Three letters from Avoca school girls provide a snapshot of life in Avoca in 1901–1902.
Lilian Thomas (aged 13)
Lilian Thomas was thirteen years old and in the upper sixth class. She wrote warmly of the new head teacher, probably Mr Adams, who had established a library for the senior pupils. She had attempted the merit certificate examination but was unable to complete it because she attended her aunt’s wedding. Lilian came from a large family, with sisters Ruby, Vera, Eva, Winnie and Greta, and a brother Howard. She reflected on the recent assassination of U.S. President William McKinley, noting that it was a great tragedy. She also described Avoca in springtime, with wildflowers in bloom and the golden wattles recently finished flowering.
Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 12 October 1901, page 13
The Death of Present September 23, M'Kinley.-1901. Dear Aunt Connie,-- Some of the other children have written to you, so I am glad I have the opportunity to write you too. I like our new school teacher very much. He takes such an interest in children. He has started a library for the upper classes in school. I went up for my merit certificate a little while ago, but I did not finish the examination, because I stayed ??? to see see my my aunt get married. I have five sisters. Their names are Ruby, Vera, Eva, Winnie and Greta, and one brother, name is Howard. President M'Kinley's death was very sad. It must be a great blow to the people of the United States. This is the third President these anarchists have shot. Avoca is not a very large place, but it is prettily situated amongst the hills. I am thirteen years old. and in the upper sixth class. There are such a lot of pretty wild flowers out now. The golden wattles have just finished flowering. I remain, your new niece, Lilian Thomas, aged 13 years.
Elsie Classen (aged 12)
Elsie Classen‘s household included a dog named Toby, a cat called Bismarck, and a pigeon named Dickie, while her sister Gracie kept a canary. The family owned seventy fowls but collected only twenty-eight eggs a day. Elsie was in the upper fifth class and mentioned that influenza had been widespread (the cemetery register includes two infants who died in Avoca in August 1901 from influenza). She lamented the many school holidays during the year because they had slowed progress with sewing lessons; she was making a pair of stockings for her father. She noted that the headmaster, Mr Butt, was ill and temporarily replaced.
Weekly Times, Saturday 26 October 1901, page 13
Such a Lot of Holidays--Avoca, September 24th, 1901.--Dear Aunt Connie--We have a dog called "Toby, and a cat called "Bismarck." I have a pigeon and we call it "Dickie." Gracie my sister, has a canary. We have 70 fowls, but only get 28 eggs a day. I went to a tea meeting on Wednesday, and enjoyed myself very much. This is a splendid spring for the crops. My two sisters and I go into the paddocks on Saturday to gather wild flowers. My sister Vera is very fond of the wild flowers. I go to school every day, and I am in the upper fifth class. My sister Gracie is in the second class. The influenza has been very bad up here. This year there has been such a lot of holidays, so that we are not very far on with our sewing. I am making a pair of stockings at school for my father. Avoca is a very small but pretty place. The Avoca river separates Gladstone from Kara Kara. We live just behind the park. Mr Butt, the head master, lives just by us, but he is sick now. We have another head master I remain, your little friend, Elsie Classen. Aged 12 years
Ivy L. Wilkins (aged 10)
Ivy Wilkins was only ten years old but already in sixth class. She proudly reported that she had attended school continuously for nearly six years without missing a single day and had received both a standard certificate and an attendance certificate. Her siblings were Daisy, Lily, Henry, Tabitha and John. She mentioned a recent school party given by the former teacher, Mr Adams, for sixty children before he left. Ivy also referred to the sudden death of a parent of one of her classmates, preventing the child from attending. Her happiest holiday memories were visits to her grandfather’s farm.
Weekly Times, Saturday 1 March 1902, page 8
Nearly Six Years Without Missing.-Avoca, Feb. 17, 1902. -Dear Aunt Connie, I am now writing to you for the first time, and I hope you will accept me as one of your many nieces. We have begun school again, after four weeks' holiday, which passed pleasantly.We have at present a relieving teacher, Mr Adams. Before breaking up he gave a party to sixty children. I am sorry to say one little girl was unable to come through the sad and sudden death of one of her parents. I have three sisters and two brothers. Their names are Daisy, Lily, Henry, Tabitha, and John. I am ten years old, and in the sixth class. I have attended six years on the 24th of next April, and have not missed one day. I got my standard certificate when I was nine, and have also received my certificate for attendance. We have two pets, a darling wee baby boy, and a little black kitten. We have been taking "The Weekly Times" for nearly 12 months, and I like reading the "Young Folks" page very much. We are to receive our Church of England Sunday school prizes next Friday evening. I ended my holidays at grandfather's farm. It is our greatest delight to go there. I will now conclude with love to all wishing you a prosperous New Year. I remain, your would-be niece — Ivy L. Wilkins.
Wikitree:
Letter writers:
- Lilian Laura Richards (Thomas) Beavis (1888-1977)
- Elsie Bennet (Classen) James (1889-1946)
- Ivy Lillian (Wilkins) Mann (1891-1980)
Teachers mentioned:
- James Butt (1844-1907)
- Alfred Ernest Adams (1865-1928) : temporary teacher at Avoca State School number 4 from 29 July 1901 to 9 April 1902
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