Page 55 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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BROKENBACK SCHOOL
LATER BRUNKERVILLE SCHOOL

the then 'present' combined schoolhouse and teacher's residence -
"freely admits rain and wind and the fireplace is damp''. The petition
also indicated that there were fifty-seven (57) pupils attending the
school and a further fifteen (15) children approaching school age.

During 1889, the Education Department agreed to the petitlon
and called tenders for both a new schoolhouse and a separate residence.
Burg Brothers, contractors of Maitland, were the successful tenderers,
at a total price for both the school and residence of £789.0.0 ($1,578.00).
The school was completed and occupied on 20th February 1889. The
new teacher's residence, which had four (4) rooms, a kitchen and pantry,
was completed on 2nd May 1889.

On 20th June 1893, the name of the school was changed to
'Brunkerville', possibly as a token of appreciation or tribute to
the Honorable J. Brunker, Member of the Legislative Assembly, who
was the local Parliamentarian.

Over the years, the Brunkerville Public School premises
have been used for many local fund-raising functions for various
sporting bodies, churches and other area charities. These functions
range over such fields as concerts, needle-work displays, card parties,
etc. Perhaps the very first of these activities was that held as
the result of an application by a committee raising funds for flood-
relief on the 11th April 1893. The Committee had William Blissett
as Chairman and George Gill as Secretary. On this first occasion,
the Education Department very sympathetically approved and granted
permission.

On 8th September 1893, Mr. J. Griffiths, the local storekeeper
at Mulbring, on selling his business and on his dec:sion to leave
the district; show~d his appreciation of the area by giving a joint
picnic to the neigh~ouring Mulbring and Brunkerville schools.