Johnstone, Mabel May
Family background
Mabel May Johnstone was born in Deniliquin in 1878, one of eleven children to government Landing Waiter (Customs officer) James Johnstone, and Ellen nee Smith. The family experienced the death of five children in infancy, then when Mabel was six her father also died, the family living with her maternal grandparents in Penrith at the time. Two years later her mother married widower George Dempsey, an orchardist, this marriage yielding two more children.
Pupil teacher: Mount Victoria, and Penrith Public schools
In 1895, seventeen-year-old Mabel was appointed Pupil Teacher at Mount Victoria. When her position was confirmed, the Principal described her as a 'quiet, unassuming, well-behaved girl', whose efficiency and usefulness had 'considerably improved' over her three-month probation. Despite this promising start, Mabel failed her end-of-year examination for promotion to the next Pupil Teacher level, and soon after applied for removal to Penrith in order to be near her family. Her request was granted the following year and as she was farewelled by the pupils who wished her 'every success and happiness', she was presented with 'a very handsome basket of flowers and three nicely bound books' ['Nepean Times', 3 October 1896, p. 4].
A few months after commencing at Penrith (where she had completed her own schooling), Mabel passed her annual examination but unfortunately did not repeat her success the following year so both she and her supervising teachers were called to give explanations. Mabel declared she could 'scarcely account' for her failure but noted she was 'suffering from Neuralgia during the examination', while her teachers stated she had undergone appropriate preparation, although one thought her mind had 'been distracted', and another suggested she 'learns and forgets quickly'. A few months later, Mabel applied for appointment to a small school, explaining she had little time for study as she left home to walk to school at 7.30 am and did not return until 7.30 pm, this exertion now affecting her health.
Mulligans Flat Provisional School
In early September 1898, Mabel was appointed to Mulligans Flat which was reopening after a two-month closure due to difficulty in appointing a teacher. The residents, keen to have the school revived, had indicated 'suitable accommodation for a female teacher on reasonable terms could be provided at several homesteads in close proximity to the school'. After a week's delay due to illness, Mabel arrived on 15 September, but the next day asked for removal by telegram, stating 'Very ill Neither doctor nor female accommodation'. In a concurrent letter, she explained that she was being treated for consumption (the illness that had brought about her father's death), and had not found suitable accommodation in Mulligans Flat, the best option compelling her to cross two creeks to get to school and having 'boards for windows and no floors'. She therefore asked to return to Penrith, offering to refund the travel expenses she had been advanced. The local inspector recommended her request be granted, and asked that 'a teacher accustomed to bush life' be sent to Mulligans Flat.
A few weeks after returning to duty at Penrith, she applied for a vacancy at a small school in the district. The local inspector supported her suitability for such a position, noting she had 'great vivacity and disciplinary power', and after being temporarily assigned to Webbers Creek near Maitland, she was appointed to the half-time schools of Silver Dale and Wallacia, near Penrith. While it was more usual for a male to be placed in charge of half-time schools due to the amount of travelling involved, Mabel seems to have capably adapted to her new position, keeping a horse (for which she received a forage allowance) to ride between schools. After eighteen months, however, she was suffering from 'chronic neuralgia', so asked for removal, her doctor recommending a seaside climate.
Wollongong district schools
After temporary positions at Fairy Meadow and Dundas, Mabel was appointed to Berkeley, near Wollongong. The school, newly converted to full-time, was inspected just four days after Mabel commenced duty, and she regrettably earned a negative inspection report. The faults recorded included untidy schoolroom, delayed morning start, and lesson registers not updated. Despite offering a reasonable explanation for the defects (some relating to the inherited condition of the school), Mabel was told her explanation was 'unsatisfactory', and more serious action would be taken if she gave cause for complaint again. As a penalty, she was denied permission to sit a promotion examination. A year later she was appointed to Corrimal, a larger school north of Wollongong, which marginally increased her salary.
Penrith Public School
In February 1903, after a month's leave due to anaemia, Mabel resumed duty at Penrith, presumably to be near her mother. Six years later, she asked for removal to Leichardt where her mother, now widowed again, had relocated, but being still unclassified, she was ineligible for a Sydney position.
Orange, and Cootamundra Public schools
In January 1911 Mabel, now 33, was appointed to Orange in the NSW Central tablelands, where she remained three-and-a-half years, her mother's death during this time likely contributing to her becoming 'thoroughly run down' and needing a month's leave. In late 1914 she was appointed to Cootamundra, where in addition to her teaching duties she assisted a married sister whose husband was away on active service. Mabel's position was in the Infants department and in 1915, she asked to visit metropolitan schools to observe up-to-date teaching methods, the Montessori technique having been recently advocated ['Sydney Morning Herald', 25 April 1914, p. 22]. While her request was denied as the school was short-staffed, her interest in current practice was fulfilled soon after at Cootamundra by a local 'School of Method' that demonstrated Kindergarten teaching.
Mabel's tenure at Cootumundra lasted almost a decade, over which time she became well-respected, as seen in 1918 when the Department championed her competency in contradiction of a parental complaint stating, 'Miss Johnstone deserves commendation rather than blame for the manner in which she performs her duties'. Over time, she also became involved in various community groups, but by 1920 increasing ill health resulted in extended leave. In 1921 she was presented with a 'beautiful writing bureau' by the staff, prior to embarking on an overseas trip ['Cootamundra Herald', 11 Aug 1921, p. 2], and in April 1923 tendered her resignation with 'extreme regret'. She thanked the Department for its consideration during her twenty-three-year career, and declared 'I have loved my profession'. After retiring, Mabel moved to Sydney's eastern suburbs where she lived until her death in 1940, aged 62.
[Biography prepared by Joanne Toohey, 2025. Sources include NSW school teachers' rolls 1868-1908, NSW school and related records 1876-1979, Probate documents, historic newspapers, NSW births, deaths and marriages index, and 'Early Education and Schools in the Canberra Region', (1999) by Lyall Gillespie.]
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Further information ...
Mulligan's Flat -The short stay of Mabel Johnstone.
Some three weeks ago the residents of Mulligan's Flat were informed by the Department of Public Instruction that a lady teacher had been appointed to take charge of the provisional school at that place, and would resume duties on a certain date. A few days after the date mentioned the young lady arrived per coach at Gininderra, and after paying a visit to Mulligan's Fiat and expressing her utter disgust at the appearance of the school and accommodation (judging from an inspection of one place alone) likely to be afforded her it the locality, she quietly took her departure per coach to Sydney again next day. The residents at once entered into oommunication with the Department again through the member for the electorate, the result being the appointment of another lady teacher, Miss Fenton, who assumed duties to-day.
[Goulburn Evening Penny Post Thursday 29 September 1898]
Miss Johnstone's brief stay – three views
Sir, I have the honour to apply for removal...It is impossible for me to stay her, my health would not permit me...There is no suitable board for a female even a strong one. At the best place there are boards for windows and no floors. I was strictly warned not to get my feet wet nor sit in draughts and yet I have to cross two creeks before I reach the school...
I have the honour to be, etc.
Mabel Johnstone
".......the young lady arrived per coach at Ginninderra, and after paying a visit to Mulligan's Flat and expressing her utter disgust at the appearance of the school and accommodation (judging from an inspection of one place alone) likely to be afforded her in the locality, she quietly took her departure per coach to Sydney again next day."
[Goulburn Evening Penny Post, 29 September 1898]
"...[Miss Johnstone] arrived at Mulligan's Flat on Thursday and returned to Sydney on Saturday...Mulligan's Flat is not a desirable place for a teacher in delicate health...Miss Johnstone no doubt took alarm at the prospect of having to travel 20 miles to obtain, if needed, medical advice. I recommend that her appointment be cancelled, and that a teacher accustomed to bush life be sent to this school".
Inspector P F Sheehy
Schools
- Mulligans Flat School
09/1898 - 09/1898