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NGHS OTHER PHOTOGRAPHS
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| Photos for identification for Peter Scaife. From Robin Gordon March 2024 These photos are from girls’ classes in two high schools, on two separate campuses, in Newcastle NSW, in c1930’s to c1940’s. In Lambton Rd. Broadmeadow NSW, is now, in 2024, the “Hunter School of Performing Arts”. This school commenced in 1998. This campus has seen many changes for specific educational purposes since it was built in 1923. As a technical school 1923–1926: Newcastle Junior Technical and Domestic Science School 1927–1931: Broadmeadow Junior Technical School 1932–1960: Newcastle Central Technical School. Some of these photos are from that Broadmeadow campus, where were temporarily housed for a few years, those (girl) pupils who were to become the first intake of the new selective Newcastle Central Domestic Science School. The new 5 th year high school buildings were not yet completed at National Park St. Hamilton South. The girls were eventually moved, in 1932, to their new purpose-built selective school at Hamiton South, called, from 1932-1943, Newcastle Central Domestic School. Later named 1944-1957, Newcastle Home Science High School and finally 1958-1975, Hunter Girls’ High School. Some of these photos are identifiably from the Hamilton South Campus, some prior to that, at the Broadmeadow campus. 188_000060. My guess is that this is c1932 at the “new” Hamilton South site of the then Newcastle Central Domestic Science School (1932 to 1943). Looks like a photo of the School Senior Prefects, School Captain etc. Still no real uniformity of uniforms!! but more uniforms, as shown here, are an improvement on lack of uniforms presented earlier photos, when evidence of the Great Depression showed itself in lack of uniforms, poor shoes etc. at that time. (How many times can you say “uniform” in one paragraph?) 188_000061 - This photo is taken to the front of the “Domestic Science Cottage”, at the then Newcastle Central School in Lambton Rd Broadmeadow. The site, now, of the Hunter School of Performing Arts. Of note are the 4 beautiful stained glass panels in the double front doors - can also be seen to better advantage when seen from inside the cottage, in the hall, in following Photo 188- 000062. The beautiful front doors and the handsome and Page 2 gracious woodwork inside & outside this building is all, of course, sadly, also, long since gone. (Upon my inspection Feb. 2024, in fact, this building has been so “recycled” since it was built, for various changes/functions/ needs, on this site, that the gracious building as once was, is hardly recognisable.) Again, still…Photo 188_000061 . Examining hair styles and with consideration & comparison of uniforms and the great variety or lack of uniforms appearing in this & other photos, (probably because of hardship & poverty during the Great Depression) my considered opinion is that this is probably a photo of early Prefects from the then newly named selective school “Newcastle Central Domestic High School” prior to 1932…. photo taken whilst these girls were still at the Broadmeadow campus, awaiting transfer to their new school at Hamilton South. The photos we see for the periods during the two World Wars and the Great Depression give more than a keen but awful look at the tough economic times then, for most people. Uniforms for school, especially if there were more than a few children in the family, to “feed & clothe”, were not always possible for many or most. These photos show the grim economic times, reflected here, in the obvious lack of uniforms for most. One name for this photo!!! MY MUM – Elizabeth Elva EWING nee LINDSAY, is to the extreme right, in the middle row, seated upon the low brick wall to the side of the steps. Not much uniformity in the “uniforms” shown here . Mum is wearing a square necked tunic with a round necked white blouse - others have tunics with round necks – variety of blouses under what tunics are there. The girls in the front row are all, in what appear to be uniformly pleated skirts, with again a variety of blouses. Could these be the “Senior Prefects”? They do perhaps look a little older than the girls behind them, who, may I suggest could be “Class Prefects”. The date for this photo is guesswork from me. Mum transferred from Quirindi District Rural School to Newcastle Central Domestic Science School in, I think, 2 nd year , probably 1928-29. Therefore I’d estimate this photo could be c1929-30-31. Note……. Hunter Girls’ High School (1958-1975) which was the eventual name of this evolving selective High School, began 1923, as a third year co-ed Intermediate High School called Newcastle Central School (at Broadmeadow, 1923 to 1931) then became Newcastle Central Domestic High School (at Hamilton South from 1932 to 1943) then Newcastle Home Science High School from 1944 to 1957, and Hunter Girls High School from 1958 to 1975. Page 3 Sadly, political powers decreed to closure in Newcastle of our selective high schools in the late 1970’s and Hunter Girls’ High School was then integrated with Newcastle Girls’ High School and became Newcastle High School – a coeducational comprehensive high school. Photo 188_000062 c1930 at Newcastle Central School NSW Interior of “Domestic Science Cottage” at Broadmeadow. Domestic Science pupils and teacher. Girls learning correct house cleaning/house keeping tasks. Note, beautiful front doors with stained glass, lead light panels. Photo 188_000063 This is a mystery. Two girls, could be in theatrical costume?? Only tiny clue is in the background where I identify from earlier photos, I think, the original fence at the Broadmeadow campus – a waist high brick or rendered fence to the Lambton road side of the Broadmeadow campus. Photo 188_000064. Hockey Team Newcastle Central Domestic School c 1932 Note: Two girls in this photo are almost probably identifiable to two of three girls in another two photos - 188_000068 & 188 000069 – photos of sporting champions I’d say. I can certainly identify these photos from the “NEW” Newcastle Central Domestic School at Hamilton South, because of the most identifiable front entrance to that school in photo 188 000069. The girls in the other two “Sporting Champions” photos, holding Winners cups are in this hockey photo – 3 rd and 5 th from the left are, I think, the same girls , holding cups in 188 000068 & 188 000069. Photo 188_000065. c1932-34. Newcastle Central Domestic School at Hamilton South. Girls under a tree which was to the northern side of that school – this open space was not part of proper school grounds BUT must have been used by them at that time. This open space is what is now the Newcastle Athletic Track on National Park St. to the northern side of the school. The brick buildings are identifiably as I recall them Top, (3rd Floor) contained the typing rooms. Photo 188_000066. Newcastle Central Domestic School at Hamilton South. C1932. A very newly completed school in National Park St. Hamilton South. This brick Page 4 building is the new “Domestic Cottage” for Home Science Students, the equivalent of the lovely old “Domestic Cottage” at the old Broadmeadow campus. Photo 188_00067 A sewing lesson. A student is sewing on a machine to the left of the photo. I can see a dressmaking “Square” ruler, which was used in drafting dressmaking patterns, lying on a table to the front of the photo AND the girls in the front desks are also drafting with square rulers. Is that an electric cord, plugged into the light fitting to make the Sewing machine “electric”? Very forward & progressive if it is. Based on light fittings and windows in other photos which I have seen and the more abundant evidence of uniforms, it suggests to me that this is c1932 at Newcastle Central Domestic School at Hamilton South. Photo 188_000068 . Five sports champions Newcastle Central Domestic School at Hamilton South. c1932-1933. The girl 2 nd from the left and girl 4 th from left, both holding cups, are, I think, in the Hockey Team photo. (188_000064) I can name the girl to the right in the photo as she is my Mum’s friend. Noma Williams & funnily on a photo “188_00081b” included to the end of this collection. Where there is almost no photographic image that I can see – there are girls names written on whatever was that photo and Noma Williams is written there. ?????!!!??Any clue please Peter what the original photo shows? Photo TWO PHOTOS 188_000069. & Photo 188_000070. Same photo!!!!! Three sports champions, Newcastle Central Domestic School at Hamilton South. c1932-1933. The girls on the left & right are, I think, in the Hockey Team photo. (188_000064) Photo 188_000071 Another sewing lesson. Hand sewing this time but someone is on a machine to the back rear of the photo. Based on Uniforms, hair styles I’d guess this is Newcastle Central Domestic School at Hamilton South. c1932-1933. Photo 188_000072 Cookery Class “spread” or Demonstration of skills Or afternoon tea for visitors to the school? This is Newcastle Central Domestic School at Hamilton South. c1932-1933, based on comparison in photos of uniforms for Domestic Classes. Page 5 Photo 188_000073. Cookery Class “spread” or Demonstration of skills? Or afternoon tea for visitors to the school? This is Newcastle Central Domestic School at Hamilton South. c1932-1933, based on comparison in photos of Uniforms for Domestic Classes. Photo 188_00074 . c1929-1930 Newcastle Central School NSW Interior of “Domestic Science Cottage” at Broadmeadow. Domestic Science instruction in main hall in Cottage. Photo 188_000075. c1929-1930 Newcastle Central School, Broadmeadow NSW Interior of “Domestic Science Cottage” at Broadmeadow. Domestic Science instruction in care for the Dining Room in the Cottage. Photos TWO PHOTOS 188_000076 & 188_000079. Same photo c1929-1930 Newcastle Central School , Broadmeadow, NSW Interior of “Domestic Science Cottage” at Broadmeadow. Domestic Science instruction in care of the Bedroom and baby’s needs in the Cottage. Photo 188_000077 c1929-1930 Newcastle Central School, Broadmeadow NSW Interior of “Domestic Science Cottage” at Broadmeadow. JUNIOR Domestic Science Cookery Class. Based on uniforms Photo 188_000078. Newcastle Central Domestic School at Hamilton South. c1932-1933. Typing Class. Photo 188_000079 SEE ABOVE TWO PHOTOS Photo 188_000080. c1929-1930 Newcastle Central School NSW Interior of “Domestic Science Cottage” at Broadmeadow. SENIOR Domestic Science Cookery Class. Based on uniforms, windows, light fittings. Photo 188_000081. c1932-1933.Newcastle Central Domestic School at Hamilton South. Library Class??? Page 6 Photo 188_000081b. Names to be seen – no photo?? Old print? Any help please Peter? Names written across photo - “Elaine Chapman, O. Tamlyn and Noma Williams”. My Mums’ friend is Noma Williams!!! What is this photo please Peter? Photo 188_000082. c1929-1930 Newcastle Central School NSW Interior of “Domestic Science Cottage” at Broadmeadow. Another Lesson in caring for the dining room – Junior Uniform for Domestic Science pupils. Information by: Robin Gordon OAM 53 Hill St. Belmont NSW 2280 March 11 th 2024 |