Page 368 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

399.

WOLLOMBI PUBLIC SCHOOL

In February 1875, Mr. Mansfield, the Government Architect, recommended
that the Wollombi School and residence should have some repairs. Robert Daly,
with a quote of £14.15.0. ($29.50), was the successful contractor. For this
price Mr. Daly lined the rooms of the residence with calico, papered the main
bedroom and lime-wash painted the building.

Ouite a deal of local community pressures over more than a decade had
sought the construction of a new Public School building - in keeping with the
district's importance - at Wollombi, and to meet the large school enrolments
which, even from its early days, reached almost one hundred (100) pupils.
The public outcry eventually bore fruit and Miss E. Kempe, Government Architect,
designed a brick or stone schoolhouse. When tenders were called for the con-
struction of a local sandstone building, the successful contractor was James
Pritchard of Maitland with his quote of £300.0.0. ($600.00). The building
was completed and ready for occupation on 28th April 1822.

Joseph Brownlie was the teacher when the new school building was
completed. Brownlie and the Wollombi Postmaster, J.J. Smith, had a falling-
out in their relationship when Smith's horse trespassed into Brownlie's cow-feed
paddocK and vegetable garden. This serious rift and disagreement finally ended
in Teacher Brownlie being transferred to East Maitland.

Thomas Woodbury of Wollombi was paid £32.10.0. ($65.00) on 10th June
1887, for some repair work and for repainting the school internally and
externally. Repairs included the supplying of a new bell rope, renewing the
flooring on the verandah, and providing six (6) loads of gravelling in the

playgr~und.

More repairs were made, firstly by William Efford of Wollombi on 15th
January 1895, for which he was re•:1arded with a payment of £4. 10. 0. ($9. 00) and
secondly, by Joseph Bailey of Wollombi on 29th August 1295, for which he was
paid £5.16.0. ($11.80). The repairs were made to the fencing, windows and
lavatories. Inspector Dwyer on 20th !1ay 1898, approved the construction at
the Wollombi school residence, of a new washhouse and a new bathroom, plus other
repairs. The successful contractor fer this work was Arthur J. Keevers of
Mt. Pleasant Street Maitland, with his quote of £145.16.0. ($291.60).