Fraser, Mary
Background
Mary Fraser (nee Hackney) emigrated from Ireland aged 18, arriving in Victoria in 1857, her stated occupation, 'laundress'. Six years later she married Hector Fraser, a Scotsman mining in the Victorian gold fields. She was widowed after only four years of marriage, and sometime later moved to NSW with her son. In 1876, now 37 years old, Mary undertook three months teacher training at St Clement's Church of England School in Yass.
Pearse's Hill/Manton Provisional School
In February 1877, she took up appointment at Pearse's Hill, near Yass, a new school operating out of a repurposed toll bar building. In August 1879 the residents proposed erecting a new building in a more central site, and although this did not eventuate for two years, there was a change of school name to 'Manton'. By 1881 there was an enrolment of 23, although attendance was often much lower, Mary attributing this to children kept home to assist with farm duties, while the inspector believed it was due to Mary's 'want of tact and skill', so advocated she be removed. Despite this, she remained at Manton nine years, lodging with a local family and seemingly well-regarded by the community.
Over time, Manton's status was raised to Public School, and Mary remained in charge as she increased her classification through examination. In 1884 she closed the school for a day to walk to Yass to inform the inspector that a contractor was about to erect the new Manton school in the wrong place. Construction was suspended while the matter was investigated, resuming in a revised location three weeks later after Mary's assessment proved correct. Although this event implied her initiative and commitment, when later reproved for low student attainment and poor discipline, she declared she was dispirited as she had 'several times applied for promotion without result' and had 'given up all hope of obtaining it'.
Chain of Ponds Public School
In October 1885 Mary was appointed to Chain of Ponds which then had 28 pupils enrolled. Here she lived in a reasonably new residence attached to the school, the convenience somewhat marred by the lack of an oven. After six months she applied to attend another examination, hoping to improve her classification, but was not permitted as her practical skill was rated only 'Tolerable – Fair'. She had more success, however, in her application for an oven to be fitted in the residence.
In early 1887, Mary asked permission to close the school for a St Patrick's Day picnic for the children, organised by residents. While the closure was sanctioned, an additional request to hold a ball in the old school building was denied. Despite this, people from 'Fish River, Gunning, Yass River and other places' attended the picnic, participating in a spelling bee, sports and games. 'At half past five tea was partaken of, and shortly after, the company dispersed after having spent a most enjoyable day ['Yass Courier', 22 March 1887, p. 2].
In early 1888, Mary received a negative inspection report, her governance being described as 'lax and not watchful'. In response she offered the fact that school had 'scarcely got into proper working order' after the Christmas break with many pupils having extended holidays due to harvesting activities and Centennial celebrations. This explanation was seen as unsatisfactory and she was informed that the school must be in more efficient state by next inspection or she would be removed to a lower classified school. As it transpired, she was moved almost immediately.
Kilrush Public School
In Jun 1888, now aged 49, Mary was appointed to Kilrush near Cootamundra, her displeasure at this move evident in her expense claim where she noted 'I have gained no promotion or advantage by my appointment to this school'. Her disapproval was likely increased by the poor condition of the school residence, and she soon requested the fitting of an oven, and an allowance for lime to whitewash two rooms 'for sanitary reasons'. Despite her initial irritation at the appointment, Mary remained seven years at Kilrush, during which time, she experienced several periods of ill health, including influenza, throat ulcerations and general debility. In addition to sickness, after five years she faced the possibility of a reduction in the school's classification due to falling enrolments. Fortunately, she was able to defer this course by providing information on likely new enrolments, and stating that children who lived at a distance would be driven to and from the school by her son.
In early 1895 Mary's professional dedication was revealed after a student broke his arm falling from the school steps 'while cleaning his feet on the scraper'. Rather than expecting the boy's parents or the Department to pay the surgeon's bill, she took it upon herself to do so, reasoning the boy was in her care at the time. While this reflected positively on her, a month later, when she was required to explain defects in the Roll Book and Lesson Register, her response - that she was not able to write due to a 'severe gash in her right thumb', and was suffering from 'nervous prostration' brought on by the prevailing heat - was only considered partly satisfactory.
In 1896 Kilrush was converted to half time so Mary, now 57, was appointed to the Bathurst district. Due to the short notice, she successfully petitioned for a week's leave to dispose of her furniture and effects, having decided the relocation distance was too great to take her belongings with her.
Wyagdon Public School
Mary's new position at Wyagdon near Sofala, had an enrolment of 24. The schoolroom was in poor condition and she soon gained permission to have the shingled roof replaced with galvanized iron. It took much longer, however, to make the school 'sheep proof' – Mary's son eventually fixing the fence at no cost, thus preventing sheep from eating the grass needed by pupils' horses. Meanwhile, both schoolroom and residence were deteriorating and it was recommended to plaster and repaper walls, paint ceilings, whitewash the kitchen, fix the chimney, and erect a school porch.
In 1899, as Mary approached her 60th birthday, she indicated her willingness to continue teaching and was recommended as competent to continue for 12 months. Her annual salary was then £113, plus use of the residence, valued at £25 annually. She taught for another two years at Wyagdon, then was granted six months long service leave prior to retiring in April 1902, aged 63, after 25 years' service.
Later life
Mary later moved to Sydney. She died in Granville in 1914, aged 75, and was buried in Rookwood Cemetery.
[Biography prepared by Joanne Toohey, 2024. Sources 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
- Chain of Ponds
10/1885 - 06/1888