An application form for a Provisional School (average attendance 12-20) in the dairy farming district of ‘Billambil Creek’ was dated 26 October 1895.1Parents listing the 14 children to attend the proposed school were: George Gillieatt; John B. Higgins; John Suter; Michael A. Farrell; Peter Christensen; Joseph Silcock; and Frank Kelly.1 Inspector Peter Board decided that as only 11 of the listed children were over the school starting age of six years the application could be declined without a visit being made to the area by him.1

A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION FOR A SCHOOL

A second application for a Provisional School was dated 5 July 1897.1 Parents listing children to attend the school on this occasion were George Gray Baker; John B. Higgins; James Hanigan; Peter Christensen; Frank Kelly; Michael Farrell and John Suter.1 On 2 September, 1897 Inspector Board wrote the following which was accepted by the Department, ‘I am of opinion that an average attendance of 12 would be maintained for some time, but that the permanence of the attendance would be dependent on the increase of settlement in the future and is therefore uncertain. On this ground the erection of a building at present by the Department is scarcely warranted. This having been represented to the residents, they have expressed a willingness to provide a building if the Department would make the remaining provision necessary for a school. ‘As there are now 16 children without the means of education and the residents are earnest in their desire for a school, it is desirable that they should have the opportunity of showing that the requisite attendance can be maintained.

‘I suggest that the name be spelt “Bilambil” to make it agree with the name of the Post Office.’1

The dedication of the two acre school site (which had previously been Crown Land), portion 193, Parish of Terranora, was gazetted on 8 October 1898.1 Residents contributed money towards the 18ft x 15ft building. They were: Frank Kelly; Gillieatt; Poyser; Campbell; Brotchie; Peter Christensen; A. Newton; Barry; Pernon; W. Balfour; William Charles; John Suter; Peterson; Rayner; Marks; and Scammell.1

The total amount subscribed was £15.11.0 which was later repaid to them by the Department. The building was being erected by 19 March 1898 and was ready for its furniture by 22 May.1

Furniture for the school was four desks and forms each 7 ft 6 ins long, plus one pine table 2 ft x 3 ft, a pine press and an Austrian chair.1 These items were supplied by R. Thornton, carpenter and joiner of Murwillumbah for £6.12.6.1