Fullerton History
Wong Sat's Store, Fullerton
James' Ritchie Notes on Fullerton
Hadley Public School
Extract from documents from the NSW Powerhouse Museum.
Amelia Hackney and Wong Sat (Sandy Wong) had arrived in Australia in the 1850s. She was
from a well-educated English family, he came out to look for gold. At some point
between 1857 and 1864 Wong Sat met Amelia Hackney. By this stage Sat was
probably already a trader or merchant. It was not uncommon for European women to
deal with Chinese retailers, hawkers or market gardeners. With little apparently
in common, Sat and Amelia nonetheless established a relationship that went
beyond mere commerce. In 1864 they were married. Shortly after they settled at
the gold mining town of Tuena, some 70 kilometres south west of Bathurst and not
far from the new Hackney family property at Burraga. There they conducted a
butchery and general business selling Chinese and European goods to the locals.
At Tuena Amelia gave birth to seven of their 10 children.
The Wongs moved south to the Fullerton/Bolong area where many Irish and Scottish
immigrants had settled. First they rented a property and then, after Sat's
naturalisation in 1879, they purchased several hundred acres of land. They ran
sheep and built a store to service the local community of farmers and graziers.
The Wong's store sold everything from preserved fruit picked from the family's
orchard to violin strings imported from Germany. Country stores like this were
conduits for an extraordinary range of goods from Australia and overseas.
Despite the growing hostility towards Chinese immigrants in the wider colony - a
feeling that would culminate in the Immigration Restriction Act or 'White
Australia Policy' of 1901 - the Wongs remained respected members of their
community. They brought their children up with an ethic of self-improvement and
education. Theirs' is a story of integration in an era often noted for its
intolerance and racism. The store was closed in 1916 after Sat died. Amelia
passed away in 1925. Several of their children married into local families and
remained in the district. 'Bolong' was run exclusively as a sheep farm.
James' Ritchie Notes on Fullerton
Extract from Telling It As It Was by Jeanne Willis
James Ritchie was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, on February 14, 1861.
James was a man with a restless desire to acquire knowledge and with a
determination and intelligence to succeed over tremendous odds.
Thus he was able to record for us the life and times of the Bolong and Fullerton
District. James emigrated with the rest of the family in 1862, being about
thirteen months old when they left. The journey (leaving from Liverpool)
took six months to complete. They left in March and did not land at Kiama
until October.
James was very ill aboard the ship, suffering greatly from heat exhaustion.
The family believing that he would surely die, prepared a shroud. Burials
at sea took place immediately upon death. However he recovered.
On landing at Kiama the family spent six years in the district. The family
arrived at Fullerton in 1868. Jame's father came as the stock supervisor
for the owner of Fullerton Station, Mr. Thomas Fuller, who was dairying on the
share system.
James was one of a family of nine. He was a self taught man and he passed
the necessary examinations to become a school teacher and taught at several
schools in the Crookwell district up to Brundell and retired as headmaster of
the Wyong School. When one considers the standard of education in those
days would have reached only the level of fourth or fifth primary class of the
present education system, one realises the dedication of James Ritchie in
attaining the ultimate of success and acclaim in the field of education of the
day.
James only used fact in his spoken and written word, if he could not
substantiate beyond all doubt the accuracy of his information he omitted it from
the account of the following document of history.
James Ritchie died in 1953 at the age of 92, having lived in retirement for some
years at Concord.
Surrounded as he was by people looking for power, grasping for possessions,
running undisciplined in a newly found freedom, James Ritchie found wealth in
becoming an articulate and beautifully descriptive historian and teacher.
All subsequent documentations are as written by James Ritchie. It is with
much appreciation to Mr. Aubrey Seaman for for making this diary available to
the writer.
My earliest recollections date back to about 1870. General appearance of
the district during the early 70's: The whole district was open. It
was possible to travel in any direction for many miles without meeting a fence.
At each homestead there was usually a small cultivation paddock or two, cleared
excepting for stumps, and enclosed by log fencing, or perhaps a split fence.
There was also generally what was called a bush paddock, enclosed by a dog-leg
fence, and used for saddle horses. There were no gates in these fences,
slip-rails being used instead. Sheep were shepherded, and this was usually
the work of old men, though I have seen smart, able-bodied men thus employed.
The wages were about £26 per annum with single or double rations.
Cattle were allowed to stray where they pleased and did often leave the run on
which they had been reared. Wild horses were numerous. As a rule
they were of a good, hardy breed, and when broken were far ahead of anything we
produce now as regards capacity to endure work and hardship. These horses,
though unbranded, were generally claimed by one or other of the residents.
They were very difficult (some impossible) to yard.
Often one or more men, mounted on their best steeds, would chase a mob of
brumbies from morning till night and then have to give them best. The
times produced a class of fine, fearless bush riders.
The country was nearly all in its virgin state. There was no clearing
other than the cultivated land before mentioned. Kangaroos, wallabies,
native bears, possums, native cats, tiger cats, kangaroo rats and and flying
squirrels were numerous. They were often killed for sport but no one
thought of skinning them.
At night possums could be found in nearly every tree. Hares, rabbits and
foxes were not heard of.
Wheat was grown by nearly every householder, sufficient for his own needs, as
were potatoes. the cultivation was of a primitive style - a large wooden
plough drawn by bullocks, and a home-made harrow, were used. Yet the crops
were usually good. The reason for this was that as sheep were shepherded,
and everyone owned some, it was convenience to manure the ground by
sheep-folding, i.e. camping the sheep on it in folds made of portable hurdles.
Reaping was performed by hand, as was often thrashing and winnowing. A
practice much resorted to was to trample the grain out by means of horses or
bullocks.
The first winnower I saw belonged to E. Seaman. A little later the
thrashing machine came into use and wheat was grown for market in small
quantities.
The most successful farmer in the locality was Sam Cornwell, who would grow as
much as 150 bags of wheat in the season (the bags then held 4 bushels).
This was worth about 5/- per bushel.
The first thrashing machines were worked by horse power and would thrash 50 to
60 bags per day. The winnower was separate from the thrasher and was
turned by hand. The first thrashing machine I recollect seeing was owned
by Fenton, Peelwood. Another of the early ones was owned by Pat McGuire,
Peelwood.
The growing of vegetables was not a strong point. In fact, vegetables,
with the exception of potatoes, were rarely seen. The only fruits grown
were cherries, plums and gooseberries. They were of poor quality;
the product of what might be called semi-wild trees.
Hay was not grown in the early seventies, and of course, there were no stables.
Such structures would have been superfluous. Horses were not used for
draught. The only vehicle in use was the bullock-dray, without brake.
Little Conditional Purchase land was held. Each householder had one or
more 30 or 40 acre blocks, purchased from the Government at auction, and the
country being open, there was ample room for all.
Buildings were of slab with bark roof; I think there were only four
shingled roofs in the district - Seaman's, Laverty's, Billy Mills' and a small
stone building on Old Bolong (Bolong River).
The bark roofs were very unsatisfactory, as they needed continual attention and
even then could not be made rain proof. Glass windows were rare.
The nearest Post Office was at Laggan. There was a mail (horseback) from
Goulburn to Tuena, and mail (horseback) from Goulburn to Tuena, and mail matter
for Bolong was left at Laverty's.
There was a school at Bolong Church. I think it was Half Time with another
near Laverty's. The teacher's name was Reid. I do not remember much
about him, but think he "batched" at the school and sometimes got drunk.
He was my first teacher but must have left shortly after I commenced to attend.
There may have been a school at Laggan at that time and there probably were
schools at Tuena, Binda and Taralga, but I do not think there were any others
within, say 3- to 40 miles.
A clergyman (C.E.) held service at Bolong Church occasionally. He came
from either Goulburn or Binda, generally from Binda.
The road from Bolong to Jim Tracey's was a bush track via Vaughan's. There
was no metal on the road between Laggan and Goulburn. There was none
between Laggan and Tuena. That road passed by way of Jimmy Williams' and
Paddy Berrell's. The roads being unmetalled, horses were unshod. The
print of a shod horse indicated the presence of a policeman in the locality.
Cricket had been played but had died out. Races were held each year at
Limerick. Dances were common. They were then called sprees.
Seaman's annual birthday party or spree was a feature or the times.
Musicians were scarce. There was an old concertina player named Henry
Fitzclarence, a whistler and tambourine player named Neddy Pettit, and a German
violinist, Karl Meinhardt.
These were in great request at the sprees, in fact they made their living by
playing for dancing. No musical instruments were to be found in the homes.
I did not know of anyone who could sing at that time.
There were so few householders in the district of which I write (Abercrombie
River to Jim Treacy's and Cook's Vale Creek to Leighwood Levels) that I can name
them:
Tom Francis, Abercrombie River;
Sherwood, Cornwell, Seaman, George Weeks, Allport, Hawkesly,
my father: Bolong Levels:
Josh Taylor, McKenzie, McGaw, Booth; Phil's River;
Nat Crocker, Mrs. G. Croker, Jack Cartwright, Toole,
McDonald, Vaughan Senior, Vaughan Junior,
Mat Toole; Irishtown;
Fardy, Laverty, Philip Hogan, Old John Mills, Billy Mills,
Billy Cartwright Hall; Cooks Vale Creek;
Conlon, Mrs. Cummins, Lawlor; Mianga Creek.
Waldron lived in a stone cottage on Old Bolong;
John Smith near where Henry Wong (Sat's) is now;
Tom and John Weeks on Bolong River, near the Bar;
Bob Sullivan and Jack Williams on Boree Creek;
towards Leighwood lived Burnett, Jack Marmont, Mick and Tom
Fitzgibbons, Tom Marmont
lived on Bolong River. Charlie Wade and Armstrongs
also.
Fardy (Tom) kept a hotel at Limberick. Paddy Berrell and Jimmy Williams
lived on the roadside between Phil's River and Jim Treacy's, this was purchased
by Fuller at 7/- to 8/- per acre. It consisted of Hadley's Section, Bolong
Levels, and Old Bolong, and has been since much enlarged by dummying, buying out
selectors, etc.
When my family arrived Weldron was in charge but must have been soon superseded
by Cadden who had had some experience on a sheep station. Bolong was
stocked with sheep, and Levels with cattle. Butter was worth 9p to 1/- per
lb., and wool (washed) 1/3. Sheep were not shorn in the grease as at
present.
Evens which had happened shortly before my time:
Jack Cummins had been shot near Berrell's. It is supposed that the fatal
shot was fired by a friend and was intended for the constable who was exorting
him to Tuena. Lowry had been shot at Limerick by the police. Both
Berrell's and Francis' houses had been hotels. Ben Hall's gang of
bushrangers had been in the habit of frequently visiting the district and were
well known.
The Eighteen Seventies
Little fencing was done. Shepherds were still employed.
Towards the end of this decade fencing (generally chock and log) commenced.
There was no clearing or ringbarking.
Wild horses had become less numerous. Kangaroos, wallabies, native cats,
possums, native bears were as numerous as ever. They were killed for spot
but not skinned. Horses were not shod, this was as before, but rather more
extensively. A little hay was grown and stables were to be found at a few
places. In a few cases horses were used for ploughing.
Conditional Purchase commenced. The purpose was to secure the rungs held,
not to make new homes, though this came later. Dummying was freely
resorted to.
Houses were still generally of slab and bark, but Vaughan and Laverty had stone
houses built.
Use of metal, for roads was begun towards the end of the decade. A new
road was laid out from Peelwood Road to Sherwood's, and part of it was cleared.
The road from Peelwood to Goulburn was in a shocking condition owing to heavy
traffic in connection with Peelwood Copper Mine.
A Post Office was established at Bolong Church and called Fullerton. There
was weekly mail from Laggan. H. Waldron was the first postmaster and mail
contractor.
Mrs. Waldron opened the school at Bolong. She must have left Bolong before
the middle of the decade. She was succeeded by Phillips, a very old man.
Phillips was succeeded by a Mrs. Cadden, connected by marriage with Cadden of
Fullerton Estate. She did not remain long. After her departure the
school was closed down. The Rev. J. C. Betts, who afterwards lived at the
school for a time, taught two days a week while he remained in the locality.
A policeman was stationed at Bind, two at Tuena, and two at Taralga.
During this decade the station at Binda was closed and one was established at
Crookwell. The nearest polling booth was at Laggan until near the end of
the decade when one was established at Bolong.
Peelwood must have been opened up early in the decade. When I first
visited it in '74 it was in full swing. There was a large population of
miners, woodcutters, woodcarters, carriers (bullock and horse teams). Two
tons was a good load for a team. The carriage rate to Goulburn was about
£4 per tone.
Schofield kept a store on the right bank of the creek near where the bridge is
now. Billy Ford kept a hotel on the opposite side of the creek.
Duncan McKenzie had a store, butcher's shop, a post office where the post office
is at present, and Fuge had a hotel opposite where Fardy's Hotel is now.
Burraga Cooper Mines were opened up during this decade. Races were still
held at Limerick and also at Dan O'Brien's, Laggan.
Sprees were still common, the principal one being that given by Seaman annually
on his birthday. Rattles became as common as the sprees. The
concertina was found in most houses and was much used for dancing.
Violinists were uncommon, the only fiddlers in our district being Phillip
Armstrong and Charlie (Karl) Meinhardt.
Cricket was revived by H. Cadden. Matches were played with Binda, Taralga,
Swatchfield.
In the early seventies coats and collars were not much used. Vaughan
Senior drove to church without a coat in the first buggy owned by any of my
neighbours.
The usual costume for men at work was - mole-skin trousers, belt, shirt,
waistcoat, handkerchief round the neck, cabbagetree hat and boots, often without
socks. Cricket was played in the ordinary costume, sometimes barfooted.
All clothing was of the ready-made variety. Collars were not worn.
Watches were not seen.
A mail was established between Taralga and Fullerton with Jerry Webster as
mailman. It continued for a few years. The Fullerton Post Office was
transferred from Waldrop to my father and removed to Bolong Levels. Fred
Munoz carried the Goulburn-Laggan mail on horseback.
Cadden lived at Old Bolong in the stone cottage which had been enlarged by the
addition of several wooden rooms. He had charge of the sheep and went to
considerable expense in improving the class, erecting plant for washing, etc.
The sheep did not do well and disease carried off large numbers of them.
Dairying was still carried on by my father. Butter was taken by bullock
dray to such places as Wattle Flat, Sofala, Hill End, Tamoaroora and Gulgong.
The Eighteen Eightees
During this decade, fencing was proceeded with, and as runs were
enclosed shepherds were dispensed with. Fencing was succeeded by
ringbarking and clearing, but little was done in this line till the nineties.
Wild horses, became a thing of the past. Possum-shooting for profit
commenced, but the work was not popular at first. Towards the end of the
decade it became more popular and profitable.
Kangaroo and wallaby driving commenced early in this decade or in the late
seventies. The animals were eventually almost exterminated. As many
as 500 had been yarded or shot by one party of hunters in a day. They were
not skinned at first. Drives brought forth the breech-loading gun and
produced some good shots.
The hare made his appearance about 1880. By the middle eighties they had
become a pest, being very destructive to the wheat crops and grass. A
bonus of 2d per scalp was paid by the Stock Board, and drives were undertaken,
by which they were kept in check
Tailor-made clothing became the fashion. White shirts (starched) and
watches were worn by nearly all who could afford them. Cricket was still
played in ordinary costume.
About 1889 (long) George Croker purchased a sawmilling plant. He already
possessed a steam engine, having bought Camerons thrasher and engine.
Farming - horses were not used for the plough. Stables were common.
Horse-shoeing was resorted to as the roads became more macadamised.
Condition purchase went on apace - the young men taking up land to make a home
or enlarge what they already help. Some bitterness was always engendered
if one encroached on another's run. Dummying was common.
The first wire fence in the district was erected by pat and Stephen Booth. for
Fuller, either early in the eighties or in the late seventies.
Improvement in building was general. Galvanised iron was used for roofing,
glass windows and board floors were placed in nearly all new houses. The
houses were still slab.
Roads - there was much improvement, the Fullerton Road was cleared from
Irishtown to Hadley (Sherwoods).
The cutting leading from Phil's River to Fullerton had been put in about the end
of the seventies. Previous to this Phil's River was crossed a little
higher up than the church.
Institutions - The mail to Taralga was discontinued and the mail to
Laggan was made bi-weekly. Schools wre opened at Irishtown, Golspie &
Flowerburn. There were schools at Peelwood, Binda, Laggan, Tuena, Taralga
& Leighwood.
Ah Hong had opened a store in Booth's old house. This was bought by Wong
Sat who later removed to the present residence of the family.
Mining - During the early eighties Peelwood Mines closed down. They
changed hands and were started again before the end of the decade. Very
expensive plant was errected; coke was burned instead of wood. Mount
Costigan and Cordillera were also opened up. Burraga was still working.
The hotel at Limerick was closed and the races discontinued.
Footracing became very common. Cricket was still played. Raffles
were still common and, of course, were worked in connection with a dance.
The violin and concertina were played by ear. Singing (of a kind) by ear
was practiced by a few.
Fullerton Estate - During the decade George Adams (Tattersall) had
possession of the estate for a few years. His brother Charliewas manager.
When Fuller regained possession he came to reside at Fullerton and tried
dairying but without success.
The Eighteen Nineties
All the best of the land was taken up, and land of inferior quality was
taken as the good ran out. Clearing and ringbarking was proceeded with.
Fencing, had been finished and all runs were enclosed. Possums had been
almost killed out. Native bears, native cats, kangaroo rats had
disappeared. The bee-moth destroyed most of the bees (their hives had been
fairly plentiful in the bush). Hares were pretty plentiful. The
bonus was still paid. Drives were still common.
Rabbits made their appearance about the middle nineties and soon made their
presence felt. A bonus of 2d per scalp by the Pastures Board was tried,
but the animals continued to increase. Poising was tried and a good many
were shot. Nevertheless, they overran the district. the sweet-briar
had been spreading at an alarming rate, but the advent of the rabbit checked
that nuisance as they did not allow many fresh plants to grow. When
rabbits became plentiful the hare almost disappeared.
Farming - Owing to the presence of hares and rabbits, and the low price
of wheat, wheat-growing was almost discontinued. Hay was grown and every
householder had a stable. Horses were generally shod, and were beginning
to be used more than formerly for draught. The bullock dray was being
superseded by the wagon. Sulkies made their appearance. Glass
windows, board floors, iron roofs were the rule.
Institutions - The school at Fullerton was opened by Rutter, 1890.
A little later a school was opened at Hadley by Middlebrook.
Raffles were not so common. Footracing had almost died out. There
was a good deal of horseracing for bridles, etc. Bicycles came into use.
Previous to 1895 bicycles were unknown in the district. The violin and
concertina were coomon and were played by ear. There were no pianos.
Cricket was still played.
Mining - Peelwood closed down in 1889, and Mount Costigan and Cordillera
a year or so later. Burraga was still working though sometimes shaky.
Fullerton Estate - Early in the nineties this estate became the property
of Charles Burcher. Fuller having failed, Syd Jones was manager but
retired in 1898 and was succeeded by McPherson.
General remarks - Ringbarking and clearing are still proceeded with and
all land of good or fair quality carried no green timber. This increases
the carrying capacity of the land., but a mistake is being made in killing all
the timber. The bee-moth has disappeared and bees' nests are now to be
found in the bush in small numbers.
Hares have been thinned down and it looks as if they will die out. They
appear to go down before the rabbit. During the early part of this decade
they were of some value, their carcases being trucked to Sydney during the
winter months. Large numbers were shot on this account.
Rabbits are now scourge. The bonus on their scalps was discontinued (it
was a failure). Driving and shooting have proved ineffective.
Poising with phosphorous was tried about 1990. It is the best method of
coping with the pest yet tried, but it is not good enough.
Dr. Danyz is now experimenting with disease microbes. If this method of
rabbit destruction proves a failure, there is a bad time ahead for the country.
During winter months, good money is made trapping for carcases or skins, but
this appears to make little difference to the numbers of the pest. Wire
netting is being tried in a small way, but is expensive and does not appear to
be rabbit proof.
There is scarcely an acre of crown land left. Land that was considered
worthless 10 years ago has been readily taken up.
Dances are not nearly as common as they were. Pianos are now pretty
common. Some musical instrument is to be found in almost every home, as
also are a newspaper and books.
McPherson is still in charge at Fullerton. Sheep have been doing very well
as the seasons have been not too wet. Starlings first appeared about 1906.
Hadley Public School
1891 - 1968
Extract from An historical account prepared by the Division of
Research & Planning, NSW Department of Education
Records relating to the establishment of a provisional
school at Hadley are somewhat incomplete, but it appears that the first one was
made about 1887 when the Minister for Education decided to establish a school
provided the residents fulfilled their promise of erecting a building.
Nothing further eventuated until August 1890 when the
Inspector reported that a building had been erected and was ready for
occupation. Unfortunately, there is no record of the size of the building
or its location, but the school opened in February, 1891 under the charge of Mr.
Charles Middlebrook. By the end of that year the enrolment comprised two
boys and eleven girls, with an average attendance of 7.8.
Apparently the population in the locality was not as settled
as it should be, as in March, 1892 Mr. Inspector Murray was asked to comment on
the possibility of closing the school. His report to the Department is
given below:
"There is no school that could be worked with Hadley as a half time. Most of the children can attend Fullerton School.
The people all know that Hadley School was only started as an experiment and that if the average attendance of 12 was not maintained the school would be closed. The people at my last visit expected that it would be closed. As a sufficient time has now elapsed and the people have been warned of the closing I recommend that that be now done, and the teacher appointed to the proposed school at Wattle Grove, Laggan and Peelwood Road."
The recommendation was approved and the school closed as
from 30th April.
Shortly afterwards the residents requested that a school be
re-established at Hadley. They were even willing to have a half-time
school if a provisional school could be maintained as long as their children
were receiving some education. Mr. Inspector Baillie was of the opinion,
however, that an average of not more than seven or eight could be expected.
Moreover, in wet weather the children were unable to cross the creeks which
intervened between their homes and the existing school building. As he
considered that the school was in the wrong place the Department decided to
decline the application and the matter fell into abeyance for the time being.
Two years later a petition was received from the residents
requesting that Hadley be re-opened as a half-time school with Leighwood.
Signatories to the document were Samuel & Charles Cornwell, M. Cartwright,
Charlotte Sharwood & Alfred & John Sharwood. Mr. Inspector Smith was asked
to investigate the matter and submitted this report on 25th May. He wrote:
"Mr. Inspector Baillie visited this locality at the latter end of 1892 and reported against an application for the re-opening of a full-time school there on the 10th September...There has been no increase in the population since this report was made, but the same residents are anxious for a half-time school to be worked in conjunction with Leighwood. I would not recommend that this application be granted on the following grounds: (1) There are only 7 children within the school distance, all but the Sharwoods are over 2 miles from the school. (2) The distances stated on the written form are not correct. (3) Four children attend the Fullerton Pub. at the present time, and were these children withdrawn, Fullerton Pub. most likely would be reduced a grade. (4) The attendance at Hadley cannot possibly reach 10 during the winter months as the majority would have to cross flooded creeks & gullies. (5) The attendance at Leighwood Pub. for the last quarter was only 8.2 and probably this quarter it will be less. (6) Ofs the 16 children, whose names appear on the appended list, 9 are very young ranging from 7 years of age and downwards."
The Chief Inspector, however, was not inclined to agree with the Inspector's recommendation and wrote as follows to him on 4th June:
"It is observed that when Inspector Baillie visited in October 1892 there were 10 children of school ages available, and that now the applicants state that they have 16 children of the ages. Mr. Baillie reported that the school building was in the wrong place, and should have been erected near A. Sharwood's residence.
The question now arises, if the residents at Hadley remove the building to a central and suitable site without expense to the Department, whether a full-time school could be maintained, or whether the rules of half-time or house to house teaching could be applied to the locality in conjunction the existing school at Leighwood. Who are the children who attend Fullerton school, and how far have they to travel?
It is necessary that you should visit the neighbourhood as early as practicable, and make full inquiry into the educational requirements."
Accordingly, Mr. Inspector Smith paid a visit to Hadley
and found the residents willing to remove and re-erect the school building into
Mrs, Sharwood's land, two acres of which it is proposed to lease at a peppercorn
rental. Approval for the change in site was therefore given and the work
was completed on 12th July. The school re-opened as a half-time school
with Leighwood during the same month under the charge of Mr. H.F. Ferris.
By August the enrolment at Hadley comprised four boys and fifteen girls, while
Leighwood had an attendance of seven boys and nine girls.
In March, 1896 Messrs. M. Cartwright, John Sharwood and
Charles Cornwell requested that Hadley be converted to a provisional school.
However, the effective enrolment of nineteen pupils was considered insufficient
for the establishment of such a school and the request was declined.
Apparently the numbers improved over the next two years as Hadley was raised to
the status of a provisional school from 9th September, 1898.
In January, 1899 a new site of two acres was resumed from
Mrs. Eliza Seaman for school purposes. The land comprised portion 17 of
the Parish of Sherwood, County of Georgiana, and was situated about half a mile
to the south of the existing site. The following month a tender was
accepted from Mr. George Landsdown for the erection of a new school building.
Measuring 24 feet by 17 feet, the new structure was completed in May at a cost
of about 85 pound.
Hadley was converted to a public school in 1901, dating from
1st January, after the enrollment had risen to 27 pupils. Several months
later the teacher, Mr. Henry Sheldon, moved into a residence which had been
erected by Mr. Thomas Seaman. The rental amounted to 20 pound per annum, and
the house comprised three rooms and a kitchen.
Records relating to the next seventeen years give an
incomplete account of events, but it appears that dwindling attendances
forced the school to close on 12th December, 1918. Mr. W. Seaman was
subsequently allowed the grazing rights of the grounds for the sum of 1
pound per annum.
Representations regarding the re-opening of the school were
made by Mr. Joseph Sharwood in May, 1920. After some investigation the
request was declined, but an educational subsidy offered instead with the
promise that if the average attendance warranted it further consideration would
be given to the application. Apparently the offer of the subsidy was not
accepted, as in 1923 the residents once more requested that the school be
re-established. Although the request was refused at this time, Hadley was
re-opened as a half-time school with Fullerton in August, 1924. It was
converted to a provisional school in 1926.
In 1938 a weathershed was erected at the school. The
Parents & Citizens' Association performed the work while the Education
Department supplied the materials.
The first two terms of 1924 a local lady, Miss Lila Croker
(now Mrs. Long of Goulburn) taught as a substitute teacher paid by the
Department according to the number of children attending. Increasing
numbers of enrolments made too many pupils for subsidised payment so school
re-opened as a half-time with Fullerton in September, 1924.
The only records available for Hadley school after 1927 are
the admission register for the 1964-68 and the teacher appointments from which
it appears Hadley was without a Government teacher for the first & third terms
of 1929. From January, 1930 until December, 1968 the school was
continually staffed by Government Department teachers.
During the years 1956 to 1968 bulk rural electricity was
connected to the school and much more teaching aids and equipment were available
for the schools needs. A new floor was put in the building in 1966.
School closed in December, 1968. Pupils then attended
Limerick Public School.