Alternative NameBlack Mountain State SchoolDescriptionBlack Mountain State School opened on 5th August 1914 as a result of community lobbying for the construction of a school in the preceding two years. The school operated until its permanent closure on 31st December 1961. Since then, it has been repurposed as a private residence.
At the time of the school's construction, the rural community of Black Mountain was primarily composed of dairy and fruit farms. Community members held a meeting in 1912 to advocate for a school. The Inspector of Schools, Mr Radcliffe, visited Black Mountain, Happy Jack, and Middle Creek in late March 1913, meeting with parents and nineteen children on the 1.5-acre site selected for the school on Edward J Bonnell’s farm.
The establishment of the school was approved on 7th June 1913, and by December, L F Baldry’s tender to erect the school building for £253.60 was accepted. Classes began in July 1914 under the tuition of government teacher Miss Catherine Bergin in a temporary building provided by Edward J Bonnell. The new school was officially opened on 5th August 1914 by Mr H F Walker, M.L.A., with Miss R A McKinlay serving as head teacher.
