Previous to the formation of the P&C, support was supplied by parents through the “School Committee” which were active from the earliest days and particularly in the 1950s.
Indeed it was the first School Committee that was elected from prominent settlers in the area who were primarily responsible for building the school from nothing.
The School Committee were required to register their members with the department and notify the department when someone resigned and consequently replaced. Committees were elected for a commitment period of three year terms.
1874: FIRST PROVISIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTED
20 April 1874
Public Meeting is held for the purpose of obtaining school facilities and temporary premises were arranged by the committee elected at this meeting. Attended by Mr Edwin Willett.
Purpose – ‘Considering the advisability of taking immediate steps to form a provisional school at the North Pine River.’
Committee Elected as representatives to the Board of Education:
John Duffield | Chairman (farmer)
John Duffield Jnr. | Secretary (farmer)
Thomas Petrie
Karl Lies
John Todd
Walter Francis
Points of note from the letter of reply by Secretary of the Education Department regarding the committee’s request:
“A salary at the rate of £50 per annum will be granted to Mr Jones as teacher from 1/5 (1May).”
“The committee will make the best arrangements in their power for rendering the experiment of the half time school successful.”
A special meeting was called “to consider where and how to erect a small building suitable for a school on the north side of the river.”
1875: SCHOOL COMMITTEE REQUEST SUPPORT TO BUILD NEW SOUTH BANK SCHOOL
By the end of the 1875 school year the lease on the original school-house on the south side of the river was nearing its end, to be finalised on the 1st of April the following year. Perhaps there was a community push to improve the conditions of the south side to match the now new section on the north side, but for whatever reason it seems that it was decided to not renew the lease on the Gympie Road property.
Courtesy Moreton Bay Regional Council Local History Library
CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FULL SIZE
A meeting was convened on the 13th October 1875 to discuss this as evidenced in a letter sent to the education department on the 18th October discussing a new site, donated by a Mr Ebert [although transcribed as Abert], written by the Secretary of the School Committee – Thomas Houghton.
In the letter, the offer of land is described:
Mr. Ebert [mis-transposed as Abert] offered to give a piece of land for the purpose on a hill facing the Gympie Road and opposite the present Schoolhouse large enough for the building to stand on or else to sell an acre in the same place and resolutions were passed appointing a Committee and a Treasurer to collect subscriptions and to be measurers for the erection of a building thirty-four feet long by fifteen wide on the above site to consist of two compartments one for a schoolroom and one for a teacher’s residence.
Transcript of 1875 letter to the Department regarding the plan to build a new schoolhouse on the south side of the Pine River:
[reveal heading=”%image% Click here to read transcript“]
18 October 1875
Letter sent to Board of General Education by Thomas Houghton, Secretary.
No. of School 183
Proposed erection of new school buildings.Thomas Houghton
Primary School
North Pine River Crossing
18 October 1875
The Secretary,
Board of General Education,
Brisbane.
Sir,
I have the honour to inform you that the lease of the building at present used by the inhabitants of the district as a schoolhouse expiring on the 1st of next April a meeting of the inhabitants was held on the 13th inst. at the School House to consider the putting up of a new building.
Mr. Abert [sic] [EBERT] offered to give a piece of land for the purpose on a hill facing the Gympie Road and opposite the present Schoolhouse large enough for the building to stand on or else to sell an acre in the same place and resolutions were passed appointing a Committee and a Treasurer to collect subscriptions and to be measurers for the erection of a building thirty-four feet long by fifteen wide on the above site to consist of two compartments one for a schoolroom and one for a teacher’s residence.
The Committee would be glad to know whether under the new act they might expect to receive any aid either from the Board of General Education or from the future Education Minister toward the erection of the said building or whether the new act or the regulations under it will in any way affect Provisional Schools or the aid granted to them so as to render the erection as above mentioned of a schoolhouse and teacher’s residence unadvisable at present.
The number of children in the district on this side of the Pine River between the ages of four and sixteen who might attend this School is about thirty. The number of children on the roll of the present school at the end of last quarter was twenty-two and the average daily attendance for the same quarter.
Yours obediently,
Thomas Houghton,
Secretary.
[/reveal]
1879: SOCIAL POLITICS AND CONTROVERSY SURROUNDS FIRST STATE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
7 April (Monday) 1879
Letter published in The Brisbane Courier …
“Fiat Justitia” writes to us on the subject of what he terms “a rather singular anomaly in connection with the conduct of the Education Department.” Certain persons, it seems, were at a public meeting elected by ballot members of a school committee, whose names were in due course forwarded to the department. When the new committee was gazetted, however, two of the names sent in were found missing, and the name of another person, who had been rejected by the ballot, was included in the number. Moreover, one of the two names omitted is alleged to belong to a person who had done more than anyone else towards the erection of the school buildings, and who had acted as secretary. The writer of the letter thinks it an absurdity to put the public to the trouble of meeting to_ elect committees if the action taken “to be ignored, If our correspondent has fairly stated the case, the action of the Ministerial head of the department is certainly singular.
Source: 1879 ‘Melbourne.’, The Brisbane Courier (Qld.: 1864 – 1933), 7 April, p. 3, viewed 4 December, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article899730
1879: TOM PETRIE CLAIMS HE HAD ‘DONE MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE TOWARD THE ERECTION OF THE SCHOOL’
9 April (Wednesday) 1879
On Monday last we published the substance of a letter signed “Fiat Justitia,” complaining of the action of the Education Department in the appointment of a certain school committee. In this letter it was stated that several persons were, at a public meeting, elected by ballot members of a school committee, whose names were in due course forwarded to the department. When the new committee were gazetted, however, two of the names sent in were found missing, and the name of another person, who had been rejected by the ballot, was included in the number. Moreover, one of the two names omitted was alleged to belong to a person who had done more than anyone else towards the erection of the school buildings, and who had acted as secretary. In reference to this matter, Mr Thomas Petrie, of the North Pine, has called upon us, and says that he is evidently the person mentioned as having been put on the committee by the department. He thinks that, in as much as he gave two acres of land and £20 for the purposes of the school, and, in addition, collected a considerable sum of money in Brisbane to assist its funds, he, and not the gentleman referred to by “Fiat Justitia,” had “done more than anyone else toward the erection of the school.” Mr Petrie also alleges that the meeting for the election of a committee was held while he was absent in the bay for a short time, and that a gentleman who had acted as chairman of the Building Committee received no notice of such meeting. He likewise referred to one or two other matters which it is not necessary to mention here, but which no doubt influenced the head of the department in the course he pursued.
Source: 1879 ‘New Zealand.’, The Brisbane Courier (Qld.: 1864 – 1933), 9 April, p. 2, viewed 4 December, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article881819
1890: OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS GAZETTED
12 September (Friday) 1890
General News – Official Notifications (from last Saturday’s Government Gazette)
Appointments: … J Duffield and A Gordon to be members of North Pine State School Committee.
Source: 1890 ‘General News.’ The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld.: 1866 – 1939), 12 September, p. 512, viewed 4 December, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20286015
1893: COMMITTEE LIST RUNS LIKE A MODERN STREET DIRECTORY
18 May 1893
School Committee appointed for 3 years to 31.12.1895
18 May 1893 PINE RIVER NORTH
Andrew Bell; Thomas Petrie; John Duffield; John Tucker [sic] Jnr. [Duffield]; Alex J Wyllie; Walter Francis; James White.
Government Gazette 1893 P 148
Source: Moreton Bay Regional Council Local History Library, Strathpine
1908: CHEERS TO THE COMMITTEE FOR PRIZES PRESENTED AT BREAK-UP
18 December 1908 (Friday)
The breaking-up festivities and prize distribution in connection with the local State School were held on Friday evening in the School of Arts Hall. The building was packed to overflowing. The chief items were Highland dances by the Rankin family, comic selection by Mr McGladrigan, songs by Mrs Hunter, Miss Walrus, Messrs Baker and Best. Miss Bright made an efficient accompanist. The prizes were presented by Mr T N Bray (a member of the committee). Votes of thanks to the chairman, cheers for the head master (Mr R D Hunter), the teachers, the committee, and the performers closed an enjoyable gathering.
Source: 1908 ‘NORTH PINE STATE SCHOOL.’, The Brisbane Courier (Qld.: 1864 – 1933), 18 December, p. 6, viewed 14 December, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19554877
1909: COMMITTEE MEMBER T N BRAY IS FATHER CHRISTMAS
2 December 1909 (Thursday)
North Pine, December 1
A concert, distribution of prizes, and Christmas tree was given in connection with the breaking up festivities at the NorthPine State School on Saturday evening. There was a record attendance, from 380 to 400 people being present, including Mr J Forsyth, M.L.A., and Mr T Petrie. The hall was tastefully decorated with greenery, and there was a large Christmas Tree loaded with toys and lighted with sparklets. Mr T N Bray made an excellent Father Christmas, and he was driven on to the stage in a goat cart beautifully decorated by two of the elder scholars. The programme consisted of songs by Miss Seal, Mrs Hunter, Mrs Hirst, Messrs Crisp, Baker, and Parker, and Highland Dances by the Rankin family. Miss Down acted as accompanist. Mr Forsyth distributed some 50 prizes for general proficiency and gardening, and then followed the distribution of toys by Father Christmas. The members of the committee who assisted, included Messrs Bray, W Leis, Houghton, Ebert, and Baldwin. Subsequently a dance was held, the music being played by Mrs Hunter and Miss Seal. Mr Connors carried out the arrangements for dancing.
Source: 1909 ‘GRAFTON DISTRICT.’ The Brisbane Courier (Qld.: 1864 – 1933), 2 December, p. 2, viewed 13 December, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19609757
1910: ALICE LEIS WINS PRIZE
1911: COMMITTEE ARRANGE CORONATION DAY PICNIC – KING GEORGE & QUEEN MARY
Read More About the Coronation Day Picnic
31 May 1911 (Wednesday)
NORTH PINE, May 30
At a meeting of the State School Committee Mr J. Connors occupied the chair, and there were also present Mssrs T V Bray (secretary), W Osborne (treasurer), J Young, W J Baldwin, W Lear, and J W Lear. Arrangements were made for celebrating Coronation Day by a picnic, and pleasure was expressed at the action of the Redcliffe Shire Council in voting 7 pounds 10 shillings to assist the celebration. Attention was drawn to the dilapidated state of the school fence, and the secretary was instructed lo refer the matter to the department.
Source: 1911 ‘GRAFTON DISTRICT.’ The Brisbane Courier (Qld.: 1864 – 1933), 31 May, p. 12, viewed 13 December, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19714339
1911: CORONATION MEDALS ORDERED – KING GEORGE V & QUEEN MARY
Read More About the Coronation Day Picnic
12 June 1911 (Monday)
NORTH PINE, June 11
… A meeting of the State School Committee was held on Thursday evening. Arrangements were made for celebrating Coronation Day by a picnic in the school grounds. An endeavour is being made to procure free passes for the children anxious to attend the pageant to be held in the Exhibition Grounds on June 23. The committee carrying out the celebrations include Messrs Connors, Bray, Osborne, W. Leis, Lear, Baldwin, and Young. A cheque for £1/10/ to assist the celebration was received from the Redcliffe Shire Council. Coronation medals are to be ordered.
Source: 1911 ‘MURWILLUMBAH DISTRICT.’ The Brisbane Courier (Qld.: 1864 – 1933), 12 June, p. 5, viewed 14 December, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19709482
1911: COMMITTEE RAISES 10 POUNDS FOR CORONATION DAY TREAT
16 June 1911 (Friday)
NORTH PINE ITEMS
NORTH PINE, June 15
… A meeting of the State school committee was held last evening. Mr Connor presided, and there were also present; Messrs Bray (secretary), Lear, Young, and Baldwin. The secretary stated that 10 pounds was in hand to provide a treat for the children, parents, and friends on Coronation Day, and final arrangements were made for carrying it out.
Source: 1911 ‘NORTH PINE ITEMS.’, The Brisbane Courier (Qld.: 1864 – 1933), 16 June, p. 6, viewed 14 December, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19687712
1911: FUNDRAISING REACHES 19 POUNDS FOR KING’S PICNIC AND SPORTS PROGRAM ADDED
22 June 1911 (Thursday)
A meeting of the School Committee was held last evening, to make final arrangements for the Coronation picnic to be held on Thursday. Mr Connors occupied the chair, and there were also present: Messrs Bray (secretary), Osborne (treasurer), Leis, Baldwin, Young, and Lear. The Secretary reported that the total amount in hand was, 19 pounds. A sports programme was left in the hands of Messrs Connors and Hunter.
Source: 1911 ‘BELOW THE RANGE.’, The Brisbane Courier (Qld.: 1864 – 1933), 22 June, p. 11, viewed 13 December, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19705882
1912: COMMITTEE ARRANGES ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT AND PRIZE DISTRIBUTION
12 November 1912 (Tuesday)
NORTH PINE, November 11
… A meeting of the committee of the local State school was held on Wednesday evening Mr Jas Connors occupied the chair and there were also present Messrs Bray (secretary), Osborne (treasurer), Leis, Lear, Baldwin, and Young. Final arrangements were made for the annual concert distribution of prizes and Christmas tree. The prizes are to be distributed by Mr J Forsyth, M.L.A., who will be accompanied by Mrs Forsyth Cheques of one guinea each were received from Mrs T Petrie and Mr Forsyth towards the prize fund.
Source:1912 ‘BELOW THE RANGE.’, The Brisbane Courier (Qld.: 1864 – 1933), 12 November, p. 4, viewed 14 December, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19843494
1913: COMMITTEE REPORTS IMPROVEMENTS TO SCHOOLHOUSE COMPLETED AND SATISFACTORY
8 February 1913 (Saturday)
… A meeting of the school committee was held on Tuesday evening, when there were present : Messrs J Connors (chairman), S N Bray (secretary), W J Baldwin, J W Lear, and J Young. The secretary reported that improvements to the school house, amounting to 50 pounds had been completed, and these were inspected by the committee, who expressed satisfaction at the work done. The statement of receipts and expenditure for the year showed a credit balance of 14 pounds.
Source: 1913 ‘BELOW THE RANGE.’, The Brisbane Courier (Qld.: 1864 – 1933), 8 February, p. 6, viewed 14 December, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19862505
1913: 10 POUNDS FOR THE ANNUAL TREAT – THIS YEAR THE KING’S BIRTHDAY!
16 May 1913 (Friday)
… A meeting of the StateSchool Committee was held on Thursday evening Mr Connors occupied the chair and Messrs T N Bray (secretary), W Leis, W J Baldwin, J W Lear and J Young were in attendance. Regret was expressed at the illness of the treasurer (Mr W Osbourne). The secretary reported that 10 pounds had already been subscribed towards the annual treat to be held on King’s birthday and that the credit balance, now stood at £21/10/.
Source: 1913 ‘BELOW THE RANGE.’, The Brisbane Courier (Qld.: 1864 – 1933), 16 May, p. 4, viewed 14 December, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19887158
1914: ANNUAL PICNIC BLOWS THE BUDGET THIS YEAR
17 July 1914
BRISBANE COURIER – NORTH PINE JULY 15
Description of Article: At a meeting of the committee of the State school, Mr J Connors in the chair, the treasurer reported that the receipts in connection with the annual picnic amounted to 17 pounds, and the expenditure to 19 pounds/1/3, leaving a debit balance of 2 pounds/1/3. A vote of thanks was recorded to all those who helped at the gathering.
Source: Moreton Bay Regional Council Local History Library, Strathpine.
1939: KEITH FINK WINS PRIZE AT FANCY DRESS BALL
24 October 1939 (Tuesday)
PETRIE
Prize-winners at the PetrieStateSchool children’s annual fancy dress ball were: — Boys: M Herman. D Duncombe, A King, D Neilson, J Herman, J Ferguson, K Houghton, K Fink, R Cook, D Webster, J Randall, D Skinner, C Campbell, K Beaky, G Houghton. Girls: P Buckby, E Tuffiect, G King, G Moyle, H Gordon, M Brewer, B Allsopp, A Duncombe. Mr and Mrs C Buchanan (Caboolture), were Judges. Euchre prizes were won by Messrs M Klatt, E Goddard, J Cooke, Mesdames L Ebbert, W Scott, and W Lang. Scriven’s orchestra (Sandgate) played the music, and the takings amounted to 20 pounds.
Source: 1939 ‘NEWS FROM THE COUNTRY.’, The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 – 1954), 24 October, p. 17, viewed 14 December, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article40886569
1950s: AUSTRALIAN PAPER MILL PEOPLE JOIN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
In the 1950s, Petrie was a small two teacher school with Mr Mal Langusch as head teacher and Miss Zillman was the assistant teacher. As the Australian Paper Mill (APM) had now become established in Petrie on the north bank of the Pine River the population of the area dramatically increased as such.
With the many new workers came many new children and the school originally found it difficult to cope. The “mill people” became very concerned with the educational activities at the school as they now formed a large contingent of parents. As stated in the 1974 Centenary Publication, “the mill people wanted better things in education at our school which resulted in a school committee under virtual control of the APM”.
The School Committee consisted of seven members, 5 APM staff and 2 non APM staff, this seemed to benefit the school at the time as with the Mill to support them things got done.
1960s: P&C – SCHOOL COMMITTEE BY ANOTHER NAME
It was not until the 17th March 1965 that there is a formal reference to the Petrie State School forming their own Parents & Citizens Association.
As Committee members were elected for three-year terms, as the School Committee became the P&C the new office bearers had already served many consecutive terms in their roles or been involved a long time.
The first President of the P&C was Mr Gus Gehmann (a Mill worker) who served as Chairman of the School Committee for “many” years as was Mr Peter Wyche, the previous Secretary of the School Committee. Mrs Jean Tyler, the first Treasurer, was on the School Committee for around 12 years.
Read More About the Parents & Citizens Association.