Spring Creek
The Spring Creek Agricultural Reserve was surveyed from Clifton Station in 1866. The small blocks were quickly taken up by mostly German, Irish and English farmers. The need for a school to educate the children of the new settlers was soon felt and the Spring Creek school was built in 1871 following representations to the government by the local residents. The school was opened on the 17th August 1871 with 49 children being enrolled on the first day. It served the district for 83 years until it was closed in 1954. In that time 1186 children had passed through its doors.
The break-up of Headington Hill Station in 1898 saw a new wave of settlers in the district and the need was felt for new schools to accommodate the influx of new children requiring education. The Headington Hill State School opened in 1912 but the need for another school in the eastern part of the Spring Creek valley was felt. A new school was opened at upper Spring Creek in 1915 with 16 pupils being enrolled in the first year. The Spring Creek Upper State School celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1965 and was closed on 1st May 1970, the remaining children travelling to the Allora schools by bus.
Spring Creek “Get Together”
Residents and former residents of the Spring Creek district met at the Clifton Museum recently to consider the possibility of holding a get together of former pupils, teachers, family and friends of the Spring Creek and Spring Creek Upper State Schools. The general feeling of the meeting was that a gathering should be held in about September 2010 to coincide with the release of the book being written by Joy King on the histories of the schools.
Among the old district families to be represented at the meeting were Byrne, Dallinger, Dalton, Doyle, Pacholke, Saal, Stallman, Telford, Walker and White. Nominations were taken for a committee to start planning the day. A hat (belonging to old Spring Creek identity Ken Telford) was passed around resulting in the collection of $220 to go with the $50 previously generously donated by Jim Logan. The money will be used to cover the expenses of the committee.
If anyone wants to take an active part in the organization of the day or wishes to contribute ideas or money please contact Pam Dalton 46123126, Trevor Mason 46964199 or Colin Newport 46964139.
Joy King is still asking for the contribution of Spring Creek family histories to be included in the book. Don’t have your family miss out. Contact Joy on 46973660