A much cherished certificate of recognition and thanks presented to school teacher Mrs Elizabeth Winnett in 1890 has just been donated to the Tewantin Heritage and Historical Society Inc. at Parkyn’s Hut.
The certificate, which has been in the possession of the Winnett family for four generations, was presented to Elizabeth by the parents and friends of students at the Mill School, which was part of the settlement surrounding the sawmill operated by McGhie, Luya and Co. at Lake Cootharaba, in the late 1800s.
“This 135 year old certificate is an extremely valuable document,“ said Bruce Cuttle, vice president and historian of the Tewantin Heritage and Historical Society Inc.
“It not only provides documentary evidence of the existence of the school on the mill site, but contains the names of 25 families who lived at the settlement.” Descendents of some of those named can still be found living in the district today.
“We are extremely fortunate that such a document still exists, and very grateful that Bob Winnett, great grandson of Elizabeth Winnett, has decided that it should be kept in our district“.
Elizabeth Winnett, who already had teaching qualifications, was appointed teacher at the little school, after her husband William Winnett had obtained employment at the mill on Lake Cootharaba in mid September 1882. This was just a couple of weeks after the couple, along with one child, arrived in Brisbane after a 97-day voyage from Portsmouth aboard the sailing vessel Stracathro.
Elizabeth commenced her employment serving the little community on 26 February 1883. Not letting minor inconveniences like having three further children stand in her way, Elizabeth continued teaching until the end of 1891, when the closure of the mill shut down the Mill Point community.
The original certificate will be housed at the Noosa Council Heritage Library, with a copy being placed on display at Parkyn’s Hut. A digital copy can be viewed at Heritage Noosa (heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au) by searching ‘Winnett’.
(Information about Elizabeth was provided by Bob Winnett, great grandson of Elizabeth and William Winnett.)
