Page 302 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

333.

RICHMOND MAIN SCHOOL

Whilst the 'loyalists' were still being employed in the same colliery
and usually in selected area~ apart from the regular mining employees, their
situation and treatment by the local miners was certainly not one to be envied.
On some occasions these families had nearly been reduced to starvation.

John Brown finally agreed that these people would not be employed after
the end of February 1919 and the remaining loyalists, with their families, were
transported back to Victoria.

The temporary 'Richmond Main' school closed on 7th February 1919, when
school enrolment numbers dropped below 10 pupils. The bitterness of the
situation, and the treatment of the teacher, is exemplified in a letter from
Vernon Barwick, teacher at the nearby Richmond Vale School. In this letter
to his Department, dated 2nd July 1919, Mr. Barwick, whilst condemning the intro-
duction of the Richmond Main School, tells that on the night the school was closed
(Friday 7th February 1919), the teacher Georg~ Reid, had sought sanctuary in
Barwick's home. He had smuggled George Reid onto the passenger train the next
day to allow him to make his return journey to Sydney.

The school tent was returned to the Education Department.

Only one teacher was employed at the Richmond Main School:-

George E. Reid 13th June 1918

Until the school closed on 7th February, 1919.