This article is from ‘ The Morwell Advertiser and Gazette’ dated 22nd May 1925. The report is in relation to the opening of the new school building at the Yallourn State School.
YALLOURN STATE SCHOOL FORMALLY OPENED BY MR TATE (DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION)
In February 1922, a small school was opened at Yallourn and for some time the building was large enough to accommodate all the children that attended. The population, however, increased by leaps and bounds, and it was realized that a much larger building was needed to meet requirements and provide the necessary accommodation. The result was that the Education Department erected a stately school building of brick at a cost of, we understand, about £10,000. It has been erected on most up-to-date lines within a spacious ground and large enough to accommodate 600 children, and is quite an ornament to the town. There are seven very line class rooms. At the present time (1925) there are 280 children attending the school, and there are many more prospective scholars who are not yet of school age. Mr Tyson, the Head Master, is a most capable teacher with a fine record and he is assisted by a capable staff. There is also a very live and energetic School Committee, of which Mr Drummond is Chairman, and Mr Fraser-Smith, Correspondent.
The School Inspector is Mr Stuart, who takes a very keen interest in his work and has the interest of all at heart. Parents also display considerable interest in the school. Under such favorable conditions, the school is a popular and successful institution; fulfilling as far as possible the objects for which it was erected. School has been conducted in the building for three or four months but it was not until Monday last that it was officially opened by Mr Frank Tate (Director of Education). The occasion was an auspicious one and quite a red letter day in Yallourn. In addition to Mr Tate there were also present the Hon Sam Barnes, Member for the district, Mr Stuart (Inspector), and other visitors, besides Mr Kernot (representing the Electricity Commission), also 300 children, parents and many other interested folk.
At about 2pm the visitors, children and others assembled in one of the large school rooms. Mr Drummond, who presided over the gathering, in extending a welcome to all said they were all very pleased to have with them two such distinguished visitors, as Mr Tate, Director of Education and the Hon Mr Barnes, Member for the district. They felt proud of the school building that had been erected by the department. He felt sure that the local school committee would have the support of parents and others in efforts to provide certain equipment for the school and in beautifying the ground. Yallourn would become a great mechanical and technical centre and they were looking forward to the time when a higher elementary or technical school would also be opened in Yallourn so that the rising generation would have the opportunity of obtaining a training that would fit them to take their place in the carrying on and further developing the great electric scheme that had been brought into existence in their midst.
Mr Kernot, on behalf of the Electricity Commission, extended a hearty welcome to Mr Tate and Mr Barnes. He said the commission was willing to co-operate in movements for the people and the development of Yallourn. The commission had set apart a large piece of ground to be used for school purposes, and he congratulated the Education Department upon the very fine structure that had recently been erected and was about to be declared open as a school building. The commission would co-operate with the school committee and others in planting trees - and beautifying the ground. He thought it very desirable that a Higher Elementary School should be established in their midst as a training ground for boys and girls if they were to take their place in carrying on the great electric scheme that had been launched, of which Yallourn was the centre.
The Hon Mr Barnes said he was delighted to be present on such an auspicious occasion and to meet so many of his constituents. He sincerely thanked Mr Fraser-Smith for the kind invitation sent him to be present. He had been reminded that he had not visited Yallourn as often as he ought. He admitted that they had not seen as much of him as he would have liked. However he could say without egotism that he had played a very important part in the bringing into existence the great electric scheme at Yallourn and the development that had necessarily followed. He mentioned that the late Hon Thomas Livingston, when Member for Gippsland South had started the ball rolling and had done much of the pioneering work. In 1918, he (Mr Barnes) became a Member of the Lawson Government and as Minister for Mines and Railways, took a prominent part in an effort to have the brown coal deposits of the district developed. The following year, 61000 tons of brown coal were sent from the Brown Coal Mine to Melbourne. Subsequently, the Premier, Sir Arthur Robinson and himself had been appointed to a committee to submit and report to parliament with regard to the generation of electricity from the said coal deposits. No time was wasted in having a comprehensive report submitted to the House. The honor and privilege was afterwards conferred on him of being deputed to prepare and submit a Bill to Parliament bringing it existence the embodiment of the present electric scheme. There were certain amendments to the bill that he had also prepared. He could therefore lay claim to having played a rather important part in the important historic event.
Mr Barnes went on to say that at the time of the last State election he was 12000 miles away in the Old Country. He desired to take the opportunity of thanking all who gave him their support. He could assure both those who voted for him as well as those who belonged to another party and did not support him that if he could be of any service to them he would only be too pleased to be their willing servant. Continuing, Mr Barnes congratulated the people of Yallourn upon the very fine school building about to be opened. He said that during the past five years, about £250,000 per annum had been spent in providing new school buildings and repair work. He thought the money spent on education was a good investment, and gave a return of greater value than gold itself. In conclusion, he spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr Tate, whom he said was the highest authority in Australia education. Mr Tate was the "star performer" that afternoon and what he (Mr Barnes) had said was a sort of grace before meat.
Mr Tate, who was next introduced by the chairman, had a most interesting talk with the children and parents. He asked the children numerous questions and through this channel, imparted some sound advice and good information. In answer to questions, the children said a new school was required at Yallourn, but further questions led them to say the school was composed of children, teachers and parents, that a new school was not required, but a new school building.
In answer to further questions, the children said it was desirable that they should improve themselves physically, mentally and morally, that they should have strength of body, mind and soul. He led them on to say that it was their duty to live honest, upright lives, to serve and do their work with cheerfulness. To strive to excel in what was good and true and shun evil and wrong doing. Speaking to the parents, Mr Tate went on to say that the environments of the children at Yallourn were such as to lead one to suppose that they should have a technical training. He mentioned that if there were 50 children who had passed the qualifying stage and were prepared to enter upon a four years' course, a Higher Elementary School would undoubtedly be established at Yallourn without delay. In conclusion, Mr Tate said he had much pleasure in declaring the school open. (Applause).
Mr Stuart (Inspector) also spoke. He congratulated Yallourn and the children upon the very fine school that had been opened by Mr Tate. He added that he was delighted that there was a prospect of a High School being established at Yallourn. He said an effort had been made to secure a motor train to convey children from Yarragon, Trafalgar, Moe, Morwell and Yallourn to Warragul High School. The motor train was now running from Trafalgar but Moe and Morwell and Yallourn had been cut out. If a Higher School were opened at Yallourn, it would no doubt be attended by children from Morwell, Moe and Brown Coal Mine, and would be an excellent centre.
A comprehensive vote of thanks to Mr Tate, Mr Barnes and others moved by the Rev P.I. Dicker and seconded by Mr E. L. Vercoe, was carried by acclamation. The gathering afterwards assembled outside the school where photographs were taken by Mr J. P. Campbell. A very successful function was brought to a happy conclusion with the dispensing of refreshments.
PLEASE NOTE~CAN YOU HELP?
Parts of the original article were extremely difficult to decipher and in re-writing the article for Virtual Yallourn it has been necessary to deduce/guess some of the words in order to bring this story to our readers. Any further assistance in adding to the accuracy of this article would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Julie VY.