PROSERPINE STATE SCHOOL: 125 years of Education.

Proserpine State School has its origins in the late nineteenth century when, in response to a rapidly expanding population in the rich agricultural areas of the district, parents met to discuss the possible establishment of a school in the district.

The first application for a state school was rejected as there was insufficient local money available, so the Education Department approved a provisional school which would meet all requirements for the time being.

The original site was Waterson’s Paddock near Phaff’s Crossing, almost opposite where the junior sports fields are now located. Ten acres was proposed for the site - five for the school and grounds and five for the children’s ponies, however, the Department of Public Land considered five acres to be sufficient. Between the town and school, there were lagoons which, during the wet season, prevented students from attending school.

So why was the school located in this position? Firstly, it was determined the school should be built on government land on the main road to Bowen which, at that time, was the area opposite where the Proserpine Cemetery is now located. Water was available and the soil was of good quality. Additionally, the building material could be acquired easily as there was a sawmill within two miles of the site and a good road to The Landing at Glen Isla.

And so, on August 16, 1897, the Lower Provisional School 779 opened with thirty-one pupils and Head Teacher, Mr Robert J Walke. As the community grew, so did enrolments, necessitating the appointment of Miss Daisy Field as assistant to the principal.  In 1902, when Mr Walke was transferred, Miss Field was responsible for the education of sixty-one pupils! The Education Department advised that this number did not warrant an extra teacher however she was appointed Head Teacher with a salary of £90 ($180) per annum.

In 1904, within just seven years of opening, a new school was constructed in response to increasing dissatisfaction of parents with the inaccessibility of the school in wet weather and its distance from the growing township. The new school was built on two acres of land opposite the post office in Main Street where the Proserpine Entertainment Centre now stands. It was opened in March with Miss Field as Head Teacher to seventy-two students and Miss Armanesco as assistant. The old building was removed and re-erected for the Foxdale Provisional School.

Finally, on March 15 of that year, the school was gazetted as a state school. Proserpine State School continued to grow. By 1906, there were 102 students enrolled and in 1912, a new wing was added. By 1923, there were 300 students, eight teachers and one head teacher.

In 1929, the school became a Rural School. Domestic Science and Manual Training were introduced as once weekly lessons for grades six and seven from other small district primary schools. In 1939, a High Top was introduced for students wanting to continue studies after year 8. In 1946, the Windemere school building was moved to behind the school and used for High Top students.

In 1957, due to overcrowding and limited play areas, plans were afoot to build a new school in Ruge Street for the High Top students and also a primary school in Sterry Street. In 1961, Proserpine State School – Secondary Department opened in Ruge Street and between 1966 and 1970, the transition of students from the Main Street primary school to the new Proserpine State School in Sterry Street gradually took place.

Story and photos courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum and “Enlightened Horizons” by Neville Smith.  

What: Proserpine State School 125th Anniversary Celebrations and Fete.

When: September 3, commencing 2.30pm.

Where: Proserpine State School

First Proserpine State School - photo c 1900

Proserpine State School Main Street c 1924

‍