Maryborough Central – Celebrating 150 years

Central State School - Impression by artist Lex Frank

One School – Four Sites

“Queensland separated from New South Wales in 1859.  Record books indicate at the time of separation there was at least one private school operating in Maryborough.  The first Catholic school in Maryborough opened in 1858 and was the beginnings of the school now referred to as St Mary’s Catholic Primary, although it was not known by that name.  In 1860, the year after separation the Queensland Education Act was passed.  This quickly led to a push by parents for a state school to be established in Maryborough.  This was to be a school under the National system in contrast to a church school”. [1]

In 1862, in a small building at the northeast corner of Kent and Lennox streets (on the site occupied by the current School of Arts building), the first state school in Maryborough was established with separate girls and boys departments.  A purpose built school house was built at the corner of Alice and Lennox streets three years later.  An additional wing was erected in 1872, but with the rapidly increasing population of Maryborough, the Alice Street site quickly became too small. 

“The Primary School was opened on Tuesday morning when about 35 scholars attended.  The number was larger yesterday, and now there is a prospect of a thoroughly good school being established”.  [2]

To attend the National School was a paid privilege with School Fees differing from ‘Upper Classes’ and ‘Lower Classes’.  These accounts needed to be settled monthly and with the assistance of the local patrons, arrangements were made for the education of the children whose parents couldn’t pay any fees.

The School of Arts site was never intended to be a long term prospect for Maryborough Primary School.

In 1860, the Board of Education had applied for a grant of land at the corner of Alice and Lennox Streets; current site of the Maryborough branch of Queensland Fire and Rescue Service: North Coast Region.  

“The Education Act required that the cost of erecting a school be partially met by local funds.  The newly established Maryborough Primary School Committee needed to raise 500 pounds as the local contribution towards a two storey building”. [3]

In 1865, construction began with the foundation stone laid by His Honour Chief Justice Cockle to very little ceremony. 

“The national School opened at the start of the 1866 school year.  The chief ornament of the structure was ‘PRIMARY SCHOOL’ in large capital letters, worked in dark brick along the front of the building”. [4]

An additional wing was erected in 1872, but with the rapidly increasing population of Maryborough, the Alice Street site quickly became too small.

In 1875 two new schools opened: Tinana and East Maryborough (Granville).  As a result of these two new schools opening a change of name was required and CENTRAL was first included in the name.

In 1877, the school was moved for the third time to the present Kent Street site and boasts a number of historically significant buildings.  What was initially built as an immigration depot in 1875-1877 is now known as Block C and houses the admin area and classrooms.  This building was converted for school use in the middle of 1877.  Boys were accommodated on the ground floor, and girls and infants on the first floor with little communication or exchange among the staff members.

From January 1878, Maryborough Central School operated as three separate schools: Boys, Girls and Infants.  The total enrolment at this time was close to 800 students. [5]

During 1933-1934, the old Immigration Barracks received a major overhaul when it was decided that there was a need for ‘modern classrooms’.  It was during these renovations, that Central students needed to be housed elsewhere and The Exhibition Hall at the Showgrounds became the temporary home. 

Over the years, Central School has continued to expand on its present site.  New buildings have been added along with playgrounds and playsheds. 

“In 1935 the students and staff returned to the present site at 471 Kent Street where they have remained for 77 years”. [6]

Over the last 150 years, Maryborough Central School has taught many people who have gone on to make their mark in their own field of expertise.  Here are some professions that have benefitted from Central Students – this list is only a snapshot and therefore not extensive.

Medical

Rose Wiles – Nurse who sacrificed her life during the outbreak of the Black Death

Percy Earnshaw – Surgeon and Author

Peggy Lewis – Matron of Maryborough Hospital

David Thiele – Medicine and Swimming

Education / Academia

Ian Matheson – Director General of Education

Vilma Haapakoski – Missionary Teacher

Oscar Kindervater – Academic and Lilly Medallist

Robert White – Rhodes Scholar

John Danziger – Astrophysicist

Sport

Elliott Bennett – Champion Boxer

Maurice Blair – NRL player

Mark Hagar, John McBryde, Don McWatters – Hockey Olympians

Maurice Blair – NRL player (repeated)

Politics

Barbara Hovard (nee Newhall) – Mayor of Maryborough

Jack Pizzey – Premier of Queensland

“One School – Four Sites”  was co-authored by Dianne Humphreys and David Clark and can be purchased from NewsXpress in Station Square, Visitor Information Centres and Maryborough Central State School.

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[1] One School – Four Sites, ed. David Clark and Dianne Humphreys (Maryborough, QLD., Maryborough Central School Parents and Citizens Association, 2012), 5.

[2] Excerpt from the Maryborough Chronicle 13 March 1862.

[3] One School – Four Sites, ed. David Clark and Dianne Humphreys (Maryborough, QLD., Maryborough Central School Parents and Citizens Association, 2012), 6.

[4] One School – Four Sites, ed. David Clark and Dianne Humphreys (Maryborough, QLD., Maryborough Central School Parents and Citizens Association, 2012), 6.

[5] One School – Four Sites, ed. David Clark and Dianne Humphreys (Maryborough, QLD., Maryborough Central School Parents and Citizens Association, 2012), 8.

[6] One School – Four Sites, ed. David Clark and Dianne Humphreys (Maryborough, QLD., Maryborough Central School Parents and Citizens Association, 2012), 10.