Benjamin, Florence
Florence Miriam Benjamin was born 31 July 1880 in Maitland, the youngest of eight children to storekeeper Morris Benjamin and Mary Ann nee Israel. When Florence was seventeen her father died suddenly. By this time her older sisters were married and her brothers engaged in the family business, so Florence and her mother were likely supported by her siblings.
Florence began as a Pupil Teacher in the Girls' department of Maitland West Public School in April 1898, six months after her father died. The district inspector noted her admirable conduct, respectable companions, and leisure pursuits of study and violin practice, while her head teacher described her as 'painstaking and diligent'. This diligence extended to observing her family's Jewish faith, requesting leave to honour Jewish holidays, and gaining an exemption from teaching New Testament scriptures in the classroom by informing the Department 'I do not care to teach that which I do not believe'.
Florence spent two years at Maitland West, passing her examinations on schedule despite requiring several weeks leave to have a toe removed in 1899. In 1900, now 20 years old, she was transferred to the Girls' department of Crown Street, Sydney. By the end of 1903 she had been promoted to Pupil Teacher Class I but failed to gain admission to the Sydney Training School. In 1904 she experienced recurring ill health and required several weeks leave on account of tonsilitis.
In 1905 Florence, now about 25 years old, took up duty at Wee Jasper Provisional School on the western side of the Brindabella Ranges, replacing inaugural teacher Elizabeth Loughlin. Florence travelled by rail from Sydney to Yass, then by coach for the final 30 miles along a rough road beset by dust in dry weather, mud in wet, and snow in winter. Her annual salary was £82, eventually supplemented by a forage allowance of £5 per annum for the horse she kept to travel the three-mile journey between her accommodation and school.
While the terrain around Wee Jasper was rugged, the school itself was set in a scenic location amongst trees on a fertile plain close to the Goodradigbee River. Eight months after arriving, Florence sought permission for the local cricket club to use the school grounds for Sunday afternoon practices. Although the Jewish observance of a Saturday Sabbath may have led her to view this request as reasonable, it was rapidly declined by the Department who reiterated an existing agreement allowing use of the grounds 'outside school hours and not on Sundays' in recognition of Christian sensibilities.
In February 1906 Florence sought permission to sit an examination in Sydney during the Easter break, implying that she wanted to improve her classification, and so have opportunity for transfer to a larger school. The subjects she wished to attempt at the exam were 'Reading, Writing, Dictation, Arithmetic, Music, School Method and Drawing'. At this time she also took out a life insurance policy, as per Departmental regulations, adding to supposition she was looking to further her career. In February 1907, however, Florence informed the Department she wished to resign, effective the end of the month.
Soon after resigning, Florence married Charles Barber, a grazier whose family owned 'Cooradigbee' (Wee Jasper Station), a significant cattle and sheep property. A couple of years later they settled in the Darling Downs region of Queensland where Charles continued farming. They had a daughter and six sons, the latter all becoming farmers. Florence died in 1952 and was buried in Toowoomba.
[Biography prepared by Joanne Toohey, 2023. Sources consulted include NSW school teachers' rolls 1868-1908, NSW school and related records 1876-1979, historic newspapers, NSW births, deaths and marriages index, and 'Early Education and Schools in the Canberra Region', (1999) by Lyall Gillespie.]
Schools
- Wee Jasper
03/1905 - 04/1907