Former Miallo student reminisces and turns back the clock

LETTER TO EDITOR

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Mr Boyd shared his experiences of going to school in the region many years ago. Picture: Submitted

I was inspired to write the following piece after reading your weekly school wrap, in which you recently highlighted and covered the first day of school for many local students.

That got me wanting to write a story about my days attending school in Miallo.

After sending it to family members, some still in Douglas Shire, they suggested I should send it in to Newsport:

Back in the day when Charlie Galway ran the store at Miallo, Mrs Lloyd was the post mistress, the post office still stands, Andy Blain had a cane paddock and residence between the shop and the school and Len Kehoe was the sole teacher at that two room school, likewise, still standing.

I started my schooling there in company with the late Peter Hancock and others. Peter and I often played together in the few years before starting school.

I had the advantage of having two elder sisters, Thelma and Mavis, who were ten and eight years respectively, older than me.

They attended the Rocky Point School, rigorously overseen by Kevin Hooley and without doubt I was fully instructed as to what to expect. Mr Kehoe would certainly be in control.

As I recall, the “babies” (first dayers), were settled into the front desk accommodating five or six children, on the left of Mr Kehoe’s desk at the front of the juniors’ room.

We were each provided with a wooden framed slate writing tablet, about A4 size. One side had lines scratched into the stone, consistent with widely spaced, lined writing paper.

The other side was clear of any permanent markings. Of course to go with the slate tablet, we received a slate pencil. The slate pencil was thinner than a wooden carbon pencil, but it was also slate.

We “babies” were introduced to our new surroundings and routines, as best could be done by a single teacher with two class rooms accommodating several year levels, all starting a new year of schooling.

After lunch, it became apparent that Peter was not in class. There was some consternation at his absence from the classroom, furthermore, he could not be found at school.

Peter had decided that he’d seen enough of what school had to offer and opted for the company of the post mistress - his grandmother.

When visiting home country my routine of taking the first driveway to the right, headed north past Creese Creek crossing, will put me in mind that Peter may again be in the company of his beloved Nana.

Thank you,

W. R. (Bill) Boyd

Thank you!

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