Huntley - Historic buildings

Avondale Public School and Garden

The site of the old Avondale School is located just within the boundary of Huntley, north of Mullet Creek on Cleveland Rd.   Avondale School started as a small private school, run by the teacher, Mr. Steinbeck, in early 1859.  The original building was constructed of slabs with a shingle roof.  It was estimated that only about half of the school-aged children in the district attended any school and that the official establishment of a National school would encourage more children to attend.  In December of 1859, an application for the establishment of a Non-Vested National School at Avondale was submitted to the Commissioners of National Education.  This was successful and the school came under government control in January 1860.  Mr Steinbeck continued on as the teacher. 

In late 1860 there was a push by the local community to make Avondale a fully vested National School.  The supporters agreed to pay one-third the cost for building a new school on an acre of land that was donated by Captain Hopkins, who owned a local property “Benares” (not located in what is now Huntley).   The application was approved, a new school building was erected and opened in June of 1861.

The school remained open until June 1918 when, due to declining student numbers it was closed and the property rented out.  In early 1930 there was again a push to reopen Avondale school due to an increase in the number of school-age children in the district.  (N.S.W. Dept of Education, 1931)

The school reopened in 1931 and remained open until 1955. (Illawarra Images, Avondale Public School, 1960)

Avondale school is listed as an item of State (N.S.W.) significance in the Non-Indigenous Heritage Study West Dapto Release Area describing it as “a good example of a turn of the century schoolhouse.  A significant public building within a rural setting”.  The report notes that although the school is currently not used it could be redeveloped as a public building. 
(Non-Indigenous Heritage Study, West Dapto Release Area 2006, p. 79)

Glen Avon

Glen Avon is described in the Non-Indigenous Heritage Study West Dapto Release Area as “representative of an early 20th century vernacular homestead and dairy”.   This site is in good condition and is listed as an item of local significance. 
(Non-Indigenous Heritage Study, West Dapto Release Area 2006, p. 90)