Open Day At Newly Restored Historic Graham Schoolhouse

A crowd of almost 130 people attended the recent open day to celebrate the restoration of the historic Graham Schoolhouse.

Nearby landholder, retired teacher and project organiser, Jan Hyde, said she was excited the event had attracted so many former students, a former teacher, and so many descendants of former students and teachers, as well as family, friends and district residents from Cowra, Boorowa, Wyangala, Young, Canberra, Sydney and as far away as Melbourne, SE Queensland, the south and north coasts of NSW.

“Students from as long ago as the 1930s, and as recently as the 1960s returned to their 1884 weatherboard schoolhouse to tell tales, share stories and celebrate the renovation of their former primary school,” said Jan.

The school was opened in 1884 and was built to cater to farming families. It was a one room, single teacher school located on Frogmore Road.

The school closed in 1966 due to low enrolments and fell into a state of disre

pair. For the last three years, work has been done to restore the schoolhouse to its former glory.

“The restoration was initiated and funded by former ‘Old Graham’ residents, John and Liz Baker as a parting gift to the district. They had lived opposite the schoolhouse at ‘Old Graham’ for many years,” said Jan.

“They had previously renovated the Graham Inn and the nearby St Joseph’s Church.”

“John and Liz commissioned Brian Beattie, of Darbys Falls, as well as Bede Morrisey, Aaron and Michelle Morrisey for window and painting works,” said Jan.

“Nick and Pen Gay of Willow Glen – the property on which the school stands – supported the restoration project and provided fencing materials to secure the school block from curious stock.”

The open day was a huge success, with those attending the school sharing some treasured memories.

“Retired former Graham schoolteacher John Payne amused the crowd by describing his first day in 1958. He was directed by the Education Department to ‘just go to Cowra and ask where Graham is.’”“A special presentation was made by Jody (Power) Robinson, the youngest student at the Graham School when it closed in 1966, to 95-year-old Ina (Power) Boulding, the oldest former student who attended the school in the 1930s.”

Jan believes restoring buildings such as the Graham Schoolhouse is important for a number of reasons.

“Why is it important to restore a derelict building, no longer in use? They are part of our heritage. They are a symbol of a community. A place where people came together, where the next generation was educated, a place where adults and children formed strong bonds with their neighbours.”

“The event on 18 May highlighted the wonderful spirit of the Hovells Creek and wider community, and the friendships formed well over half a century ago.”

“The list of contributors to this project is lengthy,” said Jan.

“I am so grateful for the input and support of Penny and Nick Gay; John and Liz Baker; Hilltops Council; Heidi Castleden and Pen Gay for the catering; the many volunteers who helped out in various ways and the Boorowa Community Bank – a branch of Bendigo Bank – who sponsored the event.”

IMAGE: The one room school catered to farming families in the area.

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• History