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Fernvale School
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HistoryFernvale state school was first advocated in 1871 and was opened in 1874. Parents met in J.S Pooles cotton shed on the 7th of October 1981; another meeting was held on the 28th of October 1871 in John Reid’s cotton shed. Peter Thomson was chairman and a canvassing committee was formed. The group was promised two thousand hardwood shingles, use of bullock and horse teams and drays, skilled labour and 27 pounds; but the Board of Education required a further 15 pounds to be raised to build a school for forty-seven children.
On the 21st of July 1873, a public meeting was held in North’s Pocket which residents from both sides of the river attended. The Harrisborough residents on the north side of the river comprised a large number of German Settlers who indicated that they preferred to make independent provisions for the education of their children.
The final decision of the meeting was to have one teacher who take turns about at both schools, one each side of the river. A small Wesleyan chapel that was already erected on the north side would serve as a temporary school and public hall until another building could be erected. The school was opened on the 11th of May 197, but immediately found that all children were picking cotton and those on the other side of the river could not cross because there was no bridge or punt. There was also no Committee because all were too busy with their agriculture.
A brick underground 7,000-gallon tank was constructed with hardwood top and hand pump. Fifty-four students were enrolled after the cotton was picked and progressed well considering that English was the second language for most of the students.
On the south side of the river, J.G Harris offered to sell the residents two blocks, each of forty acres, only one of which was fenced, but with two buildings erected at Christmas 1872 after they purchased the land from Geigler. There was a twenty-by-twenty-foot hardwood four-roomed building with verandah in front. It had pine floor and pine shingles, with a detached kitchen. Both buildings were painted and were offered at 400 pounds with the land. Harris brothers had run into strong competition with Crubb and Foote at Stinking Gully (later named Fernvale) and were keen to sell.
Inspector J.G Anderson agreed that a school could not be erected for that sum. If the Committee could raise 70 pounds then the Board of Education would entertain the purchase of the buildings and land at 350 pounds. J.G Harris agreed to accept. However, Poole found that the German residents were totally opposed to education under the English system and would not contribute. The Board realized that this would be a rare occasion where it would have to open a school without the parents contributing.TypeSchoolsTownsFernvale & SurroundsReferencesFernvale School Factsheet. Esk: Somerset Regional Council. (Held at Esk Library).
On the 21st of July 1873, a public meeting was held in North’s Pocket which residents from both sides of the river attended. The Harrisborough residents on the north side of the river comprised a large number of German Settlers who indicated that they preferred to make independent provisions for the education of their children.
The final decision of the meeting was to have one teacher who take turns about at both schools, one each side of the river. A small Wesleyan chapel that was already erected on the north side would serve as a temporary school and public hall until another building could be erected. The school was opened on the 11th of May 197, but immediately found that all children were picking cotton and those on the other side of the river could not cross because there was no bridge or punt. There was also no Committee because all were too busy with their agriculture.
A brick underground 7,000-gallon tank was constructed with hardwood top and hand pump. Fifty-four students were enrolled after the cotton was picked and progressed well considering that English was the second language for most of the students.
On the south side of the river, J.G Harris offered to sell the residents two blocks, each of forty acres, only one of which was fenced, but with two buildings erected at Christmas 1872 after they purchased the land from Geigler. There was a twenty-by-twenty-foot hardwood four-roomed building with verandah in front. It had pine floor and pine shingles, with a detached kitchen. Both buildings were painted and were offered at 400 pounds with the land. Harris brothers had run into strong competition with Crubb and Foote at Stinking Gully (later named Fernvale) and were keen to sell.
Inspector J.G Anderson agreed that a school could not be erected for that sum. If the Committee could raise 70 pounds then the Board of Education would entertain the purchase of the buildings and land at 350 pounds. J.G Harris agreed to accept. However, Poole found that the German residents were totally opposed to education under the English system and would not contribute. The Board realized that this would be a rare occasion where it would have to open a school without the parents contributing.TypeSchoolsTownsFernvale & SurroundsReferencesFernvale School Factsheet. Esk: Somerset Regional Council. (Held at Esk Library).
CONNECTIONS
SubjectsSchoolsEducationAgriculturePublic HallsCollectionSchoolsRelated PlacesFernvaleNorth’s PocketHarrisboroughWesleyan ChapelRelated OrganisationsBoard of EducationRelated PeopleJ.S PoolesJohn ReidPeter ThomsonJ.G HarrisGeiglerHarris BrothersCrubbFooteJ.G Anderson Address 1605, Brisbane Valley Highway, Fernvale, Queensland, 4306, AustraliaGeo Coordinates[1]
Administration
SL IdentifierPLA0012
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Marrianne Derain, Fernvale School. Somerset Stories, accessed 01/04/2026, https://somerset.recollect.net.au/nodes/view/34