By: Richard Swancott16th Oct 2021 7:40AMIn 1967 Emile Rudyj was appointed teacher in charge at the public school on the kendal road Lorne. He was my friend in teachers college Bar Beach Newcastle 1966-67. When he arrived at the school it hadn't been in use for some time and he had to arrange for repairs. there were only enough pupils to prevent the school from closing. 3 from one family. He had the students working well and the different age groups helping to teach each other.
the house where he resided was in the middle of the forest and we would put an LP on a record player and turn the volume fully up and walk along the road for a mile listening to the music. On one occasion he had the students working and had become very casual in his clothing ( shorts and tea shirt). He was standing on the verandah and a car approached the school. This was an unusual event because the school was so isolated and he walked out into the road to see who it was only to find the school inspector on a visit. He put the kids in the yard and took Emile aside to berate him about dropping his standard. Typical of the time when teachers were shunted from school to school with little real support or encouragment. Emile love this time in his life and he love the surrounding country. When the school was closed he eventually moved on to Buladelah Primary School.
Richard Swancott teaching number 6850536 NSW dept of
education.