Bowd, Edna E.
Family background
Edna Ethel Bowd was born in 1874 near Windsor, eldest of seven children to farmer Edward Bowd, and Frances nee Hall. In 1888, Edna passed the Pupil Teacher eligibility exam but waited two years for her appointment, the first of three siblings to become teachers.
Wilberforce Public School
In July 1890, 16-year-old Edna was employed on probation at Wilberforce where she had received her own schooling. Her appointment was confirmed three months later with a report noting her good conduct in and out of school, her association with respectable people, and her use of leisure time to study. She progressed satisfactorily over the next few years, despite experiencing mumps, measles, influenza, and eye problems. In December 1894 she passed the admission test for Hurlstone Teacher Training College, but advised her circumstances would not allow her 'to embrace the privilege'. She then continued at Wilberforce as an 'Ex-Pupil Teacher', regularly applying for a position in a larger school and being repeatedly told she would be appointed 'when her turn comes'.
In early 1898, typhoid fever was prevalent in Wilberforce and most parents refused to send their children to school for fear of contagion. One of Edna's brothers was infected so she was barred from duty, although this constraint was ultimately unnecessary as the school remained closed for three months. Later that year, measles struck the community with Edna and a younger sister both affected, and while Edna recovered, her sister subsequently contracted pneumonia and died.
After ten years Edna received a temporary appointment to a small school. As she was farewelled from Wilberforce, she was presented with a dressing case and glass inkstand in acknowledgement of 'her gentle and kindly disposition', ['Hawkesbury Advocate', 31 August 1900, p. 5].
Wedderburn Provisional School
Edna spent three weeks as substitute teacher at Wedderburn in the Campbelltown district, then returned home briefly where she received a delayed gift of a gold brooch set with diamonds and rubies from the Wilberforce school children [Windsor and Richmond Gazette', 6 October 1900, p. 4].
Kowen Provisional School
In late September 1900 Edna took charge at Kowen, her journey from home involving train, coach and hired conveyance. In early 1901, Kowen residents requested a new school building as they judged the existing one too dilapidated. The local inspector however considered the building's condition 'fair' so denied the request. Edna was nevertheless successful in obtaining some minor repairs - new window glass, plus fixing the gaps between slabs that made the school 'very cold and draughty'. Edna remained at Kowen almost four years without concern other than her failure to gain promotion at examination. In December 1902 she was involved in a fund-raising ball for a school library held at nearby Glenburn homestead, which was deemed 'an unqualified success' ['Queanbeyan Observer', 23 December 1902, p. 2]. In 1904 she was involved in another fund-raising venture with parents 'to provide material required under the syllabus' ['Goulburn Evening Penny Post', 23 July 1904, p. 5].
In August 1904 Edna was moved to Milong Public School near Young, as part of a teacher exchange. Six months later she was moved again, being temporarily appointed to Pitt Town, near Windsor.
Currabubula Public School
In October 1906, Edna, now an experienced teacher, was appointed Assistant at Currabubula near Tamworth, a small town comprising not much more than hotel, store, and police station, as well as the school ['Catholic Press', 17 May 1906, p. 22]. While Edna seems to have settled to her new appointment, she became ill in early 1908 while on vacation in Wilberforce, and required four weeks leave. Not long after resuming duty, she was called home 'to be present with her mother' who was seriously ill and died of 'galloping consumption' soon after Edna's return ['Windsor and Richmond Gazette', 4 April 1908, p. 4]. Edna then resigned her position, having completed 18 years' service.
Later life
Edna's later life was lived in Wilberforce where she was active in community groups, particularly the P & C Association, and the CWA ['Windsor and Richmond Gazette', 21 August 1914, p. 4; 'Windsor and Richmond Gazette', 26 September 1956, p. 5]. She died in 1968, aged 94, and was buried in Wilberforce Cemetery.
[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.]
Schools
- Kowen School
09/1900 - 08/1904