Birch, Mary Jane
Mary Jane Birch was born in 1878 in Numurkah, Victoria, the eighth of twelve children to Cornish immigrants William Williams Birch and Grace Bennetts Thomas. The family initially moved around northern Victoria while Mary Jane's father worked as a blacksmith and gold miner, then they settled in Wagga around 1889 as he turned to farming.
In 1891, Mary Jane, aged thirteen, was assessed as a suitable candidate to become a pupil teacher but due to a shortage of positions did not commence training until four years later. Her first position was at Dubbo Public School, where she satisfactorily fulfilled expectations of punctuality, diligence, and attention to duty. After six months she requested placement nearer her parents and was moved to Lake Albert Public School on the outskirts of Wagga, then a year later to South Wagga Public School.
After three years training, although not fully qualified, Mary Jane applied for appointment to a small school, declaring her Pupil Teacher salary insufficient for requirements. The inspector recommended her as capable of appointment and in late 1899, now aged 21, Mary Jane was appointed to Merrigan Creek Provincial near Tarago. She set out by train from Wagga only to be informed enroute that the Merrigan Creek appointment had been cancelled - the school being converted to half-time - and she was expected to proceed to Kowen Provisional, near Bungendore, her redirected journey ultimately involving 34 hours travel.
The enrolment at Kowen at the time of Mary Jane's arrival was only fourteen pupils, several children having been withdrawn 'owing to some dissatisfaction' with the previous teacher. It was hoped that these pupils would return with the appointment of a new teacher. Despite Mary Jane's impromptu placement in the apparently strained Kowen school environment, she seems to have settled into her duties without issue. By the end of 1899, however, it was evident she wished to move, not due to any dissatisfaction with Kowen, but to be closer to her family. She consequently applied to be inaugural teacher at Methul Provisional school, then under construction, which was close enough to her parents' home that she could reside with them. Her request was supported and in May 1900 she left Kowen.
As with her previous appointment, Mary Jane appears to have settled into her new position without issue. After completing six months at Methul, however, she required extended leave for specialised eye treatment, as reported by a student: 'Our teacher has come back after being away for eight weeks in Melbourne with a very bad eye, but it is a lot better now', ['Wagga Wagga Express', Saturday 15 December, 1900].
In early 1901 Mary Jane successfully sought a salary increase, having been alerted that Provisional School teachers were eligible for an increased rate. Notwithstanding this income rise, after another five months Mary Jane applied to resign, effective the end of June 1901, and was soon after married to stonemason Charles Allardice. The couple settled in Wagga where they raised two children. Mary Jane's obituary reveals that her eye troubles persisted, rendering her blind for the last three decades of her life. Despite this challenge she was reportedly 'one of the most active members of the Wagga Methodist church'. She died in 1939 and was buried in Rookwood Cemetery with her husband who predeceased her.
[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
- Kowen School
10/1899 - 04/1900