Cameron, Annie Mabel
Family background
Annie Mabel Cameron was born in 1875, one of nine children to teacher Ewan Cameron and Ann nee Smith. A few months prior to Annie's birth, her father was recognised as teacher of Weetangera School, then six years later appointed to Mugwill, then in 1884 to Nubba, where he died in 1896, Annie by now twenty-one years old. By this time one of her siblings was married and two employed as teachers. Another operated the family farm in Weetangera which is where Annie, her mother and remaining siblings lived after her father's death. Five years later, Annie commenced teaching in the Department, having reportedly been a private tutor at Yarralumla Estate for some time previous.
Nangunia South and Langunyah Provisional schools
In February 1901 Annie, now 26, was appointed on probation to Nangunia South in the Riverina district, which was reopening after several months closure. She was transferred after only a month, likely because the only available accommodation was a hotel 'not very suitable for a female teacher'. Her next position was Langunyah, near Tocumwal, with her annual salary being £72. After a month she asked for removal to a school near her brother in the Newcastle area, highlighting her difficulty in obtaining suitable lodgings at Langunyah, and the fact that she was over 300 miles from her home.
Tolimba Provisional School
Fortunately, in July 1901 Annie was appointed to Tolimba, a school near enough to her brother that she could lodge with him and seems to have settled to her position without any issues. In 1906 she encountered health problems, eventually needing several months leave due to influenza, pharyngitis and pulmonary congestion. She then returned to duty at Tolimba, ultimately remaining in charge of the school for almost eight years.
Royalla Public School
In 1909 Annie took charge of Royalla, where after six months she experienced further health issues, being hospitalised for several weeks with a diagnosis of 'chronic catarrh of the throat and general debility and anaemia'. As a result, the school was closed for over three months before another teacher was appointed, Annie having meanwhile applied for removal to a milder climate.
In 1910, Annie was temporarily appointed to Yass, then Wallendbeen, north-west of Cootamundra. Her ill-health continued so she submitted her resignation and returned to live at Weetangera. She died only seven years later, shortly after her mother's death, by then living in Mittagong with a married sister. Amongst the items listed in her deceased estate were many books, including 'Girls Own Annual', 'My Brilliant Career', Dante, various school texts, and a Robert Burns poetry collection. Annie Cameron was buried in Mittagong Cemetery.
[Biography prepared by Joanne Toohey, 2025. 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
- Royalla School
01/1909 - 10/1909