Page 267 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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OAKVALE PUBLIC SCHOOL

STATE ARCHIVES FILE NO. 5/17206-1

Also 1/913 (Part)

"Oakvale", in the early 1860's, was a thriving little hamlet, situatec
about three (3) miles from the present Buchanan Art Gallery (Old School Buildine
towards Maitland along the Buchanan - East Maitland Road. At this period it
boasted an Inn, a Post Office and a shop. The population was not large and wa~
fairly scattered.

However, an applicaticn dated 19th September 1870, sought the
establishment of a 'Provisional School' at Oakvale. Quite some correspondence
had been exchanged on the prospects of the establishment of a school at either
Buchanan, Buttai or Oakvale. Some strong pressures had been made by James
Price of Brookes Flat and also Buttai, that a school should be established at
Buttai to cater for his 'Boiling-down-works' employees. The local residents
finally petitioned the Council of Public Instruction that a school should be
established near the Oakvale Inn on the main road to cater for this populace
and its children. The petition was headed:-

"We, the residents of Oakvale, Buttai and Dagworth seek
the establishment of a school. Our local Committee
are, John Calhoun, Joseph Waters, William Taylor, John
Silk, James Smyth and James Cox".

This Committee indicated to the Council that it had a building
available to serve as a school and residence. This was a structure thirty
five (35) feet long by twenty three (2'3) feet wide. This was divided into
three (3) rooms. One room was thirty five (35) feet by fourteen (14) feet;
another room was nineteen (19) feet by nine (9) feet, and the third room was
sixteen (16) feet by nine (9) feet. The owner James Fox, was prepared to give
a three (3) year Lease at a reasonable rental.

In the original peti~ian, the following information was listed -
Parents' names; possible pupils; family religion; distance from their home
to Mr. Cox's building.