Tenindewa School SitePrint Page

The monument recognises the site of the former Tenindewa School, which operated from 31 March 1913 until 4 August 1939, and was funded to celebrate the Bicentenary of the European settlement of Australia from 1788 to 1988.

In 1988, the memorial plaque was unveiled on the former site of the school by 2 former pupils. The plaques were made available by the Australia Bicentennial Authority with support from the Mullewa Shire. In April 2015 a replica school building was launched at the school site.

The first school at Tenindewa opened on the 31st March 1913 in a building donated by Mr Norman Fry, one of the original settlers on the Woolya Estate. One acre of land was included with the building, on the understanding that the Education Department would be responsible for the costs of the survey and land transfer fees. The first teacher was Miss Eva Stafford, the daughter of early settlers at Tenindewa.

A school reserve of 5 acres to the north of Tenindewa was gazetted on the 23rd October 1914, followed by a contract for the construction of a new school. The builder was Mr C. N. Turner, the price being 170 pounds 10 shillings and 8 pence ($341.07) and the completion date was to be by the 15th March 1915.

This new building was completed to schedule and just as well, as a severe storm completely demolished the old school. The teacher reported that after conferring with the builders, classes were commenced in the new room on the 4th March 1915. The acre of land of the old school was subsequently returned to Mr Fry.

When enrolments fell below the minimum requirement of eight, the school was forced to close, the residents having to wait until there were sufficient numbers to again re-open the school. This school was closed for three periods, the longest being from 1924 to 1927 and again from 1928 to 1931. When the school was re-opened, the families were required to guarantee to make up the teacher’s salary if the attendance fell below the minimum of eight.

The Australian Bicentennial Authority (ABA), pursuant to the Australian Bicentennial Authority Act 1980,was set up to plan, fund and coordinate projects that emphasized the nation's cultural heritage. State Councils were also created to ensure cooperation between the federal and state governments. The result was a national programme of events and celebrations to commemorate the Bicentenary.

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