Page 105 - Volume 1

The Kimihia Community in the ‘50s

This farm cottage, at the junction of Kimihia and James Roads, was used for a period of time as
the Headmaster’s residence prior to a purpose-built house being established opposite the school. The
house was 10-12 minutes walk away from the school and was used by the senior girls for their sewing

under the direction of Mrs Lawless, wife of the sole teacher Pat Lawless.
Blackberry picking was a
popular activity but the mothers
that sent their children out to pick
for jam-making purposes never
got back in their billys the volume
they had hoped for. The
incriminating evidence was often
seen around the mouths of their
children who often arrived home

with tales of low harvests!

The village houses were clad with creosoted
boards. Later, when the porch areas were built over
to add a third bedroom, they were repainted in a
cream enamel paint with white trim and red sills.
The youngsters from the mining and farming
communities got on well and generated their own
entertainments. It took the best part of an hour to
walk into Huntly on such adventures as Saturday
morning movies or Friday evening shopping. A taxi
service was available, as was rural delivery of mail,
groceries, bread, papers, fish and milk.
Stancy MacDonald and friend.