Cookernup School

Statement of Significance

• The site has historic value for its association with the establishment and development of the town of Cookernup in the mid 20th century and the provision of public education to the local children.
• The site has social value for the local community as many individuals were schooled at the site.
• The former school and quarters have historic value for its association with the provision of education in the late 1890s.

Physical Description

Historic site with a rock and plaque marking the location of the purpose built school building.
A room within the house adjacent was originally used as a school room. Single storey structure of timber framed construction with weatherboard cladding. Triple gable roof clad with concrete tiles. Two brick chimneys extend up the north elevation in line with the apex of the two gables, terminating with a brick corbel toe arch above the ridge line. A tiled verandah canopy extends around the north-west elevation. Windows are a combination of timber frames and metal framed openings.

History

The townsite of Cookernup was gazetted in August 1894 and the town derives its name from a farm established nearby by Joseph Logue in the early 1850's. Also known as ‘Kokonup’ for many years the name means either ‘place of the swamp yam’ or ‘place of the swamp hen’ as two origins have been put forward for the name, either ‘koka’ the swamp yam or ‘cooki’ the swamp hen.

The town developed rapidly in the late 1890s with the escalation of timber milling in the area and many services were constructed in the town including a post office, school, railway station and hall. At the turn of the century the township and surrounding area had a population of 300.

Land was allocated for a school and teachers quarters after the gazettal of the townsite. The school was first conducted within the front room of the existing house until a timber school house was built adjacent. The school was opened on 12 August 1895 and the first teacher was Miss Susan Mitchell.

The timber framed school building was constructed later although the exact date has not been determined. Tenders were called by the Public Works Department in 1906 for additions to the school quarters and in 1909 school improvements were undertaken by contractor, G. H. Fairbanks for £132.

The school buildings were constantly in need of maintenance due to infestations of insects and poor ventilation. In 1928, renovations to the school and quarters were undertaken by F. C. Gobby for £73.

The school closed in 1953 and in 1957 the school building was relocated to Hoffman Mill.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate/ Moderate

Condition

Fair to good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.