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Early Public Institutions
Public Schools.
By Fitzroy
In the very year of the Canoona rush, when the women in Rockhampton were few, and the children of school age still fewer, parents gave serious thought to the education of their offspring. That is characteristic of a Australia, and certainly of Queensland, for everywhere that a little hamlet a springs up the necessary necessity of having some means of teaching the children soon brought to the front, even should the difficulties to be overcome such caused long delays.
So on February 15th, 1859, there was a meeting of those appointed as the Rockhampton School and Church committee, over which the Sub-Collector of Customs, Henry Lumsden, presided, when it was resolved to erect a school building, 40 ft long and 20 ft wide in which Devine service could also be held on Sundays. There was no newspaper in which to call for tenders, but the size and requirements of the building having been decided on, the tender of a contractor name Jenkins was accepted, and he no doubt started on the contract directly he saw that the promised subscriptions were coming in.
Before the building was erected, however, Mr Lumsden was recalled to Sydney and William John Brown filled his position as Sub-Collector of Customs, and also accepted his predecessors position on the school committee. The building having been completed, it was opened for business on August 16th, 1859, F K Milne, afterwards the first town clerk, being appointed schoolmaster, each scholar to pay 1 s 6 d per week. Thus at this cost a day a school was started, the population been only a few hundreds, principly men.
Up to this date there were no religious assemblages, unless they were in the open air, and in September the committee decided to open a Sunday school. Frank N. Beddek, the clerk of Petty Sessions, or who afterwards held that position, was appointed Sunday school superintendent. Six teachers volunteered, Misses Gaden, Gibson and Dick for the girls, and John Palmer, W. J. Brown, and F K Milne for the boys.
It was also decided to hold Divine Service in the school building on Sunday morning and evenings, at which probably F.N. Beddek, and the three school teachers took an active part, there been no ordained clergy.
Things were now going on swimmingly, there being a day school, Sunday school, and organise worship twice on Sundays. Six months passed away, during which the population steadily increased and the town was gradually putting on an increased appearance of permanence. Buildings, particularly business premises, were going up in various directions, all been quickly occupied.
By May 1860, it was found that the school building was not large enough, and it was resolved to petition the new Queensland Government for a site for a public school. This request was granted and the allotments at the corner of William and Denison Streets was granted-where the Girls' Central School now stands.
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Rockhampton Boys
Grammer School |
Collecting the necessary money to get the Government subsidy for a decent school was a difficult matter in such a small community. A committee was formed who took the matter seriously in hand. Written circulars were sent to country residence and an active campaign was made for subscriptions in town. In spite of all efforts, it took over 12 months to collect £300. When this money was in hand, Mrs E J Smith and T Burnett, the first architects prepared the plans. Tenders were called and that of Dean and Crosby was accepted at £1,358.11s for the entire buildings. This was in 1861. Sir Robert Herbert, the first premier of Queensland, who was visiting Rockhampton, laid what was equivalent to the foundation stone, at building operations commenced.
Difficulties and delays arose, so that the building was not completed till November, 1862. The formal opening took place the same month, the Hon. Arthur McAllister, Minister for Landss, making the formal opening. C. Johnson was appointed the first headmaster. With such a fine building for boys and girls, scholars came from all directions, and by April 1st, 1863, there were no fewer than 140 on the role, Mr Johnson held his position till April 1865, when he was succeeded by W Barfoot, who is still living at Sandgate, though well into his eighties, is healthy and vigorous.
Some years later, David Ewart, afterwards General Inspector of State Schools, succeeded Mr Barfoot, who was promoted to a school in the south. Ewart's reign was short, for in 1872 George Potts, who was engaged in England arrived in the State and became a headmaster of the school, which of course had grown amazingly in attendance. Mr Potts held the responsible position for 30 years, retiring in 1902, and was succeeded by the popular H. Tomkys. Mr Potts thoroughly identified himself with Rockhampton, and remained till his death, which occurred at to an advanced age, his wife having predeceased him when 83 years of age.
It only need be said that the scholars increased so rapidly in Mr Potts's tenure that the block of ground that had previously been a reserved as a Show Ground, between Denham, Murray, William, and George Streets, was a secured, the Show Grounds being set apart at the present location. New schools were erected on the grounds, and the scholars then had plenty of room to drill and play, there being few better sites for State schools in Queensland.
Mr Potts educated a good many who afterwards became teachers in all parts of the state, some of them having obtained a high standard in scholastic matters. One of the early teachers, about 1870, Mr A. H. Julius became a clergyman, and was in charge of St. Barnabas' Church, North Rockhampton, in 1903 he accepted a living in New Zealand as Canon Julius, subsequently getting a lucrative appointment in England.
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Rockhampton Girls Grammer
School |
A number of the leading residents of the town and district in those early days took much interest in the first school, and W. J. Brown acted as secretary for the subscriber's, among whom were Dr. W. Callaghan, R M Macdonald, Albraecht Feez, Andrew Bertram, John Rees, G Williamson, and J. T. Danker, all of whom are long since dead.
A Boys Grammar School next became a necessity in Rockhampton as the town and district improved and extended. Determined efforts were made by townspeople to collect the necessary money for the government to take action, and that having been accomplished, plans and designs for the building were called for, and, unless the writer is gravely mistaken, the plans of Sidney Williams were accepted. The fine building was finished in 1881 and Mr John Wheatcroft was appointed headmaster, with Mr Julius as the second master. The later then severed his connection with the State-School after being a valued teacher for 11 years. Mr Wheatcroft, B. A., held his position for many years, been held in the highest respect by those scholars and their parents. On retiring he went in farming pursuits near Warwick, and died a few years ago.
It must not be forgotten that provision was made at the outset for a Girls State School, as well as a Boys School. It occupied the same allotment as the Boys' Bchool, there being only a fence between the two. Whether this school was opened as early as the Boys School the writer does not remember, but he is under the impression that Miss Olivia Knight, a highly-educated young lady from County Cork, was the first properly appointed. This would be in the early sixties. So years subsequently she married Mr Connolly, but retained her position as school mistress. A good many Rockhampton ladies went through the hands of Mrs. Connelly, and they will remember that she never risks spoiling the child by sparing the rod. She died in Bundaberg many years ago.
Mrs Connolly was followed by Mrs Robert Abraham, a lady that was gentle and kind, as well as accomplished, and she was so dearley beloved by her scholars and teachers. Her unexpected and untimely death caused such sincere regrets and mourning that it will be remembered to this day. Mrs George Wilkinson, a lady who's still resides in Rockhampton, followed Mrs Abraham and when she went to England on a visit, Miss Morrison took charge. Then followed Ms Fielding, and others at short intervals.
The writer is not quite sure when the Allenstown State School and the North Rockhampton State School were built and put to the contemplated use. The year 1870 will not be far from the date for each, the Allenstown being the first. The juvenile population was increasing so rapidly that all of these schools soon had a long list of scholars on their roles. One of the early Headmasters at Allenstown was Mr George Vowles, who was a fine teacher, and held the position for some years. He was afterwards promoted to a school on the Darling Downs. He long since retired, but is still living in Brisbane. He enjoys good health, and is as active as any person over 80 can expect to be. One of the early Headmasters of the North Rockhampton state school was Mr W. Spears. He also was a fine teacher, and after some years in Rockhampton was promoted to the Toowoomba State School. Having to retire whilst in complete possession of all his mental faculties, he accepted a position for several years in a lower grade. He died a few years ago when about 80 years of age.
Of the early denominational schools, that of the Roman Catholics was of the most importance, and quite soon in the sixties a day school was held in the Church, and it was well attended.
Since those days when Rockhampton was young schools have sprung up in all directions, and, except in the country, scholars have comparatively short distances to walk forward and back. Those who believe that education and the Christian religion are the two great essentials of social life-and most people do-must admit that the early residents of Rockhampton played their part bravely in securing schools and churches so that the rising generation should have every opportunity of being good scholars, and also grow up in the knowledge and reverence of Almighty God.