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Hill, Mary Hannah

Family background

Mary Hannah Hill was born in Yass in 1870, eldest of twelve children to bootmaker George Hill, and Mary Ann nee Martin. The family suffered a significant setback in 1877 as fire destroyed their boot-making premises and home. Two years later Mary's father was declared insolvent, and though he was able to re-establish a business, her ensuing teaching application was possibly prompted by economic need. In 1884 she passed a pupil teacher eligibility examination but there were no regional vacancies until 1886 when a position arose at Burrowa (Boorowa), but as her father decided this was too far from home, she waited another year for a more apposite position.

Bowning Public School

In January 1887, Mary, now 17, was employed as a Pupil Teacher at Bowning following the departure of Bertha Loomes. Mary apparently boarded near the school during the week and went home to Yass on weekends. An initial assessment of her suitability for teaching declared her in 'robust health', of good conduct, and appropriately diligent at home study. Her efficiency was rated as very fair 'except in practical skill' although sensibly, this was 'expected to improve with practice'.

Over the course of the next four years, successive changes in Bowning's leadership likely impacted Mary's training but despite this she remained largely on track. Then in July 1889, falling enrolments raised the possibility of moving her from Bowning, prompting her father to request her transfer to Yass, (and offer his opinion that local teaching appointments were influenced by sectarian prejudice). Mary was not transferred, but in December 1889 failed several subjects at examination, performing particularly badly in French. Although allowed to repeat the exam a year later, she chose to apply for a small school, predicting she would fail again as she had 'no means of getting instruction in French'.

Berremangra Provisional School

Mary began teaching at Berremangra (70 km west of Yass) in late September 1890. Her tenure lasted just over a year with low enrolments forcing the school's closure at the end of 1892.

Wyangle Provisional School

In January 1893 Mary was appointed to Wyangle near Tumut, which was reopening after a five-year hiatus. She soon drew displeasure from parents who had hoped to gain an income supplement from her board, when she chose to lodge with an older, childless couple. Eventually the school inspector intervened, declaring 'Miss Hill is perfectly free to lodge at whatever place she considers the most suitable', and demanded the parents attend to rectifying the inadequate school building. The situation appears to have settled until the end of the year when a few parents claimed Mary had insufficient control over the children and the school was becoming 'demoralised'. Others, however, supported her and the inspector intervened again, informing complainants their criticisms were unwarranted.

Despite her early challenges at Wyangle, Mary remained four years, returning home to Yass in school vacations. In 1894 she received an upgraded classification by examination. She applied for removal to 'a better school' at the end of 1895, and again in 1896. The fervour of her requests increased as Wyangle was downgraded and her salary reduced, leaving her unable to assist her parents, this obligation that likely intensified when her father's business was again destroyed by fire ['Burrowa News', 3 May 1895, p. 1]. Finally, in December 1896, Mary was offered a better position.

Gooda Creek Provisional School
On 18 January 1897, Mary succeeded Alice Byrnes at Gooda Creek, which then had an enrolment of 24. Although a promotion, Mary soon applied for a position in her home town of Yass. When this was not forthcoming, she seemed to settle to her duties, remaining at Gooda Creek until in 1901, 'Miss Hill, the very popular lady teacher' was again promoted ['Queanbeyan Age', 17 April 1901, p.2].

Brooklands Public School

In April 1901 Mary was appointed to Brooklands on an annual salary of £88. While she was reproved a few months later for an unauthorised half-day school closure, in November 1902 her qualification was upgraded for 'Good Service'. She had been ten years in small schools and her skill was rated as 'Fair' and her conduct 'irreproachable'. Six months later she was again promoted.

Bells Lagoons Public School

Mary's next appointment was to Bells Lagoons near Albury, commencing at the end of March 1903 on £120 p.a. Her efforts in arranging a school picnic that year were patently appreciated as 'it was generally conceded by all and sundry that the acme of enjoyment and happiness' was experienced at the event ['Albury Banner and Wodonga Express', 23 October 1903, p. 17]. Mary's tenure at Bells Lagoons lasted four years. In 1907 one of her students reported how she rode four miles to school, which was under charge of 'Miss Hill, and we all like her' [Albury Banner and Wodonga Express', 22 February 1907, p.12]. Later that year Mary, now with twenty years' experience in bush schools, received a city appointment.

Leichhardt Public School

In September 1907, Mary commenced as an Assistant Teacher at Leichhardt on £104 p.a., her reduced salary feasibly offset by proximity to her parents who had relocated to Sydney. Her adjustment to an urban school was presumably challenging as she exchanged issues of isolation with overcrowding, Leichhardt then having more than 1,000 pupils. Over time, Mary gained a promotion and purchased a cottage in nearby Petersham with 'savings from her employment'. Unlike many teachers she largely maintained good health, her only noteworthy leave period seemingly related to her mother's health. She resigned in 1924 after a 37-year teaching career.

Later life

Shortly after resigning, Mary married farmer Robert Edward Blacktop and moved to his property in Morpeth, but retained her financial independence by renting out her Sydney cottage for ten years then selling and investing the proceeds. She was widowed in 1939, and some years later moved to Sydney to live with a sister. After her sister was widowed, the siblings jointly purchased a house in Forster where Mary died in 1961, aged 91.

[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, probate documents, and 'Early Education and Schools in the Canberra Region', (1999) by Lyall Gillespie.]

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