Page 264 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

287.

NUL KAB A S C H 0 0 L

designed to accommodate 144 children and at this date had an enrolment of 138
pupils. When tenders were called, the successful contractor was E.R. Potter
of 16 Mart Street Lidcombe, with his quote of £2,754.10.0. ($5,509.00). The
building was completed and ·occupied on 10th June 1926. Mr. F.R. Hungerford
of Nulkaba for £1.0.0. ($2.00) had transported the school furniture and
materials from the Nulkaba School in the old 'Branch School' building to this
brand new schoolhouse. Some surplus desks, forms and the old school stove
were sent on 17th August 192~ to the Cessnock-Aberdare Primary School to be
used by the Cessnock Intermediate High School.

The new school was officially opened at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday 18th
September 1926, by Mr. George Booth, M.L.A., in front of a large gathering.
Nulkaba Parents and Citizens Association raised £70.0.0. ($140~00) to celebrate
the opening of the new school. £40.0.0. ($80.00) was spent on a school picnic
on the Saturday. The balance of the money was spent on school equipment.

The old teacher's residence at the 'Branch' school was sold at an
Auction s·ale by Cessnock Auctioneer, Mr. Sam Horne. The auction took place
on site at 4 p.m. on 2nd November 1926, and the building was sold for demolition
and removal. The successful purchaser was Mr. E. Broadley of McGrane Street,
Cessnock, with his bid of £17.0.0. ($34.00).

Mr. Joe Henry of Morpeth, for a fee of £49.0.0. ($98.00) was engaged
on 22nd November 1926, to clear and restore the old school residence site.
When the work was completed, Portion No. 151, an area of 2 acres 0 rods 0 perches
and Portion No. 222, an area of 1 acre 0 rods 4 perches, were re-dedicated and
gazetted on 5th February 1927, as a 'cemetery site'.

The Nulkaba Parents and Citizens Association had suggested that the
old school building should be retained as a local hall. However, the. idea
was abandoned at a public meeting. The Education Department decided to sell
the building for demolition and removal. The successf~l purchaser on 30th
April 1927, was Mrs.. A.J. Fleming of Moore Street, Cessnack, with a tender price
of £25.0.0. ($50.00).