible students, whose parents were interested in having upper grades, was compiled by School Inspector E.R. Davey in 1915.

The school continued to be an adjunct until 1921. Miss Burke and Miss Kelly were mentioned as teachers in charge of the adjunct8. Most correspondence and teacher records in this period refer to staff as being members of Campbells Creek State School 120, thus it is difficult to determine who was at the base school and who was in charge of the adjunct. It would appear that Miss Spiers named in the circa 1914 photograph and Miss Hawkins, named in the circa 1916 photograph, may also have been in charge.

7 Argus 30-6-1915 p.13 col. 98 PROV, VPRS 640/PO Unit 355. 22-9-1893 (Burke)

PROV, VPRS 795/PO Unit 2028. 6-11-1911 (Kelly)

1883 – 1921(continued)

4

Photograph: Courtesy of Olwyn Alvey and student names provided by Lois and Ray Murley

School Circa 1916

ROW 4: L-R Frank Mills, Eddie Height, George Bell, ? Fairthorn, Bob Williamson,____

ROW 3: L-R Wally Hibbard, Harriet Hill, Rene (Irene) Sumner, Ivy McNiece, Rene (Irene) Ross, Hazel Teague, May Adamson, ? Fairthorne

ROW 2: L-R Bill Sneddon, ____, Linda Williams, Flo Schade, Ethel Adams, Mary O’Dea?, Annie Sneddon,____,____

FRONT ROW: L-R Fred Satchel, Alec Ross, Harry Williamson, Joe (Joseph) Adamson, Tom Mc Kay, Bert (Bertram) Hill, John Odgers,____

TEACHER: Miss Hawkins

17

18

Training School5

In 1921 Winters Flat became a training and observation school for junior teachers. The school community also welcomed the return of all grades and expected fifty students to start on the first of February 1921. However, there was a short supply of seating, there only being enough for thirty students. The new Head Teacher, Mr. Hart, was invited by the School Committee to a meeting held on the preceding Saturday to discuss the need for more furniture. On Monday, they quickly sourced surplus furniture at Castlemaine State School 119. (The school register records eight older students transferred from State School 119 to 652 on 1-2-1921). Later correspondence reveals that the carrier waited eight months for his payment from The Education Department. The Department took exception to the initiative taken by the parents and directed that it be consulted first so a proper inventory of furniture could be maintained. This prescribed process took two years to duly supply chairs for the three teachers, who worked with one broken backed chair in the meantime1.

Part of a response from the school correspondent over the issue of the thirty year old furniture included ‘...we strongly object also that such dilapidated furniture should have to be used at this school. This committee considers that the pupils here are entitled to be supplied at any rate with suitable and sufficient furniture, even though the school itself be unclean; badly ventilated; ill lighted; dilapidated and unhealthy and also unfenced, so that the porches and doorways become a shelter for numerous cattle during the winter months2.’

The committee members, seemingly undaunted by the preceding, set about constructing a shelter pavilion. This time, in 1923, they applied for a ‘one for one’ grant which was approved. They decided to purchase the materials themselves and use day labour to make maximum use of the grant. After the building was completed, mid

1 PROV, VPRS 795/PO Unit 2028. Letters 15-7-1921, 14-8-19222 PROV, VPRS 795/PO Unit 2028. Letter 6-9-1921

1925, they sought the promised grant money. They were informed that payments could only be made to contractors to whom money was owed. This, once again, took a little time to resolve3.

The resourceful parents forged on and in the following year built a swimming pond. It measured 25 yards by 10 yards and graduated in depth, being approximately six feet at the deepest end. The whole project amounted to twelve pounds in materials and, as usual, a lot of the labour was given freely. In a letter dated the eleventh of May 1926, (It is an interesting aside to note that the pre-printed customary words ‘I have the honour to’ have been crossed out by the earnest correspondent on this occasion) the committee correspondent wrote, ‘...my committee would like if the department would give us a pound for pound subsidy, as money here is scarce at the present time. We are aware after we constructed the pond, that we should have got permission from the department. We trust you will overlook this little mistake.’ The department advised funds for such projects were not provided4.

The hopeful correspondent, in supporting his above case, had also provided a list of other main improvements that ‘his’ committee had completed in the previous five years. These included purchase of a piano, construction of a shelter shed, installation of electric light, the ground laid out and divided with fences for vegetable and flower gardens and the provision of fifty cup and saucer sets.

The Argus newspaper noted this same community farewelled Mr. Sweeney, Head Teacher 1924-1929, with a presentation of a gold watch5.

The Winters Flat Mothers’ Club was formed in 1928. An early project they undertook was a whole school excersion to the Melbourne Zoo.

3 PROV, VPRS 795/PO Unit 2028. Letter 8-6-1925 4 PROV, VPRS 795/PO Unit 2028. Letter 11-5-1926 5 Argus newspaper, 2-1-1930, p.11

Above: Remaining shelter shed at the old Winters Flat site, Monaghan Street. Photography: christine sayer photographics

Above: Winters Flat State School, grades 3-6, 1928. Sewing Mistress Miss F. Bell, Head Teacher Mr. P. Sweeney, Junior Teacher Mr. G DowningPhotograph: Courtesy of Castlemaine Art Gallery and History Museum

19

20

1930’s6

Student numbers fell at the start of the decade to less than forty students and rose again to more than fifty by 1940.Many families struggled during the depression years. Two students of this period related some of the circumstances of the families –

‘A few children at the school were state wards. Families were paid by the government to care for them. One mother’s sole income was from taking in ‘ward’ children. Some widows took in washing to support their families. In another household, a primary school age daughter often took care of her mother who was blind, while the hard working father cut wood and caught rabbits to sell for an income. Another father was an injured returned soldier living on a pension1.’

Yet, the school community was still strong and social events and evenings for the whole family continued to be held at the school, to help raise some money for school needs. The School Inspector, Mr. E. Leach, recorded in 1934, ‘the Mothers’ Club is an energetic body doing very good work.’

The Head Teacher at the time, Mr. Eaton (1934-1935), is noted by the next Inspector for his development of the school garden2. There were pine trees growing at the end of the school grounds, vegetable plots and formal garden beds. Students remember Iceland Poppies growing in the garden bed along the entire fifty foot back wall of the school.

The next Head Teacher was Mr. Maunder (1935 to mid 1938). The same students as above, further related that when the school inspector arrived, unannounced of course, children would freeze. Mr. Maunder was tense too, tensions were running very high

1 Interview with George and Laurie (Laurine) Redfearn 20102 VCMHS, Winters Flat School Inspectors Report Book, 1930-41. 2008 43

throughout the school. The inspector gave impromptu tests to judge the performance of pupils.

In 1937 there was an outbreak of infantile paralysis (polio) and the school was closed thirtieth of November, 19373. Correspondence lessons were sent by the Education Department to children at their homes. Unable to play with other children beyond their home fences, children felt very isolated.

Two of the women teachers at Winters Flat School in the thirties were Miss Shaw and Miss Bell. Miss (Alberta) Allie Shaw began her forty three year teaching career there in 1930. Miss Bell started as a temporary Sewing Mistress in the early 1920's and later became an Assistant Teacher at the school. The decade opened with Mr. J. Main as Head Teacher (1930-1933). It ended with the arrival of Mr. Griffin in June 19394.

3 PROV, VPRS 640/P1 Unit 2185. Letter 30-11-19374 PROV, VPRS 13719/P1 Db. Index Teacher Record No's. 24097,

29142,15830,20505

Below: School fund-raising function, lucky door prize won by George Redfearn, a student from 1935 to 1941. Photograph: Author

1930 and 1935 photographs: Courtesy of Laurine and George Redfearn

School of 1935

BACK ROW: L-R Frank (Francis) Sheehan, ? Moylan, Mervn Ellery, Tom Thompson, ? Moylan, Roy Nalder, Jack McNeice, Arthur Cue, ____,____

ROW 4: L-R Bob McDougall, Betty Botten, Keitha Hardy, Hannah Cue, Bessie O’Brien, Pauline Moylan, Lavinia Mc Dougall, Victor Duggan

ROW 3: L-R Edgar Cue, Jim Butcher, Marjorie Clark, Marie Stewart, Ethel Nalder, Laurie Redfearn, Bessie Adamson, Beth Nalder, May Knight, Cyril Williams, Lewis Maunder

ROW 2: L-R Norman Murrell, Arthur Cue, Barbara Thompson, Dorothy Picken, Gwenda Beare, Joan Tatt, Rhona Duthie, George Redfearn, Bill Botten, Les Sheehan

FRONT ROW: L-R Stan Earl, Derry Ollivier, Jack (John) Ginnivan, Ralph Nalder, Roly Thompson, Ken Tatt, Bill Hendra, (Godfrey or John)? Ollivier, Les Williams, David Maunder

TEACHER: Mr. James Maunder

Girls of 1930

BACK ROW: L-R Joan Stewart, Mavis Tatt, Rita Sainsbury, Sylvia Sainsbury, Jessie Satchell, ____

ROW 2: L-R Ethel Nalder, Margaret Pegler, Marie Stewart, Joyce Tatt, ____,____

FRONT ROW: L-R Hannah Cue, Betty Botten, Beth Nalder, Merle Sainsbury, (Laurine) Laurie Redfearn

21

22

1940 – 19637

Over the next two decades the population of Castlemaine steadily increased and there was a general shortage of housing. There was also a need for more school rooms but expenditure on schools was greatly reduced during and after the war years.

Mr. Daniel Griffin received a farewell gift from the school community when he transferred to Derrinallum mid 19411. He was succeeded by Mr. P.V. Goyne2.

In 1943 Mr. Goyne wrote to the Education Department detailing his personal accommodation. Goyne had lost the lease on a house and had been unable to obtain another lease. The Woollen Mill being ‘so busy with war work’, was one cause for the demand for housing. He intended to board in Castlemaine, while his wife and children lived in Bendigo with his mother. He understood the Department had stopped building teacher houses during the war years but suggested a local house might be purchased3. The school register shows his children transferred to Bendigo in July 1943 and did not return. Mr. Goyne stayed on until May 1944.

The old school building was very run down. In 1944, the Public Works Department reported that the school ‘appears to be in a deplorable condition’. Though the need was great, it was difficult to obtain finance to have approved maintenance completed4.

In 1945 the school community was again resisting school closure. The average attendance had reached sixty. Details of numbers of children and their distances from the school were provided by Mr. R.J. Bearlin, who was now Head Teacher. He also requested an

1. Argus newspaper, 24-5-1941, p.22. PROV, VPRS 640/P1 Unit 2432. Letter 15-7-19413. PROV, VPRS 795/P0 Unit 2028. Letter 5-8-19434. PROV, VPRS 795/P0 Unit 2028. Letter 30-7-1945

urgent reply, by telegram, as to his own employment at Winters Flat because he was about to sign a contract to build his own home nearby5.

Mr. Griffin returned to Winters Flat in 1949. The largest room in the school was divided by a partition so that there were now three classroom spaces for three teachers. In 1951, Mr. Griffin also suggested the Department might buy a local house for teacher accommodation. He provided details of two houses that were on the market. These houses were inspected by authorities and Mr. Griffin was given approval to make an agreed offer for one of them. By the time this process had taken place the house had been sold and no further action was taken6. Mr. Griffin’s request for housing followed a personal misfortune. He had lost all his possessions, including his car, when a bushfire burnt out the school and teacher’s residence at Derrinallum in 19447.

Because of the general need for housing in Castlemaine, the Housing Commission placed twenty three prefabricated houses in the Norwood Hill area in 1952-53. This resulted in a few more enrolments. The school numbers kept increasing with the post war ‘baby boom8’.

A tender for long overdue renovations was accepted in 1954 and appears to have been completed the same year. By then the enrolment had reached one hundred and ten. The Education Department declined to add any more rooms, even portables, to the old site. The proximity to the sewerage ponds was earlier noted as one negative to future development on the Monaghan Street site9.

5. PROV, VPRS 795/P0 Unit 2028. Letter 27-2-1951 6. PROV, VPRS 795/P0 Unit 2028. Letter 19-12-1952 7. Interview with John Armstrong 2010 8. PROV, VPRS 795/P0 Unit 2028. Letter 21-9-1954 9. PROV, VPRS 795/P0 Unit 2028. Letter 22-7-1945

School of 1949

BACK ROW: L-R: Lorraine Dennis, Lorraine Kelly, Betty Dennis, Dorothy Penney, Heather Picken, Lorna Knol, Doreen Bevans, Lorna Bevans, Betty Ford, Valma Alexander, Coral Murdoch, Jeanette O'Dowd, Margaret Murdoch, (Ellen) Maria Mason

ROW 3: L-R: Max Alexander, Kevin Penney, Noel Seelenmeyer, Noel Gaulton, Harold Cue, John Williams, Ian Jonasson, Alan Nicholls, Val Cooper, Annette Moon, Nola Magee, Janice Flannagan, June Dingwall, Daphney Kellett

ROW 2: L-R: Ray Bevans, Bert Butcher, John Basset, Neil Jonasson, John Magee, George Murdoch, Clive Murdoch, (Alfred) Max Baker, Sylvia Weston, Janice Magee, (Lola) Kay Baker, Jennifer Hamilton, Wendy Leech, Margaret Rilen

FRONT ROW: L-R: Betty Leech, Beth Maddern, Thomas Mason, (Leslie) Mervyn McPherson, (William) John O’Brien, Lindsay Penney, Graeme McShanag, Peter Bartlett, Peter Hamilton, Gordon Weston, Dennis Knol, Terry Farrel, Peter Swift, Eddie Ford

HEAD TEACHER: Mr. Daniel Griffin

Photograph: Courtesy of John Armstrong.

23

School of 1956

BACK ROW: L-R Glenda McNiece, Gwenda O’Brien, ____, Wilma Robertson, Faye Rees, (Raymond) John Hooper, Barry Cole, Graeme Robertson, Leigh Scherger, Bob McMillan, Graeme McShanag, Kevin McConnell, Howard McNiece

ROW 5: L-R Nita Butcher, Lynette McNiece, Janeece Laby, Judith Hicks, ____, (Rhonda) Lynette Leech, Eva Wilson, ____, Margaret Pietsch, Helen Leech, Barbara Hart?, Lesley Rhodes, Lynette Cue?, John Armstrong, Graeme Sheckleton, Garry Scherger, Billy Ford, Philip Parson, Ray Rhodes, John McKean, Ian Faux

ROW 4: L-R ____,____,____,____, Joy Butcher?, Lois Mc Connell, Anthea Parson,____, Helen Mc Niece, Vona Laby?, Jeanette Pietsch?, Joy Leech?, Dorothy Gibson, ____, Mervyn Rees, Jeffrey Kalms, Ray Murley, (Robert) Daryl Skinner or Rowan Vaughan, Ron Butcher, ____, Ray Smart, Gary McShanag

ROW 3: L-R ____, Leonie Saville, ____,____, Cheryl? Bell,____,____, Judith Faux, Betty Pietsch, ____, Lorene O’Brien, Suzanne Gaulton, ____,____,____,____, Marilyn Bulkey, Stuart Ridley, Robert Armstrong, Ian Leech, Lindsay Cole, Kevin Gardner, Allan Leyshan, Colin Elliot, ____

SHORT ROW 2: L-R____, David Mc Niece, Graeme Old, ____, Ian Hooper, Warren Dingwall

FRONT ROW: L-R John Carr, John Murdoch, ____, Stuart Boyd, Brian McMillan, Billy Boyd, ____, Allen Kalms, Ferdinand Knoblock, ____, Gary Cooper, David Broad, Kevin O’Brien, George Skinner, Robert Rilen, John Lockhart, Allan Hamilton

TEACHERS: L-R Mrs. Farnsworth, Mrs. Marj Rilen, Mr. Maurice Sevior, Mr. Daniel Griffin

Photograph: Courtesy of John Armstrong.

24

25

1940 – 1963 (continued)

7

By May 1955, a fourth Assistant Teacher, Mr. Sevoir10, was appointed to the school. Two teachers used the largest room with the partition, a third teacher worked in the original front room and now the small cloak room (dark room) became a fourth classroom. Even the shelter shed, built in the mid twenties, was now inadequate for the number of students according to Robert Swift, the long standing school committee correspondent11.

Technology was advancing in the forties and fifties. The school had been connected to electricity for lighting in the twenties and in October 1947 Mr. Gaulton, school committee correspondent, requested the installation of two power points. A tender was let in mid 1948. A reference is made in September 1952 in Education Department building files, to electrical installation and rewiring completed12. Could this be the same power points requested in 1947?

With power points came the use of radio and film projectors. Film strips and slide sets could be borrowed from the Education Department in Melbourne. A travelling Visual Education Officer visited the school once a month to show educational films. At last the ‘dark room’ had a practical application. This small ‘dark room’ also housed a telephone in its own tiny booth13.

The small school community suffered the loss of two students in January 1947. The Merritt sisters, Barbara (12) and Ruth (11), drowned in a dam at Norwood Hill. They had been looking for fresh water lobsters and one girl was found to be entangled with line14.

The Old Castlemaine Schoolboys’ Association, founded in 1912, supported local schools. Each year the Association chose one of the local schools to receive a special presentation over and above the books that every school received annually. It was Winters Flat

10. PROV, VPRS 640/P1 Unit 3145. Letter 24-5-1955 11. PROV, VPRS 795/P0 Unit 2028. Letter 21-4-1955 12. PROV, VPRS 795/P0 Unit 2028. Letter 23-4-1948 13. Interview with John Armstrong, 201014. Argus newspaper, 13-1-1947, p.3, col.5

School’s turn in 1950. Edgar McDougall, the Senior Vice-President organised for his old teacher, Mrs. McNiff, to be present. She had been in charge of the school as a young Miss Cecelia Burke from 1893 to 1900. Among her memories was the gift she received from students when she transferred to the Western District15.

Arrangements had been made for local school children to greet Queen Elizabeth I I , in Castlemaine, on her 1954 visit to Australia. Two nights before the event a local teacher's son died of Polio and the Health Department was concerned about children assembling in groups. The town tour plans were changed to a short train stop at the Castlemaine Station. More than six thousand adults and children attended. The Queen stood on the viewing platform at the back of the train where the formal welcome took place. At the conclusion, the train reversed along the platform then went forward again to proceed to Maryborough. Some Winters Flat children were able to wave to her from near their own homes as she passed, in the train16.

Two years later, the upper grade children from Winters Flat travelled by steam train to Richmond to attend the 1956 Olympic Games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground17.

Mr. Griffin ‘retired’ as the Head Teacher of Winters Flat in November 1960. Many of his previous students next saw him as a teacher at the high school. He finally retired in 1967 at the age of seventy18.

Mr. Harrie Larter became the Head Teacher in 1961. He was the last Head Teacher at the Monaghan Street site and officially locked the door to the school on the 26th September 1964. The community arranged a ‘back to school’ event on the day to mark the occasion19. The old school was later demolished.

15. Desmond, R.P. Old Boys, A history of the Old Castelmaine School Boys’ Association, 1912-1990, p.20

16. Castlemaine Mail newspaper, 6-3-1954, p.1 VCMHS 2010 233 17. Interview with John Armstrong, 2010 18. Interview with John Armstrong, 2010 19. Castlemaine Mail newspaper, 29-9-1964, p.1 WFPS Archives

26

1940 – 1963 (continued)

7

Mr. Daniel Griffin was a Head Teacher at Winters Flat School for over thirteen years. His Grandson, John Armstrong, was also a student (1951-1957) at the school and gives this account.

My memory of Winters Flat probably starts about 1955 when I was in grade four and was being taught by our new young teacher Mr. Maurice Sevior, we all thought he had a very foreign surname. I can remember hating his spelling lessons as he would ask us to spell words like, elephant and refrigerator. I was only eight at the time, my spelling was hopeless and still is.

We had a visiting music teacher. Singing started with a tuning fork note. I wonder what happened to those. The teacher’s name was Miss Elizabeth Cresswell. She and Maurice clicked from the start, then after one school holidays we were informed that they were married. Maurice, a young teacher, was under the thumb of my grandfather, Mr. Daniel Griffin.

Mr. Griffin taught forty grades five and six students. The blackboard ran right across the room to the door. One half was for grade six work, the other for grade five. Along the top was the alphabet in copperplate script. There were lists of arithmetic and sometimes small drawings by artistic students. Ten spelling words from the school paper list, was often the first lesson. Then arithmetic, no easy task with pounds, shilling and pence, gallons and pints, pounds and ounces and feet and inches. There were decimals, fractions, heaps of division and long multiplication. The Education Department arithmetic book was full of questions and Dan had extra books. The multiplication tables were learnt, sung and burnt into our brains forever. Education Department readers and arithmetic books could be purchased but most students had old ones, the books were 1940 editions.

The school ran to the clock and the ringing of a hand bell. Mr. Maurice Sevior, Mrs. Marg Rilen and Mrs. Farnsworth signed the attendance book under Mr. Griffin’s supervision. The school rooms were cleaned by the teachers and the school yard was kept clean and tidy by the students.

When there was an impending annual visit by the Inspector, all the teachers had to come in their best clothes. Dan always wore his best suit. The inspector would be at the school for a week but could be called upon for advice or guidance on any matters of school business.

Not only could Mr. Griffin rock the school work into the students, he helped them to excel at sport too. Girls’ basketball passing was practised repeatedly against the boys. Dan umpired games and they were champions in the district more than once. The boys played cricket and football, often combined with Campbells Creek to make up a team. Running was practised along the footpath outside the school on a grassy strip. The two Wilson sisters, Janice and Eva, were champion runners and won state events at the Victorian State School Sports in Melbourne20.

Within Education Week, Thursday was Education Day. Parents viewed work and talked to teachers during the day and evening. Weeks beforehand, student art work was prepared for display.

Most of the desk tops were made of pine and painted green. The boys in grade six would carve their initials in the lid on the last few days of school. Every few years Mr. Griffin would unscrew the lids, remove the drawing pins and get the lids machined at a joinery.

Mr. Griffin rode a bicycle to school, he upgraded to a black Ford Prefect (RB-246) and then to a black ford Zephyr (GHT-646). He parked them under the Cyprus trees near the Langslow St. fence.

Lastly I was sorry to leave that school. Even today as I drive by, it excites me to see the ruins of a few relics that still remain. Many a child went to that school and most received a good primary education when my grandfather Mr. Daniel Griffin was the Head Teacher.

20 Castlemaine Mail newspaper, 20-11-1954. WFPS Archives

Right: L-R Mr. Sevior, Mrs. Farnsworth, Mr. Griffin and Mrs. Rilen

Photographs: Right and below are courtesy of John Armstrong

Sports Team of 1949

BACK ROW: L-R Neil Jonasson, Lorraine Dennis, Coral Murdoch, Kay Baker, Betty Dennis, Annette Moon

ROW 2: L-R Daphne Kellet, George Murdoch, John Bassett, John Williams, Ian Jonasson, Harold Cue, Alan Nicholls, Nola Magee

FRONT ROW: L-R Wendy Leech, Margaret Rilen, Max Baker, June Dingwall, Valerie Cooper, Janice Flannagan

KNEELING: L-R Lindsay Penney, Peter Bartlett

TEACHER: Mr. Daniel Griffin

27

Cunnacƙ’s Tannery8

Considering the time oak trees take to grow, this was forward planning on a grand scale. Due to failing health and loss of sight, George Cunnack offered his working tannery for sale in 1901 and it seems the commercial worth of his grove was not fully realised1.However, his efforts have provided a fortuitous legacy for the school in this expansive shade area beside the sports oval and ripstick/scooter/bike track.

George Cunnack was a member of the first Castlemaine Borough Council, town mayor in 1886 and was also an early member of the Winters Flat Common School Committee (1864 to 1868)2. His interests with Winters Flat school families continued for many years, some members being his employees. In a letter to the Education Department, dated 30th October 1881 George Cunnack recommended a Winters Flat student for a position of pupil teacher. He knew her parents, her father owned another smaller tannery and her mother had conducted a private school at Winters Flat until inflicted with blindness. The reply indicated there was no vacancy at the time but she would be considered in the future. In July 1886 Christina Irving Thompson was appointed to the school and taught there until January 1890. She was then obliged to resign, by Education Department regulations, on her impeding marriage to John Dale3.

1. – Argus newspaper, 20-10-1882. p.11 col.2 – MAM 11-5-1863. VCMHS 2004 39 3/8; 12-12-1903.

VCMHS 2007 634 7/21 – Sydney Morning Herald, 12-9-1903, p.19, col.8 – Kevin Walsh (incorrectly attrib. to Y. Schneider). Trust News, Sept. p.52. PROV, VPRS 901/PO/V2-652. Common School Register 3. PROV, VPRS 640/PO Unit 355. Letter 27-8-1890

On the lower level of the Roberts Avenue school grounds is a grove of mature oak trees including Valonia Oak trees (quercus macrolepis). These trees are listed on the National Trust’s Register for Significant Trees of Victoria.They were planted by George Cunnack, who operated a large tannery on the site. His tannin supply was derived from local wattle bark but by 1863 the bark needed to be transported from the Wimmera at a rate of thirty two tons a month, costing seven pounds a ton delivered. Acorns and acorn cups were also a rich source of tannin but the cost of importing them was prohibitive. On a return trip to England in 1878, he arranged to have some acorns and seedlings sent from Smyrna, in Turkey, to Australia, so that he might grow his own supply for use in his tannery. These arrived in 1879 and were successfully cultivated.

Above: Cunnacks Tannery, Winters Flat Photograph: Courtesy of Castlemaine Art Gallery and History Museum

Right: Letter from George Cunnack 31-10-1881 Document: Reproduced with the permission of the Keeper of Public Records, Public Record Office Victoria, Australia. VPRS 640 Unit 354 81/46242 © State of Victoria

Left: Acorn cups of the Valonia Oak Trees growing at Winters Flat Primary SchoolPhotography: christine sayer photographics

29

30

1964 New Site9

As early as 1946 the school community seems to have been anticipating a new school building on a new site.The Town Clerk for the Borough of Castlemaine sent a letter dated 21st March 1946, to the Education Department, suggesting a suitable site.

Much of the land south of Ray Street was still open paddock. The parcel of land originally belonged to George Cunnack. He had built a two storey home on the high ground adjoining Ray Street. It had overlooked his tannery buildings and more than thirty brick pits on the lower ground. The house and land was purchased by the Yandell family in 1936. A Yandell descendant, who had lived in the house since she was eleven years old, wrote –

‘All but one strip of land from a brick house back to the creek belonged to us then. When Winters Flat School wanted to move, our paddocks were the only vacant land around, so most of the land at the back was sold to the Education Department and the land sub-divided into house blocks, along Ray St1.’

The old school had been condemned for some time when tenders were finally called at the end of 1963 for the construction of a new school. The tender from E. H. Mills and Sons was accepted and the contract price was twenty nine thousand pounds. John Mills supervised the site work2. Jack Hill was President of the Winters Flat School Committee at the time. Susan, his daughter, remembers that on weekends her father would check the footings and structure of the school as it began to take shape.

1. Parker, Wilma. Letter to D. Lane, 21-9-20052. Castlemaine Mail newspaper, 29-9-1964. WFPS Archives

The State Education Minister, Mr. John Bloomfield, was invited to officially open the new school building on Saturday, the twenty sixth of September 1964. The school community had a closing ceremony at the old school where the flag was lowered and folded in preparation for its journey to the new school.

The new school complex consisted of six classrooms, a double shelter shed and a toilet block for children. It had the additional luxuries of an office, a staff room and two internal staff toilets. Toilets were connected to sewerage for the first time in the school’s history. The outdoor area was unmade and stood out in the memory of Glenys Harris –

‘I was a young, twenty year old, second year teacher when I walked into the brand new Winters Flat school, to begin a fantastic, exhausting, but very satisfying year as the teacher of 38-42 Preppies in 1965.

I had found board with a Mrs. Yandell, an elderly lady, whose lovely old house backed onto the school yard (paddock). I had great access, through the gate, straight onto the school property.

The new school had been opened at the end of the previous year and the transition made about November I think. The prep teacher then was Miss Joy Winston.

My prep grade was in the north side room just before the toilets. The only sealed area, if my memory serves me well, was the section between my room and the toilet block. The rest of the yard was unmade, lovely mud in winter and dust in summer. With forty odd preps, there was a great incentive to teach the children to tie their shoe laces. They had to remove their shoes each time they came in from the yard, and put on their slippers, which were kept lined up outside in the passage.’

Above: Winters Flat State School Opening Plaque Photography: christine sayer photographics

Right: Letter suggesting the old tannery site as a school siteDocument: Reproduced with the permission of the Keeper of Public Records, Public Record Office Victoria, Australia. VPRS 795. Unit 640/PO Unit 354. 21-3-1946 © State of Victoria

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1964 New Site (continued)

9

Jack Revell, the District School Inspector, sent a school zone plan to the local paper for publication on the Saturday the school was officially opened but school zoning does not seem to have been enforced. Greg Kuhle remembers going by car to Mostyn Street with Sue Stewart’s father, to attend Castlemaine Primary School. Although Sue lived across the road from the new school entrance she continued going to Castlemaine 119. Greg, along with nineteen others, transferred on the first of December 1964. Ten children also transferred on the same day from North Castlemaine 2051. There was a further group of ten children, due to start school in 1965, who started school on the first of December 19643 so that the school would be eligible for an extra teacher the following year based on enrolment numbers. Judy and Alan Nicholls remember enrolling their son, Gary, on this understanding. Based on a comprehensive enrolment survey conducted by Jack Hill and the School Committee, the expectation was that the school population would increase quickly4. On the first day of school in 1965, another thirty three students enrolled, most were prep (preparatory) students.

As predicted, the school population kept increasing. The school reached a Class 1 rating by 1970. Mr. Shevlin, the school principal, informed the Mothers Club meeting in February 1971 that thirty seven preps had enrolled that month and the total school enrolment

3. WFPS Registers. WFPS Archives4. Enrolment Survey documents. 1963-64. WFPS Archives.

had reached two hundred and fifty. More classrooms were needed and a tender for eleven thousand dollars had been accepted to build two additional classrooms5. These classrooms were built at the Roberts Avenue end of the six classroom block which had been opened in 1964.

The next permanent buildings were the library and art room. These purpose built rooms and covered walkways were completed in 1975.

Access ramps to the above rooms and main building block were added when two students, Cassie O’Neill and Peter West enrolled in Prep Grades in 1989. They required wheel chair access but many have benefitted from the improved approaches on the multi-levelled school ground.

Over the years numerous portable rooms have been added to the school grounds. Some were removed, or replaced with upgraded versions of portable rooms such as ‘Mod fives’ (double rooms with office and storage space in the middle).

The next major building was the acquisition of a large multi-purpose building in 1991.

5. Mothers’ Club Minute Book. WFPS Archives

Top Left: Foundations of Winters Flat School, view from Roberts Avenue, 1964

Bottom Left: Completed six rooms of Winters Flat School, Roberts Avenue, in 1964 Photographs: Courtesy of Jack Hill and Susan Corbett

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Oaƙ View10

Negotiations with the Education Department to build a multi-purpose room took three years. A compromise was arrived at when Winters Flat was offered a building that needed to be removed from a site that was about to be sold. The building had been a trade block, then gymnasium, at the old High/Tech School in Mostyn Street. It was an old prefabricated building that had been brought out from Bristol, England in 1955.

School Council President Brian Kestle, with experience in construction and Principal John Baker, with past experience as a Regional Facilities Manager for the Education Department, supervised the project. The structure needed to be detached from the stumps, cut into five sections to be conveyed on semi trailers and reinstated at Winters Flat. This operation took place in October 1991 and the building was ready for use in 19921.

Ian Vorbach, a Winters Flat teacher from 1988 to 1999, provides the following account –

‘In 1988/1989 the School Council was interested in building a large multi-purpose room for our school. There was a gymnasium available from the old High/Tech School. It was going to cost fifty thousand dollars to buy the building, have it shifted and set up at Winters Flat. To do this we needed to get a loan from the bank. For the school to get a loan we had to form a Co-operative, with a Board of Directors, made up of parents and staff. One parent, Ernie Freeman, was a Bank Manager and became treasurer of the Board. This was very handy when it came to organising the loan. He remained on the Board until the loan was finally paid in 2002. The Board raised the deposit of three thousand, four hundred dollars by inviting the school community members to buy ten dollar shares. I’m still a shareholder. We secured the loan, had the gymnasium shifted in five parts on huge semi-trailers and installed on the high embankment overlooking

1. Castlemaine mail newspaper, 4-10-1991. WFPS Archives

the oval. The building was slightly modified to include toilets, a mezzanine storage area and a small kitchen.

The art teacher, Mr. Graeme Hosmer, drew the plans for the landscaping including the sweeping pathway approach to the double doors. Many working bees were held to complete this work. The name Oak View was suggested because of the great view of the oak trees and so the name was born along with the fabulous facility for us all to use.’

The view of the oak trees was limited when an extra Mod Five portable building was placed on the western side of the building. These additional rooms were needed to accommodate an increase in the number of students enrolled by 2006. This stand alone facility has become the home rooms for a Community Class. The parents of this student group investigated different learning methodologies. They share planning meetings with staff and frequently assist with learning activities.

The kitchen in the multi-purpose room had been useful as a small canteen but its size was restrictive when class cooking sessions became a regular activity. The multipurpose room was extended on the eastern side with a large well appointed kitchen in 2008.

The After School and Vacation Care Group built a facility within the school grounds in 2009. This building, located beside the northern boundary fence on the upper ground level, is used by families throughout the Castlemaine area.

In the latter part of 2009, some existing features of the school grounds needed to be changed. The recently established vegetable garden, known as The Gobble Garden, was relocated from its site beside the shelter sheds to an open space near the multi-purpose room. The substantial pizza oven was precariously carried by crane to its new position at the southern end of the multipurpose room. The shelter sheds, built in 1964, were demolished.

All this change was in preparation for the next development on the school site.

Staff of 1992

BACK ROW: Gary Aitchison, Peter Kuckhahn, Colin Bean, Principal John Baker, Angela Gibson, Lil Balmer

ROW 2: Graeme Hosmer, Mona Freeman (Aide), Peta Harbourd, Liz Grainger, Anna Davies, Trish Potter, Sharon Lechte, Heather Brown

FRONT ROW: Joan Mills, Judy Walton (Aide), David Mithen

NOTE: Colin Bean later held the role of Acting Principal, Joan Mills and Liz Grainger later became Principals at Winters Flat Primary School

Above: Photo of staff outside the multi-purpose room in 1992 Photograph: Author’s collection

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New Building 201011

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The newest building addition, a $2.5 million open learning space complex was constructed 2009/10 and occupied within term three of 2010. On Saturday, the twenty third of October, in the Winters Flat School’s one hundred and fiftieth year, the official opening took place.

Many past students returned for the event. The crowd was welcomed by representatives of the Jaara people, Justice and Ricky Nelson. The School Captains, Brooke Harris and Nicholas Woodman, welcomed visitors and described the present day school programs.

Speakers included David Hinrichsen, Vice-President of the Winters Flat school Council and Bert Butcher, past President of the Winters Flat School Council. Steve Gibbons, Federal Member of Parliament, declared the building open. The Master of Ceremonies role was shared by Co-Principals Liz Grainger and Kevin Brown.

Helen Hobley, a Regional Network Leader, was an invited guest representing the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

The oldest and youngest students present were invited to cut a cake. This was performed by Lyall Williams (nee Stewart), a student from 1928 and Daniel Beers, prep student 2010.

The oldest past student, Flo Baker (nee Schade), started school in 1915. She was unable to attend but sent her good wishes.

Students sang three songs for the audience, that also featured in a celebratory concert that had been performed on the previous Wednesday evening.

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Above: Photograph of the new open plan learning complex, nearing completion, 2010

Left: Winters Flat Primary School 150th Anniversary Celebratory event 23-10-2010 BACK: L-R Kevin Brown, Bert Butcher, Helen Hobley, Steve Gibbons and Liz Grainger. FRONT: L-R Daniel Beers and Lyall Williams

Photograph: Lisa Dennis, Castlemaine Mail

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Memories12

Flo Baker (nee Schade) Student 1915-1923

Flo (Florence) remembers Winters Flat School as being a good school. One of her earlier memories was of the day when her family was moving from a cottage in Elliot Street to Graham Street (now Johnstone Street). She was helping by walking between the two locations carrying household items. Suddenly bells began ringing and people were banging tins loudly, announcing the end of World War One. Flo remembers she and her grandmother, Jane Schade, skipping down the hill together in joyful celebration. Flo was aged eight at the time.

Flo, as a school girl, used to take a blue enamel billy can to Fitzgeralds Brewery to buy sixpence worth of yeast. This was used by her mother to bake bread.

Interview with Flo Baker and author, 2010.

Lyall Williams (nee Stewart) Student 1928-1934

I was about eight years old when my family moved back from Mildura to Winters Flat. We lived at Farnsworth Street, Appel Street, Adam Street and Elizabeth Street. We had a house and wood yard where the car wash has recently been built.

We didn’t have a car so we didn’t go far. Many functions were held at the school and the whole family would attend. There were dog shows, bazaars, euchre/dance nights and community singing.

I sometimes walked to school over the railway trestle bridge. I can remember sometimes hanging onto the frame underneath big hay carts and hitching a ride to school. We heated a hand sized stone in our colonial oven in Winter, wrapped it in paper or a cloth rag and used it as a hand warmer for the walk to school.

Mr. Sweeney was the Head Teacher, Mrs. Gillies taught the younger children and Miss Bell was our sewing teacher. Miss Bell later became a grade teacher.

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Glenda Lewis (nee Murdoch) Student 1938-1943

I started at North School and transferred to Winters Flat in 1938.

Mostly I took cut lunches to school but in winter I used to take a homemade pie, still in its pie tin. It was placed on the hob of the open fireplace at school and by lunch time it would be heated.

Mr. Percy Goyne taught us to sing as a choir. One particular girl often fainted when we were singing.

My uncle had given me a souvenir ruler from New Guinea which was my pride and joy. One day the teacher came up behind me, snatched up my ruler, hit me over the knuckles for some work error and broke my ruler.

We were involved in garden activities. Once we were each given a rose bush to plant. Mine had beautiful deep red blooms.

Dorothy Marchant (nee Nicholls) Student 1941-1947

On my first day of school I was terrified, there were so many children. I walked to school with my friend May Farrell. In my first year of school I was made to sing in front of the big kids. I wasn’t scared when singing.

Jack McMahon lived in a two storey house with land and he allowed us to walk through there as a short cut. One day I was caught picking some of his flowers and I never went that way again.

In 1943 and 1944 we had air raid drills. When Thompsons’ Foundry siren sounded, we ran down to the ‘pinies’, lay down and covered our heads. The day the war ended we went home at eleven o’clock. May and I were dancing and singing, as we went. I couldn’t comprehend the whole situation but I knew it was the end of fighting.

The school had a ‘family feel’ to it, all the children (about sixty) mixed readily. Mr. Percy Goyne was the Head Teacher.

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Memories (continued)

12

Kay Williamson(nee Baker) Student 1948-1954

Mrs. Turner was my first teacher. She wore a bangle on her upper arm with a handkerchief tucked into it. I arrived late one morning and was extremely anxious and upset about the consequences. She came to the door and gently said,‘Come in dear, better late than never.’

Mum or Auntie Millie would make soup, hot pasties or stews and bring it to school so we didn’t have to walk home for lunch on cold days.

My brother taught me how to play marbles and I competed against the boys. I had flints (clear glass with a flash of colour in them), aggies (made from agate stone), a few lemonade bottle glass stopper marbles and tom bowlers (bigger marbles). I kept them all in a purple, silk, drawstring bag.

We played hopscotch. Our basketball (now called netball) court was just dirt with dug out lines marked with lime. The posts were bush poles with metal hoops.

Alan NichollsStudent 1944-1950

I started school in 1944. My earliest memory of attending Winters Flat State School was of leaving home with my sister and walking through a paddock. We went past Mr. and Mrs. Lang’s house, which was on our property. From there we went to Brown Street, across the Maldon Railway Line and down to Mrs. Neilson’s house. It was just the other side of the railway bridge on the Maldon–Newstead Road. From there, across the road, through another paddock and

we came out on Monaghan Street. We walked down there to school. The distance was approximately two miles and this could take anything from half an hour to an hour. We would return home the same way, often stopping at Mrs. Neilson’s where she would give us an apple from one of her trees.

Later that year, we progressed to riding push bikes to school. From home I would ride down Chapman’s Road into Sterritt Street, into Gaffney Street, turn into Elizabeth Street, then into Langslow Street. The school was at the junction of Langslow Street and Monaghan Street. On the return ride home I would sometimes stop at Mrs. Prime’s house, on the corner of Gaffney Street and Sterritt Street. She would give me a biscuit or small cake and sometimes a cold drink in hot weather. Then it was home to help milk the cows.

Brown Street then, between Gaffney Street and the Maldon Railway Line, was blackberry bushes, trees and old rusty tins and rubbish. The Lang’s and Neilson’s homes have since been demolished.

John Armstrong Student 1951-1957

The library for grade five and six consisted of two bookcases of about one hundred books, not to be taken home. The most popular book was What Bird is That? Some of the boys had large collections of birds’ eggs and could recognize all the birds in the area. Robbing birds’ nests was a popular weekend activity even though everybody was a member of the The Gould League of Bird Lovers.

Milk was delivered in one third pint bottles daily. Not many of the pupils drank the milk, most of it was wasted.

I remember buying skeins of string and metal rings at Cowlings Hardware Shop. With a small piece of wood we would weave rabbit nets as a hobby on Friday afternoon.

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A long, thin, cast iron potbelly stove was our only heater. Wood was cut by the older boys. Mr. Griffin bought boxes of sulphur blocks and burnt them in the stove to fumigate the room, generally done on the last day after school finished. If there were epidemics, it was done more regularly.

We were all dead scared of the school doctors, especially the boys. We had to strip to our underpants, stand in front of the fire and front up to the doctors when our name was called. The doctors, mainly women, would examine us. The doctors would, at another time, give us polio injections. Often some of the students would faint and that was the topic of discussion for the day.

Near Anzac Day we would read Simpson and His Donkey and maybe listen to an ABC school radio broadcast, one minute of silence was always observed on Remembrance Day.

The Mothers’ Club ladies played carpet bowls in Redfearn’s building (now part of Four X Antique Store and originally the brewery bond store). After Mothers’ Club meetings at school, a stall was often conducted. I used to buy toffees and cones of marshmallow covered with hundreds and thousands.

On the wall in the grade six room was an old pendulum clock with Roman numerals. This clock, similar to a railway clock of the day, was from the foreman’s office in the brewery. Dan stood on a chair to wind it. We did have a green electric clock, above the blackboard.

On Friday afternoon we were given two verses of poetry to learn for Monday. We had to stand and recite lines. The verses of Daffodils, My Shadow and There was a Naughty Boy come to mind. When the Inspector came, we would recite about six poems by heart. This really impressed him and the teachers would be praised.

Ink was bought in the powdered form, mixed with water and put into a large glass bottle with two glass bent tubes. One tube went in the

inkwell, the other was stopped by a finger and when released the ink slowly poured into the inkwell. Writing with ink and a steel nibbed pen was really messy. I felt most fortunate when I received a fountain pen and a bottle of Swan ink.

Warren Dingwall Student 1953-1958

Students planted pine trees along the western perimeter fence in approximately 1956-57. These trees are still standing today. In the hot weather, every Friday afternoon, the students would water the trees. This was done by carrying drums of water slung over wooden poles and carried by two students. Students soon tired of this and water fights started, resulting in kids being drenched. We always got punished for this but ended up doing it again next time, even if teachers were watching us.

Students tended the garden within the school yard but it wasn’t long before we became distracted. Across the road, in Langslow Street, was a well developed pine plantation within a sanctuary, part of the Waste Water Treatment Plant property. Although being out of bounds, we spent quite a lot of time in there, usually getting caught and being punished.

Much further beyond the school fence three or four men lived by themselves in huts in the bush. We were never allowed to go near them but of course we did. They were full of information on the old days, as they were old prospectors. As the area was an old gold producing area it was saturated with mine shafts, some very deep. Some mine shafts were connected by horizontal tunnels which we found very interesting to explore. We would crawl through them unaware of the dangers involved.

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Memories (continued)

12

Floods in the creek were an exciting time. In Elizabeth Street near the existing road bridge was a very low pedestrian bridge. Every time it flooded this would be submerged, until it was finally damaged. Another was built to replace it on the same footings as the old one. Floods happened most years and the road leading up to the old Winters Flat School would go under water. Eventually it was built up to stop the inconvenience.

Sometimes, the teachers would take a grade on a walk in the nearby bush. We would draw and write reports in our Nature Study Book. As we were bush kids we often knew more than the teachers.

Glenys Harris (Nee McKean) Prep teacher 1965

Glenys Harris began teaching preps in 1965 at Winters Flat School and these are some additional memories of that time.

There were seven teachers I think. I had the preps, Lorraine Gillett had the first grade, Mrs. Mason (Infant Mistress) had grade two and Heather Hansford had grade three. I can’t remember the grade four teacher but Harrie Larter (Head master) had grade five and Graeme Hosmer had grade six I think.

As the prep teacher, not much time was spent in the staff room. If my time was not spent tying up shoelaces, or hearing reading, I was doing yard duty, at recess and lunchtime. There was a quarter of an hour at 10.30-10.45 for recess and an hour from 12-1 for lunch, and then an afternoon recess from 2.15-2.30 We had no reading mums coming to help but I think the grade six children sometimes helped.

Art, music and library were all taken in the class room by the class teacher. We had hardly any books and I don’t think we had a photo-copier. All the work had to be written on the board or on cards.

I had one free half hour each week. The only specialist teacher, was the religious instruction lady, who took over the class for a half an hour. I had to stay in the room. My job during that time, was to enter the money into the school State Savings Bank books, in which forty darling little preps were very keen to start their savings. The money had to be balanced, all the money and books sent to the bank, then the books were returned later that day.

The Mothers’ Club was very strong, thank goodness. The members worked tirelessly to raise money to buy books for the library and other things. I remember the indomitable Mothers’ Club member, Mrs. Von Billman, rushing in at recess time, with scones, cakes etc. for 'you poor teachers' as she described it.

It was a wonderful year. I started as Miss McKean and finished as Mrs. Harris. Some of my prep children are still stalwarts of the community, such as Doug Hansford, Jeffery Kellet, Bernard Caddy and Debbie Billman, just to name a few. I am sure there are others from my year, still living in Castlemaine.

Julia BrownStudent 1984 - 1990

I remember the oak trees, they seemed so massive, ancient, and most likely inhabited by tiny people. The private places in the yard, the square block up the hill from the oval and the corner of bush behind the gym, both perfect for secret kids’ business.

The last school assembly on the netball courts, I remember standing up the back feeling practically grown up. Trying to act tough and ignore the speeches but feeling the weight of goodbye. Simultaneously pitying the preppies for their miniature brains and envying them, for the safety of primary school.

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Ian Vorbach Teacher 1988-1999

In 1988 our Principal, Mr. Phil Robertson, invited the school community to suggest a name for the school newsletter. Grade six student, Tilly Butterworth (from Butterworth Street) submitted her suggestion ‘Flat Chat’, and it’s been that ever since.

(In the early 1980’s the Winters Flat Whisper was printed off site, monthly.)

Alan Gillies Teacher 1999-2004

It was decided in 2004 to transform part of a disused playground into an educational garden centre that would be part of the school for many years, little did we know of the Building Education Revolution that would follow a few years later.

From day one it was recognised how important student ownership of the garden would be. All students came up with ideas of what a garden should have. These were displayed and Kevin Walsh picked out key elements to create a final design. After countless hours of preparation and construction the eco-garden took shape.

Community interest and involvement allowed the garden to grow faster and larger than initially planned, but all to the benefit of the school. Winning the ABC Open Garden awards allowed for the installation of a grey water system, which sent water from the bubble taps onto the orchard below. Soon after came a win in the Victorian Schools Garden awards, a buzz when the judging panel arrived by helicopter. This also gave impetus to the rest of the school grounds being spruced up by parents and teachers over many weekends.

Some of the main features of the garden included a worm farm, compost bays, potting area, frog pond, solar pond, numerous shaped garden beds, outdoor classroom, straw bale seat, orchard and chicken run (which duly arrived on the back of a dodgy ute, though a new roof, door, walls and frame had it looking like new).

The eco-garden enabled children to learn aspects of gardening. From seed raising to plant selection, mulching and water conservation, to care of livestock.

Skills of leadership and co-operation were strengthened by students working together. It also promoted gardening as a relaxing and beneficial past time. Another highlight was collecting and cooking produce straight from the garden as part of the Garden Harvest Program.

One wonders what happened to the inclusion of sheep, a milking cow and windmill, as were suggested in the original plans.

Postscript: The school was accepted into the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation program in late 2010, with a grant of $60,000 over two years.

Meg TongStudent 2002-2008

I started doing Bike Ed in grade four, we won our first competition and we then got to go to the State Finals in Gippsland. When the competition started I had to ride first. After I finished riding I had to wait around until all the teams finished. At the end they announced the winners, we finished second. I also won Best Girl Rider.

The next year we got to go to the State Finals again, in Shepparton this time. I was lucky enough to win Best Girl Rider again and

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12

Winters Flat finished up second. The following year when we got into the State Finals, we couldn’t compete because of school camp.

Bike Ed taught me a lot about road safety, and the safest way to ride a bike and it was also a lot of fun!

Abbey McNaughton Student 2005-2010

After one year of waiting the day finally came and we moved into the brand new building. Everyone was very exited but it was a bit of a hassle as we had to move everything from the old building down to the new shiny modern building. As soon as I walked into the building I knew it would be just fantastic to work in. When the class room was all set up it looked great. Just outside the classroom there is a magnificent open indoor space where we can spread out and work.

The New Building does have its lows as well as its highs, the really bad thing is that we have a very choppy internet connection. It rarely works which is a big pain. There is also a very pesky thing called

louvres that open and close, sometimes every minute, which drives everyone crazy.

Soon we will get a Smart Board in our classroom. When that happens the new building will be more enjoyable. I personally love it.

Harry Poulton Teacher 2006-2010

Winters Flat is always looking for innovative ways to improve student motivation and engagement. Many students, not necessarily high achievers in academic areas, have excelled in the Winters Flat Primary School Chess Squared Program. The school has developed lesson plans which link chess within a numeracy framework, providing a fun way to do maths. The school has successfully competed on a regional and state level in the last five years. Students also make blog (internet journal) entries which are shared with students around the world. In October 2010 Winters Flat Primary School was one of six schools in Victoria to receive a National Australia Bank Schools First Award of $50,000, in recognition of the community involvement in this chess program.

Memories (continued)

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Memory Photo Credits Page 40 – Winters Flat State School post 1925 Reproduced with the permission of the Keeper of Public Records, Public Record Office Victoria, Australia. PROV, VPRS 10516/P3 unit 27 © State of Victoria

Page 41 – School reunion and school closing September 1964, Photographs courtesy of Jeff Parson – Past student Mrs. Cave (nee Bertha Williams) and husband, Qld. – Past students and teacher, Mrs. Findlay (nee Spiers), 2nd from left. – Head Teacher, Mr. Larter, locking the door of the old school. – Oldest student Miss Lucy Cock, and her niece Mrs. G Chapman – Past Students at school reunion 1964: L-R Syd Clark,

Hannah Clark, Harriet Powell, Marj. Gaulton, Em Tevorah, Arthur Sainsbury and Yvonne Gaulton, kneeling.

Page 44 – Photographs courtesy of christine sayer photographics and WFPS Archives – Relocated pizza oven – Victorian Federation of State Schools Mothers' Club badge – Chess, Paige McDonald – Time capsule plaque – Knitting, Gen. Powell, Val. Treloar, Kezia Kennard.

Page 45 – Photographs courtesy of WFPS Archives – Japanese students, hosted by school families 2006

____, Jessica Woodman with visitors– Bike Ed Challenge team members 2008, BACK ROW: L-R Keely McGibbon, Meg Tong, Brooke McDonald, Katie Tong, Josh Parsons, Nick Woodman, Beau Ely, Oliver Brown FRONT ROW: L-R Brianna Oliver, Aysha McCoy, Lucy Cornish, Darcy Caroll, Deni Maroudas TEACHER: Phil Blackmore – School Concerts, 2002 Emily Taylor (4th image), 1993 (last image)

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School Photographs

School of 1922

HEAD TEACHER: Frederick Hart, Winters Flat State School 652, 13-6-1922

Photograph: Courtesy of Olwyn Alvey

School Circa 1914

BACK ROW: Annie McKay, Kitty Fitzpatrick, Ivy Alexander, Hannah Hill, Roy Mayberry, Jack Thomas, Bill (William) O’Dea, Len Brown?

ROW 3: Nellie Millot, Gladys Hill, Alfa Thomas, Daisy Milkins, Syd Clark, ? Dobson, ? McKay, Roy Naylor, ? Dobson

ROW 2: Euphemia McKay, Bessie Schade, Ivy McNiece, Leo Deegan (sic), Frank Mills, George Bell

FRONT ROW: Rene (Irene) Sumner, Rene (Irene) Ross, Elma Clark.

TEACHER: Miss Elizabeth Spiers Note: Incorrect number of students listed, as taken from original family list on photo.

Photograph: Courtesy of Ken Clark

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School of 1924

ROW 3: Second from left, Francis Beddoe

ROW 2: Fourth from left, Marjory Beddoe, tenth from left, Nellie Williams

FRONT ROW: Second from left, Evelyn Beddoe

Photograph: Courtesy of Marlene Gaulton

Grade Prep of 1962

BACK ROW: Diane Bell, Ronald Murray, Ian Schofield, Gary Beer, Wayne Dennis, Stephen Parson, Anne Spencer

FRONT ROW: Robert Leyshan, Alf Mapson, Bill (William) Barkla, Geg Butcher

TEACHER: Miss N. Batrouney

Photograph: Courtesy of Diane Bell

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Grades 3 & 4 of 1962

BACK ROW: Geoff Cue, Neville Matthews, Alan Symes, Keith Woodman, Mick Rhodes, Paul Wilson, Arthur Smart

ROW 3: Christine Bulkeley, Jeanette Surmon, Desley Grant, Kay Rhodes, Susan Adlington, Lesley Barkla, Norma Lockhart, Julie Cue, Jenny Lockhart, Pat (Patrica) Leyshan

ROW 2: Dorothy Milani, Marie Cue, Dorothy Wood, Jeannie (Jeanette) Leech, Gayle Dennis, Elizabeth Wood, Kaylene Langdon, Carol Archer

FRONT ROW: Trevor Rhodes, Lindsay Dever, Lester Burge, Lindsay Williams, Terry Ridley, Ian McConnel

TEACHER: Lyn Ireland

Photograph: Courtesy of Lyn Timmins

Grades 1 & 2 of 1962

BACK ROW: Neil Wilson, Peter Cole, Dennis Murray, James Cue, Daryl Dennis

ROW 3 Morva Baxter, Marilyn Lakey, Susanne Dredge, Rhonda Plews

ROW 2: (Allan) Jeffrey Parson, Susan Hill, (Olive) Ruth Wood, Helen Cue, Mary McConnell, Lorraine Woodman, Kaylene Murray, Gail Matthews, Laurie (Laurence) Dawson

ROW 1: Bill (William) Maddern, Phillip Scoles, John Cue, Kelvin Langdon, Ian Murrell, (Trevor) Bruce Ford, Max Billman

TEACHER: Miss Magnussen

Photograph: Courtesy of Susan Corbett

School Photographs

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Grade 3 of 1970

BACK ROW: (Gregory) Dean Roberts, Peter Nicholls, Rod Shepherd, Keith Straw, Ross Barkla, Dean Carroll, ____,____

ROW 3: Karen Ogilvie, Susan Antonio, Wayne Rowan, S. Collihole, Mick Carter, Peter Heaslip, Stephen Fleischer, Robyn Burnett, Kerrie Jenkin

ROW 2: ____, John Hayes, ____, Gary Walsh, ____, Peter McCoombe

FRONT ROW: Sandra Forte, Heather Sutton, ____, Christine Retallick, Lyn Scoles, ____,____, Kay Archer

Photograph: WFPS Archives

Grade 1 of 1970

BACK ROW: Johny Broadbent, Daryl Castle, Daryl Werner, Stephen Dennis

ROW 3: Aaron Bryson, Malcom Winklemen, William Levecke, Cindy Franklin, Nola Conn, Karen Swain, Michael Walsh, Gary McMullan, Colin Archer

ROW 2: Martin Jenkins, Malcom Pascoe, Peter Carter, Christopher ?, Gary Deveraux, Ian Showell, Trevor Wittingslow, Graeme Ashby

FRONT ROW: Leanne Finning, Jenny Adamson, Alanna Ely, Wendy Clark, Lynne Schofield, Kaylene Dingwall, Linda Forte, Kaylene Bastin, Wendy Hayes

TEACHER: Miss Harris

Photograph: WFPS Archives

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Grade 1 of 1975

BACK ROW: Brendan Maltby, Tracey Schreck, Greg Lucas, Melinda Ralph, Kelly Smith, John Trethowan, Grace Tingay, Mark Brown, Carl Weibgen

ROW 3: Lorelle Hayes, Robin Stevens, Philip Carr, Joanne Stubbings, Joanne Sharp, Elizabeth Barry, Lisa Culpitt, Darren Archer, Mark Hooper, Adam Ratcliffe

ROW 2: Tania Baker, Kerrie Padreny, Christine Padreny, Suzanne Strong, Lisa Cook, Rodney Trezise, Scott Dryburgh

FRONT ROW: L-R Tony Finning, Steven Hecker, Brian Leech

Photograph: Courtesy of Elizabeth Retallick

Staff of 1980

BACK ROW: John Ashby, Dallas Chatman, Val Walton, Shirley Douglass, Liza Wade, Bruce Usher, Michael Bottomley, Graeme Lechte,

FRONT ROW: Clare Brierley, Lynne Mewett. Bob Rath, Jack Delahenty, Linda Bright, Cathy Jerome, Maria Villani

Photograph: Courtesy of M. Bottomley

School Photographs

51

Boys Choir of 1982

BACK ROW: Brett Potts, Jason Retallick, Eric Dell'oro, Brett Archer, Tony Murray

MIDDLE ROW: Gerrard Evans, Richard Ford, Darrell Jennings, Craig Hayes, Bernard Baker, Tony Parsons

FRONT ROW: Ashley Nesbit, Brad Raselli, Andrew Pollard, Steven Potts, Alastair Conn

TEACHER: Michael Bottomley

Photograph: Courtesy of M. Bottomley

Recorder Group 1984

BACK ROW: Elizabeth Teed, Tanya Morris, Carolyn Ross, Shelley Gardner, Cathy Kellet

FRONT ROW: Darryn Hockley, Jodie Dennis, Leanne Moore, Nicole Walters, Tammy Smolak, Jodie Usher

TEACHER: Michael Bottomley

Photograph: Courtesy of M. Bottomley

52

Grade 5-6 1984

BACK ROW: Aaron Woods, Scott Foxall, Cathy Kellett, Tim Bird, Anthony Mills, Michael Treloar, David Cattlin

ROW 3: Tanya Morris, Jason Rowan, Naomi O’Dwyer, Trudi Thompson, Rachelle Corliss, Stuart Thornbury, Rachel Forster

ROW 2: Nicole Watson, Tim Forster, Lana McMennemin, Carla Droney, Cassie Parker, Ashley Bannerman, Toni Archer

Front : Leanne Moore, Kellie Martin, Adam Potts, Sharna Finning, Sharon Millard, Leigh Hender

TEACHER: Andy Peers

Photograph: WFPS Archives

Grade 5 of 1986

BACK: Luke Brown, Darren Noble?, Rodney Mills, Courtney O’Brien, Mathew Garrett, Olivia Sparks, Allison Hadfield

ROW 4: Sheree Hooper, Bradley Walker, Anthony Betts, ____, Melissa Scopez, Natasha Harding, David Ross

ROW 3: Stephen Cooper, Steven Leathbridge ,____,____, Laurie Deacon, Jamie Brew

ROW 2: Kylie Moss, Shane Fraser, Ross Boyer, Christyn Smolak

FRONT: Sheridan Watson, Bradley McMennemin, Michelle Harding, Tracey Stingell

TEACHER: Sue PittsPhotograph: WFPS Archives

School Photographs

53

Grade 5-6 1986

BACK ROW: Andrew Nakov, Brett Murley, Angela Cole, Cameron Wilson, Rodney Bannister, Narelle Growcott

ROW 4: Alice Swanborough, Julie Retallick, ____, Kim Harry, Brett Shuttleworth, Nell Butler, Darren Cooper

ROW 3: Shaun Dewhirst, Ray West, Michael Gardner, ____, Leigh Campbell, Marshal Thompson

ROW 2: Justin Wardley, Matthew Churchill, Cindy Cook, Lorena Mason.

FRONT: Tess Lagenhurst, Kirsty Sitch, Damian Britton, Steven Stuchbree, Brent Hargreaves

TEACHER: Shirley Douglass

Photograph: WFPS Archives

Grade 6 of 1986

BACK ROW: Cameron Mills, Jason Bassett, Matthew Gilmore, Jannaya Bird, Belinda McMurray, Simon Elliot, James Egan, Kate Butcher

ROW 4: Billy Grant, Sarah Jorgensen, Frances Teed, ____, Debbie Noble, David Harris

ROW 3: Wendy Dennis,Shane Munro, Lok Thornton, Kelvin Cattlin, Dean Leech, Sharelle Hockley

ROW 2: David Beynon, Troy McLean, Heath Watson, Rachel Butterworth

FRONT ROW: Carolyn Steen, Jason Mills, Susan Forster, Aaron Parsons, Melissa Usher

TEACHER: Graeme Hosmer

Photograph: WFPS Archives

54

Grades 5-6 of 1989

BACK ROW: Brooke Nelson, Suzi Alexander, Dion Harding, Michael Dalton, Troy Murley, Stacey Martin, Riva Debernardi, Shalon Constable

ROW 2: Nathan Britton, Nicholas Nakov, Shane Tullet, Shane Harry, Shaun McMurray, Matthew Lechte, Anthony Martin, Lindon Norris, Kristen Fumberger, Damian Bird, Lee Pollard, Darren Spooner

FRONT ROW: Deanne Hawkins, Giselle Harris, Melissa Holborn, Julia Brown, Melissa Alexander, Alison Dorman, Ricki Deacon, Donna Freeman, Sally O’Neill, Neroli Leech

TEACHER: Mrs. Joan Mills

Photograph: WFPS Archives

Grade 6 of 1989

BACK ROW: Jamin Langenhorst, Jon Blight, Simon McClure, Tammy Walker, Pauline Millard, Nathan Comte, Wesley Bird, Timothy Carr

ROW 2: Glen Fraser, Jason Carter, Marc Jordan, Casey Ratcliffe, Matthew Conn, Stuart Dunn, Jason Downes, Dwayne Hauser, Bradley Bannister, Bradley Harris, Greg Jenkin

FRONT ROW: Melissa Pietsch, Kelly McNamara, Jodie Gerber, Lisa Maltby, Maree Cross, Terina Leech, Allison Stuchbree, Kym Harding

TEACHER: Ian Vorbach

Photograph: WFPS Archives

School Photographs

55

Staff of 2010

BACK ROW: Helen Weir, Anne Neath, Julie McHale, Richard Morris, Peter Kuckhahn, Peta Firth, Fiona Johnson

ROW 2: Samantha Chapman, Leigh Collins, Karen Brooks, Jeanette McMahon, Wendy Walsh, Cheryl Bottomley, Libby Twigden

FRONT ROW: Karen Mahoney, Wendy Oates, Kevin Brown (Co-Principal), Liz Grainger (Co-Principal), Lydia Fehring, Merilyn Taylor, Christine Sayer

ABSENT: Cat Brennan, Kathryn Coff, Judith Laycock, Elizabeth Old, Harold Poulton, Peter Sharrock, John Thomas, Desiree Underwood

Photograph: Courtesy of MSP Photography

Grades 5-6 of 1994

BACK ROW: Craig Woodman, Linda Trezise, Glen Jenkin, Stewart Unicomb, Hannah Beckley, Lachlan Parsons, Steven Bean, Adrian Kotlarz

ROW 3: Lisa Hughes, Jason Merrifield, Lester Way, Abraham McKay, Brianna Taylor, Joshua Sokolowski, Michelle Horne, Nicole Wilson

ROW 2: Gillian Woodward, Cassie O’Neil, Mark Wilson, Joshua Kuhle, Kristy Simpson, Chris Lees, Tracey Ott, Amy Holland

FRONT ROW: Joshua Grey, Kerry Evans, Georgina Lindstrom, Philip Cole, Bryce Frohn

TEACHERS: Liz Grainger, Judith Walton (Aide)

Photograph: Courtesy of Rhonda Woodman

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Grade 5-6 2010

BACK ROW: Nicholas Woodman, Angus Pitcher, Brooke Harris, Pia Horvath, Stella Mitchell, Brianna Oliver, Scarlet Kohane, Denni Maroudas

ROW 2: Lina Schaerf-Trauner, Louis Berry-Smith, Sophie Holland, Ben Burton, Katie Tong, Holly-Rose Thomson, Hannah Lawrence, Bailey Henderson

FRONT ROW: Amber Peake, Brandon Venville, Darby Semmens, Keely McDonald, Maya Dunne, Sam Green, Darcy Quinn, Lucy Cornish

TEACHER: Samantha Chapman

Photograph: Courtesy of MSP Photography

Grade 5-6 2010

BACK ROW: Sharni Smith, Jedd Pedretti, Geordie Branson, Rose Byrne, Talen McMullan, Darcy Carroll, Aimee Long, Imogen Palmer-Fuog

ROW 2: Daisy Hill, Jaz Ragg-Hansen, Page Webster, Erin Weeks, Gen Powell, Hattie Wedgwood, Sophie Every, Rordan Ettridge-Brayshaw

FRONT ROW: Abbey McNaughton, Aysha McCoy, Kezia Kennard, Flynn Leeson, Addison Cook-Hain, Bradley Retallick, Melanie Stephenson, Thomas Venville

TEACHER: Richard Morris, Christine Sayer (Aide)

Photograph: Courtesy of MSP Photography

School Photographs

57

Head Teachers and Principals

Mr. John Gill 1860 - June 1863

Miss E. Gingell July 1863 - 1883

Mr. Antoine Laugier 1865 - 1883

Mr. John Lewis 1883 - Nov. 1891

Mr. Michael Sexton Nov. 1891 - mid 1893

Miss Cecelia Burke In charge of Adjunct 1893 - 1900

Miss Kelly In charge of Adjunct circa 1911

Miss Elizabeth Spiers In charge of Adjunct circa 1914

Miss Hawkins In charge of Adjunct circa 1916

Mr. Frederick Hart 1921 - April 1924

Mr. Patrick Sweeney 1924 - 1929

Mr. John Main 1930 - Sept. 1933

Mr. Ernest Eaton 1934 - 1935

Mr. James Maunder 1935 - 1938

Mr. J.L. Ryan Jan. 1939 - June 1939 (Relieving)

Mr. Daniel Griffin June 1939 - Sept. 1941

Mr. P.V. Goyne Sept. 1941 - May 1944

Mr. R.J. Bearlin May 1944 - 1948

Mr. Daniel Griffin 1949 - Nov.1960

Mr. Harrie Larter 1961 - Aug. 1965

Mr. Craig Aug.1965 - 1966 (Acting)

Mr. F. Shevlin 1966 - 1975

Mr. J. Delahenty 1975 - 1982

Mr. Noel Kilby 1983 - 1988

Mr. Phil Robertson 1988 - 1989

Mr. John Baker 1990 - 1992

Mr. Colin Bean 1993 -1994 (Acting)

Mrs. Joan Mills 1994 - 1998

Mr. Kevin Brown 1999 - 2008

Mr. Kevin Brown and Mrs. Elizabeth Grainger 2008 - 2010 (Co - Principals)

Oliver McNiece 1931

O. McNiece 1932

Joan Stewart 1933

Lyall Stewart 1934

Laurine Redfearn 1934

Lewis Maunder 1936

David Maunder 1937

Gwenda Beare 1938

Maurice Sheehan 1939

Leslie Williams 1940

Patricia Thomson 1941

Rex Bell 1942

Margaret Beare 1943

Valma Chapman 1944

R. Bearlin 1945

Rex Penney 1946

Maureen Magee 1947

J.R. Bearlin 1948

Nola Magee 1949

I.R. Jonasson 1950

Jennifer Hamilton 1951

Peter Swift* 1952

George Murdoch* 1952

Janice Magee 1953

E.A Maddern 1954

Margaret OBrien 1955

Gwenda OBrien 1956

Judith Hicks 1957

Robert Rilen 1958

Jeffrey Swift 1959

Lila Priest 1960

Judith Faux 1961

Suzanne Gaulton 1962

Janet Baxter 1963

Marilyn Beer 1964

Julie Cue 1965

Kevin Scutt 1966

Gregory Kuhle 1967

Judy Levecke 1968

Heather Burnett 1969

Beverley Bastin 1970

Jan Stevens 1971

Leigh Showell 1972

Lynn Scoles 1973

Dux of School

Castlemaine Old School Boys Association Honour Board

* Shared Honour

58