Kealman, Isabel
Family background
Isabel Kealman was born in 1865, second of six children to carpenter John Kealman and Julia nee Hourigan, the family then residing on Duntroon estate as Isabel's father worked for George Campbell. Within ten years, John Kealman's craftsmanship was widely known in the district, with significant commissions for church fittings and building projects including the Queanbeyan 'Police Sergeant's Residence' (now the Queanbeyan Museum). The family moved to Monaro Street, Queanbeyan, with Isabel's father conducting business as 'Timber merchant, builder, undertaker, and general contractor', while her mother operated a millinery and clothing business from 'Edinburgh House', purpose-built by her husband ['Queanbeyan Age', 26 June 1875, p. 3]. In 1883, the latter enterprise was dissolved as the Kealmans prepared to move to Sydney, excepting Isabel who commenced her first teaching appointment.
Foxlow Provisional School
In September 1883 Isabel, now 19, commenced as an unclassified teacher at Foxlow near Captain's Flat. The previous incumbent, Nanno O'Donovan, had requested removal for health reasons, her disorder perhaps intensified by the school - a crudely furnished room seemingly near cattle yards on Foxlow Station. By mid-1884, with Foxlow's enrolment increasing, a new building was erected. After two years in charge, Isabel gained a classification and was removed to a bigger school.
Argyle Public School
In July 1885 Isabel was appointed to Argyle Public near Marulan, her promotion entitling her to a weekly rental allowance and marginally increasing her salary. After only eight months, however, she resigned her position, having completed two-and-a-half years' service.
Later life
After resigning, Isabel likely returned to Sydney where her parents managed a hotel, and a younger brother was Pupil Teacher in an inner-city school. In 1888 she married saddler and champion runner, Christopher Bellette ['Daily Mirror', 16 November 1942, p. 11]. They settled in Newtown where they raised five children, Isabel's husband renting stables nearby for his business. Isabel died in 1951, aged 86 and was buried in Botany Cemetery.
[Biography prepared by Joanne Toohey, 2025. 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
- Foxlowe
09/1883 - 07/1885