Karragullen School History

Research by Gordon Freegard

The very first school in the district was started at Canning Sawmills in 1891, setup and provided by the Canning Jarrah Timber Company for the children of its workers. Later it used the Methodist Church building on the south east corner of Canning Road and Canning Mills Road, that was rented out to the Education Department. After the mill closed the school continued until diminishing numbers finally caused it close in 1930.

When the mill closed many of the workers started orchards on the land that had been cleared of the heavy timber by the mill. As the orchards got established a more central position was needed for a school so a site was established near the front gate of Illawarra Orchard in 1913. The minimum number of pupils required before a school could be established was 12. Mr. Price deliberately advertised and employed a family at Illawarra Orchard that had a large family of children to help boost the numbers for the school. That Family was the Tompsetts. The first teacher was a Mr. Fisher, an experienced teacher who batched with Keith White at Illawarra for 6 months. Then Miss Maggie Ferguson was the next teacher at this Karragullen School with minimum number of 12 children attending.

Because development went more towards to south-east, it was decided that in 1919 to move the Karragullen School to what is now Brookton Highway near the “Rock Inne”. The loft at Hanbury’s two storey barn was initially used while the school building was moved. As numbers increased a second schoolroom was added in 1952.

In the next few years a need for another school at Canning Mills was recommended as the numbers of children of families near the old Saw Mill site, had increased enough to justify it. In early 1936 the Under-Secretary for Lands received a request from the Director of Education, Mr. J. A. Klein, for an area of land at Canning Mills be set aside for the purpose of a school site, The Lands Department agreed to grant a site at Canning Mills in Perth water supply reserve No. 1774. The new schoolroom was erect across the road from the Methodist Church school, which had now been demolished, on the south west corner of the junction of Canning Road and Canning Mills Road. Mr. Bert Forrest was appointed the first teacher for the new Canning Mills School. The school building was late in completion so a large room at Mrs. McKay’s house, which was the old mill managers house, was used temporary. This Canning Mills School continued until 1956 when it finally closed. In the meanwhile it was decided to transfer the Karragullen School into a more central position by moving it right into the townsite itself. Where it remained until it finally closed in 1999 due to falling numbers and most of the children transferred to Pickering Brook Primary School.

1913
Teacher: Mr. Fisher
School Mistress: Miss Maggie Ferguson

Schoolroom built just outside the entrance gate to “Illawarra Orchard”. Officially opened 29th July 1913. Twelve children attending.

Children known to have attended: Flossie Felts, Percy Felts, Harriet Hunter, Harry Hunter, Allice Price, Hector Price, Wilfred Price, May Tompsett, Kate Tompsett, Charlie Tompsett, Harrold Tompsett, Bill Tompsett, Dick Tompsett

KARRAGULLEN'S FIRST SCHOOL AT ILLAWARRA ORCHARD DATE OF PHOTO UNKNOWN #1

1914

Teacher: Miss MAGGIE FERGUSON Back Row (L-R): HARRY HUNTER, PERCY FELTS, HECTOR PRICE, HARRIET HUNTER, TOMPSETT BABY, KATE TOMPSETT, MAY TOMPSETT Middle Row (L-R): CHARLIE TOMPSETT, FLOSSIE FELTS, ? , ? , DICK TOMPSETT Front Row (L-R): ? HANBURY, WILFRED PRICE , ALLICE PRICE, PERCY TOMPSETT, BILL TOMPSETT #2

1914
School Mistress: Miss Maggie Ferguson

Miss Ferguson regularly joined the boys and girls to play cricket on an old railway formation.

1915
Children known to have attended: May Tompsett, Kate Tompsett, Charlie Tompsett, Harrold Tompsett, Bill Tompsett, Dick Tompsett

1916
Children known to have attended: John Hanbury, May Tompsett, Kate Tompsett, Charlie Tompsett, Harrold Tompsett, Bill Tompsett, Dick Tompsett

1917
Children known to have attended: John Hanbury, Kate Tompsett, Charlie Tompsett, Harrold Tompsett, Bill Tompsett, Dick Tompsett, Frank Tompsett

1918
Children known to have attended: John Hanbury, Charlie Tompsett, Harrold Tompsett, Bill Tompsett, Dick Tompsett, Frank Tompsett, Jack Tompsett

1919
Teacher Mrs. Agnes E. Pine

Children known to have attended: John Hanbury

1920
Teacher Mrs. Agnes E. Pine

Illawarra School closed 27th August 1920
School temporally held in Hanbury’s Barn Loft whilst schoolroom building was shifted from Illawarra
Transferred Schoolroom occupied at new location near Rock Inne. Officially opened 6th September 1920

Children known to have attended: John Hanbury

1921
Teacher Mrs. Agnes E. Pine
Assistant Miss Doris Bettenay

The one-room school this year, was now in its new location, having been moved from its original position near the Illawarra gate. There was a house added to the side of the schoolroom now and a new teacher, a Mrs Pine, lived in it. Mrs Pine was about 60 years of age at this time, and was to be there for another five years until her retirement. In its new location the school now served a wider district and numbers were up to about 40 children. This evidently qualified the school for an assistant, and Miss Doris Bettenay was appointed to this position and taught infants. She was not a trained teacher from the Training College, but was classed as a teaching aide. She did a good job, and was a big help to the head teacher.

Miss Bettenay rode a horse to school each morning because she came from her family orchard about three miles away. Her father and mother had started “Irymple”, in 1904, and planted some acres of fruit trees. Mr Bettenay Snr. and her two brothers built a stable and a small yard in which Miss Bettenay kept her horse during the day at school.

The school ground was newly cleared, and several stumps remained to be grubbed or burned. However Mrs Pine got the bigger children to lay out gardens along the back fence, and start to beautify the grounds. They had to gather rocks from the bush, and make borders for these garden plots with paths between each plot. They also had to dig holes for trees to be planted on Arbor Day in May. Those trees are still there today (2010).

Miss Bettenay taught the children how to do Pot-hooks, strokes, circles and all manner of attempts at simple letters and figures. They started by using slates and pencils, but soon graduated to paper. She even taught them money with cardboard coins, how to add and how to count. Even how to sit properly, how to ask for something, and how to play with other children. Most of this is taught in Kindergartens today, but not so then. Seeing somebody get the cane was always a great reminder to show what could happen if you did the wrong thing by the teacher.

The main road went very close by the school fence, and was only a track. It became what is today the Brookton Highway. Occasionally a motor vehicle would come along but most of the traffic was horse drawn, mainly sleeper carters, or woodcarters with drays heading for Karragullen station or returning empty to the bush. In those days there would be men who went out for months at a time to catch possums for their skins, and others who camped out cutting sleepers or firewood. They would come in past the school and fill their waterbags or yarn to the children because they had seen so few other people for weeks or months. The track did go through to Brookton and Beverley, but only a track, and very little used. It was known as the “back-track” and for many miles it followed one of the old log-lines laid down by the Canning Jarrah Timber Company. This section crossed Kangaroo Gully, Death Adder Creek and Poison Gully, all of which today flow into the Canning Dam. Several miles of the modern bitumised Brookton Highway still runs on this old railway formation. (Article by James “Pal” Smailes)

Children known to have attended: John Hanbury, James Smailes

1922
Teacher Mrs. Agnes E. Pine
Assistant Miss Doris Bettenay
Assistant Miss Pine

On September 23rd a concert party was brought to Karragullen by Mrs. Gillies, at the request of Mrs. Pine, the local school teacher. The party comprised Mrs. Thomson, Mrs. Goe. Horton (Miss Elsie Rosslyn), Madame Marrie, Miss Orchard, Miss Ida Geddes and Messrs Cobb and Geo. Horton. These entertainers gave much pleasure to the audience, and each item was loudly applauded. Messrs. H. P. Colebatch, Minister for Education, and R. S. Sampson, Colonnial Secretary, were present. A vote of thanks to Miss Gilles and party, to Mr. Dwyer who kindly lent a motor car to convey the singers, and the Minister for Education and the Colonial Secretary for their attendance and generosity, was moved by Mr. Harber, of the Parents’ Association,and was carried with acclamation. After supper a dance took place. The proceeds of the entertainment will be used for the purchase of tennis materials for the school court. Extract from The West Australian Saturday 30th September 1922

On December 9th the annual concert and prize giving of the Karragullen School was held in the local hall and was the largest gathering ever held in Karragullen. The whole programme of music and rhythmic’s was given by the school children, whose teacher, Mrs. A. E. Pine , with her assistants, Miss Bettenay and Miss Pine, is to be congratulated on the clever manner in which the children’s talents have been brought out. In the unavoidable absence of Mr. R. S. Sampson, M.L.A. the chair was taken by Mr. H. Stinton (Chairman of the Parents’ Association). After the concert each child received a book as a Christmas gift, and the special prizes were presented by Mrs. Laverack. Penny Winter again winning Mr. Sampson’s prize as dux of the school. Mr. Harber then distributed the gardening prizes, and the senior girls presented Mrs. Pine, Miss Bettenay and Miss Pine each with a suit case from the children and parents, in appreciation of their services through the year. After a few dances, and the singing of the “National Anthem”, the gathering broke up. Extract from The West Australian Wednesday 3rd January 1923

The start of 1922 was of course much better than the start of the previous year. I was now six, and put into what was known as Infants 11. Quite superior to those poor soles just starting out at the bottom of the educational ladder. I will never forget 1922 because it was the first time that I became aware of a date, or year. Up in the top left hand corner of the blackboard, Miss Bettenay had the date of the day, and each school day she would rub out the previous day’s date and put a new one, then every so often the middle figure would change, being the month, but this 1922 seemed to remain for ever. One day I picked up the courage to ask her why it was never changed. She thought that was marvelous, that at my age I had noticed such a thing, and went to no end to explain the years, and how it would change in due course. Over the following years, a craving for dates and figures became very apparent in my life and search for knowledge. I attach great importance to dates because it places all event in proper sequence, and gives a far clearer picture of history and ages. Had Miss Bettenay laughed at me or not gone to such trouble to explain it, my whole attitude to dates and figures could have been different. It is debatable of course. (Article by James “Pal” Smailes)

Children known to have attended: James Smailes

1923
Teacher Mrs. Agnes E. Pine
Assistant Miss Doris Bettenay

The monthly meeting of the Karragullen Parent’s Association was held on the 9th April, when an election of a school board took place, the following members were chosen: – Messrs. Laverick, Simpson, Smailes, Prosser and Harber. The proceeds of the association’s last entertainment (over 5 pounds (10 dollars) are to go to the Children’s Hospital. Extract from The West Australian Monday 23rd April 1923

The celebration of Anzac Day took place in the Karragullen Hall, on April 25th, when a large gathering assembled from the surrounding district. The proceedings opened with the singing of “Rule Britannia”, the solo part being taken by Mrs. G. Simpson. The chairman, Mr. J.A.S. Hanbury introduced the Rev. T. Allan, who addressed the people. The school children then sang an Anzac song, under the direction of their teacher, Mrs. Pine, who also played the accompaniments. Mr. Sampson, Colonial Secretary and member for the district, spoke on the motives which prompted the soldiers to give up everything in order to go and fight for those they loved, and of the women who stayed behind “doing their bit”. He hoped that, while we remembered the dead, we would not forget those who came back, but would give them all the help and encouragement we could. He then unveiled a tablet erected by the Karragullen people to the memory of Private Samuel Verrier, also an honour board, given for the local school children by the Parents’ Association. Kipling’s “Lest We Forget” was sung, and offerings of flowers placed beneath the tablet. The chairman expressing the wish of the people that Lieut. Lantzke’s name be associated with that of Samuel Verrier, both of whom had not lived nor died in vein. A German gun was the unveiled by the Rev. T. Allan, and the National Anthem closed the proceeding. Extract from The West Australian Friday 4th May 1923

I well remember the year 1923 because of several very important happenings in my young life. To move out of Infants 11 and enter Class 1 was evidently of some significance to a seven year old, and to have a younger brother in your charge also had a certain responsibility. Ken, being six in the coming June, was able to start at school in February of that year. We were always good friends at home, so I took it upon myself to take him to school and show him the ropes so to speak. Miss Bettenay continued to ride her horse to the school each day, and keep it in the small yard and stable which her father and brother had built near by. In the shelter shed was an old piano case in which was kept the horses chaff. Miss Bettenay selected me to feed her horse each lunch time from this feed store, and of course I thought this to be a great honour. It meant taking a kero tin of chaff to the trough in the stable and then drawing a tin of water from the tank at Mrs. Pine’s house and topping up the water barrel for the horse. I evidently carried out my duties well, because at the end of the year she gave me a new box of coloured pencils, the first I had ever owned. There were other events however not so pleasant. (Article by James “Pal” Smailes)

Children known to have attended: James Smailes, Ken Smailes

1924
Teacher Mrs. Agnes E. Pine
Assistant Miss Doris Bettenay

When School started in 1924 there were quite a few changes. The biggest being that there were fewer children at school and only one teacher. Miss Bettenay had been retrenched because the numbers had dropped below what was considered necessary to need an assistant. There would be about 30 children at school now, instead of 40. For me it was the first year under the Headmistress anyway. I had graduated to 2nd standard and was in what was called the “uppers”. Of course all being in one room, we could not but help hear what was going on in each and every class. Even when you were learning three times tables you could hear the older children learning eight times tables, so you became well prepared for future lessons. Mrs. Pine now taught everybody, and looking back one must admit, she had her hands full. Children ranged from 5 to 14 spread through nine grades or classes. Infants 1 and 11, then class 1 to 7, sometimes only two or three children in a particular class. The desks held five children, and were in two rows of five facing the teachers desk, which was raised up on a low stage or platform across the width of the room. There was a fireplace in the left-hand corner, and a big timber cupboard in the other corner. It was in this that all spare books, pads, ink etc. was kept. When the days got cooler each year a boy from about eight upwards would be put on “duties” which included chopping the wood each day for the fire, and leaving some twigs and chips for starting the fire next morning. This position was for a week, then another boy took over according to age and class. Other duties included filling the ink wells, and reading the weather. We had to put down the noon temperature, direction of wind, and measure any rainfall that had occurred. It was all good training.

Mrs. Pine was very patriotic also. There was a flag pole in the school yard, and the Australian Flag was run up each morning and lowered when school finished for the day. When the bell rung at five minutes to nine, we all had to form up in two lines according to age, and on command turn and salute the flag. We then marched in lead by the eldest children, and took our places at our desks. When Mrs. Pine came in last, she took her place beside her desk, and we repeated “The Lords Prayer” after her. At nine o’clock school commenced. Three half hour periods, then half an hour for a morning break, then two more periods to mid-day. An hour for lunch, two more sessions to 2p.m. then a quarter hour break, two more lessons, then out at 3.15. Us three Smailes kids had two and a half miles to walk, and used to go via Simpsons place and join up with their two boys, George and Lloyd, then continue on to school, then reverse the procedure after school. During 1924 however Ken and I explored the possibility of cutting through the bush, and shortening the journey slightly. This we did, and as time went on we wore a well defined path through the bush, and took off unnecessary corners.

1924 was an election year in the United States, and Mrs. Pine was a great admirer of America, and got the children to list all the Presidents back from then to the beginning of their system and George Washington. Calvin Coolidge was President at the time, and was re-elected later in the year. He was No.30, and we had to look up all the previous 29 and list them in their proper order. President Harding had died in 1923 during his term, and Coolidge as Vice-President had completed that term and was to stand again. President Wilson was the one before Haring, and his name was on all lips because of his fame at the Peace Conference and aftermath of the Great War. However, we children completed the list, and we had to learn them. I can remember them to this day, and have automatically added a further ten Presidents as history has unfolded. It just shows how ones mind can be influenced at an early age, especially by a dedicated teacher. Mrs. Pine was also keen on poetry, music and singing, even used to take girls for piano lessons after school. We boys were never given the opportunity. (Article by James “Pal” Smailes)

Children known to have attended: George Simpson, Lloyd Simpson, James Smailes, Ken Smailes

1925
Teacher Mrs. Agnes E. Pine Retired at the end of the year

At school there was not much change during 1925, we all went up one class, whether by merit or not we will never know. Old Mrs. Pine had her favourites, and the Smailes children were not amongst them. She used the cane fairly liberally, even on the girls, but I have no doubt that she was fully justified. From about this time onwards, it was Mrs. Pine who awakened in me a love for poetry. Each class had to learn a new poem at least once a month, and keep revising poems already learnt. She insisted on observing the punctuation, demanded clarity, and would always give us some background on the writer, be it Kendell, Keats, Lawson, Paterson or Dorothy McKelar. She was a very well read person and wanted to get us interested in literature. Every Friday afternoon for the last half hour of the day, she would read from a book to all classes combined. To this day I can remember her reading “Inanhoe”, “The Talisman”, “The White Company” and “Kenilworth”. She certainly created a love of reading in myself, and no doubt in many others. Of course few people owned many books as compared with today. I clearly remember one boy especially telling the whole school one day, that their Dad had been able to buy a book to have in their home, and it even had pictures in it.

The school had no books as a library, the teacher either owned or borrowed a volume which was read to the class. Children who had books were encouraged to bring one or two to school for the teacher to read. Dad was a great reader, and had quite a few. About this time he started to buy each of us what were known as the “Wonder Books”. The wonder book of ships, trains, animals etc. They were ideal for growing children, and we used to lend them to the teacher for reading to the school. 1925 was the 100th anniversary of the locomotive, and created quite a lot of interest. Steam power was at its zenith, particularly the railway engines in various parts of the world. I just loved reading about the huge engines employed on the Canadian Pacific Railway and in the U.S.A. Then there were the luxurious fast trains used in England, and speed records set by different countries, and tonnages hauled. Even our own local railway was unique with the Zig-zag method of climbing the Darling Range, and the big double engines which were used. They were Garret engines made especially for sharp curves and steep climbs. It was all part of growing up to watch these monsters and help the guard throw the points during shunting procedures, Karragullen being the terminus of the Upper Darling Range Railway. (Article by James “Pal” Smailes)

Children known to have attended: George Simpson, Lloyd Simpson, James Smailes, Ken Smailes

1926
Teacher Cecil Johnston
Assistant Maysie Johnston

Looking back over a long period of years certain dates stand out more than others. I think that it is more your stage in life, and your ability to understand certain happenings, than the actual events themselves. There were so many events took place during 1926 that I remember it as one of the most dramatic years of my childhood. I had had my tenth birthday in November of 1925, and the old lady school teacher retired at the close of the school year. We were all very concerned about who we would get as our new teacher, but one thing certain was that it was to be a man. None of us had ever experienced a man teacher, and of course the usual rumours and stories were bandied about as to what to expect, particularly the boys.

Well our new teacher was a Mr. Johnston, and he turned out to be very good, just what was needed for the 30 odd children, some of which were getting a bit big and cheeky for the previous lady to handle. Mr. Johnston was married and lived in the school house with his wife and daughter. Mrs. Johnston taught the girls sewing, and Mr. Johnston commenced teaching the boys tin-work which was not possible up to now. He used the cane freely, but certainly not without cause. I found him to be strict but generally a better teacher. We could not bluff him, and he pushed us further if we showed any ability. He was very keen on sports and daily exercises, and taught us many new games and manly activities. He used to fill the blackboards up with the work for the next day overnight, and conducted six and seven classes in the one room.

He would always read some article of interest out of the daily paper. It was not that days paper, usually next day, but something that was topical or happening at the time. I particularly remember following the progress of Alan Cobham’s flight in 1926 from England to Australia and return. It was the first return flight, and took some 30 days each way. His mechanic, named Elliot, was shot by an Arab while flying low in a dust storm in the Euphrates valley between Baghdad and Basra. He died of his wounds, and a Sgt. Ward of the Royal Air Force joined Cobham to complete the trip. The triumphs and failures of the Australian Eleven in England that year was also a great subject with Mr. Johnston, and we were introduced to names like Grimmet, Oldfield, Collins, McCartney and many others, and of course the love of cricket was born in many of the boys of that era. He also stimulated the love of books, and encouraged any of us to read books of our choice or ones that he would lend us. He would question us on a book which we were supposed to have read, and could always if you had really read it or were just saying you had. He himself could read a book in a night, and tell the whole story next day, where we would take weeks and then not know half of it. He was also a wizard with figures and could add up several columns of figures at a great speed with accuracy which amazed us poor children. He was the first person to encourage me with figures, and told me that I had a flair for arithmetic and figures.

Another first for us children in 1926 was a visit to the Royal Show at Claremont. We all went down on an old truck and took a picnic lunch. To see such activity and crowds was just unbelievable to us. I had never seen a tractor, as the orchardists used horses for ploughing, and to see dozens of them in various sizes, colours and makes just was a dream come true. Also harvesters, ploughs, windmills and trucks which we did not even know existed, lined up in dozens. Then of course the hot-dog stalls, cool drinks and ice-creams which country children never saw, just there for a few pence. We took part in coconut shy’s and all sorts of side-shows, and generally got fleeced and taken down. But it was a great day, and a wonderful experience for us growing children.

Going to the show however did cost me a days attendance from the school, and when prizes were given out at the end of the year, I did get the only prize for attendance. One day missed for the whole year. And it turned out to be the only prize I ever received throughout my 9 years at school. The effort of attendance was all the more creditable when one considers that 1926 was one of the wettest years on record, and we had to walk a five mile return trip every day through the bush. I well remember going one wet day on my own from home and only 5 children were at school because of the intense rain. That year there was great floods around Guildford, and the Swan River actually lapped over the old causeway at times. There was also serious flooding at Kelmscott and Cannington because Canning Dam had then not been built to control it. (Article by James “Pal” Smailes)

1926

Back Row (L -R): BILL HANBURY, LIONEL STINTON, ERNEST HANBURY, JOHN COOPER, TED SAUNDERS, DAVID LAVERICK, NORMAN LANTZKE, GEORGE SIMPSON, ALF DAVIES, PAL SMAILES, BERNARD COOPER, BOB ABBOTT, KEN SMAILES. Middle Row (L - R): EILEEN HUDSON, PEG SAUNDERS, DOLLY SOUTHERN, CLARE LAVERACK, FREDA LANTZKE, VENIE SMAILES, DOT HANBURY, ANGUS SAUNDERS (partly hidden), ROMA STINTON, OLIVER HANBURY. Front Row (L- R): LESLIE DANIELS, REG LANTZKE, LLOYD SIMPSON, BLANCHE O'MEAGHER, TOM O'MEAGHER, KATHLEEN HANBURY, JACK O'MEAGHER, EILEEN DANIELS, RICHARD RENTON, MONTIE SMAILES. #6

1927
Teacher Cecil Johnston
Assistant Maysie Johnston

At school I was in Class 5 and under Mr. Johnston was doing quite well. He was very strict, and kept us boys really in line. He used to give all children some drill every morning for exercise, and take part in games such as cricket and football. He greatly encouraged us with reading whole books, not only reading to us, but used to get each of us in turn to read a chapter or a few paragraphs to the class. He loved to read poetry to us also, particularly Banjo Patterson and Henry Lawson. Having come from Maitland in New South Wales, he had grown up at a time when these men were at their peak in their writing. Books were still rare in many homes, but he liked us to bring some to school to share with others, and encouraged us to write short stories to read out aloud to the class. Each Friday for the last period he would read a story to the whole school, which as we grew older we began to understand better, and grasp the real meaning of what he was trying to get across to us. I am sure that it was Mr. Johnston who developed in me, the love of reading both books and poetry, not just as a lesson, but for the sheer pleasure of learning and the love of language and knowledge.

This teacher continued to read to us many articles from the daily paper, and to try and create an interest in events around the world, and particularly in our own country. Anything to do with the then infant aviation development would always be a must with him, and during 1927 there were some events which did have a profound effect upon the future of aviation worldwide and especially on Australia. A Captain E. Jones had created a record to fly around Australia, visiting all capital cities in 22 days and 11hours. The world was amazed, as aircraft were as yet very experimental. However to two unknown pilots in W.A. it became a challenge. Kingsford Smith had just sold out his Gascoyne Transport Co. in Carnarvon, and bought a small Bristol aircraft. His friend Charles Ulm, also an experienced pilot, had financial backing so they attempted to lower Jones’ record to gain support for their long range plans to fly the Pacific Ocean. In June 1927, Smithy and Ulm completed the 7,500 miles flight around Australia in 10 days and 5 hours. This did cause a sensation, and the eyes of the world were focused on Australia, aviation and these two men. In the same year, in a different field, another Australian named Hubert Wilkins had flown over the North Pole for the first time in a tri-motored Fokker aircraft. This too created great interest, and laid the course for greater events to come. Not all ventures were so successful. In August 1927 there was a race organised in California to fly from San Francisco to Hawaii, which had never been done before. Entries came from many people seeking publicity and reward, but the results were disastrous, seven people loosing their lives, and nobody achieving the object of 2,400 miles across the open sea.

Several other flights were planned that year to fly the Atlantic Ocean both from Europe to U.S.A. and also in an Eastern direction. Here again many men and their machines were lost in futile attempts. The French war ace, Nunguesser was one of the victims, and some Governments forbade further attempts at such foolhardy ventures. One day in May however, a young American named Lindberg took off from America and flew non-stop across the Atlantic to land in France, in a single engined monoplane. He was named the ” flying fool” but he did demonstrate that these flights could be done if properly planned, and the right aircraft used. He was the hero of the hour.

These happenings, and many more in other fields of human endeavour, were always brought to our attention by Mr. Johnston, and he would refer to a world map or atlas as the case may be, and show us where these events were taking place, especially if Austraila or Australians were involved. A very important event of 1927 was the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York for the opening of the new Parliment House in the new capital city of Canberra. No body seemed to have heard of the place, and few lived there, because the Federal Government was based in Melbourne since Federation. When the opening was completed, the seat of Government became Canberra, and the city made a start to develop as was intended. Even today it is growing apace, and sixty years from that opening, will be the opening of the new and larger Parliment House in 1988.

The Royal Tour was followed with interest by the schools generally, and when the Royal couple came to Fremantle aboard the cruiser H.M.S.Renown, Mr. Johnston allowed any of us able to take the day off and watch a parade or visit to the ship. Dad took us children to the quay to inspect the huge ship, and as luck had it, the Royal couple drove past us as we waited to go aboard. The Renown was really something for a schoolboy to see. Its huge 15 inch guns, capable of hurling a one ton shell about 25 miles, its engine rooms packed with great engines all hot and hissing, the flags, the discipline of the men and the paint, made us all want to join the Navy. (Article by James “Pal” Smailes

Children known to have attended: Bernard Cooper, Bill Hanbury, Jack O’Meagher, Tom O’Meagher, Lloyd Simpson, James Smailes, Ken Smailes, Venie Smailes

1928
Teacher Cecil Johnston Went on Long Service Leave.
Assistant Maysie Johnston Went on Long Service Leave
Relieving Teacher Mr. Brookhouse who rode a bike from Maida Vale each day. He retired before the year was up.
Teacher Miss Wells took over

One of the first books that Mr. Johnston obtained in 1928 was written by Sir Phillip Gibbs, and entitled “The Day After Tomorrow”. It was a bit ahead of most of the children at school that year, but it was basically his views on what was to come in the almost immediate future. One remark which I well remember was that he wished that he could have been a schoolboy in 1928. Well I was, and as far as I could tell it was wonderful anyway. So much happening, many new developments, and I was growing up right when it was all going to happen. There were pessimists of course, some were right but most were wrong. Nobody then foresaw the Depression of next year, or the dark clouds of war which were once again to darken the lights of Europe, and threaten even the shores of our own Australia. Many of these same students were destined to play their part in it, even to the extent of giving up their lives in its defence of our North.

Upon returning to school in early February, Mr. Johnston told us that in June, or in Mid-year, he was going to take his long service leave, and would be away for the second half of the year. He was going to the Eastern States and New Zealand, and wanted us to obtain all the information we could, on places of interest which he intended to visit. He would tell us all about these places when he returned. Thus we searched for places on maps and articles on towns, cities, river and mountains both in Australia and in New Zealand. Even if he did not benefit from our research, we certainly did, and found out more about the world than we had ever suspected. He really knew how to appeal to young minds, and could make it all sound so interesting and wonderful and so worthwhile. He did have trouble with some children, and was a bit short on patience in some cases. He detested laziness in a student, would not tolerate lying, and would use the cane fairly and with effect if the case warranted such measures. I received my share but totally agree that he was right. The months that followed proved this point.

Of course we little knew that we were watching history being made, and were even part of it. Just as it is going on today, one is not always aware of how important an event can be, but with the advantage of hindsight, certain events stand out like beacons. Such were the events of 1928, particularly in aviation and land speed records. Mr. Johnston readily took any opportunity to follow and explain any speed record attempt, or a dash to lower the times of a flight or long distance endeavour. Such was the case when on February 7th 1928 a young Australian named Bert Hinkler took off from London on the first solo flight for Australia. Each day his progress was recorded in the papers, and read with great enthusiasm by young and old. Some people had crude radios by now, and stole a march with a more recent bulletin. Often the static or a flat battery prevented hearing the latest. However all went well, he had delays, bad weather, hold-ups with officialdom, and fuel supply problems but on 22nd February after 15 1/2 days he landed in Darwin, setting an all time record for a flight so long and arduous. He was the hero of the hour, and was feted in all capital cities, particularly in his home town of Bundaberg in Queensland.

Later in the year Mr. Johnston was on holidays in New Zealand and his successor, a Mr. Brookhouse, was not as enthusiastic about such news. This poor old man lived in Maida Vale at the foot of Kalamunda hill and used to ride a push-bike the 15 miles every morning to the Karragullen school. He had taken on the relieving teachers role for the six months from July to December while Mr. Johnston was on long service leave. Us kids quickly nicknamed Mr. Brookhouse, “Chook” short for chookhouse. On wet days he was usually late, and gradually we children got “his measure” as children will do if there is half an opportunity. We learnt how to get into the school via a window, and if he was late, we would wait for him a while, then go walkabout, returning about 10a.m. or wait till we saw him coming up the road, and ring the bell to spur him on. We made his life a hell, and he did not seem to be able to do anything about it. He eventually bought a Model T Ford car, and improved his traveling time, but used to have trouble starting this car, and was late at times. He used to get us children to push it sometimes to start it, until one day when we were exhausted, one of the boys who could drive, noticed that the key was not turned on. That finished the job of pushing. One day he went for a walk along the main road, so we all piled into his car, and Bernard Cooper who was 13 and could drive well, took off after him. We passed him and turned around and offered him a ride back to school. It was a disastrous situation, and I cannot understand how it went on for so long. He even got Mr. Simpson, a near neighbour, to come to school and talk to us. The two Simpson boys were among the chief offenders, so that had little effect. In cranking his car one day, it backfired and broke his wrist. This of course made it impossible for him to control us with a cane, so he must have notified the Education Department and resigned at the end of September. A bucket of water strategically place above the door, to douse him when he opened the door, was the last straw, and this ended our escapades. We were not bad kids, it was just lack of discipline, and we took the opportunity to vent our fun at the old mans expense. An 18 year old Miss Wells, straight from training college took over on 1st October, and with a visible bundle of canes in her hand as she walked into the class, and asked certain boys to come out and explain themselves. On refusing to move, she just took a cane and broke it over this boy until he cringed in terror. There was no more trouble and no more caning. She was boss, and rightly so. What a difference this girl made, She really put us through our paces in sport, reading and all subjects, and regained our faith in teachers and the education system generally. It was a classical example of what children will do when they loose respect for a teacher and will go as far as they are able, but it was no credit to the Department that this state of affairs was ever allowed to deteriorate as it did. No inspector ever came to check up or support that poor old teacher, or even see how the young teacher coped in her first assignment with such an unruly school. There are men who live in Karragullen today who remember these events, and recall the pain of the cane.

(From an article by James “Pal” Smailes)

Children known to have attended: Bernard Cooper, Bill Hanbury, Jack O’Meagher, Tom O’Meagher, Lloyd Simpson, James Smailes, Ken Smailes, Venie Smailes

Below is an extract from an Oral History that Ken Smailes did for the City of Armadale Birtwistle Local Studies Library.

When Cecil Johnson went, he went to New Zealand, I’m not sure if it was for three months or if it was for six months, anyway while he was away they sent a fellow called Brookhouse up there. And he used to ride a push bike from Maida Vale which is a long way, it is all up hill but, then later on he had a “T” (model) Ford motor car and the only way to start it was to crank it, the crank handle, was permanently in it and it was foolish to press down on the handle because they used to kick, it would kick back and it did and broke his wrist, hit him on the back of the hand , the handle flew around belted him on the back of the hand and broke it. Anyway, of course the kids could see that they – we could take advantage of him and we did. We would give him until nine o’clock and if he wasn’t there then we would leave and we’d go up on this big rock outcrop. I never realised in those days that I would own it one day. But the whole school would go up there and just play and just do nothing and I remember one day – all our dinner – all our school bags were still at the school. I went back with Willy Hanbury, went back to get the dinner, get our school bags and this fellow, we used to call him “chook”, instead of Brookhouse, it was “chookhouse”, and he was always known as “chook”, anyway he was there, he was looking for us, anyway we waited until he had gone, he used to walk up to Brookton Highway, you know he used to go up there everyday for a walk, anyway this day he was up there looking for us and Willy went in and rang the bell, he rang the bell for the teacher. Anyway, then we went, we took the lunches and went and we never came at all that day.

He was very, very upset about it. Anyway things got from bad to worse. Another day, we used to do everything, everything we could think of to upset him. How it ended up, we really took advantage of everything. One day when he had gone up the road for a walk we had this big skeleton of a horse, we brought it along and put it near the door so the skull would fall down when he opened the door. Now we broke his cane up into match wood and stuck it on his table and there was all these old vegetables in the school garden or in the schoolhouse garden and we put them all on the table. These great big beetroots and turnips that had all gone to seed. We put them all on the table and we put glue on the door knob and put drums on the roof, (we) really played havoc anyway when he came home – came to school, he didn’t know what to say. He called on the two biggest to go and get Mr. Simpson and Mr. Hodson and they went got them to come along and anyway that was the end of it, our father wouldn’t let us go back. He said that you are not going back ’til you get a proper teacher there because we would have done serious damage so we had better things to do at home. We got the message that there was somebody coming on a certain date to take over, anyway when we got back, we’d heard in advance that there was a young girl, she was straight out of college and she was going to board at Simpson’s and the day she arrived all the kids were sitting on the fence there, all laughing and playing around and as she walked down the road she had a bundle of canes, four foot canes under her arm and as she walked in the gate she said, “Are you fit?” and we laughed and it was funny, we thought well, we are all right and we’ll fix her. Anyway, we – as soon as we went in the school and she was getting things , she lined us up outside, before we would just do as we liked, but this day we had to march in and sit down and anyway the first one to speak out of turn was Tommy O’Meagher and she called him out to – she was going to give him the cane anyway he was – as he walked out he looking back grinning all over his face. Anyway she told him to hold out his hand and, he just laughed at her and she just belted him. She got this cane and she thrashed him, ’round his behind and around his legs and everywhere and half the cane flew across the room and within minutes he was screaming and he went back to his seat and he never – there was no more trouble from him. Anyway a few minutes later she had me out there, I don’t know what for, I can’t remember what I did anyway my fingers were blue, you know she had me – I had all I wanted and after that she turned out to be not only a good teacher but also a good friend, she did a good job but she was only there a short while and the real teacher came back after that. Johnson came back. It was really terrible the advantage we took of poor old “chook”. We used to just do what we liked.

1929
Teacher Cecil Johnston
Assistant Maysie Johnston

Mr. Johnston returned to the school teaching for the opening of the 1929 school year, and was full of his trip and experiences since leaving us in the previous June. He told us about the geysers and hot springs of New Zealand, the snow capped ranges and the lakes and fiords throughout the country. He had also visited Melbourne and Sydney and Adelaide. He described the cable trams of Melbourne, the beginnings of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the wonders of the Nullabour Plain and Transcontinental trains. He had taken many pictures of his travels, and had many books and pamphlets to give us a better idea of what he had seen. Most children were very interested, and his way of showing us all this was better than geography or history lessons. He also took up his reference to the daily papers, and drew our attention to any event of interest or importance which was happening. Aviation was always a must with him, and when Smithy and his crew on the Southern Cross were reported missing in our far North at the end of March, he kept us fully informed. Simpsons had a wireless set, and one of the boys would go home during the lunch hour to get the latest news, or lack of it.

The days dragged on into a week and no news of where they had come down. Not a sign or trace of men or plane. Every available aircraft was engaged to search likely areas, and Kieth Anderson, a great friend of Smithy’s set out with a mechanic named Hitchcock to join in the search. They in turn became missing near Wave Hill Station, and died of thirst twelve days later. It seemed impossible for a plane of this size to completely disappear without trace. At long last on the 13th April the Southern Cross was located 300 miles from Whyndam on a mud flat almost hidden by scrub. The crew had lived on grubs, fish and wild berries, and had made every effort to get in touch by radio, but to no avail because of flat batteries and lack of general equipment. A small plane flew in some fuel and Smithy flew the Southern Cross out on his own to save weight. They then returned to Sydney without honour amid much criticism and bad feeling because of the deaths of Anderson and Hitchcock. After a public enquiry, the crew were absolved of all blame and allowed to proceed on their attempt to fly to London in record time. This was accomplished in 12 days and 18 hours which put Smithy back in public favour again.

Another first for our school occurred in 1929 concerning foreign born children. An Italian wood cutter named Rocco Macri, went back to Italy late in 1928 and returned with his wife and two children to live near the school on Hanbury’s orchard. These two children, Dominica and Joe, aged 10 and 7, could not speak a word of English, and I am afraid we children gave them a rough time and showed little sympathy. Mr. Johnston just did not have the time to give them any special attention either, and could not help with the language problem. They would go home at lunch time and return at 1.00p.m. with their lunch and eat it in class, much to our amusement. As they learned a few words of English, (not always the right words) they were absorbed into our games and lessons. The next few years, particularly during the depression, brought many children to the school, but these two were the first and must have had an awful time with our ridicule.

The schools in the hills districts were to combine in an inter-school sports contest to compete for a shield donated by Mr. R. S. Sampson, our Member for the Swan seat in the State Legislative Assembly. This gathering was held at the Carilla Hall and sports ground near Pickering Brook early in October of 1929. The schools competing were Barton’s Mill, Pickering Brook, Canning Mills, Karragullen and Carmel. Mr. Johnston had got us all trained in the various sports, and trained well in advance. There were some big children at school, well above average in strength and ability, so Karragullen were favourites to take out the shield. Would you believe that the whole school came down with measles over the preceding few weeks, and some of our best athletes were scarcely out of bed when the sports were held. Some could not even compete, but even so we came second, runners up to Barton’s Mill with Pickering Brook third in points.

I actually left school three weeks before my 14th birthday because of the measles in a way. I was one of the last to get the measles, and was to stay home for the usual 3 weeks. When this time was up, the school had had exams, and there was no point in going back. There was no certificate to be issued, and further schooling was not on. (Article by James “Pal” Smailes

Children known to have attended: Dominica Macri, Joe Macri, Jack O’Meagher, Lloyd Simpson, James Smailes, Ken Smailes, Venie Smailes

1930
Teacher Mr. Ronald Oliver
Assistant Yvonne Oliver

The second annual U.D.R.Inter-schools’ sports competition for the Sampson Shield was held at Carmel on November 1st. The competing schools were Karragullen, Barton’s Mill, Pickering Brook, Carmel, Piesse Brook and Lesmurdie. Carmel school again won the shirld with 3? 1/2 points, followed by Karragullen with 26 points and Barton’s Mill with 22 points. Stanley Wallis (Carmel) was Champion Boy, and A. Weyman (Karragullen) Champion Girl. The chief events resulted as follows:- Boys’ Junior Championship – V. Hawkins (Pickering Brook). Girls’ Junior Championship – L. Jackson (Carmel). Boys’ Championship – Stanley Wallis (Carmel). Girls’ Championship – A. Weyman (Karragullen). Schools’ Relay Race – Carmel 1; Barton’s Mill 2; Karragullen 3: Boys’ High Jump – Stanley Wallis (Carmel). Girls’ High Jump – B. Leeder (Pickering Brook), tied with H. Walker (Piesse Brook). Boys’ Long Jump – Stanley Wallis (Carmel). Girls’ Long Jump – A. Weyman (Karragullen). Boys’ Hop, Step and Jump – Stanley Wallis (Carmel): distance 31ft. 10in. Girls’ Hop, Step and Jump – Mary Wallis (Carmel).

Children known to have attended: Jack O’Meagher, Lloyd Simpson, Ken Smailes, Venie Smailes, Alice Weyman,

“The Old Bush School 1920 – 1930” by James “PAL” Smailes

There’s a place called Karragullen, in the Upper Darling Range,
That has felt the hand of progress, in this modern world of change,
There are mighty tarmac highways, where once the horse was king,
And the present farms and orchards have replaced the axe’s ring
Where the sleeper hewer laboured, with his now forgotten trade,
And the whine of steam and saw-mill, no longer fills the glades.

The trucks and buses service, have replaced the daily train,
Which struggled up the zig-zag, a schedule to maintain,
Electric light and telephone, are now accepted ways,
Where kerosene-wick lanterns, showed the path of by-gone days.
A modern hall and school rooms, planned by those we hope are wise,
Have replaced the old School building, near “The Tavern of the Rise.”

Removed in nineteen twenty, from the Illawarra gate,
‘Twas built with house provided, and re-opened on that date,
The site was then most central, in a district vast and wide,
Yet forty children walked to school, no buses then to ride,
Miss Bettenay in infants taught, Headmistress Mrs Pine,
But with her cane and stern command, all forty “toed the line.”

The shrill of voices filled the yard, the cricket bat and ball
The girls would play at “rounders”, and “Blackie” was for all.
There was a swing and see-saw, to help with trials and joys,
At sewing class the girls were taught, and tin-work for the boys,
The children planted gardens out, and trees on Arbor Day,
To mark the year when each left school, those pines “that sigh today.”

The Laveracks and Prices, the Thompsetts from the east,
The Smailes’ and the Simpsons, the Winters not the least,
The Harbors and the Stintons, the Hudsons and the rest,
All came to school with Steffans, and the Abbots from the west,
Then from the south came Lillymans with Prossers further yet,
The Hanburys and the Hiscoes, and the Stanleys don’t forget.

Then there were the Saunders, the Lantzkes and the Mahers,
The Fergusons and Coopers, and the Bettenays from afar,
But with the years the names have changed, though some remain today
Remembering yet those early times, but most have moved away
The building of the Canning Dam, with catchment far and wide,
Wrote death to many orchards, and spelt doom to men of pride.

Then as the years rolled slowly by, the teachers came and went,
We had our Mr Johnston next, then Brookhouse old and bent,
That poor old man had no control, the children rang the bells,
In three short months resign he must, then came a cute Miss Wells,
Within two days she gained command, by use of bluff and cane
There’s many a man alive today, no doubt recalls the pain.

The twenty’s closed with a few at school, new names replaced the old,
Depression times then hard and tough, brought migrants to the fold,
With newer orchards coming up, the district slowly grew
Till came the war with labour short, and comforts scarce and few
But with the peace the progress came, prosperity the prize,
The Old Bush School has seen it all, near “The Tavern on the “Rise.”

1931
Teacher Mr. Ronald Oliver
Assistant Yvonne Oliver

Below is an extract from an Oral History that Ken Smailes did for the City of Armadale Birtwistle Local Studies Library.

Richard Oliver was good. He came in – I was with him for two years 1930 and ’31 and he had a wife and two girls and a boy – that’s right. He took up land in Karragullen. He started an orchard and built a house and he was around Karragullen for – I don’t know, I can’t remember, it could have been twenty years. So, he was a nice chap and he was a good teacher too. He used to teach the piano, he taught Venie, my sister, music on the piano. So yes that was the extent of my education.

Children known to have attended: Jack O’Meagher, Lloyd Simpson, Ken Smailes, Venie Smailes

SCHOOL REPORT CLASS 7 22nd December 1931 JACK MAHER (O'MEAGHER) #22