Kellett, Eliza M (Mrs Gunter)
Family background
Eliza Meldrim Kellett, whose teaching career spanned two decades, lived to the remarkable age of 105. Born near Nowra in 1865, she was the eldest of five children to barrel-maker and tenant farmer Francis John Kellett, and Jane nee Wilson. In 1870 her family lost everything when the Shoalhaven River flooded, forcing them onto the roof of their house to await rescue. They then moved to Berry, and later to West Cambewarra to operate a dairy farm. Eliza was expected to help on the property once her schooling was completed, but after a couple of years of farm duties went to live with relatives in Sydney until commencing teaching ['Australian Women's Weekly', 6 October 1971, p. 7].
Wallaya (Pheasant Ground) Provisional/Public School
Eliza had just turned 19 when she took up appointment as inaugural teacher at Wallaya near Robertson in November 1884. The school was soon raised to Public School status as enrolments exceeded 30, which caused Eliza's employment to become temporary as she lacked a teaching classification. An incidental inspection in late 1885 resulted in her being called to explain why the school was unlocked but unattended, the room untidy, and the records in an 'unsatisfactory condition'. Her response - that the lock was faulty and she had been unwell the previous day so had left early - was not accepted by the inspector who stated he had already cautioned her for similar transgressions. She was censured for 'neglect of duty' and fined £1, but continued at Wallaya another year before being moved to a smaller school, during which time she had two failed attempts at gaining a classification.
Termeil Provisional School
In December 1886 Eliza commenced duty at Termeil south-west of Ulladulla, where wet weather often reduced attendance and at times meant she was unable to cross the creek between her lodgings and school 'either on foot or on horseback'. In 1887 she attempted another classification exam but was again unsuccessful.
Corindah Provisional School
In 1889, Eliza was appointed inaugural teacher at Corindah near Nowra and later that year succeeded at examination in all subjects except Music, so was awarded a provisional classification. Within a year, however, Corindah's enrolment was insufficient for a full-time school so she was transferred.
Brooks Creek Public School
In May 1890 Eliza was temporarily appointed to Brooks Creek, replacing Margaret Deasy who left after only three days, declaring that the food and sleeping arrangements jeopardised her health. Eliza by contrast settled to her duties and accommodation, the discomforts of slab and bark dwellings likely familiar from childhood. After passing a supplementary examination in Music, Eliza's appointment to Brooks Creek was confirmed, and she had a problem-free tenure until 1894 when called to explain low student attainments. Rather unusually, the local inspector advocated on her behalf, highlighting the poor state of the school when she took over. He further argued that the attainments were in fact 'tolerable', and that Eliza merited commendation rather than censure 'due to the difficulties she has contended with in a zealous and plucky manner'. Later that year Eliza asked for removal to a larger school as enrolments at Brooks Creek had fallen appreciably.
Run of Water (Yarra) Public School
In March 1895 Eliza was appointed to Run of Water (Yarra), a position she would occupy for seven years, becoming well regarded by the community for both her teaching service and her 'many good qualities as a resident' ['Goulburn Herald', 18 December 1901, p. 4]. Over time, she superintended minor repairs to the school such as fixing broken windows and spouting, plus more extensive work to enlarge the schoolroom, raise the ceiling, add ventilation, and install a new 400-gallon water tank, as an enrolment of over 40 pupils was sustained. A request for a weathershed was however declined, as was the residents' petition for the school's removal to a site closer to Yarra railway station. This latter situation was thought to be the cause of several fires set within the school grounds in late 1895 ['Goulburn Evening Penny Post', 31 March 1896].
Although Eliza's interactions with the residents at Run of Water was apparently positive, she incurred several official reprimands. In 1898 she was rebuked for lodging in Goulburn, which she claimed was an interim arrangement, however the same criticism was repeated a year later, and her explanation - that much of her time in Goulburn was related to improving her teaching skills - was considered unsatisfactory. After inspection in 1899, she was censured for low student attainments and warned that 'unless marked improvement be shown ...her classification will be cancelled and she will be removed to a Provisional school.' She appealed against removal, explaining that the low achievements were due to irregular attendance during poor weather. She also detailed her endeavours to improve the school without using corporal punishment, and her sincere attachment to the pupils.
While Eliza's plea to stay at Run of Water was temporarily effective, an impromptu school inspection in late 1901 found her late in arriving, the schoolroom untidy and records deficient, so it was decided to reduce her teaching classification and move her to a smaller school despite a local petition to retain her in situ. Over a hundred people subsequently attended a farewell presentation to recognise Eliza's services and express regret over her removal. After being given a gold bracelet by pupils and a purse of money from the residents she spoke of 'the happiness of her stay in Yarra, her hope that she had not failed in her duty, and her affection for her pupils ... upon whom she had always tried to impress the idea of the "dignity of labour"' ['Goulburn Herald', 18 December 1901, p. 4].
Winburndale Public School
In January 1902 Eliza commenced duty at Winburndale in the Bathurst district. At the end of the year she married widower George Gunter, teacher at nearby Duramana. In contrast to many women of the time, and notwithstanding the fact she was now stepmother to seven young children, Eliza continued teaching. In 1903 she was again called to explain defects at inspection, to which she proffered a six-page response that included her opinion on how inspections could be adapted for pupils in small schools, optimistically concluding with 'Trusting that I have succeeded in making the results appear in a more favourable light'. She was told, however, that due to her record this explanation could not be accepted and she was on her 'final trial'. Shortly after this, she applied for a month's accouchement leave that was granted at full pay, then in October 1903 she retired, having completed 19 years' service that she regarded (in contrast to the Department), as on the whole 'meritorious'.
Later life
Over the course of the next six years Eliza and George had five children and she seemingly not only organised their large family and performed the role of Sewing Mistress at her husband's school, but was also an active writer and businesswoman ['National Advocate' (Bathurst), 30 November 1907, p. 2; & 14 October, 1908, p. 3]. While George continued teaching, he was also a practitioner in the 'hypnotic art' ['Wagga Wagga Express', 8 December 1908, p. 2]. In 1910 he retired from teaching and the family moved to Sydney where he began a homeopathic business. Unfortunately, after a decade of success in this venture, he was charged with performing an illegal surgery and sentenced to three years imprisonment - surely a challenging experience for Eliza and their children. After his release he joined Eliza and family, now in Arncliffe, and was able to resume his business ['Scone Advocate', 13 May 1921, p. 3; 'Maitland Daily Mercury', 21 June 1924, p. 4].
In 1948 Eliza, aged 83, was widowed but her life course still had more than two decades to run. On her 100th birthday she reportedly 'took a trip in an aeroplane', although was 'politely unimpressed by the marvel of it all', her chief enjoyment by then being 'chatting with friends...and a quiet think' ['Australian Women's Weekly', 6 October 1971, p. 7]. A year later she was interviewed at length about her recollections of teaching at Brooks Creek and paid tribute to the women of the area who she felt 'deserved great admiration for their industry and skill in producing cleanliness and comfort' ['Queanbeyan Age', 14 April 1967, p. 8; 'Canberra & District Historical Society Journal', June 1967]. In 1969, by then 103, she was recognised as the 'Oldest Living Teacher' ['Yarra Public School centenary, 1869-1969']. Eliza died in Sydney in October 1971, just short of her 106th birthday.
[Biography prepared by Joanne Toohey, 2025. Sources include NSW school teachers' rolls 1868-1908, NSW school and related records 1876-1979, historic newspapers and magazines, NSW births, deaths and marriages index, and 'Early Education and Schools in the Canberra Region', (1999) by Lyall Gillespie.]
Schools
- Brooks Creek
05/1890 - 03/1895 - Yarra
03/1895 - 01/1902