A History of Marrar and District, 1979. Researched and Compiled by Mr Alby Armstrong 15. Education - More Recent Times Includes the 1940's and 1950's, Marrar Public School 1978 and the Marrar P & C Association.
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1940's AND 1950's
By 1941 the numbers at the school had dropped and in August 1941, Miss Cooper was transferred to the Matong area and Mr. Walter Morphett was left as teacher - in charge.  A comment from Mr. Hosken, Inspector, 17/11/42.  'The buildings are in very fair order and are well cared for by the teacher.  Only one of the three classrooms is in use.  The garden is in good order.  Good results have been obtained from the sale of vegetables and flowers for patriotic funds'.

In December 1946 Mr. S.J. Donaldson was appointed Principal, as the numbers had increased once again, and Miss Cooper returned to teach Lower Division.  This stability continued for- many years.  Mr. G.G. Spratt was appointed in 1951.  Mr. Spratt settled in Marrar after leaving the teaching service.  He was followed by Mr. Tom Oliver, who recently retired from the Forbes Primary School and now lives on the N.S.W.' South Coast.

Mr. Fred Eke was appointed in 1958 and to this point has served longer than any other Principal.  When the numbers increased to over 100 in 1967, three teachers were appointed, Mr. Eke, Miss G. Edyvean and Mrs. M. Spratt.

At the end of 1967 Mr. Fred Eke ended his ten year term as Principal and transferred to Yanco.  Mr. Paul Watts followed Mr. Eke and remained until the end of 1970, during which time Mrs. Mildred Spratt and Gwen Edyvean were assistant staff members.

A gradual decline in the number of pupils resulted in the school reverting to two teachers at the beginning of 1971, when Mr. Allan Slater became Principal following Mr. Watts' transfer to the Wollongong area.  Mrs. Spratt remained in charge of Lower Division while Mrs. Dot Gooley was responsible for instruction in Sewing and Craft.  Mrs. Colleen O'Brien was in charge of school cleaning for a number of years and was in turn followed by Mrs. Sue Hodge and Mrs. May Manning who still holds the position.

Conversation with anyone who has been associated with the school, over many years, and regardless of the capacity at which involvement has taken place, reveals the very strong community interest, P. & C. support and parental backing which is an outstanding feature of Marrar.  This same co-operation embraces the community at large.  Of this support all principals have been highly appreciative during their stay and have emphasised this district strength at the conclusion of their service in the town.

Early in 1971 renovations and painting which greatly improved the attractiveness of the school environment, were completed.  The grounds, over the years have been improved and upgraded and today the playground and buildings are the envy of many larger centres.

At the beginning of the present decade the introduction of inter-school sporting activities between schools from Marrar to Grong Grong generated much interest.  Marrar children were given the opportunity to participate in softball and football in particular.  Outstanding support by parents ensured that all children were given the chance to represent the school.  At times, even Kindergarten pupils were included to complete the -teams.  Jenny Langtry was the toast of the school following her determined effort at the 1972 Coolamon - Ganmain P.S.S.A. Athletic Carnival when she became Senior Champion.

Warren Gooley in the same year brought great credit on himself and Marrar when he won a State Bursary on his way to gaining admission to Yanco Agricultural High School.  Another noteworthy achievement in 1972 came when Pauline Murphy, Lindi McKelvie and Jenny Langtry won their way to the final of the 2WG Road and General Safety Competition.  Although not outright winners, the girls were able to present to the school a fine painting as a result of their efforts over many weeks.

In late 1974, Alan Slater accepted a move to Henty as Principal and Pat Donnellan, from Peak Hill was appointed Principal at Marrar.  At the end of the year, Mrs. M. Spratt retired and was tendered a large farewell attended by the district people and many of her former pupils and colleagues.  Mrs. Kaye Green arrived in 1975 to teach Lower Division and stayed with us for 2 years.  The school numbers increased from a low of 39 to about 50- in early 1977.  Annette Prior, who taught for 4 years in Broken Hill, joined the school in 1977.  During this time interschool visits with Matong were a feature, with Lower Division having mixed games and Upper Division playing major games, cricket, softball, vigoro, and football.

During the mid 1970's the playground development policy was extended to include the levelling and planting to lawn of the areas around the school not previously done.  This was mainly achieved with the aid of the P. & C. led by Bob Hodge and later Les Hancock, who were Presidents in this period.

Marrar -Public School 1978
As we prepare for the Centenary in 1979, we find that, as in the past decade, Marrar is quite stable.  The turnover of pupils is not great.  The number of pupils in Lower Division, taught by Miss Annette Prior is 23 and there are 25 pupils in Upper Division taught by the Principal, Mr. Pat Donnellan.

1978 saw the appointment of the first Clerical Aide, Mrs. Jiff McKelvie and in November Mrs. Yvonne Irvine, from Coolamoh was appointed.  Both of these ladies have done most of the typing of the manuscripts for this booklet.

Ground improvements done over the past 3 years by the P. & C. assisted by the children, have made a big difference to the appearance of the school.  There are lawns now surrounding the school buildings and these lawns continue to improve due to the excellent seasonal conditions.  Together with these lawns, new footpaths allow children to move around the yard on wet days, without getting muddy feet.

Building improvements carried out recently include interior and exterior painting, enclosing of part of the verandah, making a new Clerical Office, Principal Office and Staffroom, Vinyl tiling of classrooms and office areas and the carpeting of the library.

Support from the P. & C. has as usual been very good with a turnover in excess of $1,000.  New equipment includes the Endeavour Reading Scheme, Megaphone, Library Books, Motorised Lawn Edge-trimmer and many other incidental items, so helpful in the efficient running of the school.

The school has been active in sporting events during the year participating in following.  Coolamon-Ganmain P.S.S.A. competitions, Swimming, Athletics, Netball, Australian National Football, Tennis, Softball and the first separate Ball Games competition.  Michael Brady was our most successful competitor in sport during 1978, winning the Senior Boys Swimming Championship at the Coolamon Pool.

Pupils enrolled at the school in 1978 include Michael Brady, Serena, Dominique, Rebeeca, Nicholas and Skye Levett, Rodney and Corrie Furner, Darren and Gavin Graetz, Peter and Catherine Hassall, John, Michelle and Mark McIntyre, Cathy and Peter Donnellan, Tanya Tinson, Tim, Virginia, Michael and Elizabeth Connolly, Nigel, Kara and Monica Hancock, Andrew, Kylie and Tracy McKelvie, Sandra Hodge, Sharee and Peter Hodge; Catherine, Maurice and Anthony O'Brien, Wayne and Greg McKelvie, Helen Langtry, Shaun, Sonya and Stewart Walker, Kylie and Peta Hassall, David, Frances and Lance Drum, Mark and Jill Condell, Adrian Hamilton, Jason Hodge, Kellie Hamilton, Karen Farrelly, Lynette Lawrence.

New Pupils for enrolment in Kindergarten 1979 include: Claire Donnellan, Simone Hodge, Shannon Parahi and Kylie Cotterill.

In the past few Years Marrar School has been changed from Temora Inspectorate to Narrandera (1974) back to Narrandera (1976) and to Wagga in 1979.  The new district inspector will be Mr. Clyde Rankin.

Mrs. K. Curran has been the sewing teacher and a feature of her work has been the introduction of the children to cooking.  Mrs. M. Donnellan has taken the children for other crafts such as pottery, copper embossing, tie-dying and candle making.

Mr. P. Brown from Kooringal has been appointed Principal for 1979 following the transfer of Pat Donnellan to Jannali, Miss Annette Prior will be teaching Lower Division and Mrs. Yvonne Irvine is the Clerical Aide.

Marrar P. & C. Association
The P. & C. of Marrar Public School has always been a strong and positive organisation.  A feature of its functioning has been the manner in which the parents have shared the work load and responsibility of office.

Although the exact date of the formation of the P. & C. is not known, it is known to have been operating prior to 1925.  Unfortunately, the P. & C. minute books go back only as far as 1951, and it is interesting to note the style of meetings then and see the gradual change from just a money raising organisation to an active role in school events, such as Sports organisation, school excursions, ground improvements, school reporting etc.  The development of the School Playground at Marrar owes much to the active support of the P. & C.  As well as spending a great deal of money on top dressing seed, fertiliser etc., many hours have been spent on the actual physical work ' Members have brought in tractors, mowers, slashers, rotary hoes, front end loaders etc, to assist with this work.

Members have always been readily available to assist teachers in the arranging of school excursions, break-up functions, school picnics, sports carnivals and in many other ways which have been of benefit to the pupils.

From the records available, the following people have held office in the Marrar P & C. Association.

Office Bearers of Marrar P & C Association
Records prior to 1950 are not available but, it does appear that the following people held office in that period, i.e. late 1940's early 1950's.  D. Stapleton, Mr. and Mrs. N. Murphy, Mrs. C. Cooper, Mr. and Mrs. J. Turner, Mr. and Mrs. B. Murphy, Mr. A. Bell, Mr. R. Wooden.
 

Year	President	Secretary	Treasurer
1950	Mr. J. Fox
1951	Mr. W. Cox	Mr. H. Glass
1952	Mr. W. Cox	Mr. H. Glass
1953		Mr. R. Gooley
1954	Mr. L. Dennis	Mr. R. Gooley
1955	Mr. L. Dennis	Mr. T. Power	Mrs. D. Gooley
1956	Mr. L. Dennis	Mr. T. Power	Mrs. D. Gooley
1957	Mr. L. Dennis	Mrs. S. Sim	Mrs. D. Gooley
1958	Mr. R. Wooden	Mrs. S. Sim	Mrs. M. Power
1959	Mrs. R. Turner	Mrs. M. Murphy	Mrs. M. Pattison
1960	Mrs. N. Murphy	Mrs. M. Murphy	Mrs. M. Pattison
1961	Mrs. J. Turner	Mrs. M. Palmer	Mrs. S. Sim
1962	Mrs. D. Gooley	Mrs. C. Fury	Mrs. M. Pattison
1963	Mrs. D. Gooley	Mrs. C. Fury	Mrs. M. Murphy
1964	Mrs. C. Whitaker	Mrs. I. Crowley	Mrs. M. Murphy
1965	Mrs. C. Whitaker	Mrs. J. Eldershaw	Mrs. M. Murphy
1966	Mr. J. Jenkins	Mrs. J. Eldershaw	Mrs. M. Fury
1967	Mr. J. Jenkins	Mrs. J. Eldershaw	Mrs. M. Fury
1968	Mr. J. Jenkins	Mrs. J. Eldershaw	Mr. G. Fury
1969	Mr. J. Jenkins	Mrs. S. Preuss	Mrs. P. Eastick
1970	Mr. G. Wooden	Mrs. S. Preuss	Mrs. P. Eastick
1971	Mr. B. Langtry	Mrs. S. Preuss	Mrs. P. Eastick
1972	Mr. B. Langtry	Mrs. L. Fox	Mrs. P. Eastick
1973	Mr. B. Langtry	Mrs. L. Fox	Mrs. V. McKelvie
1974	Mr. R. Hodge	Mrs. L. Fox	Mrs. V. McKelvie
1975	Mr. R. Hodge	Mrs. S. Hodge	Mrs. V. McKelvie
1976	Mr. R. Hodge	Mrs. S. Hodge	Mrs. P. Connolly
1977	Mr. L. Hancock	Mrs. S. Hodge	Mrs. M. Hassall
1978	Mr. L. Hancock	Mrs. V. Graetz	Mrs. M. Hassall