Teacher Charles Moffitt came to the school in 1911 and stayed until June 1914.2 He stayed with a single man, Mr Blaxland, with whom he became friends.1 On 3 November 1911 he wrote to Inspector Noble asking to have a residence built and stating, ‘I intend being married during the coming (Christmas) vacation and cannot rent a house nearer than Tweed Heads or Tumbulgum, distances of 7 1/4 and 6 3/4 miles, respectively, from the School. Those distances are too far to travel, daily, in this locality where the rainfall is so great and the roads partly unmetalled. On either road a ferry has to be crossed, which, during large floods, has to cease working. On the road from Tumbulgum, two large, unbridged creeks are met with, which in wet weather stop the traffic now. Both roads are hilly and the journey would occupy one and a quarter (11/4) hours, at the very least-it is too steep for a bicycle ...

Moffitt was granted forage allowance of £10 a year after he wrote on 7 August 1912, ‘At the present time, and since July 1st, I am obliged to ride from and to Tumbulgum daily, as accommodation cannot be obtained here, at Bilambil, Mr Blaxland, with whom I batched, has been married and requires the house himself. To travel to and from School I use a saddle horse, as the road is too rough for a bicycle.’1

PHOTO: Bridge over Bilambil Creek near Hogan's Road - early 1920's