Saint Vincent’s Church of England and the public school both played an important part in the developmental and social activities of the Hawkins Creek families during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. They were built in close proximity to each other, about three miles to the west of Barraba.
The church site was on the western side of Taylor’s Reserve and the fence is still there in parts – the school was on the western side of the church.
Saint Vincent’s Church of England, Hawkins Creek
Saint Vincent’s Church of England was dedicated on 17 September 1902, by Ven. Archdeacon Lewis. During the service Rev. E.H. Webber baptised four babies – Jessie Winifred May White, Ruby Perry, Charlotte Jenner and Mona Shearer. Regular services were held at Hawkins Creek until at least 1960. It is possible that the church closed in 1966/67. The building was then sold and removed from the site.
Soon after the church was opened, 21 persons were confirmed at Hawkins Creek – included in the list was Amelia Kate Emily Simshauser, aged 14 years. (Daughter of Rosina and Frederick C. Simshauser)
Hawkins Creek School
Application for the establishment of a public school at Hawkins Creek was applied for and granted in 1883. The school actually opened in 1884.
The first teacher was Catherine Williams who taught at Hawkins Creek for seven years, then Mary McCrohon (1891-1907) and Daniel Sinclair (1907-1909).
Conrad and Louisa were instrumental in the struggle for a school at Hawkins Creek. Edward, Louisa and Annie were enrolled in 1884 and they, as well as other members of the Simshauser family, would have been educated by these
teachers.
Thomas J. Fletcher came to teach at Hawkins Creek in March 1909. In 1911 it was noted that the school was very old and needing repairs – D. Peterson of Barraba got the contract to effect repairs and paint the building.
James B. Gallagher came from near Casino to teach at Hawkins Creek in November 1911 and stayed two years. He was followed by Mr J.B. Armitage and the school closed for want of a teacher when he left in 1918. Miss Lillian Halloran then became teacher and she stayed longer than the usual two years. The school eventually closed in December, 1934. (From State Archives per M. Crowley)
Mr Percy Sawyer of Barraba, who attended Hawkins Creek School as a child, says –
When Hawkins Creek School closed in 1918, the original building became what is now the loungeroom of “Wirralee” – home of Tom Watkins (previously the York home), three miles from Hawkins Creek site. The school reopened as a subsidised school and when the school eventually closed, this second building was moved to “Cobbadah”.’
From Mrs Dot Chad.
‘Each morning the children marched into the classroom and down the one centre aisle to their desks. Six children sat on a stool at each desk. At the front of the room stood the teacher’s desk, blackboards, fireplace, cupboard and book shelves, which were well stocked with good books.
Children walked up to three miles to school, or rode a horse, or drove a horse and buggy. The children did not wear uniforms, but they had to be clean, neat and tidy at all times. The teacher regularly inspected hands, fingernails and shoes to ensure their cleanliness. The fact that a child might have taken a short cut through a neighbour’s ploughed paddock on his way to school was not considered sufficient reason for having dirty shoes. Discipline at the school was very strict. Breach of rules meant that the child – boy or girl – was caned, or made to stand in the corner. The one teacher taught all grades from first class through to sixth class’.
The 1870 census indicated that 20% of Australian children were still taught at home. It is likely that when Henry Parkes introduced the Public Instruction Act in 1880 offering “free, compulsory and secular education” in NSW, Conrad and Louisa, like so many other pioneers, would have been enthusiastic to provide an education for their children.
In actual fact, “free” meant 1/-per week for a family, and the main aim was to teach reading, writing and counting, as well as the principles of morality and hard work.