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July 2008 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 16Kangaroo TalesBy Joan Bray(Continued from page 15)General Stores lent the crockery and cutlery, asumptuous feast was provided by the residentsof Budgong and nobody went without!”Children were kept busy with sports and gamesof all kinds and the ladies demonstrated theirskills in the ‘Throwing of the Wicket’ and the‘Nail Driving’ Competitions.Today tall trees stand as signposts for theschool, picnic grounds and John Randall’s firstslab hut.John Randall first selected land here on theroute pioneered by Charles Throsby in 1818and John Oxley and James Meehan in 1819.After 1866, John Randall purchased more landat Budgong Gap and built the predecessor ofthe historic house that is Peter Gerrey’s home.However the rabbit plague and the Depressioncontributed to the fall in profitability of thedairy farms and many families sold theirholdings.From 1910 -1930, Budgong Gap was Half -Time until it closed in May 1930.The attempts to keep the schools open andoffer some educational facilities to the childrenof families in remoter areas resulted in a seriesof teachers sharing schools on a ten day circuit.Those who carried out this not too easy taskwere Thomas Bryant, Victor Taylor, CE Johns,followed by Reginald Chapman, before FrancisMc Namara and his successor shared their timesolely with Bendeela from 1919 -1926.These schools were Half -Time with BudgongGap; Bendeela 1910-1914, Kangaroo ValleyUpper 1915-1916, Beaumont 1916-1919,Bendeela 1919-1926, until that school closedin March of that year.After 1926, Budgong Gap, with WilliamHansen continued Half Time withBellawongarah until the end of 1929.Mr Hansen stayed on as teacher for the Halftimeschools of Bellawongarah and Woodhill.However, to simplify matters Norman Woods,who had been appointed to the now full timeBarrengarry agreed to share his services withBudgong for the first term of 1930 andsupervise its closure in May that year.Earlier teachershad journeyed onhorseback, but MrHansen owned acar!After WW11,land at Budgongcould be boughtfor 10 shillings anacre and largerholdings wereacquired.Mitch and KenAbernethyoperated a timbermill opposite theold school site.They cut theturpentine, woolly- butt and box hardwood from the escarpmentand Charlie Bryce and Jack Duffy werecontracted with their bullock teams fortransport.It was a remote area and the only telephone wasat the Gerrey household at the top of BudgongGap.When Warren Heddles was injured at the Mill,Jack Duffy manufactured a ligature to stem thegushing blood, Ivan Gerrey drove the rescueUte and Mrs Gerrey arranged for an Ambulancefrom Nowra to meet the trauma victim andescort on Cambewarra Mountain.What team work!There was a Post Office of sorts at the elderPeter Gerrey’s home in this Valley.Mail was taken daily to and from KangarooValley Post Office by Peter and later Jenny, forthe convenience of the local community.Today a magnificent gum tree marks the site.My thanks to Peter Gerrey, the younger, for hispersonal memories of the Budgong Gapfamilies.These teachers in remoter areas of the Valleyare to be admired for their dedication to thehandful of children under their care and it iscommendable that most of their chargesreceived enough basic education to enable themto obtain employment and lead worth while andproductive lives.30 years Electrical experienceWATTAMOLLA --- 1880-1950.This school experienced quite a colourfulhistory.In April 1880, following a public meeting, theresidents of the area petitioned the Council ofEducation in Sydney to establish a PublicSchool.From 1870 there had been a Provisional School,operating from the Union Church building onhalf an acre of ground adjoining Priddle’s farm.The space was considered too small for the fortyfour students, the furniture inadequate and theteacher’s cramped residence was in a state ofdisrepair.George Priddle, William Brandon, RobertCranston, William Irvine and Patrick Guihenundertook the task of improving this situation atBrogers Creek School.The new school, which was built a shortdistance from the main road on a site betweenPriddle’s and Walker’s land, opened inDecember 1870, with Charles Abbott as teacher.The church trustees permitted the teacher toreside in the Union church for another six yearsuntil a comfortable home of four rooms with asemi detached kitchen was built for AlexanderMc Phee in 1886.In 1871, the name had been changed toWattamolla Provisional and before its elevationto a permanent school it was the scene of ratherinteresting incidents.Albert Barrett was appointed in January 1873 ata salary of 48 pounds per annum.In 1878, he had an altercation with a localfarmer, Robert Cranston at the Debating Class.‘The pen or the sword has the greater influenceon the nation’ produced some heated words andunpleasant language.Mr Barrett faced the Magistrate and the schoolclosed for three months until the case was heard.He was fined a guinea and court costs and thenre-instated as Principal.But life was destined not to run smoothly for MrBarrett.He owned a farm six miles away in KangarooValley, called ‘Eagles Nest’ and also acted aspostmaster for mail from Kangaroo Valley toBroger’s Creek on Wednesday and Saturdayevenings.Mr Cranston withdrew his children from theschool over the swearing incident and disputedMr Barrett’s inability to lower the school fees ofsixpence per child.(Continued on page 45)
July 2008 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 17Human intereststories, news andhappenings fromourAnglican Church -Church of the Good ShepherdWe were extremely saddened at thepassing of Gloriel Knox a wonderfulmember of our congregation and theKangaroo Valley community.She was a humble Christian woman whowas a never afraid to share her faith.Her deep commitment to following Jesus wasalways evident in sickness and in health. Thepeace she had when facing death demonstratedthat her faith was real and new she had nothingto fear when she came before the throne of God.The congregation has been unified by thealbescence of a minister in Valley, with manymembers of the church coming forward to takeon the extra roles and responsibilities.The teaching has been varied but strongly basedon Christian freedom growing in our personalrelationship with Jesus.Letters to the Editor (continued)(Continued from page 4)Winning may have been the fact that they tookthe opportunity to perform publicly for the firsttime, tried some new material or took thechance and performed their own work.It is not tabloid headline grabbing material but Ihave to report that the behaviour of the entrantswas exemplary.Shock, horror! Readers of this letter can takecomfort in this news in contrast to the popularmedia stereotypes portrayed of Australia’s“binge drinking…dumbed downed…ice taking”youth.I would have to suggest that Australia’s culturalfuture looks sound.None of this could have occurred if it was notfor the “Wildfyre day”.It provided the literal and figurative platform forour regions young to put their “wares “ondisplay. It could not have happened but for thegood work of the volunteer work of theorganising committee, the judges, the caterersKevination Sound and all the efforts of manybehind the scenes workers. Well done.A special thanks to the talented Chelsea Cookwho played for us her own piece “Jacqeline”and the winning band Underwater Taxi who, aspart of their prize, can be seen at a forthcominggig at Nowra’s own “Tea Club”.You too can show your support for them byattending their gig.A heart felt thankyou, from a parent whose own16 year old son participated in the battle of thebands, for giving our young a chance to performpublicly.Yours sincerelyPS A special thankyou to the band whoperformed the song “Dragonball Z”.You have brought forward my visit to thehearing centre by a couple of years.Alex LoveNeil Percival has been speaking on the fruits ofthe Spirit when he has come over from Berry.The last sermon was on patience, which is verytimely for we are all eagerly waiting for a newminister to be appointed to the vacant positionin our church.From the Communityat St Joseph’sWe are presently collecting for the StVincent de Paul Annual Winter Appeal.There is always an increased call on theSociety’s services during the winter.Our local conference is doing its part to assist.Fr Ronan joined parishioners from GoodShepherd at Gloriel’s Funeral Service at StJude’s Church in Bowral.Archbishop Marcus Loane preached verypowerfully at the grand age of ninety five.The parish is billeting two hundred youngpilgrims coming from Motherwell in Scotlandand Denver in the USA prior to World YouthDay.Some generous Valley residents are doing thesame for some pilgrims from France in theweek afterward.The Chaplain, a French priest, has the very ‘un-French’ surname Williamson!On canteen mattersMaybe you never really thought about the funaspect of working at the School Canteen. Maybeyou thought it was arduous toil from 9am to2pm, or coping with unruly demanding childrengiving you a headache, or boring co-workersdiscussing their medical misfortunes with suchvigour you needed therapy.Well if you were prepared to give credence tothe fun aspect you would be onto a winner.A quick check with the Mums and Dads andvolunteers from the generation before that fromin the community that offer their services once aterm will confirm---it really is fun.There are few angels among school children butthere are definitely no ill-mannered youngWe have noted sadly the negative attitude ofthe media to World Youth Day.Journalists and media producers have atendency to deride religion in general andChristianity in particular.The preacher recently noted that the BBC’slatest presentation of Charlotte Bronte’s novelJane Eyre (released in 2006 and shown on theABC late last year) excised most references toher strong Anglican faith, and this, eventhough it influenced her major decisions.The novel abounds with Scripture referencesand allusions and concludes with a verse fromthe Book of Revelations.It is not just a superbly written romance, butalso a telling drama of temptation, sin,forgiveness, suffering, perseverance andredemption.One can’t help wondering if the producersconsidered that this would be too much forthose in our more secular society who do notappreciate its Christian heritage and treasuredsource - God’s revelation of His love in HisSon.The Jane of the BBC production was a verydifferent character to the one Charlotte Brontecreated in her 1847 original – something like abody without a soul.people to bother you at the Kangaroo ValleySchool Canteen.On any Tuesday during school term you willfind a cheerful duo of co-workers withinteresting conversations about a variety oftopics and there is definitely laughter and goodfellowship.The Canteen raises considerable funds forschool equipment and the money is wiselyspent by the P&C and the Principal.The school’s educational facilities are atestimony to the diligence and hard work of thesupporters in the Community.Do have a think about whether you couldmanage a Tuesday, once a school term to helpwith the Canteen Roster and contact MargaretBarton at the Primary School --4651182
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