Birthday celebrations for historic schoolhouse

Two-thousand-and-nineteen is a milestone year for the historic Springside schoolhouse as the local progress association prepares to celebrate 140 years since classes began.

The building itself was completed in 1878 to serve the communities of Spring Hill and Spring Terrace after much lobbying by residents to the Council of Education.

The single teacher school operated continuously for 93 years until dwindling enrolments saw it close at the end of 1972.

For the last 19 years, the Springside Progress Association has been working hard to maintain this little piece of local history and are planning a big family day to mark the historic anniversary.

“We are hoping to have photos and memorabilia from the schooldays,” said Springside Progress Association secretary and schoolhouse historian Helen Isbester.

Helen has been trawling through historic newspapers and other documents looking for items relating to the history of the school and the striking building, which was built from bricks made on site.

“We are looking for any memorabilia from the period 1879 to 1972 that we could borrow to display on the day,” said Helen. “That could include photos, school activities, or stories from ex-students, parents, teachers of any residents from the Springside area.”

The birthday celebrations will take place on the schoolhouse grounds (corner of Cadia Road and Kearl Road, Springside) 22 September. All are welcome.

“Apart from a roast lunch, there will be activities for the kids; the sort of things that they might have participated in during the school’s early days, like egg-and-spoon, sack and three-legged races as well as the traditional tug-o-war,” said Helen.

If anyone has any memorabilia or memories of the Springside School House you can email springsideschoolhouse@gmail.com or call Helen on 63654481.