Ahern, Kate
Family background
Kate (Catherine) Ahern was born c1868, in Jembaicumbene near Braidwood, to John Ahern and Catherine nee Ryan, her father attracted to the area by the 1850s goldrush. The Aherns placed significant value on education with Kate's father reportedly 'a remarkably well informed man ... (who) possessed an almost insatiable appetite for literature of all kinds' ['Braidwood Review and District Advocate', 24 Feb 1920, p. 4].
Brooks Creek Public School
In December 1886, Kate, aged 18, followed an older brother into teaching, taking temporary charge of Brooks Creek Public. The schoolroom was basic, measuring '14 feet by 12 feet by 9 feet, the walls being of slab ... the roof of galvanised iron, a pine floor and a chimney of rough stone'. Teacher and pupils had to negotiate stepping-stones across the creek to reach the school but when heavy rain raised the creek level, this was impossible. In Kate's first year she closed the school 'on the weeks ending 28th January, 10th June and 8th July, in each case owing to heavy rain causing the creek to be uncrossable'.
Like many teachers in bush schools, Kate lived with a local family during term time as there was no designated teacher accommodation. This lodging was a simple bark hut belonging to a settler, with wife and young child, situated close to the school. Kate went home in the holiday breaks as well as during illness. After ten months at Brooks Creek, she was diagnosed with 'Chlorosis' - a form of anaemia – forcing her to close the school for a month, returning home to take 'complete rest'.
In July 1888, with eighteen months experience, Kate was awarded a Class IIIB provisional classification by examination. Her health, however continued to suffer, and in early 1889 she required six weeks leave, again due to 'Chlorosis', during which period her 19-year-old sister Helena, who she recommended as 'capable of performing all the duties of a teacher', was permitted to take charge.
Despite these bouts of illness, Kate's organisational ability, disciplinary power, teaching competence, and practical skills were recognised at Brooks Creek inspections of 1889 and 1890. Her efficiency prompted an inspectorial memo suggesting her removal to a more important school, but as there were no suitable vacancies at the time, nothing eventuated. Soon after this Kate submitted her resignation, which took effect on 31 March 1890, stating that 'a change of occupation would benefit my health'.
Later life
While not explicit in her letter, Kate's occupation after resigning was marriage to John Walker from Creekborough. They lived initially in Braidwood then moved to Sydney, her husband having work as a railway employee. After she was widowed in 1913, her children then aged 11 to 16, she continued to live in Sydney until her own death in 1935, aged 67. She was buried in Rookwood Catholic Cemetery.
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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 online index and Early Education and Schools in the Canberra Region, (1999) by Lyall Gillespie.
Schools
- Brooks Creek
12/1886 - 03/1890