Click on images to enlarge
1906
6 September 1906
A Stony Creek Function.
Social and Presentation to Mrs. Barkel.
From A CORRESPONDENT.
The most successful and enjoyable function I ever attended, took place at the residence of Mr. J. Barkel, our popular teacher, on Saturday night, August 25th, the occasion being to present our much-beloved and admired friend, Mrs. Barkel, with a beautiful silver teapot and silver sugar scuttle for her valuable services at all times in matters of charity, sickness, and pleasure. Dancing commenced at 3 o'clock, and kept going merrily till 12, when about 80 people sat down to one of the best-spread and beautifully laid-out tables that one could witness. As usual, our hostess was most artistic in her taste in laying a table, also the good things thereon, which were home-made.
After supper, Mr. York proposed 'The Health of Mrs. Barkel,' which was drank with musical honors.
Mr. York said he was sure all present had attended to do honor to their esteemed teacher's wife, whom they knew to have been good to everyone. In every amusement and charity she had been to the fore, and for which she had worked very hard. He had come there to perform a very pleasant duty, and that was to make the presentation of a silver teapot and sugar scuttle, on behalf of her many friends, to Mrs. Barkel, for her very great kindness. She was a thorough lady in all her actions to everyone, and he hoped she would be spared, also her husband and family, to remain long amongst them, and to live long in happiness and prosperity, for he knew of no one who was more deserving of this than Mrs. Barkel.
Mr. Alick Cameron (Mudgee) said he had known Mr. and Mrs. Barkel ever since their arrival at Stony Creek, and he considered them his best and truest friends; in fact, very few knew Mrs. Barkel's worth as he had done. She was a good, true woman to everyone, and one would not have to go far to hear these things. He wished Mr. and Mrs. Barkel long life and prosperity.
Mr. Barrett said he was not an eloquent speaker, but could not help saying a few words. No one in the room, or in the Mudgee district, knew Mr. and Mrs. Barkel as long as he had, for he had known them for the last 18 years, and found them the same as today - always good to everyone, and their hospitality could not be excelled.
Mr. McLachlan said he had known Mrs. Barkel for a few years, and when he first met her he thought her a jolly 'hard case.' Since his arrival there she had taken him by the hand and treated him as a mother, while Mr. Barkel had been like a father to him. He could not speak too highly of either of them, and hoped they would live to see many years of happiness, as they were worthy of everyone's respect and esteem.
Mr. Lynch said there was very little left for him to say, but he could not speak too highly of Mrs. Barkel, for they all knew the valuable assistance Botobolar people had received from her in paying off the debt of their church, and he thought her a thorough, straightforward, good woman. He referred to a gentleman who had known Mrs. Barkel from her girlhood, and he said she was the best hearted woman he had ever met, and a thorough good woman.
Mr. Gleeson said it gave him great pleasure to be present to do honor to a lady of Mrs. Barkel's stamp. She was truly good in every way, and he knew of no one who was more deserving of all that had been said of her; in fact, she had endeared herself to all who had come in contact with her.
Mr. McDonough said Mrs. Barkel was a lady who was held in the highest esteem by a large circle of people in the Mudgee district, and he would go so far as to say she was the best and truest type of a lady he had ever met. Her heart and soul was in doing good for someone, or making pleasure for them. She had stood in many homes in this district to relieve the sufferings of their loved ones, and to give a kind and loving word to their friends in grief. Her equal he was sure was not to be found, and he sincerely hoped wherever she went that her path would be strewn with the love and happiness she deserved.
Mr. Wurth said Mrs. Barkel was one of the most unselfish ladies he had ever met. Her thought was always for the good of others, and always working for something. Everything she took in hand she worked to make a success, and it always was so. Her equals as a friend and lady would be hard to find.
Mr. Balsten said he was pleased indeed to say a few words. Mrs. Barkel was a thorough lady, an open-hearted, pleasant woman, and always at the top of the tree in every movement. Mr. and Mrs. Barkel could not be done without. No matter what function was promoted, if they were not there, it always went flat, and all present would say the same.
Mr. Welsh said Mrs. Barkel was a good neighbour and friend that one could be proud of. The old and young, rich and poor, received the same kindness, and she always had a pleasant and kind greeting for all. He wished Mr. and Mrs. Barkel prosperity to the remainder of their days.
Mr. Baker said he had good reason to know Mr. and Mrs. Barkel too, as he attended Stony Creek School, and was proud of his teacher and his wife.
Mr. Barkel, on rising, was received with applause, and said he really did not know how to thank them for their kindness to his wife. What she had done in time of trouble, pleasure, or charity, was only human, and her duty to her fellow creatures. He could assure them their presents were valued by them both, but not so much as they valued the kind things that had been said. He knew well it came from their hearts, as their treatment to them at all times was plain proof of that. He thanked them from the bottom of his heart for the appreciation and gratitude they had shown to his wife and himself, and hoped they would have a jolly time.
Mr. McLachlan proposed 'The Health of Mr. Barkel,' which was drank with musical honors, and said teachers, parents, and friends should be proud to have such a teacher and a friend.
Mr. Cameron then proposed the health of Mr. York (the chairman), Miss Welby, Mr. Lynch and Mr. Welsh for their kindness in promoting the presentation, as it was shown distinctly how popular Mr. and Mrs. Barkel were with everyone.
Mr. York apologised for a pair of oil paintings that were to arrive from Sydney for presentation also to Mrs. Barkel, but were unavoidably delayed, and she would receive them shortly.
Dancing was kept going till daylight to the strains of beautiful music supplied by Miss A. and Mr. H. Knight (Mudgee), and Messrs. Barkel, Baker, Brennan, and Nurden. Songs were rendered by Mrs. Barkel, Miss Knight, and Messrs. Knight, McDonald, Barkel and Cameron. Mr. P. Curran acted as M.C1
.
1914
29 January 1914
Qualifying Certificates.
Results of December Examinations
Names of Successful District Candidates.
We print today a list of the successful candidates who sat for the qualifying certificate examination in this and adjoining districts. All the candidates took the same examination papers as the city boys and girls. Under the Bursaries Endowment Act., the bursaries allotted by the board are divided in the ratio of school population. This works out, so that one-third of the Bursaries are given to candidates from Sydney and suburbs, and two-thirds of the bursaries go to the country districts. These bursaries and scholarships are tenable at the country high schools or the district schools, but the names of the successful bursars and scholars will not be available until next week.
MUDGEE DISTRICT.
Stony Creek - Michael L. Gleeson2
.