Cornelia Creek State School No 3722
Cornelia Creek originated from the Cornelia Creek Pastoral Run of 67,000 acres, leased by Patrick O'Dea in 1844.
With the establishment of Closer Settlement, many farmers settled around Cornelia Creek on 100 acre allotments. A letter written by James McNaught in July 1911 requested that a school be built urgently, as the children were “running wild and forgetting whatever they learned before coming to the Estate”. McNaught was supported by other local residents, including James Ogden, who had 5 children waiting to be enrolled. McNaught also expressed his desire to sell a parcel of his land for the school.
By Nov 1911 a contract to construct an 18 ft x 14 ft wooden building at a cost of 170 pounds was let. Residents urged the local MLA to get the building erected. It was completed in April the following year. Enrolments increased quickly, with reports of the teacher's knee being a desk for a student, and the floor being used to store books.
By 1914, approval for an additional room was received, and shortly after the locals raised enough money for a shelter shed. The original room was used as a cloakroom, and the new classroom would accommodate 63 children as it was 26ft 6in by 23 ft (8m x 7m).
In 1930 the polio epidemic had broken out. The teacher Graham Manger did his best to keep the children healthy by having the children seated on logs around a blazing fire and making them hot cocoa to have with their lunch. The concern for the physical disabilities caused by polio resulted in all schools being closed. Mr Manger delivered lessons to the children's homes on a weekly basis, and collected them the next week for correction.
The school battled with declining numbers and white ant infestations until it was officially closed in the 1980's.
Present at the school's 75th Anniversary was Miss Annie Walsh who was pupil number 16 when the school opened its doors.
At the posted coordinates is a plaque commemorating the school. It is at the front of a property. GZ is a short distance away but requires a quick calculation after answering the following questions.
1. The school was established on A acres.
2. The school inspector made a report on 2B Oct 1975.
3. The blocks opened up to become Cornelia Creek Estate in 1C10.
4. This school closed in 198D.
GZ is at S 36° 15.ADA E 144° 48.BCA
A small container, BYO pen.