Burnbank school, Mount Barker Springs

Opened 29 Sep 1862 as private school & teacher’s residence, later Education Dept, closed 1910, then used by Presbyterian church, now private.

 

“At a public meeting of the inhabitants of Mount Barker Springs . . . unanimously resolved to erect immediately a suitable public school-house in as central a situation as possible. Several farmers present offered ground for that purpose.” [Adelaide Observer 9 Sep 1854]

 

“Mr. Wiltshire, Mount Barker Springs — Pupils present when inspected, 34; pupils attending school, 47; state of schoolroom, tolerable; supply of school requisites, fair; quality of instruction, good; general discipline, good.” [Register 5 Aug 1857]

 

“Mr. W. Wiltshire informed the Board by letter of his intention to resign the school at the Mount Barker Springs, and to open that at Callington.” [Register 4 Jan 1859]

 

“A letter was read from Mr. James Shackleford respecting the erection of a new schoolroom at Mount Barker Springs, the premises at present used being too small and in a dilapidated condition. A meeting of the Trustees had been held, and it was resolved that the land on which the school premises were situated should be put under the Board, and that Mr. Shackleford should request the Board to forward plans and specifications, and to enquire whether they would assist in the erection of a teacher's residence. It was also stated that the number of scholars attending the school during the month of August was 44.” [Register 10 Sep 1861]

 

“Burnbank School, Mount Barker Springs. . . the new schoolroom and teacher's residence recently erected at this place was formally opened by a tea and public meeting. A licensed school has existed in this locality for some years past in a wattle-and-dab hut; but the building becoming ruinous and unfit for the purposes of education, the residents have nobly bestirred themselves, and the result has been the erection of a large and substantial stone building, comprising a lofty and capacious schoolroom, with master's house of three rooms attached. . . The locality known as Mount Barker Springs is most romantically situated at the foot of the mountain of the same name, and is equidistant between Nairne and Mount Barker, being about three miles from each township.” [Adelaide Observer 4 Oct 1862]

 

“Mount Barker Springs. Mr. Shackleford wrote, informing the Board that the schoolhouse at the above place was opened on Monday, the 29th September. The ceremony was followed by a tea and public meeting, at which Mr. J. Dunn, M. P., presided, and from 300to 400 persons were in attendance.” [Register 21 Oct 1862]

 

“The Wesleyans have made application for the use of the Mount Barker Springs School for religious services every Tuesday evening.” [Mount Barker Courier 17 Oct 1864]

 

“Application has been made for the use of Mount Barker Springs state school for an undenominational Sunday school.” [Mount Barker Courier 7 Sep 1888]

 

“Miss E. Thomson, teacher of Mount Barker Springs school for two years, has been transferred to Wiltunga school. She is the eldest daughter of Mr. W. R. Thomson, of Mount Barker and was popular with scholars and parents.” [Advertiser 31 Jul 1909]

 

“For several weeks the teacher and scholars of the Mount Barker Springs School have been disturbed by the persistent attendance of a large snake. . . the scaly scholar evidently believes in the principle of free education and invariably comes out from a hole in the wall when lessons are on, and the interest he manifests in natural history is said to be surprising. The other day a little girl exhibited remarkable bravery in tackling the wriggling creature, and a good race resulted in the snake winning by nearly half a length. The other half was out of the hole when the child reached it, however, and of this the youngster promptly seized hold, while a boy went for help. As the lad did not return within a quarter of an hour the girl was obliged to relinquish her hold of the tail, and the snake withdrew. The reptile was still at large when we heard from the Springs last, but his plucky assailant vows that if she gets another grip of him she'll tie him up in knots.” [Mount Barker Courier 3 Dec 1897]

 

“The Education Department has granted the use of the Mount Barker Springs School for religious services, to be conducted by the Presbyterian Church on alternate Sunday afternoons.” [Register 24 Dec 1910]

 

“The Presbytery of Onkaparinga met in the vestry of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Mount Barker . . . report by the Rev. J. H. R. Halford that services had been established at Mount Barker Springs with gratifying success. The school had been cleaned and made comfortable through the efforts of the Misses Rundle and Mrs. Blight, while through the generosity of Mrs. Frame the rent of the building for the half-year had been donated (£1).” [Mount Barker Courier 3 Feb 1911]

 

“Presbyterian Church. . . Mr. W. J. Rankine supplied the pulpits at Mount Barker and Mount Barker Springs.” [Mount Barker Courier 18 Oct 1912]

 

“The first school in the Mount Barker area was opened at Mt. Barker Springs.” [Mount Barker Courier 11 Oct 1951]

 

MOUNT BARKER SPRINGS WESLEYAN CHAPEL

Opened by 1855, closed 1888, building fell into ruins. There had been a few graves (including Thomas Bonython died 1860).

 

“Mount Barker Springs Wesleyan Chapel. — The anniversary services in connection with the above place of worship were held on Sunday and Monday last. On the Sunday sermons were preached by the Rev. Robert C. Flockhart. The day being very stormy, the congregations were not large. On the Monday a tea meeting was held in the Chapel, when a considerable number of persons partook of the abundance provided by the ladies. After the tea a public meeting was held.” [Register 31 May 1855]

 

“The anniversary of the Mount Barker Springs Wesleyan Chapel was held on Sunday and Monday, the 5th and 6th instant. On the Lord's Day the Rev. Charles Colwell preached morning and afternoon, and the Rev. Robert C. Flockart in the evening.” [Adelaide Observer 18 Apr 1857]

 

“The Wesleyans have made application for the use of the Mount Barker Springs School for religious services every Tuesday evening.” [Mount Barker Courier 17 Oct 1864]

 

“Wesleyan. . . It was resolved that permission be sought from the District meeting to erect a church at Mount Barker Springs.” [Mt Barker Courier 1 Oct 1886]

 

“Wesleyan Circuit.— The quarterly meeting of the Wesleyan Circuit was held in Mount Barker. . . It was resolved that the services at Mount Barker Springs be discontinued; the Sunday school to be held on private premises if suitable arrangements can he made.” [Mt Barker Courier 6 Apr 1888]

 

“Mrs. Bonython, who died at Launceston last Friday at the ripe age of 95, once lived with her husband at Mount Barker Springs. . . Mr. Thomas Bonython, the husband of the lady now dead, is buried in the cemetery surrounding a ruined Wesleyan Chapel which still stands near his olden residence in your neighborhood, but it is now 31 years since his widow left the district. . . In the days when Mrs. Bonython lived in your vicinity the circuit of Mount Barker Springs, lying between the mount on the one hand and Yunkunga on the other, was much more thickly populated than it is now. The two Methodist chapels, to-day only to be recognised by their ruins, had excellent congregations every Sunday in spite of the fact that Presbyterians and Catholics attended services in the township.” [Mount Barker Courier 28 Sep 1894]

 

“The congregation of the little chapel at Mount Barker Springs was composed almost entirely of agriculturists. The exodus of farmers to the Northern areas from about 1868 to 1872 necessitated the closing of the chapel many years ago. The seating accommodation and pulpit were removed to other Churches, the chapel closed, and gradually fell into disrepair, becoming eventually a ruin. In the church-yard adjoining several old residents lie buried, one of whom is the grandfather of Sir Langdon Bonython. Mr. Lavington Bonython, son of Sir Langdon has acquired the adjoining lands . . . he is about to erect a substantial fence to the Church property so that the graves of the few who were buried there years ago will be protected. He will plant seeds along the church walls, that are rapidly decaying and weather-worn, so that creepers and floral growth will make the old church a thing of beauty.” [Aust Christian Commonwealth 15 Jun 1934]

 

Done