Hudson, Mary
Mary Hudson, aged 20, was appointed to Jeir Provisional School in October 1883 as an unclassified teacher. The school had opened five years earlier, previously operating on a half-time basis with Bedellick. It was situated on Jeremiah McAuliffe's property, where Mary likely lodged.
Mary travelled from Sydney to Jeir ready to start teaching on 15 October, but wet weather prevented pupils attending until the following day. Despite this short delay in Mary assuming duty, enrolments had been consistently increasing and two weeks later Jeir was raised to Public School status. This change meant Mary's position became temporary pending her classification. Another outcome was the proposal for a new school building for Jeir with a teacher's residence in a more central site.
In July 1884 Mary gained provisional classification by examination enabling her to remain at Jeir. Construction of the new school was progressing, Jeremiah McAuliffe having been the successful tenderer, and in January 1885 Mary took possession of the completed building describing it as 'urgently required'. The work did not include a teacher's residence, so she presumably continued lodging with the McAuliffes. Later that year Mary submitted a request to close the school due to an outbreak of 'diphtheria and severe colds' in the neighbourhood, which reduced attendance to four children. The Department recommended two weeks closure, reflecting the contagious potential of diphtheria and the serious health threat it posed, particularly to children.
In June 1886, after Mary had been nearly three years at Jeir, she attempted to gain promotion through examination but was unsuccessful. In July 1887 her efforts were more fruitful, achieving a IIIB classification that enabled her to apply for a better position if she wanted. Five months later, however, she applied to resign, giving the customary one month's notice but without stating a reason. Mary Hudson finished teaching at Jeir on 31 December 1887. Details of her later life are unknown.
[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 index, and Early Education and Schools in the Canberra Region, (1999) by Lyall Gillespie].
Schools
- Jeir Public School
11/1883 - 12/1887