Page 230 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

253.

MULBRING SCHOOL

STATE ARCHIVES FILE NOS.
'SUGARLOAF' - 5/17705-2
'MULBRING' - 5/16987-2A
- 5/16987-2B

Mulbring has the distinction and honour of being one of the oldest
and continuous schools in Australia. In their book, "Government Schools of
New South Wales 1848 - 1976", the Authors, J. Fletcher and J. Burnswood, show
the first forty-four (44) schools established by the Board of National Edu-
cation. Schools are listed in opening date order and Mulbring is the twelfth
(12th) in this Register. A private school is said to have been operating
at Mulbring from the mid-1840's. Mulbring area in its early history, was
known as 'Sugarloaf'. During 1849 a Mr. S. Wilkinson is said to have written
to the newly formed Board of National Education, asking that the 'Sugarloaf'
School be taken over by the Board. Mr. Wilkinson is said to have also sug-
gested a local School Board comprising some well known local residents of that
era, namely; Williar.: Gill, William Andrews, Donald McDonald, Charles Field
and William Stevenson. In his communication, Mr. Wilkinson is said to have
advised that £15.0.0. ($30.00) had been subscribed locally for the purpose
of erecting a new school building.

The 1849 Department of Public Instruction Annual Report, under
Appendix "F" lists the applications for that year for the establishment of
a school in order of application. 'Sugarloaf' was twelfth (12th) on this
list. The Department's 1850 Annual Report, in its General Section, records
this item:-

"Sugarloaf School site granted by Government
Permanent schoolhouse built".

In the same report (1850), under a section headed "Buildings" appears this
item:-

"14th February 1850 - Erection of a schoolhouse at
Sugarloaf - £30.00 ($60.00).

Also, in the same 1850 Report, under a section headed "Salaries", this notation