Corbett, Catherine
Family background
Catherine Corbett was born in 1855, youngest of six children to Irish emigrants, Michael Corbett, a gold miner, and Margaret nee Mannix. The family, who were in New York at the time of Catherine's birth, moved to Australia a few years later and settled in Jembaicumbene close to the gold fields. In 1865, Catherine's father had lip cancer surgery, and although this was declared successful, he died the following year ['Queanbeyan Age and General Advertiser', 21 December 1865 p. 2]. Her mother died two years later, with 14-year-old Catherine then likely cared for by siblings.
Jembaicumbene Creek Provisional School
In January 1874, Catherine, now 19, was appointed teacher of the small school at Jembaicumbene Creek, a short-lived position as the school closed later that year.
In October 1874, Catherine was appointed inaugural teacher at Majura on an annual salary of £36, with the expectation that at least 15 students would regularly attend. Two years later, as enrolments increased, the School Board requested extra desks and benches, as well as a grant to cover fencing the site and installing two water closets. Although the extra furniture was readily approved, the other requests were left in abeyance. By 1877 there were 21 students, and at annual inspection the report on Catherine's school management noted, 'The discipline is judicious. The instruction is regulated with tolerable skill and care.' Despite this positive report, Catherine resigned her position at the end of 1877, stating the salary was not sufficient to support her. She was farewelled in the schoolroom by pupils, parents and friends, receiving a bible with good wishes, a student representative declaring, 'We can only say that we shall ever cherish the fondest recollections of our dear teacher', ['Queanbeyan Age', 23 January 1878, p. 1].
Chain of Ponds Provisional/Public School
After resigning from Majura, Catherine was still determined to pursue teaching and soon undertook three months training at St Clements Church of England School in Yass. In May 1878 she took up appointment at Chain of Ponds, which despite having an enrolment of about 30 pupils had difficultly retaining a teacher due to lodging issues. Two months after her arrival, the school's status was raised to Public School, prompting approval for a new schoolroom and residence. Catherine was endorsed to remain in charge, conditional on gaining a classification by examination, which she attained in early 1879, and in July that year the new buildings were completed.
In January 1880, as school resumed after Christmas break, all but four pupils were kept at home to help with threshing, and Catherine was 'complimented upon her patience in keeping the school open with such a small number' ['Goulburn Herald and Chronicle', 17 January 1880, p. 3]. Attendances soon improved, with about 30 students present when the school inspector arrived in February on short notice. He congratulated Catherine on 'her energy and perseverance' in bringing the pupils to a good standard. These qualities were also essential to deal with varied occurrences associated with remote locations, such as a snake 'domiciled under the teacher's residence making its appearance in the playground', where it was dispatched by the school boys ['Goulburn Herald and Chronicle', 14 February 1880, p. 4]. A month later, a tramp arrived at the school, demanding money. When Catherine refused, 'he used most foul and abusive language, stamped, cursed, and swore, and finally raised his stick and threatened to strike her', ['Goulburn Herald and Chronicle', 8 March 1880, p. 2].
Tangmangaroo Public School
In May 1882, Catherine was appointed to Tangmangaroo, which although a higher ranked school, operated out of a tent. Shortly after her arrival, a floor was installed in the tent, likely in response to complaints about the adverse conditions endured by children and teacher, a situation made worse by insufficient space, with one commentator suggesting that if authorities spent a week in the school 'they would soon give the sack to their calico architect' ['Yass Courier, 27 June 1882, p. 3]. Despite fervent protests, the tent remained in use for Catherine's time at the school and her staunch dedication earned her respect as a 'painstaking and popular teacher' ['Yass Courier, 18 December 1883, p. 2].
Felled Timber Creek Public School
In December 1883 Catherine was assigned to Felled Timber Creek near Dalton in a teacher exchange. Here she again encountered difficult conditions, with an average 30 pupils being taught in a building intended to accommodate half that number. She also had problems securing suitable lodgings, so was 'obliged to ride 4 miles to & from school', with detrimental effects to her health. She soon applied for a position in or near Sydney, and after six months this request was granted.
Randwick Asylum Public School
In July 1884, Catherine was appointed to the school attached to Randwick Asylum for Destitute Children, a position she would occupy until retirement twenty-three years later. The Asylum, which opened in 1852, could accommodate up to 800 children, although by 1884 the numbers had begun to decline as younger children in State care were boarded out. Over the next two decades Catherine had charge of a class in the Girl's Department. In 1899 she was allowed six months leave to improve her health, with a comment that her service to date had been 'meritorious'. The break was evidently beneficial as after returning to duty she then taught for five years without an absence. Although clearly committed to teaching, Catherine retired in 1907, after thirty-three years' service.
Later life
She then moved to Grabben Gullen, likely to assist her recently widowed brother. After several years she moved to Perth where she had a sister, then eventually returned to Sydney. Catherine died in 1946, aged 91, and was buried in Rookwood Catholic Cemetery, her obituary noting her commitment to teaching, family, and the Roman Catholic faith ['Crookwell Gazette, 1 May 1946, p. 7].
[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
- Majura School
10/1874 - 12/1877