Mt Lindesay School Group 101

Statement of Significance

The building has historic significance as it is closely associated with an important part of Denmark’s history, the Group Settlement Scheme, which had its genesis in the early 1920s. Schools in the Group Settlement areas (or Groups) played an important role in keeping families together as transport to larger towns for educational purposes was limited or non- existent. The building has social value as the school building was usually the only public facility within a Group, and therefore was used for many purposes beyond education. It was the entertainment centre of the Group where Saturday night dances were held. It was used as the Church and Sunday School, and also often doubled as a Hall for public meetings when required. The building is also representative of the architectural style of one- teacher schools in the south of Western Australia. Its timber, asbestos and iron construction, with rainwater tank, typifies the simple but utilitarian conditions that were provided in remote settlements for Group Settlers and the teachers who staffed them.

Physical Description

A typical Group school building, consisting of a single room and constructed of stud-framed timber and asbestos. It remains in reasonable condition but needs some maintenance work.

History

The one-teacher school opened on 22 June 1926, but, like many Group Settlement schools, opened and closed on a regular basis, depending on the numbers of children in the area. The Group that it serviced was Group 101. It opened for the final time in June 1931 and closed in December 1943, when the student numbers dwindled below a sustainable level. Many of the remaining students were transferred to Scotsdale School or received their education by correspondence. The school’s name changed from Group 101 to Mount Lindesay School in 1940. The school was quite isolated and many of the students’ memories relate to the difficult access to the site. The children had to walk to school as the school had closed before the school bus service began in Denmark. In winter this became difficult with heavy rain occasionally making access impossible, and the children regularly getting very wet! Teacher’s memories include the difficulties of teaching across seven grades at one time, which required patience, skill and a lot of energy. Its original site was on Mount Lindesay Road but the building was later moved to Scotsdale Road.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Most

Condition

Fair

Uses

Creation Date

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