Cooyal Public School opening on 17 July 1920
Source: State Archives
2nd back row: Mrs Mick Carroll and baby Carrol, Mrs Mick Kennedy, Mrs Gruber, Mrs Blanche Robinson, Mrs Rose McGrath (nee McLaughlin), (? Babbage child), Daniel J Gaffney, Francis McGrath Jnr, Mrs Templeton (Headmaster’s wife), Mr Hayes (School Inspector), Mr Templeton (school teacher/headmaster), William Horace Baker, William Garrety Snr, Irene Mahon, baby with Mrs George (Frances) Mahon, George Mahon, Jerry Mahon, Percy Cupitt, Len Large.
3rd row from back: Mrs Pat Curran, Mrs Beryl Maloney (now Mrs Ogilvie), Bessie Babbage, Olga Gruber, Catherine (Kitty) O’Halloran (Mrs Morrow), Dulcie Gruber, Robert Bruce Maloney, Maude Blackman, Mrs Cupitt, Richard Law (Dick) Gaffney, Jack Cluff, Leo Benson, Reg Robinson, Lawrence Templeton, Andy Clark, Tom Cupitt, Bede Large, William George Baker, Bruce Mahon, Eric Mahon, George Clark, Ron McGrath, Ray Mahon
3rd row from front: Nelly Kennedy (Mrs Bruce Maloney), Lola Gruber, Ernest Baggage, Bruce Cupitt, Kall Gruber, __?__, __?__, Stan McGrath, Lindsay Templeton, Sid Cupitt, Jack Blackman, __?__, Clarrie Cupitt, Hugh Cluff, __?__, Hubert Francis Baker, Ron Cameron, Harold Cluff, Alan Garrety, __?__, Roy Kurtz, Lindsay Kurtz, Cecil Cluff, Bill Mahon.
2nd row from front: Alice McGrath (Mrs Cluff), Marie Ryan (Mrs Loy), Nellie Carroll, Mary Carroll, Mary Kennedy, Mary Kennedy, Aggie Gleeson (Mrs Bruce Mahon), Kitty Gleeson, Carmen Baker (Mrs Rod Allen), Emily Ellis, __? Ellis, Muriel Gruber, May Kurtz, Mary Cluff, Jean Cluff (baby), Maggy Sheehan, Florence McGrath (Mrs Fed Rogan).
Front row: __?__, __?__, Vera Blackman(?), __? Robinson, Phyllis Babbage, Elaine Babbage, Dorothy Blackman, Carlyle McGrath, Mary Gaffney (Mrs Raise O’Keefe), Eileen O’Halloran (Mrs Watson), Vera McGrath (Mrs McBeth), Aline Mahon, Leo Mahon (priest)
Source: Joyce Purtle's Cooyal book
Mr. F. J. Coleman, relieving teacher at Mudgee South Public School, occupied the chair, and expressed his appreciation and thanks to the committee for their kind invitation to him to be present in their midst on such an auspicious occasion. He had resided in the vicinity for upwards of eleven years, hence he was no stranger, and naturally manifested a keen interest in the welfare of Cooyal. It was a matter of very great pleasure for him to be present to witness the opening of the new Central School by Mr. Hayes, more especially in view of the fact that its establishment provided a long felt want. Mr. Templeton the newly-appointed teacher, was a highly qualified officer, but parents should not lose sight of the fact he required their earnest and active co-operation to achieve the best results, and the speaker favored and urged the immediate establishment of Parents and Citizens' Association. In Mr. Inspector Hayes they had a gentleman thoroughly experienced in education, and he had the welfare of the children at heart. Mr. Inspector Hayes was very pleased to see such a large attendance of parents and children to witness the opening of the new Central School. The matter of the establishment of such an institution was placed before a meeting of the parents not long ago, when they were unanimous in the opinion that the building should be erected as early as possible. They acted wisely as the school ranked in such a grade that they would now have the advantage of the services of a highly qualified teacher. The children were entitled to the best education under the best conditions and he was sure that Mr. Templeton would give every satisfaction. He heartily agreed with the chairman's suggestion regarding the establishment of Parents and Citizens' Association. The Central School would be the means of bringing Cooyal into greater prominence and giving it the status it was entitled to. He trusted that the parents would give the teacher every encouragement by sending their children regularlv. Mr. Hayes then unlocked the door of the building amid great enthusiasm.
Mr. J. Foley, teacher of the Budgee Public School, said it afforded him much pleasure to be present on such a noteworthy occasion. He was greatly interested in the Cooyal Central School, as some of the child ren who were to be taught there had been under his care. He impressed on the minds of parents the numerous benefits that were to be derived from a Parents and Citizens' Association. Mr. Templeton was a highly qualified officer selected from a large number of applicants and he was sure that he would give entire satisfaction. Mr. F. McGrath expressed pleasure at being present. It was a source or much delight to parents to have such a fine building in their midst, and to have secured the services of a teacher who came to Cooyal with the highest credentials. He felt sure that Mr. Templeton would make good, and assured him that, if he required the assistance of parents at any time it would be readily forthcoming.
Mr. J. Sheehan briefly addressed the assemblage, after which the chairman formally introduced Mr. and Mrs. Templeton. He was sure that they had created a most favorable impression at Cooyal, and trusted that their stay in the district would be most pleasant. Mr. Templeton responded. He would always endeavor to do his best for parents and their children. He was confident that the attendance would be large enough to warrant the appointment of an assistant teacher, and with the co-operation of the parents he felt sure that they would make the school one of the best in the district.
1920 - Cooyal Central School. OPENING CEREMONIES AND PICNIC AND SOCIAL
Another feature of Cooyal's development as one of the most thriving and important country centres in the great Mudgee district, was the official opening on Saturday last of the brand new Central School.
All details of the opening were entrusted to a committee of prominent citizens, with Mr. W. Garretty, jun., as secretary, and they carried out the numerous onerous duties devolving on them in a manner worthy of the occasion. The announcement that a picnic and sports gathering were to be held attracted a large crowd of visitors to Mr. W. Garretty's sen., spacious paddock directly opposite the school building during the early hours of the morning, and shortly after lunch had been served one of the largest crowds ever seen at a public function at Cooyal was present to participate in the festivities. The proceedings throughout the day were characterised by some highly interesting and keenly contested sporting events, and a merry-go-round and hoop-la show which occupied space on the ground provided much enjoyment, not only for the juveniles, but also for several of the adult attendants. During a brief lull in the merriment the assemblage proceeded to the building, where Mr. Inspector Hayes performed the opening ceremony.
Another feature of Cooyal's development as one of the most thriving and important country centres in the great Mudgee district, was the official opening on Saturday last of the brand new Central School.
All details of the opening were entrusted to a committee of prominent citizens, with Mr. W. Garretty, jun., as secretary, and they carried out the numerous onerous duties devolving on them in a manner worthy of the occasion. The announcement that a picnic and sports gathering were to be held attracted a large crowd of visitors to Mr. W. Garretty's sen., spacious paddock directly opposite the school building during the early hours of the morning, and shortly after lunch had been served one of the largest crowds ever seen at a public function at Cooyal was present to participate in the festivities. The proceedings throughout the day were characterised by some highly interesting and keenly contested sporting events, and a merry-go-round and hoop-la show which occupied space on the ground provided much enjoyment, not only for the juveniles, but also for several of the adult attendants. During a brief lull in the merriment the assemblage proceeded to the building, where Mr. Inspector Hayes performed the opening ceremony.
Mr. F. J. Coleman, relieving teacher at Mudgee South Public School, occupied the chair, and expressed his appreciation and thanks to the committee for their kind invitation to him to be present in their midst on such an auspicious occasion. He had resided in the vicinity for upwards of eleven years, hence he was no stranger, and naturally manifested a keen interest in the welfare of Cooyal. It was a matter of very great pleasure for him to be present to witness the opening of the new Central School by Mr. Hayes, more especially in view of the fact that its establishment provided a long felt want. Mr. Templeton the newly-appointed teacher, was a highly qualified officer, but parents should not lose sight of the fact he required their earnest and active co-operation to achieve the best results, and the speaker favored and urged the immediate establishment of Parents and Citizens' Association. In Mr. Inspector Hayes they had a gentleman thoroughly experienced in education, and he had the welfare of the children at heart. Mr. Inspector Hayes was very pleased to see such a large attendance of parents and children to witness the opening of the new Central School. The matter of the establishment of such an institution was placed before a meeting of the parents not long ago, when they were unanimous in the opinion that the building should be erected as early as possible. They acted wisely as the school ranked in such a grade that they would now have the advantage of the services of a highly qualified teacher. The children were entitled to the best education under the best conditions and he was sure that Mr. Templeton would give every satisfaction. He heartily agreed with the chairman's suggestion regarding the establishment of Parents and Citizens' Association. The Central School would be the means of bringing Cooyal into greater prominence and giving it the status it was entitled to. He trusted that the parents would give the teacher every encouragement by sending their children regularlv. Mr. Hayes then unlocked the door of the building amid great enthusiasm.
Mr. J. Foley, teacher of the Budgee Public School, said it afforded him much pleasure to be present on such a noteworthy occasion. He was greatly interested in the Cooyal Central School, as some of the child ren who were to be taught there had been under his care. He impressed on the minds of parents the numerous benefits that were to be derived from a Parents and Citizens' Association. Mr. Templeton was a highly qualified officer selected from a large number of applicants and he was sure that he would give entire satisfaction. Mr. F. McGrath expressed pleasure at being present. It was a source or much delight to parents to have such a fine building in their midst, and to have secured the services of a teacher who came to Cooyal with the highest credentials. He felt sure that Mr. Templeton would make good, and assured him that, if he required the assistance of parents at any time it would be readily forthcoming.
Mr. J. Sheehan briefly addressed the assemblage, after which the chairman formally introduced Mr. and Mrs. Templeton. He was sure that they had created a most favorable impression at Cooyal, and trusted that their stay in the district would be most pleasant. Mr. Templeton responded. He would always endeavor to do his best for parents and their children. He was confident that the attendance would be large enough to warrant the appointment of an assistant teacher, and with the co-operation of the parents he felt sure that they would make the school one of the best in the district.
A PRESENTATION.
Mr. J. .Sheehan, on behalf of the residents of Cooyal, presented Mr. Hayes with a magnificent cigar holder. He thanked him most heartily for being instrumental in having the school erected and for being in attendance to celebrate the opening ceremony. Mr. Hayes briefly responded, remarking that he hoped the residents would not fail to annually celebrate the anniversaries of the opening of their school, and that they would not forget to invite him to be present.
Mr. J. .Sheehan, on behalf of the residents of Cooyal, presented Mr. Hayes with a magnificent cigar holder. He thanked him most heartily for being instrumental in having the school erected and for being in attendance to celebrate the opening ceremony. Mr. Hayes briefly responded, remarking that he hoped the residents would not fail to annually celebrate the anniversaries of the opening of their school, and that they would not forget to invite him to be present.
VOTE OF THANKS.
On the proposition of the chairman, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the ladies, and the National Anthem was sung.
On the proposition of the chairman, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the ladies, and the National Anthem was sung.
THE BUILDING.
Before taking their departure for the sports ground the parents, children, and several visitors were grouped together in front of the building and photographed by Mr. E. Wright, of Mudgee, who attended for that, purpose, under special engagement to the committee. The visitors made an inspection of the building, which has been erected in excellent style by Messrs. F. Wurth and C. Wright, of Mudgee. It stands on an ideal site on the main road, a distance of about two miles from the post office. A couple of hundred yards from the school building stands the schoolmaster's residence.
Before taking their departure for the sports ground the parents, children, and several visitors were grouped together in front of the building and photographed by Mr. E. Wright, of Mudgee, who attended for that, purpose, under special engagement to the committee. The visitors made an inspection of the building, which has been erected in excellent style by Messrs. F. Wurth and C. Wright, of Mudgee. It stands on an ideal site on the main road, a distance of about two miles from the post office. A couple of hundred yards from the school building stands the schoolmaster's residence.
THE SOCIAL.
In the evening a social was held in Mahon's Hall, and was largely attended. Mr. D. Gaffney was M.C., and the music was gratuitously furnished by members of the assemblage. Miss F. Robinson of Mudgee, rendered valuable assistance.
In the evening a social was held in Mahon's Hall, and was largely attended. Mr. D. Gaffney was M.C., and the music was gratuitously furnished by members of the assemblage. Miss F. Robinson of Mudgee, rendered valuable assistance.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Mon 19 Jul 1920 Page 7
1923 - SNAKE AT COOYAL SCHOOL
1923 - SNAKE AT COOYAL SCHOOL
There was much excitement at Cooyal central, school on Friday last, when a snake was found in a shed. The incessant barking of a dog caused the teacher, Mr. D. H. McMonigal, to ascertain the cause.
On looking into the shed a brown snake was seen, and after some difficulty it was pinned to the ground and killed. The snake was 4ft 6in. in length, and is the second to be killed on the school premises this month.
On looking into the shed a brown snake was seen, and after some difficulty it was pinned to the ground and killed. The snake was 4ft 6in. in length, and is the second to be killed on the school premises this month.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 15 Nov 1923 Page 18
Cooyal Hotel 1929 - Owner A J Thorpe
Cooyal Hotel, 1930s
Source: Noel Butlin Archives, Australian National University
