Page 294 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

325.

QUORROBOLONG SCHOOL

!.

The Department considered that the old school's bookpress was in a
suitable condition for the new school. The water tank on the old site was
shifted to the new premises by H. Kerr for an amount of £1.8.6. ($2.86). During
this journey the spout was damag~d and had to be repaired. · R.J. Bridge completec
the fencing · of the new school on 18th August 1901. His quote was £38.9.0.
($76.90).

Charles Chapman of Ellalong, on 8th July 1902, for a contract price
of £23.0.0. ' ($46.00), made some alterations to the new school. The inner walls
of the school were lined with Gunnedah Pine. The verandah, eighteen (18) feet
by seven (7) feet, was also floored - this had not been provided in the original
specifications. The school was painted by Lomas Brothers of Cessnock on 19th
August 1909. Their tender had been £23.10.0. ($47.00).

On 18th November 1915, a bush fire destroyed the Quorrobolong school
fence and the school's detached lavatories. The toilets were not renewed for
almost three years, until 29th October 1918, when they were rebuilt by J. Wetzler.
This work ·was included among some other repairs for which the quote had been
£33.0.0. ($66.00).

A flood on 27th ~3rch 1926, kept the teacher Elizabeth Kealy, absent
from the school for four (4) days. Miss E. Kealy resigned in July 1926, stating
that her accommodation was of too poor a standard. She was not replaced until
the start of the 1927 school year.

Late in 1928 the Education . Department decided that due to the ravages
of white ants to the school building, a new school should be co.nstructed on
a new site. An area of two (2) acres in the north-eastern corner. of part of
Pcirtion No~ 29, Parish of Cuorrobolong, was purchased from Albert Crothers of
CampbelbHill Maitland, for the sum of £25.0.0. ($50.00). Plans were drawn
up by the Education Department for the construction of a b~ilding twenty five
(25) feet ~y twenty five (25) feet. This structure 'was tc have a classroom
eighteen (18) feet by eighteen (1'8) feet, a hatroom eightee~ (18) feet by seven
(7) feet and a verandah twenty five (25) feet by seven ~7) feet. · The Depart-
mental Architect had estimated the cost of the school, plus two separat~

I;