EARLY EDUCATIONAL DAYS IN LILYDALE DISTRICT The photograph shows the township of Lilydale in its early pioneering days. On the left can be seen the first Government school, the original school is in the centre, next in the background is the first post office, and to the right the hall.
LILYDALE AREA SCHOOL Official Opening
To-morrow the Lilydale district will celebrate the greatest advance in educational facilities since its first school was opened in 1871. The Area School, which has been in course of construction for some months, has been completed, and will be officially opened by the Minister for Education (Mr. E. J. Ogilvie). State members of Parliament, former teachers and residents are ex pected to be present. As far as can be ascertained, Messrs. James Pollock and William Wilson were the chief movers in having the first school established. They canvassed the district to find out the number of chil dren who would be likely to attend. It is interesting to note that Mr. Wilson's grandson, Mr. Hugh Wilson, has always taken a keen interest in educational matters and is at present chairman of the Area School Advisory Committee.
Mr. Alex Scott, of Launceston, gave the land for the first school, which was erected by working bee. The first teacher was Mr. W. E. Herriot, who mar ried Miss M. Brooks, of Lilydale. There appears to be only six of the original scholars now living. They are Mesdames W. Hill, Windermere; H. Walker, Launceston: J. Doak, Lilydale; Messrs. George Somerville, Scottsdale; and Charles and James Brooks, Lalla.
Early Teachers
After about ten years it was found that the building would no longer accommodate the number of children. The Government then built a new school, which was opened in 1883. The first school occupied a site on the corner of the Karoola and Launceston roads; the new school was built a little further to the south on the latter road. The first teacher in the Government school was Mr. John Scott, who died at Deloraine a few years ago. In October, 1927, the school was destroyed by fire, and it was fortunate that the school house, then occupied by Mr. R. A. Gardam, was not burnt also. During the next year a new school was built on a site between the police station and the railway line. It is this building that has been enlarged to form the Area School.
Buildings to house the trades and domestic classes have also been erected. Other teachers in the early days were Messrs. Dakin, Shaw, M. T. Cheek, Mason, Toulon, and Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Rees. Mrs. Rees was in charge of the school in 1896, and since that time the teachers came in the following order: Messrs. M. Shanley, Webber, A. Butts worth, S. Wellington, A, W. Howard, T. G. Purtell, N. G. Cunningham, R. A. Gardam, and R. R. W. Swainston. The present head teacher is Mr. H. Nicholls, his assistants being Misses M. Adams, L. Hill and K. Muckridge, and Mr. R. Forsyte. The trades teacher is Mr. D. M. White, while Miss A. M. Connolly is in charge of the domestic arts section.
Agricultural Instruction
The agricultural operations are under the direct supervision of the head teacher. Plots have been set aside for pastures and vegetable production, and a few trees have been planted in the orchard near the railway line. Later it is intended to give lectures on various phases of horticultural work, such as pruning, spraying, and grafting. The grounds facing the school have been ploughed and will shortly be planted with shrubs and lawns laid. A recent visit to the trades class revealed the boys doing their first tin smithing work - soldering downpipe elbows and making fire shovels. Through their knowledge of saddlery the farmers of the next generation will be able to make their own dog collars and horse harness. Gates, too, will be properly swung and built to stand rough use.
Another type of work which will prove of value will be the lessons in concrete work. In the domestic arts section the girls are taught how to cook a meal, wash their dishes clean, and keep everything tidy. Among other things they are taught to make jam and cakes. The girls are instructed in classes of ten, two girls being at each table, and each one has her own set of utensils. An ironing board is fixed to the table and is a great facility for ironing frocks and shirts. In addition to these operations, the girls do hobby work, such as making felt flowers, rugs, etc.
EARLY EDUCATIONAL DAYS IN LILYDALE DISTRICT. (1939, September 22). Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954), p. 4 Edition: LATE NEWS EDITION and DAILY. Retrieved June 26, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52353415