Snapshot of the past

As it is Education Week, fittingly we feature a schoolyard photograph at Longwarry State School c1914.

Note the dress of the children, boys mostly separate from the girls and the bare yard lacking equipment.

This photograph is part one of a series capturing "Education in Longwarry" which will feature over numerous editions.

The Crown land around what is now Longwarry was initially occupied by workers cutting sleepers or firewood. These men were generally single.

Things began to change with the coming of the railway line. Industry came into the area with Donald Fraser's timber mill in 1883 and Edwin Witton's brick works a year later.

This meant more permanent residents with families occupying the area. Families meant children and children meant schools were needed.

It was determined by the 1872 Education Act that all children of a certain age must attend school. Education was to be free to all who wanted it. It was compulsory if a child was not attending a recognised school for parents to show suitable alternative arrangements were made.

In the Longwarry district, a school had been established at the railway workers camp at the

Rock Cutting, about 1.5km east of the town in 1880.

It was operated by some mothers of students. It was expected that students from the township would walk up what is now Boxshall Rd and along the railway line to attend. Needless to say, walking in winter was difficult and in summer there were too many distractions along the way. As a result, student attendance was poor.

In 1881, William Rhodes petitioned the government for a school in the town with a prospective enrolment of 30 students. It was agreed to lease an 8.5 metre by 3.5 metre weatherboard building with a bark roof on the corner of Mackey St and Drouin Rd from him. The Longwarry State School No. 2505 opened on July 1, 1882 and operated on a part-time basis with the Rock Cutting School. Maria McBride was teacher of both schools.

In 1883, the Education Department decided both schools should operate full-time and Maria McBride took on the job at Longwarry.

Photograph courtesy of Mary Davies and information courtesy of the Longwarry and District History Group.

The history group focuses on history in the 3816 postcode, including Longwarry, Labertouche and Modella.

For further information, visit longwarryhistory.org.au