Jamieson, Grace C G
Family background
Grace Catherine Gordon Jamieson was born in 1861 in Beechworth, Victoria, one of eight children (four dying in childhood) to merchant seaman Robert Jamieson and Isabella nee Simpson. Sometime after Grace's birth the family moved to Sydney where she attended various schools including Fort Street, William St, Sussex St, and St. Andrews. After leaving school, Grace was employed as an embosser until deciding to pursue her 'long-held desire' to become a teacher. She failed to gain admission to the Fort Street training college so undertook six months preparation at the Church of England School, St Johns Road, Glebe, nearby her home. In July 1881 she applied for a teaching position in a small school.
Wantabadgery Provisional School
In late November 1881 Grace took charge of a new school at Wantabadgery, 35 kilometres from Wagga Wagga, where a building had been erected by residents and furnished with stock from an earlier half-time school. There was an expected enrolment of 20 'educationally destitute' children, which proved optimistic as only 10-12 students attended over the next 18 months, so in mid-1883 Grace was removed, leaving Wantabadgery without a teacher.
Weetangera Provisional School
In July 1883 Grace commenced at Weetangera, which was being 'resuscitated' after a twelve-month closure, with an expected attendance of 14-15 pupils. Although the site had a teacher's residence, it was suggested Grace find lodgings with a local family. The Department soon received a letter from the Hon. George Thornton MLC, a friend of the Jamieson family, alerting them that Grace, who he stressed was of 'uncomplaining disposition' and 'great respectability', had failed to find suitable lodgings. By late August, the issue was resolved with Grace stating she was 'comfortably situated' at Weetangera. A year later, although not seeking to move, she was offered another appointment.
Marina (Nine Mile) Public School
In November 1884 Grace commenced teaching at Marina Public (near Young) in a swap intended to remove an incumbent whose ineptitude prompted residents to ask for his replacement. The man concerned resigned soon after Grace arrived, rather than take up her position at Weetangera. Grace appears to have readily gained community approval as shown at the 1885 Marina school picnic where 'Miss Jamieson ...had a busy time of it, attending to the comfort of guests ... in the performance of which she appeared to be thoroughly in her element' ['Burrangong Argus', 26 September 1885, p. 2]. Unfortunately for Grace, Marina attendances soon declined as another school, more conveniently located for some of her pupils, opened in the district and her salary consequently decreased.
In June 1886 Grace contacted the Hon. Thornton, explaining the difficulty she had in managing on her meagre salary and sending money to her mother, but she seemingly held little hope of the situation improving, stating 'I suppose we cannot have all we want so I must endeavour to be content for a while anyway'. Her acquiescence proved well-founded, as Mr Thornton's appeal for an alternate appointment on her behalf was ineffective. Shortly after this, her younger sister became a Pupil Teacher, so perhaps some of Grace's financial duty was appeased. She remained in charge of Marina another two years then resigned, having completed seven years teaching service.
Later life
In June 1888, two months after resigning, Grace married William Gilbert. They resided on a property near the Marina school where they had seven children, two dying in infancy. After Grace was widowed in 1910, she became a nurse. She later established a private hospital in Young in partnership with a daughter, which she operated until a year before her death in 1928, aged 65. Grace's obituary acknowledged her teaching career, her commitment to her family, and her nursing endeavours. ['Young Chronical', 10 January 1928, p.2]. She was buried in Young 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.]
[see Clough p. 14-15]
Schools
- Weetangera School
07/1883 - 11/1884