Local Government
Kondinin
Region
Wheatbelt
Bendering-Corrigin Rd Bendering
Bendering Spring Harry's Corner
Kondinin
Wheatbelt
Constructed from 1922
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Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 18 Mar 1998 |
The site represents a way of life no longer practiced. It demonstrates associations with the early settlers and education in Bendering.
Plaque on a rock plinth. The foundations are apparent, and there are remains of fence posts and some plantings.
As early as 1915 the settlers in Bendering had written to the Education Department for a school facility in their area. By 1917 the locals were petitioning MLA Hickmott, suggesting several sites for a school. The Education Department offered to pay part of a teacher's salary. The main problem was that no one site could be agreed upon by the community. In late 1920, HJ Evans offered the use of a room in his cottage. Furniture was supplied from the recently closed Gnerkadilling School and 12 students attended the assisted school with Miss Bernice Knight teaching. With the prospect of a further 23 students, consideration was given, for a government school, and the need became more urgent when HJ Evans needed the use of his place. The Bendering Progress Association suggested a site north-west of Bendering Spring, and on 15 September 1921, a 10 acre site was accepted, the Gnerkadilling School was relocated to the site. The furniture from the school at Evan's place was stored at deGruchy's farm until the school opened on 24 January 1922. From when the school commenced in 1921, the unmarried school teachers boarded with local families. In 1925 the Parents and Citizen's Association was formed, and they were very active in providing amenities for the children and improving and maintaining the school. The P & C lined the interior of the school, enclosed part of the verandah, and built a brick fire place, with materials supplied by the Education Department. In about 1930 (after Brown's took over the Bendering Store), the popularity of the tennis court at the Siding prompted a community meeting about forming a tennis club. 70 people attended a meeting at the school which subsequently led to the formation of a club and the construction of the hall. The school was the community focus for interaction prior to the construction of the hall. In 1935 a school house was constructed between the school site and the hall, and a married teacher appointed to the Bendering School. The Parents & Citizens Association lobbied to the Kondinin Roads Board for improved roads in the Bendering area. They ran a Christmas Tree every year, with the exception of the World War Two years., until 1950 when the school closed. From 1950-1958 the annual event transferred to the Bendering Hall (Sports Club). In 1947 renovations were carried out on the school building, and the children attended school at the Bendering hall during that period. The school closed in 1950, due to the introduction of school bus service to transport children to Kondinin. The school building was sold by tender to FC Bell of Narrogin, and removed from the site. After the school closed in 1950, the School bus driver and district workers used the former school teacher's house. In 1959/60 it was relocated to the Agriculture wing at the Narrogin Agricultural School.
Site
Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
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G Repacholi; "Memories Milestones and Management". | Unpublished | 1996 | |
A Webb; "Kondinin-Kalgarin-Hyden Community, Time and Place". | Shire of Kondinin | 1988 |
Historic Site
Epoch | General | Specific |
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Original Use | EDUCATIONAL | Combined School |
Present Use | EDUCATIONAL | Combined School |
General | Specific |
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SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Education & science |
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