Last surviving student, Arthur Ward, recalls school days as bell unveiled in new home, Cootamundra Heritage Centre

The Jindalee School, located in what we now know as Wallendbeen, was decommissioned in 1941, however spent years in the shed at ‘Daisyvale’ before it ended up in the care of Bruce and Jenny Ward. 

The bell was removed from the empty school fearing it would be vandalised or lost. 

It was always Bruce’s intention to have it displayed somewhere future generations could see it and last year, prior to his passing, he donated it to the Heritage Centre. 

The centre chose its 18^th birthday to officially unveil the bell which sits on a post on the front lawn. 

Arthur recalled his school days saying more than half of the students walked to school. 

His family was lucky enough to own ponies so he rode to school. 

With limited school grounds, the area for student play being between the school building and the Methodist Church, students had to be inventive with their games. 

Marbles was a hit and in the middle of the grassed area was a well-worn section that could be improvised into a cricket pitch provided caution with shots was used. 

Lessons were focussed on skills for life with Arthur recalling he learnt to write properly, add up without a calculator and spell. 

Religion was looked after by a visiting priest and a P&C established in Arthur’s later years at the school would host dances on Saturdays. 

“They were fine gentlemen and great role models who taught me at the school,” Arthur said. 

Today, the school house has been converted into a home. 

Since 1982, it has been home to Debbie Hobbs who has made a concerted effort to keep features as original as possible including paint colours and the building exterior. 

Over the years, Mrs Hobbs has had many visitors associated with the former school pop in for a look around. 

She is pleased to see the slice of history once attached to her current home housed for all to enjoy in the Heritage Centre.