Inkie Pinkie School Ruins

Statement of Significance

The ruins represent the considerable significance of this school, and an education for the early settlers of this district. It represents a way of life, and the unique country co-operation. It demonstrates associations with pioneers and identities of the era.

Physical Description

All that remains is the mud bat chimney, and the raised earth where the room once was. A stone with a plaque interprets the site. Originally the mud brick school was 16' x 12' with 9' high ceilings, 2 windows and 1 door, and the fireplace, which is all that remains. A corrugated iron roof, and jarrah floors completed the building.

History

In May 1905 R Snow collected signatures from the surrounding settlers for a school at Inkiepinkie and a half time school at Mungerungercutting and Yarling. The Education Department advised that no funds were available to construct another school. In October 1905, Snow offered block 306 of his land for the school, but the government preferred a block on the opposite comer which was Crown land. The settlers subsequently erected a school constructed of sun-dried clay blocks which had already been made by a team of locals. Schultz of the New Jerusalem settlement (see Ref No 5) was among the Inkiepinkie school settlers. A store shed was erected by the settlers in 1911, and the same year, the Education Department condemned the school building. In 1913 the school was still operating in the school room with attendances at 18 boys and 12 girls. The teacher and settlers requested a new building urgently, and even Parliament House partitioned for a new school. In 1916 during the Vice-Regal tour of the district, the Governor Sir Harry Barron visited the school and addressed the children The head teacher was always a female at Inkiepinkie, and accommodation was provided at 15 shillings a week at R SnoWs farm. In 1923 the school closed due to low attendance (The Education Department required that a minimum number of eight students be Maintained to operate a school) The storage shed and shelter were relocated to Wickepin School. The school building was de-constructed and re-erected in Kulin in 1925 (and it is still there!). The timber and iron from the original building were used to extend the Manual Training Centre in Wickepin.

Integrity/Authenticity

Authenticity: High degree

Condition

Poor

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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