Page 170 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

193.

KI T CHE NE R S CH0 0 L

In August 1920, when the first school had been completed and
opened, the then teacher, Evelyn Mcintosh and her pupils had cleared a
small play area on the original five (5) acre site. In the summer of
1924/1925, large bush fires had endangered the school and it was only the
strong efforts of the local residents that had saved the fence when it
caught fire. After this, Mr. A. Hunter of Kitchener, cleared three
hundred (300) stumps from the five (5) acre playground, as they were
considered to be a hazard and a potential bushfire danger. The work
cost £49.10.0. ($99.00) and took twelve (12) weeks to complete.

Kitchener School had five (5) large tanks which supplied its
water requirements. The Hunter District Water Board had extended and
connected its water mains to Kitchener by June 1928 and the school was
connected to the service by the Education Department's day labour staff
on 30th July 1929, at an estimated cost of £22.19.9. ($45.99).

During 1929, the Kitchener Pastime ~lub set out within the
school playground, a football field, a cricket ground and pitch, and two
wire-netted enclosed tennis courts. The play areas had been constructed
for the scho61 children, as well as doubling up for the leisure activities
of the small village community. The cost of these projects was assessed
at £150.0.0. ($300.00). The Club requested that wate~ should be laid on
to these play areas by the Departmental day labour staff whilst they were
connecting the school to the Hunter District Water Board mains . The
Education Department declined to accede to this request, but allowed the
Kitchener Pastime Club to do the work at their own expense.

The N.s.w~ Government Relief Works, on 30th August 1935,
arranged for ~100.0.0. ($200.00) to be expended on impro~ing the Kitchener
School Grounds.