Boolboonda State School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boolboonda State School |
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Boolboonda State School, 2000
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| Location | Boolboonda Tunnel Road, Boolboonda, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s–1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1896–1911 |
| Architect | Department of Public Works |
| Official name: Boolboonda State Primary School (former) | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 25 August 2000 |
| Reference no. | 602172 |
| Significant period | 1890s–1910s (historical) 1890s–1910s (fabric) 1890s–1973 (social) |
| Significant components | school/school room |
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The Boolboonda State School is a special old building in Boolboonda, Australia. It used to be a school for children. The building was designed by the Queensland Department of Public Works and was built between 1896 and 1911. It is now listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's an important historical place.
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A School for Railway Families
The Boolboonda State School was first set up because of the Mount Perry railway line. This railway was built to help transport copper from the mines in Mount Perry. Many families moved to the area to work on the railway, and their children needed a place to learn.
A small school was first opened in 1882 for the children of the railway workers. But it closed when the railway was finished in 1884. Later, in 1896, local families decided they needed a new school for their children. They asked the government to help.
From Provisional to State School
The school officially opened in 1897 as a "provisional school." This was a special type of school for new settlements. If there weren't enough children for a full state school, the government would help local people set up a provisional school. These schools were often built quickly by volunteers.
The first teacher at Boolboonda was Kate Ruddy, and about 24 children started school there. The school was important for children from farming families, railway workers' families, and even miners who were looking for special metals like wolfram and molybdenite nearby.
In 1909, the Boolboonda Provisional School became a full "State School." This meant it was officially recognized and supported by the government. As more children joined, they even added an extra verandah (a covered porch) to the building in 1911.
School Life and Closure
The number of students at Boolboonda State School changed over the years. In 1897, there were 16 students, and this number grew to 25 in 1903 and again in 1922. Student numbers stayed quite high until the mid-1950s.
One teacher, Margaret Campbell, taught at the school for a very long time, from 1926 until 1958. She helped many children learn and grow.
By the late 1960s, fewer children lived in the area. From 1967 to 1972, only about seven children attended the school. Because of the low numbers, the Boolboonda State School closed its doors in February 1973.
After it closed, the school building and grounds were used by local residents as a community meeting place. Today, the local council looks after the old school, and it's used as a reserve for parks and recreation.
What the School Looks Like
The Boolboonda State School is located on Tunnel Road in Boolboonda. The building sits back from the road, surrounded by many old trees. It feels like a quiet, hidden spot.
The School Building
The school building is made of timber (wood) and has a weatherboard outside. It stands a little bit off the ground on wooden stumps. The roof is made of corrugated metal, with a pointed section in the middle called a gable. There are also covered porches, called verandahs, at the front and back.
You enter the school from the front verandah, which used to go all the way across the building. The back verandah was added later. Both verandahs have railings.
The windows are double-hung, meaning they slide up and down. Some windows have six small panes of glass, while others have four. There are also sun hoods over some windows to block the bright sun.
Inside, the school is one big room. The floor is made of unfinished wooden boards. The walls and ceiling are covered with special wooden boards called tongue-and-groove. The ceiling follows the shape of the gabled roof.
The Outhouse
Behind the school building, there's a small outhouse. It's also made of timber and has a simple wooden screen at the entrance. The roof of the outhouse is a single piece of curved corrugated metal.
Why Boolboonda State School is Special
The former Boolboonda State School was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 25 August 2000. This means it's important for a few reasons:
Showing Queensland's History
The school is a great example of a "provisional school" from the late 1800s. It hasn't changed much over time. It helps us remember how education grew in country areas across Queensland many years ago.
Beautiful Surroundings
The school grounds have many old trees that make the area look very pretty. It's a nice place to visit.
Important to the Community
Like many schools, Boolboonda State School was a very important part of the local community. People in Boolboonda and the surrounding areas used it for learning, meetings, and other community events. It was a central gathering place for everyone. The community even helped buy the land and the old school building after it closed, showing how much it meant to them.
