McGrath, Margaret
Family background
Margaret McGrath was born near Braidwood in 1864, fifth of eight children to farmer and grazier Charles McGrath, and his wife Susannah.
Pupil Teacher: Majors Creek Public School
In August 1881 Margaret was employed as Pupil Teacher at Majors Creek where she progressed satisfactorily for two years. In late 1883 she failed an exam and soon after resigned as Pupil Teacher and asked for appointment to a small school, apparently to relieve her parents of financial burden.
Brooks Creek Provisional/Public School
In July 1884 Margaret was employed as inaugural teacher of Brooks Creek, where a slab building with pine floor, stone chimney and galvanised iron roof had been erected. The anticipated attendance of 15 pupils was soon exceeded so in April 1885 the school's status was raised, which entitled Margaret to an accommodation allowance. Despite this, she resigned in late 1886, stating her salary was insufficient to cover board and lodging expenses.
Monga Provisional School
In January 1887 Margaret was deemed eligible for re-employment but waited until January 1888 for a position to arise, being eventually appointed to Monga, south-west of Braidwood. She remained there two years during which time urgently needed building improvements were completed including lining the walls with calico, replacing the door lock, repairing the chimney flue, and installing a water closet. In 1889 Margaret attempted a classification examination where she was successful in all but one subject (History) which meant she remained unclassified.
Stony Pinch (Silver Hill) Provisional/Public School
In January 1891 Margaret, described as a 'diligent successful teacher', was appointed to Stony Pinch near Captain's Flat, to improve the school's efficiency. The following year Stony Pinch was raised to a Public School and renamed Silver Hill with Margaret remaining in charge for another six months until removed 'to make way for' a classified teacher.
Manar Provisional School
Margaret's next position was at Manar, between Bungendore and Braidwood. After a year she sat another exam but again failed History, so remained unclassified. She taught at Manar for two more years during which she was twice asked to explain the low attainment of her students. Her response - that sickness and irregular attendance were the cause - was not accepted and she was warned to ensure marked improvement or 'the question of dispensing with her services' would be considered. Before her next school inspection, however, Manar was closed due to low enrolment.
Rhine Falls Public School
In April 1896 Margaret was temporarily appointed to Rhine Falls, between Cooma and Adaminaby, where in her first year she closed the school twice to attend court: the first instance relating to a fee defaulter; the second to an assault case where she was called as witness. Her tenure at Rhine Falls eventually lasted over three years, then in 1899 she resigned having completed 18 years' service.
Later life
In September 1899 Margaret married William J Osmond, a butcher, and settled in Cooma. They had one daughter who died in childhood from scarlet fever ['The Manaro Mercury, and Cooma and Bombala Advertiser', 20 Sep 1909, p. 2]. Some time later Margaret and her husband moved to Nowra, then to Sydney, where she died in 1939, aged 75.
[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
- Brooks Creek
07/1884 - 12/1886