NEW FARM & Districts HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC. www.newfarmhistorical.org.au

NEWSLETTER OCTOBER MEETING

NOVEMB ER 2 0 1 2

Vol. X VIII, N o. 10

Lynn Thompson

Brisbane’s oldest, still-operating school under the spotlight…

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HE school bell rang, and, as usual, Miss Greenbottle (Denise Buckby) was late for class and had ‘lost’ her homework. The Headmaster (John Godfrey) was not happy with her continual excuses, so she was sent to his office to complete the outstanding homework, and as punishment she missed a very interesting historical talk given by Ray Thurlow. Entitled Back to The Valley (State School): Turning the Pages of History, Ray’s material is based on his research over the last five years and is soon to become a book—since Fortitude Valley State School celebrated 150 years in 2011. One writer described Fortitude Valley as ‘The Cinderella of the City’, explaining that a ‘robe of romance’ has always hung around the early history of Fortitude Valley which began after the arrival of Scottish immigrants on the Fortitude. The village sat isolated and outside the ‘Settlement’ of North and South Brisbane. Only a few houses existed between what we now know as the Valley Corner and Edward Street in the City. Streets and footpaths were undefined and the slopes were heavily timbered. As a business hub, the Valley was a dismal failure, being outperformed by its two sisters— North and South Brisbane—both of which were prospering, and who

FVSS foursome: Ably schooled at Fortitude Valley State School were Lynn Thompson (second from left), speaker Ray Thurlow and Evana (nee Slaviero) Jones. Whilst Isabella Gilbert (left) was not a FVSS student, she sat for the scholarship exam there in 1937 having travelled from North Queensland to complete her primary school education.

viewed the Valley as the poor relation. With the arrival of the railway in the 1890s, the town centre and the village were linked. Fortitude Valley began to shake off its earlier unflattering image and soon a string of factories and warehouses emerged, shops and businesses opened, competition grew and trade finally blossomed. The fairy godmother had waved her magic wand! At the end of 1859, Fortitude Valley’s population was around 955. The census taken on 7th April 1861 revealed a population of 341 primary school-aged children residing in Fortitude Valley. In 1860, Queensland legislated to provide for a Board of General Education to be responsible for primary education under one general and comprehensive system for all denominations in the same school without prejudice to their religious beliefs. In January 1861, the new Board of General Education responded to a petition to establish a school in Fortitude Valley, agreeing to send a teacher, if a suitable building could be procured. The promoters would need to pay one-third of the rent and furnishings for the school building. Teachers were scarce and it was necessary to visit Sydney in search of staff. Advertisements appeared announcing the proposed opening of Fortitude Valley’s National School on 4th March 1861. Mr John Scott of the Brisbane National School in Adelaide Street (established in 1860) began

Humour is one of the most significant activities of the human brain…

NEW FARM & Districts HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC. • NOVEMBER 2012 • Page 2

lessons in a rustic shed near the corner of Ann and Brunswick Streets, the site of today’s Royal George hotel. Mr Charles Johnson, from Sydney, took charge of the Fortitude Valley National Primary School on 1st October 1861 on an annual salary of £108 ($216). The average daily attendance was 76 (44.2 boys, 32 girls). By 1862, the average daily attendance climbed to 122 with an enrolment of 231, with one teacher and one pupil teacher. Rent on the ‘shed’ was £52 ($104) per annum and the fitting-out costs amounted to £39/14/3d. Ray’s slide presentation gave the audience a peek into how the school has developed over many years from its very humble beginnings, in particular: its claim to academic and sporting achievements; three royal visits; ever-increasing enrolments which prompted construction of additional buildings; the coming of the railway which divided the campuses in two; the post-WWII decline of student enrolments; through to 2011 when a commemorative plaque was unveiled at the 85 Brookes Street school to celebrate iits sesquicentenary.

Classroom Drama: The Headmaster (John Godfrey) and the recalcitrant Miss Greenbottle (Denise Buckby) provided highly amusing entertainment for the more than 70 attendees at the October meeting, by way of an entree for Ray Thurlow’s talk. (Below) A montage of various FVSS buildings over the years.

The former school buildings at 89 and 99 Brookes Street are places of cultural significance and are entered on both the Queensland Heritage and the Brisbane City Council Heritage Registers. These two buildings contribute to the Brookes Street streetscape which includes the Holy Trinity Church and Rectory, the Fortitude Valley Police Station and the 1950 School at 85 Brookes Street. The Fortitude Valley State School, albeit small, is the longest surviving ‘National‘ or ‘Vested’ school in Brisbane. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Ross Garnett

Sooty skies over New Farm…

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S a young lad, I saw my mother run a wet cloth along the clothesline every wash day and I thought that was what everyone did. Later, I discovered this was a ‘New Farm thing’ because of the soot fallout-out from the billowing smoke at the Powerhouse. The loss of the trams from Brisbane streets led to the demise of the Powerhouse which generated electricity for the tram system. In the early 70s, there was the possibility that a cross-river bridge would be erected at that derelict bend in the Brisbane River. I am happy that did not happen as it may well have taken my house with it. A couple of years back the Society had an enquiry from David Pickvance who was developing a talking history record for the Powerhouse and we were able to connect him to many people who have had an association with it. Jody Haines will share the result of that enquiry with us at our November meeting. As we draw to the end of the year, may I wish you a very happy and peaceful Christmas, leading into another new year of opportunities. Please take the time to show concern for members of our community who will find this a challenging time by contributing non-perishable food or money to our empty Christmas tree. Our donations will be distributed by Mission Australia which operates in Fortitude Valley.

The aim of life is to get your ideas across…

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VALUABLE FEEDBACK

meetings of the historical society are currently held. On the reverse side of a photo of Oakleigh, Robin recorded the inscription which was in her mother’s handwriting: “…We moved in about 1914. nquiries about New Farm history received on Uncle Claude [Chambers] lived here before we the society website often prove to be mutually did. We moved to a place in Langshaw Street when beneficial. Someone from the Society answers the Oakleigh was sold. We only rented the Langshaw questions if possible or else suggests various lines Str Street house until of enquiry. Sometimes, es, ou our home was in return, come bu built in Ascot… details which may We moved into prove invaluable to it jjust before I other researchers. tu turned 14 years This was ol in 1924.” old, certainly the Some case when Robin oc occupants of Richards from Oakleigh are O Kirribilli in Sydney already known, a sought information including Dr in about Bowen Terrace e Harry Windsor H maternity hospitals, and a family; in the hope of Duchesne Duchesn College; tracking down the and St Andrew’s House House, administer administered by the i t Schooling: S h li The Th M McCullough C ll h girls, il spot of her mother’s PPrivate Presbyterian Church (See Reflections, ch. 16), including Robin’s aunt, 5yr old Beatrice birth. but it’s thanks to Robin Richards for details of (seated in the second row, far LHS) In return, Robin attended Miss Stevenson’s New Farm Oakleigh’s earlier residents. explained that her Private School on Moray St ca 1910. On an architectural note, Claude Chambers father-in-law, Arthur (1861-1947) is a familiar name. New Farm Richards, wrote the Courier-Mail article entitled, dwellings which he designed included the four ‘The Little School that Time Forgot’, which was (still existing) homes in Moreton Street for G. C. quoted in Reflections on New Farm (p. 40). Willcocks (1895), and Wybenia (1898) in Mark That particular ‘little school’ was Miss Street (demolished) for ‘pearl king’ James Clark. Stevenson’s New Farm Private School, situated The partnership of Chambers and Powell designed on land running back from Moray Street between the Winchcombe Carson wool store (1911). Herbert and Reginald Streets. In the list of Claude Chambers’ architectural “I have a photo of my mother’s older sister works is an entry: ‘Villa, New Farm’. Perhaps Beatrice McCullough (b. 1905) at Miss Stevenson’s Oakleigh was his own design… school in 1910. My Among the many mother Nell and her oral histories drawn other sisters Hazel, upon in order to Brenda and Linda (b. compile Reflections was 1915) most likely also that of Joy (Le Brocq) attended there for Arden of Cairnsville in the first years of their Balfour Street – and education,” said Robin. here Robin was able The McCullough to connect up two children wouldn’t have more dots, when she had far to walk to this explained, “My husband school since they lived Bill is the eldest son of (from about 1914) the late Joy (Le Brocq) at Oakleigh, a large Arden – so both our residence which once families grew up in the stood on the site of the McCullough Residence: Oakleigh on Merthyr Road pictured in the New Farm area.” Merthyr Road Uniting early 1920s. A later photo of the house (p 74 of Reflections) shows Church Centre, where that the verandahs had been closed in. (Both photos: R. Richards)

From acorn-sized clues, a larger picture usually grows…

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The greatest happiness is knowing that you don’t need happiness…

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Attention:

AVIATION ENTHUSIASTS! The next General Meeting of the Eagle Farm Aviation Society is to be held on Friday, 16 November n 2012 at 7pm, at the Hamilton Town Hall, Racecourse Road, Hamilton. Visitors are welcome. d The Eagle Farm Aviation Society, IInc. (EFAS) was fformed to develop and then operate the Eagle Farm Community Heritage Centre located in Hangar 7 on the site of the old Eagle Farm airfield. This community heritage facility will be housed in the heritage-listed “Hangar 7” which was used by the Allied Technical Air Intelligence Unit during WWII. For more information: www.hanger7.org.au

CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Spare some thoughts…

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HE empty Christmas Tree at our November meeting is to invite contributions for Mission Australia’s “Spirit of Christmas Shop” which was created to bring people together, to provide choices and support for those who are struggling, and a chance to share and celebrate this special season with their loved ones. Donations will benefit Mission Australia services including Spring Hill’s Roma House, supporting past and present residents who are experiencing homelessness, and patrons of Café One on Wickham, giving them all the opportunity to “shop” for Christmas gifts for their families and loved ones. Donations of money are also gratefully received, so that items required for the shop can be purchased.

COMING MEETING

Powerhouse curator’s viewpoint

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OWERHOUSE curator and New Farm resident Jody Haines will be our speaker at the coming meeting on Saturday 24 November. Jody played a key role in facilitating an audio tour called ‘Generator’ which tells the Brisbane Powerhouse Story – from its days as a generator of electricity to its current incarnation as a generator of thought. Jody will be telling us more about ‘Generator’ which draws largely on oral recollections of people connected with the building over its history. The 24 November meeting will be the final one for 2012, so come along to learn more about the inner life and history of a building which has grown to be an artistic performance powerhouse in the midst of our community. The meeting is to be held at the Uniting Church Centre, 52 Merthyr Road. All are welcome and afternoon tea is to be provided. For more details, please visit: www.newfarmhistorical.org. au or phone Ross Garnett on 3254 1449.

Cutters Landing — New for old: (Above) Following the demolition earlier this year of the original CSR Refinery wharf (now Cutters Landing) , the jetty erected in its place is expected to be completed by 9 December. Mirvac has arranged a series of heritage signs to be embedded into the jetty’s concrete deck. The depth marker has been preserved on the downstream side of the new structure (shown left).

Experience is not what happens to you; it’s what you do with what happens to you…

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Ta Table Talk: (from left) Berenice, Patricia, Gail, Norma an and Marian savour afternoon tea, and possibly their re reminiscences about school days...

D Local L l artist ti t Phili Duo: Philippa Webb (left) with Isabelle Davis; while below, Trish studies school texts from an earlier era.

Production Team: (from left) Isaac controls the sound and slide shows, Gerard edits the newsletter, while Norm from Feral Arts prepares digital postcards on a New Farm theme: < http://ps3beta.com/project/8030>. Poster: Desley Garnett

Photography: Gerard Benjamin, Chris Derrick & Philippa Webb

New Farm & Districts Historical Society Inc • The Office is located at the front of the Ron Muir Meeting Room, New Farm Library, right behind the green bench @ 135 Sydney Street. • Office Open Hours: Every Thursday 2-4 pm Postal Address: PO Box 1141 NEW FARM 4005 • Email: [email protected] President: Ross Garnett • Phone 3254 1449 • [email protected] Vice President: Phil Evans Secretary: Lois Kennedy • Phone: 3254 4439 • [email protected] Treasurer: Peter Smith Committee Members: Denise Buckby, Barry Martin, Joanna Phillips and Lynn Thompson Newsletter Editor: Gerard Benjamin • [email protected]

Thanks to Robert Cavalucci, MLA for Brisbane Central, for photocopying the newsletter.

New Farm and Districts Historical Society Presents:

Generator of thought ……...

Arises from generator of electricity

Saturday 24th November, 2 pm Uniting Church Centre, 52 Merthyr Rd, New Farm

www.newfarmhistorical.org.au

Talk by Jody Haines Curator and Exhibitions Coordinator BRISBANE POWERHOUSE

Enquiries 0409 498 402

The Powerhouse